Ren Varela
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cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Ren Varela
@cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
1.9K followers 160 following 2.2K posts
A Latine dark fantasy, horror, and surrealist artist, illustrator, storyteller.
#DarkArt
🚫 No A/I ; 🚫 N/F/Ts

Nonbinary | Pronouns: they/them

📧 Contact: [email protected]
🌐 https://bio.site/CobaltCorvus
🥫 https://ko-fi.com/cobaltcorvus
Posts Replies Media Videos
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Who up pondering thine orb?
#DarkArt
A digital painting of a skull headed, glowing eyed figure that is just a disembodied torso and a floating right arm, pondering a glowing orb set in front of a black background.
November 10, 2025 at 7:40 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Oops, a day late because daylight saving's ending and work got me beat. 😅

But here's some of my spooky art!
A dark art, digital painting of a haloed, skull headed figure floating in a void with arms stretched to its sides, palms facing forward, and with rose quartz protruding from its shattered, decaying body. A digital painting of a demon-like creature with a human skull that has Jacob's sheep horns and a glowing inner fire in it's diminishing torso. A digital painting in mostly grayscale of a skeletal, beastly creature with four different animal skull heads: two different bears, a wolf, and a great cat, each with spectral glowing blue eyes emerging from a dark, ominous fog. A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop.
November 3, 2025 at 3:48 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
QRP with your dark art 🖤
A dark art digital painting of portrait of a headless figure in a suit and tie with two glowing halos of different sizes floating where the head would be. A digital painting of a male ghost character that is semi-transparent in places, in front of a bunch of white roses and a black backdrop. Part of his skull is visible as well as the bones of his right hand. A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop. A dark art, digital painting of a haloed, skull headed figure floating in a void with arms stretched to its sides, palms facing forward, and with rose quartz protruding from its shattered, decaying body.
October 28, 2025 at 3:05 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Post something halloween-y!
🎃👻💀🍁🍂🦇
A gouache painting of a creepy house that seems to be decaying, surrounded by tall grass and two dark trees frame it (the tree on the viewer's right is out of frame but its branches are coming in). It appears to be night but greeting the viewer are two friendly ghosts! One is inside the house seen in one of the windows while the second ghost is emerging from a circular, second floor window with their arms raised in greeting with a smile.
October 28, 2025 at 2:32 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Thanks for hosting and the tag, Quico!
Best of luck to us all this Monday + week. 🫡
A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop. A digital painting that is a portrait of a ghostly male character that is mostly in shadow except for his face. He has dark hair, blue skin and glowing eyes. A dark, digital painting of a figure that is just a torso with arms that are shrugging and has a floating skull wearing a golden laurel. There's a glowing orb beneath the torso. A digital painting of a giant, multi-armed, skull-headed figure in a large thunder cloud with several bolts of lighting generating from it.
October 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Infernal 01

🖼️ #repostober #art #DarkArt #horror
A digital painting of a demon-like creature with a human skull that has Jacob's sheep horns and a glowing inner fire in it's diminishing torso.
October 21, 2025 at 4:12 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
I can't remember if I properly introduced this creature, but this is my original creature/cryptid, Inkcap Beast, that I created for Creatuanuary 2019.

#repostober #DarkArt #art #cryptid #OriginalCryptid #CreatureDesign #イラスト 🖼️
A black and white digital drawing of a large mushroom creature that is shaped like a giraffe and based on inky cap mushrooms, walking through a foggy scene.
October 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Hello, #PortfolioDay!

I'm Ren Varela, a freelance artist that specializes in dark, slightly surrealist fantasy illustrations, and character & creature designs.

I am open for work & interested in creating art for TTRPGs!

💼 Portfolio
🖼️ Print Shop
🪙 Tip Jar
✉️ Contact: [email protected]
A collage image of six different paintings done by the poster of various skull headed humanoid figures, most with their skulls floating above dismembered torsos and other mystical features. A collage of six images that are of three different character portraits, two of which show full body poses. A collage of two different images featuring the same character. One is a portrait of a ghostly male character that is mostly in shadow except for his face. He has dark hair, blue skin and glowing eyes. The other features different portrait angles and one almost full body pose. A collage of three different digital paintings. One is a portrait of a headless figure in a suit and tie with two glowing halos of different sizes floating where the head would be. Second is of a jackal skull floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. Last is of a giant, four-armed, skull-headed figure floating in a large thunder cloud with several bolts of lighting generating from its hands and the cloud as sunlight shines from behind it all.
October 14, 2025 at 2:14 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Day 3 #hARToween2025 - "Blood Moon"

A little mishap happened with some blue tape but it's fine. 😅
Also got to use masking fluid for the first time! 🎨 🖼️
A watercolor painting of a blood red, full moon in a partially cloudy night sky with a few scattered white stars.
October 13, 2025 at 5:47 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Thanks for hosting and for the tag, Quico!

I'm Ren Varela, a freelance artist that specializes in dark, slightly surrealist fantasy illustrations, and character and creature designs!
A dark art, digital painting of a haloed, skull headed figure floating in a void with arms stretched to its sides, palms facing forward, and with rose quartz protruding from its shattered, decaying body. A digital painting that is a study of a suit of armor that has aged to a greenish color with some gold accents. A black and white, digital painting of a backlit portrait of a man, possibly in his mid to late thirties, with slightly unkempt hair and a scruffy beard. A digital painting of a giant, multi-armed, skull-headed figure in a large thunder cloud with several bolts of lighting generating from it.
October 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Thanks for hosting, Nodens!

Hello, all! I'm Ren Varela, a freelance artist that specializes in dark, slightly surrealist fantasy illustrations, and character and creature designs.
A digital painting that is a portrait of a male elf character, facing forward and looking to his right, with dark hair styled in a wolfcut. A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop. A dark, digital painting of a figure that is just a torso with arms that are shrugging and has a floating skull wearing a golden laurel. There's a glowing orb beneath the torso. A digital painting that is a portrait of a ghostly male character that is mostly in shadow except for his face. He has dark hair, blue skin and glowing eyes.
October 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
If you see this share a pic from your device with no explanation...
A stock photo of a man looking anguished holding a fake gun to a fake fish that he is also holding in front of a dark gray photo backdrop.
October 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
There's currently a sitewide sale on INPRNT!

All my prints will be 35% off during this time!

Mini Prints
Posters
Framed Prints

#bskyart #BSNM #DarkArt
A screen capture of the Inprint shop front of various dark art pieces created by Ren Varela. The prints are all marked at 35% off available in different types of prints and various sizes.
October 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Show me how you draw armor! 🛡️

The reference for this was from a photo pack of armor to make studies from so I don't have all the info on it other than it looks pretty cool.
A digital painting that is a study of a suit of armor that has aged to a greenish color with some gold accents.
October 6, 2025 at 10:58 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Thanks for hosting, Hampus! 🖤

I'm Ren and I like to paint a lot of skull-headed, skeletal-esque creatures.
A digital painting of a haloed human skull floating above a dismembered torso that glows from within, a pelvic bone floating beneath it, shards of perhaps garnet float around it like shattered wings. A dark art, digital painting of a haloed, skull headed figure floating in a void with arms stretched to its sides, palms facing forward, and with rose quartz protruding from its shattered, decaying body. A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop. A digital painting of a giant, multi-armed, skull-headed figure in a large thunder cloud with several bolts of lighting generating from it.
October 6, 2025 at 2:21 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
A bit late, oh well. 😅
Thanks for the tag and for hosting, Quico!
Happy Monday, everyone! 🖤
A dark art digital painting of portrait of a headless figure in a suit and tie with two glowing halos of different sizes floating where the head would be. A dark, digital painting of a figure that is just a torso with arms that are shrugging and has a floating skull wearing a golden laurel. There's a glowing orb beneath the torso. A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop. A digital painting of a giant, multi-armed, skull-headed figure in a large thunder cloud with several bolts of lighting generating from it.
October 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
It's officially Spooky Month! 🎃
Kicking it off with some #hARToween25!

Took a little inspiration from old school Halloween cards but tried to keep it in sort of my style. 🖼️
A gouache painting of a creepy house that seems to be decaying, surrounded by tall grass and two dark trees frame it (the tree on the viewer's right is out of frame but its branches are coming in). It appears to be night but greeting the viewer are two friendly ghosts! One is inside the house seen in one of the windows while the second ghost is emerging from a circular, second floor window with their arms raised in greeting with a smile.
October 1, 2025 at 6:07 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Happiest of birthdays to you, Anan! 🥳

Here's an eclectic array of some of my work to share with you and everyone. 🖤
A digital painting that is a portrait of a ghostly male character that is mostly in shadow except for his face. He has dark hair, blue skin and glowing eyes. A digital painting of a light blue flower on a black background. A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop. A digital painting of a portrait of a man with long, slightly wavy hair and an eye patch over a scarred left eye, dressed somewhat fancy in late 19th century garb.
October 1, 2025 at 4:53 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Thanks for the tag and hosting, Quico! 🖤

Hello, all! I'm Ren, a freelance artist that specializes in dark, slightly surrealist fantasy illustrations, and character and creature designs. Sometimes I do fanart.
A digital painting of a skull headed, glowing eyed figure that is just a disembodied torso and a floating right arm, pondering a glowing orb set in front of a black background. A digital painting of Zagreus from the video game "Hades" painted in mostly grayscale except for this laurel crown being in full color. He's sitting on a stool in a portrait pose, looking down to his right, left hand clasped over his right wrist. A digital painting of a haloed human skull floating above a dismembered torso that glows from within, a pelvic bone floating beneath it, shards of perhaps garnet float around it like shattered wings. A digital painting of a giant, multi-armed, skull-headed figure in a large thunder cloud with several bolts of lighting generating from it.
September 29, 2025 at 4:43 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
The "Everything's Ohio? Always has been." meme of two astronauts in space with the Earth in view. One astronaut is facing away from the other, looking in the direction of the Earth with text above their head that reads: "Wait, everything's chemicals?" The second astronaut is behind them with a gun pointed at the first astronaut's head with text above their head that reads: "Always has been."
September 25, 2025 at 6:44 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Artists! Show off one artwork and one way we can support you! 🖤

(Also, there's a flash sale happening right now so all my prints are 35% off during this time!)

www.inprnt.com/gallery/coba...
A digital painting of a giant, multi-armed, skull-headed figure in a large thunder cloud with several bolts of lighting generating from it. A screen grab of an art print shop page that displays at least six different dark art prints available for purchase, all are discounted at 35% off.
September 23, 2025 at 1:31 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Here's @sygnin.com's OC Talia in my style! I hope I did her justice.
🎨 🖼️ #sygnin13k
A digital illustration of an elf woman with long red hair that is up and to one side, kind of like a wave. She's wearing an 80s punk/goth style black leather outfit with various studs, fish nets, and a belt with some chains and a skull belt buckle. She is holding a whip in both hands and is draping it over her shoulders.
September 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Congrats on the milestone, Manuel! 🎉
Thank you for hosting and thank you for the tag! 🖤✨

Hello, all! I'm Ren, I'm a freelance artist that specializes in dark, slightly surrealist fantasy illustrations, and character and creature designs.
A dark art digital painting of portrait of a headless figure in a suit and tie with two glowing halos of different sizes floating where the head would be. A dark art, digital painting of a haloed, skull headed figure floating in a void with arms stretched to its sides, palms facing forward, and with rose quartz protruding from its shattered, decaying body. A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop. A digital painting of a giant, multi-armed, skull-headed figure in a large thunder cloud with several bolts of lighting generating from it.
September 18, 2025 at 2:11 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Post a mage! 🔮

Here's my OC Korvi'daes, an elvish mage!
#ArtTrain
A digital painting that is a portrait of a male elf character, facing forward with his eyes looking to his right. He has dark hair styled in a fairly long wolfcut and is wearing a blue-gray tunic.
September 17, 2025 at 2:18 PM
cobaltcorvus.bsky.social
Artists, quote this with skull art. 💀

#ArtTrain #DarkArt
A digital painting of a jackal skull in profile view floating about a horizontal, black halo, both floating above the neck of a dismembered, semi-human, teal torso. All is painted on a black back drop.
September 17, 2025 at 1:16 PM