James Smolko
@jamessmolkoart.bsky.social
L.A. based illustrator & sketchbook junkie | NC → FL → CA | RCAD ’19 | My DMs open (for work, not weird stuff)
For a little Halloween treat, I present this very special episode of The Little Grimoire. Enjoy!
As always, music by Erang . Find more of his dungeon synth magic at erang.bandcamp.com
#darkfantasy #pointandclick #dungeonsynth #dungeonsanddragons
As always, music by Erang . Find more of his dungeon synth magic at erang.bandcamp.com
#darkfantasy #pointandclick #dungeonsynth #dungeonsanddragons
October 31, 2025 at 2:59 PM
For a little Halloween treat, I present this very special episode of The Little Grimoire. Enjoy!
As always, music by Erang . Find more of his dungeon synth magic at erang.bandcamp.com
#darkfantasy #pointandclick #dungeonsynth #dungeonsanddragons
As always, music by Erang . Find more of his dungeon synth magic at erang.bandcamp.com
#darkfantasy #pointandclick #dungeonsynth #dungeonsanddragons
Can someone who’s actually found success with their art online explain how you’re supposed to grow when the algorithm refuses to show your work to anyone?
October 12, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Can someone who’s actually found success with their art online explain how you’re supposed to grow when the algorithm refuses to show your work to anyone?
Recent Pages from the Little Grimoire. Been toying with the idea of turning the series into a zine or book down the line. Would any of you want to see that happen?
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign
October 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Recent Pages from the Little Grimoire. Been toying with the idea of turning the series into a zine or book down the line. Would any of you want to see that happen?
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign
His wisdom turned venomous long ago…
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign #darkfantasyart #grimdark #macabreart #occultart #gothicart #weirdfantasy
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign #darkfantasyart #grimdark #macabreart #occultart #gothicart #weirdfantasy
October 11, 2025 at 4:32 PM
His wisdom turned venomous long ago…
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign #darkfantasyart #grimdark #macabreart #occultart #gothicart #weirdfantasy
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign #darkfantasyart #grimdark #macabreart #occultart #gothicart #weirdfantasy
Reposted by James Smolko
We at NYCC artist alley I-15
October 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
We at NYCC artist alley I-15
From my Little Grimoire series: Shalimar Malort, The Wanton She-Fish of the Underdeep.
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign #darkfantasyart #grimdark #macabreart #occultart #gothicart #weirdfantasy
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign #darkfantasyart #grimdark #macabreart #occultart #gothicart #weirdfantasy
October 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
From my Little Grimoire series: Shalimar Malort, The Wanton She-Fish of the Underdeep.
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign #darkfantasyart #grimdark #macabreart #occultart #gothicart #weirdfantasy
#fantasyart #traditionalart #illustration #darkfantasy #darkart #fantasyillustration #fantasyartist #conceptart #characterdesign #darkfantasyart #grimdark #macabreart #occultart #gothicart #weirdfantasy
Betrayed. Drowned. Remembered only by the sea. Music by Erang Check out more of his stuff at erang.bandcamp.com
#dungeon #grimdarkart #grimdark #medievalart #darkfantasy #illustration #swordsandsorcery #rpgart #digitalart #darkfantasyart #dungeonsanddragons #retrofantasyart #ttrpg #dnd
#dungeon #grimdarkart #grimdark #medievalart #darkfantasy #illustration #swordsandsorcery #rpgart #digitalart #darkfantasyart #dungeonsanddragons #retrofantasyart #ttrpg #dnd
October 10, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Betrayed. Drowned. Remembered only by the sea. Music by Erang Check out more of his stuff at erang.bandcamp.com
#dungeon #grimdarkart #grimdark #medievalart #darkfantasy #illustration #swordsandsorcery #rpgart #digitalart #darkfantasyart #dungeonsanddragons #retrofantasyart #ttrpg #dnd
#dungeon #grimdarkart #grimdark #medievalart #darkfantasy #illustration #swordsandsorcery #rpgart #digitalart #darkfantasyart #dungeonsanddragons #retrofantasyart #ttrpg #dnd
Once a mighty king, he now roams as a tattered husk, his rusted diadem fused to bone, and his gaze reduced to smoldering voids. For his pact with the Veil-Serpents, he was cursed to wander the Witherlands, unburied and unending. #darkfantasyart #drawing #illustration #creepy
October 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Once a mighty king, he now roams as a tattered husk, his rusted diadem fused to bone, and his gaze reduced to smoldering voids. For his pact with the Veil-Serpents, he was cursed to wander the Witherlands, unburied and unending. #darkfantasyart #drawing #illustration #creepy
Quote with your yellow art! 💛
October 4, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Quote with your yellow art! 💛
From my Little Grimoire series: Gloam the Frog Doomsayer once croaked hymns in the Marsh Chapels, but now he bellows visions of serpents and fiery skies. Some whisper he speaks with the Drowned Gods of the Fen, while others say madness alone stirs his throat. #darkfantasy #illustration #art
October 4, 2025 at 10:39 PM
From my Little Grimoire series: Gloam the Frog Doomsayer once croaked hymns in the Marsh Chapels, but now he bellows visions of serpents and fiery skies. Some whisper he speaks with the Drowned Gods of the Fen, while others say madness alone stirs his throat. #darkfantasy #illustration #art
Once more, the Little Grimoire is fed. This time, A Weakened Great Barris. Music by Erang. Check out his music at erang.bandcamp.com #darkfantasy #grimdark #characterlore #sketchbooktour #fantasystory
October 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Once more, the Little Grimoire is fed. This time, A Weakened Great Barris. Music by Erang. Check out his music at erang.bandcamp.com #darkfantasy #grimdark #characterlore #sketchbooktour #fantasystory
Another page from The Little Grimoire: Gloam, the Frog Doomsayer. Music by Erang. Check out more of his stuff at erang.bandcamp.com #darkfantasy #grimdark #characterlore #drawing #thelittlegrimoire
October 1, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Another page from The Little Grimoire: Gloam, the Frog Doomsayer. Music by Erang. Check out more of his stuff at erang.bandcamp.com #darkfantasy #grimdark #characterlore #drawing #thelittlegrimoire
Jagobtin Lathberd once split men like kindling with his fire-scarred axe, until vengeance left him hollow. Now, he builds beams and coffins in silence. #grimdark #darkfantasy #characterlore #fantasystory #drawing
September 28, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Jagobtin Lathberd once split men like kindling with his fire-scarred axe, until vengeance left him hollow. Now, he builds beams and coffins in silence. #grimdark #darkfantasy #characterlore #fantasystory #drawing
Fun fact: the reason gnomes wear pointy hats is so the rain funnels into their mouths. That's how they hydrate.
September 28, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Fun fact: the reason gnomes wear pointy hats is so the rain funnels into their mouths. That's how they hydrate.
A tome of lives unremembered, where forgotten legends still draw breath. Comment your suggestions and I will pick one to draw. #darkfantasy #sketchbooktour #characterdesign #lore
September 27, 2025 at 4:06 AM
A tome of lives unremembered, where forgotten legends still draw breath. Comment your suggestions and I will pick one to draw. #darkfantasy #sketchbooktour #characterdesign #lore
A butcher taught me to draw fingers by laying out hot dogs in a row. Unfortunately, my drawings still smell like mustard. #hotdog #arttutorial #howtodraw #glizzy #sketch
September 26, 2025 at 2:22 AM
A butcher taught me to draw fingers by laying out hot dogs in a row. Unfortunately, my drawings still smell like mustard. #hotdog #arttutorial #howtodraw #glizzy #sketch
Reposted by James Smolko
Casually thought I'd show off some of the letterings I've done over the years, some commissions, some personal, all hand drawn.
September 19, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Casually thought I'd show off some of the letterings I've done over the years, some commissions, some personal, all hand drawn.
My sister just passed her pharmacy tech exam. I asked if she can get me free tylenol and she said no. Honestly, kind of a waste.
September 19, 2025 at 8:44 PM
My sister just passed her pharmacy tech exam. I asked if she can get me free tylenol and she said no. Honestly, kind of a waste.
Tried to carve out some time to draw yesterday, but the knife just bent. Cheap time I guess.
September 19, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Tried to carve out some time to draw yesterday, but the knife just bent. Cheap time I guess.
Reposted by James Smolko
Echoes of Flesh sketches
September 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Echoes of Flesh sketches
Hey artist friends! Anyone here with experience designing type / hand-lettering who’s looking for a job right now? DM me!
September 18, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Hey artist friends! Anyone here with experience designing type / hand-lettering who’s looking for a job right now? DM me!
Reposted by James Smolko
Art is not dead 🥹
September 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Art is not dead 🥹
I tried to brainstorm my next project but the only ideas I had were “draw nothing” and “start a small farm.” Neither involves paper.
September 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I tried to brainstorm my next project but the only ideas I had were “draw nothing” and “start a small farm.” Neither involves paper.