It's cold here on the south coast of England, with winter breathing down our necks. The days are light and pale and the nights close in early. What a great excuse to stay in and spend time on Deviantart!

Let me explain about my new picture 'Light Up The Dark.' It's inspired by a Russian folk tale called 'Vasilissa The Fair' and is a short tale of being brave enough to overcome oppression and find the light to guide you home. I'm currently taking a unit on Fairytale & Folklore on my illustration course, and when I read this tale I knew I had to take it on. Aside from the spiritual allegory, I just couldn't say no to a hut on chicken legs deep in a wild wood, knights of the dawn, day and dusk and skulls that light up when night draws in. And a cannibal witch who flies around in a mortar.

I spent ages previously on an intricate drawing depicting knights, skulls and forests and finished it feeling underwhelmed, despite positive feedback from my peers. Later I took a piece of thin brown paper and started inking in 0.05. It took not even half the time, and I feel the result is more powerful. I guess what I'm saying is that a good idea portrayed simply will never let you down. And there's no point polishing a turd. That's what Big Joe from my course said.

Really glad to be back on here, and look forward to checking out all your stuff and chatting with you again, it's been too long really.

blessed be,

Matty