joshua johnson 🖌️

Hello #PortfolioDay! I'm Josh. An illustrator and tattoo artist. Currently building a world (and tarot deck at the same time). I love fantasy art and comics. :) I'm excited to be able to post more than 4 images this time. 😅 See more @ joshj.blog

The first 24 hours without water in our home has been rather inconvenient. Not much longer until the new septic system is installed. Pain in the ass, but worth it.

What's your Halloween costume this year? I'm going as a dad. 😂

new character alert! meet Vex 🗡️ #art

To get the FREE monthly How to THINK When You draw digital MAGAZINE, (with NEW tutorials, a YEAR before they appear online) tap link in the bio HERE: @etheringtonbros.bsky.social +See us at @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social on 14th-15th Nov for the LAST of the tutorials BOOKS! Table C1 REDSHIRT HALL!

What's your LEAST favorite tattoo trend?

It's my anniversary! 9 years ago today I said "I do" to the amazing ginger who has been my partner in crime and biggest supporter. I'm not gonna be working today. Sorry not sorry. I'm a lucky bastard and plan on spending the day with this catch.

Spooky Flash Day! Anything from the flash sheet is only $100, 5 spots available on October 31st from 1p - 6p. Get your tattoo and get out in time for trick-or-treat! Booking info on my website! I won't be able to respond to messages quickly, so if you want a spot, that's the best place to get one!

Going live at 9! Grab some coffee, a sketchbook, and let's chat! 

Farming on the homestead is my primary form of exercise, but I'm getting back to a little extra strength training and treadmill jogging on the side. Anything to keep the back pain from killing my soul while I'm painting or tattooing.

Apparently Autumn was surprised that I'm NOT an alien -- which she discovered the ONE time I missed a consult. Because my calendar runs my life, and everything goes on the calendar. I just spaced out that day. 🤷 I'm not an alien.

Are you one of those liars that says tattoos don't hurt?

Well, my health isn't a concern at all compared to my daughter's, but if you wanted to follow along with MY messed-up body (and what I'm doing to get healthy again), I keep this post updated any time I get some new info. Which I got yesterday. :) 

Our feature tutorial/artist for today is this wonderful FLAME PAINTING IDEA by @mitcher_meier! I LOVE how a SIMPLE SHAPE can BUILD & SUBTRACT, and in a few steps create something so FULL OF LIFE! This is such a brilliant starting point for AWESOME FIRE! #gamedev #illustration

I don't like the sound of "Gleamwrought." So I've come up with the following three options with the assistance of the thesaurus: - Lumacast - Gleamfused - Gleamforged Which do you like for a race of stone-golem librarians with glowing cores that act as living memories?

Did you know that my website is set up just like Patreon? Including shop discounts (for tattoo flash deposits, too), weekly update emails, members-only posts, etc. Just thought that was worth mentioning. 🫠

Fall is here (even if it doesn't feel like it...), and it's my favorite season. It doesn't have anything to do with spookiness or pumpkin spice. It's the weather and the leaves. That's what does it for me. Wearing hoodies, breathing crisp air, bonfires with cider...yeah. Fall is the season.

I'll be going live in about 45 minutes on Twitch and YouTube. Twitch has better chat, so I'm sharing that link, instead. 🤣 Hop on. Let's chat and draw together.

I know you say you're not on Russian Govt’s side. Or the KKK. Or with the Neo-Nazis. But if they've decided they’re on YOUR side...maybe you should re-evaluate?

To get the FREE monthly How to THINK When You draw digital MAGAZINE, (with NEW tutorials, a YEAR before they appear online) tap link in the bio HERE: @etheringtonbros.bsky.social +See us at @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social on 14th-15th Nov for the LAST of the tutorials BOOKS! Table C1 REDSHIRT HALL!

Oddly, I find it easier to design tattoos than I do illustrations. If you use an s-shaped composition, it'll look good almost anywhere on the body. The body has a natural flow you can follow, but a rectangular canvas feels "clunky" in comparison.

Since I'm making a tarot deck (and plan on using tarot to inspire storytelling in the not-so-distant future), hit me with your favorite tarot decks. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with a laughable amount of AI garbage, so hit me with NON-AI decks, please.

To get the FREE monthly How to THINK When You draw digital MAGAZINE, (with NEW tutorials, a YEAR before they appear online) tap link in the bio HERE: @etheringtonbros.bsky.social +See us at @thoughtbubbleuk.bsky.social on 14th-15th Nov for the LAST of the tutorials BOOKS! Table C1 REDSHIRT HALL!

My painting ACADIA FALL. Original and prints available now.

Unofficial poll time: What hurts worse, the lines or shading?

I've been working all week on adding alt text to images on my website for accessibility. Kinda crazy, but the more work I've put into my website, the more traffic it seems to be getting. Whether it's usability, features, or general upkeep. The slow gardening approach works!

I think that establishment dems are really missing the point with their fundraising efforts. Grassroots campaigning does NOT mean spamming my email asking for money. It means showing up in places that matter to communities and asking how you can help...then doing something about it. Fuckin' genius.

New working paper: the Norwegian wealth tax was a huge success. The "exodus" of wealthy people never happened (less than 100 individuals left). Tax revenue increased by 71.5%. No changes in business activity or investment. www.nber.org/papers/w35854

A glimpse of my current art-ing playlist. Too much Bad Omens? No. Not too much.

This is a really good one. I block off time on my calendar for dedicated art time (client work, study, personal projects, etc) and I like to write in the notes for the calendar event exactly what I need to work on. That's one less thing I have to figure out before I actually draw/paint for the day.

I am learning to be more and more concise in my responses

Still pumped with this print. I can't wait to finish up the entire tarot. It'll take some time, for sure. But for now, enjoy the Page of Swords as a full-sized wall print.

Feeling proud of how nerdy I am right now. My website is now a hub for: - Writing - Client Booking - Selling prints - Social Media Management - Project Management - Patrons - My Portfolio - My Email Newsletter / CRM MUCH better than paying 20 subscriptions to own nothing for my business.

Commissions are open

Day 5 - Mythological - Mab's Drawloween Club 2026 I chose a Cailleach. She is known as a powerful goddess of cold and a queen of winter. #mdwc26d5

I'll be going live in about 45 minutes on Twitch and YouTube. Twitch has better chat, so I'm sharing that link, instead. 🤣 Hop on. Let's chat and draw together.

A few months ago I got to design the staff t-shirt for The Hobbit x MTG! I relished painting some of the pivotal characters and elements of the story. The stylization is inspired by Tolkien's own paintings, and I wanted it to look as though Bilbo had drawn these things in his book.

Pointy Harris Hawk

My daughter got a scary blood test result. We're in for a lifelong treatment plan for one of the coolest little kids ever. Life isn't fair sometimes, but I'm glad she's as tough and sweet as she is. Nothing will hold her back.

I can't stop thinking how wrong the tech bros have understood creativity and creators. Or even just having hobbies. #erliart