"Make Me Your Villain": A Darkling Fanzine

"I'm not a monster, Alina. Despite what you may have heard."
                                                                              --- Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone

The Inspiration

To distract myself during a transitional and rough period of my life, I began reading the Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. The Netflix Shadow and Bone series had just been released and, since I was a Ben Barnes fan, I wanted to watch it--but was advised by many reliable friends to read the books first. 

During this time, I found that when I didn't have the energy to paint any original ideas, I did have the energy to paint The Darkling--the character who has since become one of my favorite characters of all time (on screen too--thanks Ben <3) . 

Strangely enough, sometimes the inspiration and comfort we need come in the form of morally grey villains with great quotes and great hair. 

What's Inside?

This zine is a collection of 14 gouache and watercolor illustrations of the Darkling that I painted in 2023.  This is my second zine and I hope you enjoy it! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for my next zines, please let me know in the comments. 

Thank you for your support, and for supporting human artists! <3

- Casey