Robin is, at times, the embodiment of “yolo”. I blame Alex mostly, for her influence on him. Because no matter what life throws at him, Robin will always keep going forward and try to get out of whatever trouble that lands him in
Dream Keeper Robin’s Prom
Robin is my current oldest project, as I just started posting chapter four on Tapas. So of course, I love to draw every character in as many outfits I can while writing chapter five.
Meet Dream Keeper Robin
Robin is the main character of my comic titled after him, Dream Keeper Robin.
It’s important to know that yes, “Dream Keeper” is his official title, just as the other girls are his squires. Or would be, if he passes the whole test that he needs to pass in order to be recognized as the official prince and the dream keeper.
Robin is 18 years old and lives with his father in a house near the mountains where he met Gavin, the eagle from Alnitak that gave him the magical watch that turned him into the Dream Keeper. All this can be read on the first issue of the comic (and of course, on Tapas), but I wanted to share the full chapter image in color for you guys.
Robin official color is purple, and his weapon is the thunder war mace… that he still can’t bring out after the first time he did. One day, he may get the hang of it.
Despite the fact that yes, he turns into a girl every time he uses his powers, he will very adamantly remind you that he is a man, prefers to be called Prince, and hates being referred to as “Candidate”.
Among his powers so far, we know he can pull out shields out of nowhere, and sometimes, create lighting skates to skate over fire. Blaze and Erin have implied that he should have more abilities if he is really the crown prince. (Gavin, of course, says he is the crown prince)
You can read all of Robin’s misadventures at Dream Keeper Robin, or get the print version at the Calico Chimera store (Coming soon) or at any comic event I go to.
Dream Keeper Robin Circles
For the Patreon levels I did the Robin Characters in chibi form and in colorful circles, which later became a set of stickers. I realized I never shared them here, so it was high time to correct that. You can get the stickers at my store, and with me at events, and the full set is here, except for one more sticker that, for now, it’s kind of a spoiler.
Thanks for 100 posts
100 posts in Calico Chimera and it’s all thanks to you guys. I mean, there aren’t many comments as I write this, but I know you’re reading and watching (thank you site statistics), so I really wanted to thank you all with some illustrations. And well, let you know what’s on the cards for the next 100 posts!
First of all, I really want to make this site a bit more interactive, so let me know what you want to see from me, ok? Second, let’s take a look to those illustrations (and their stories and what’s on their future)
Irene Doll, the girl who started it all. She wasn’t my first original character, but she was the first one I published professionally (meaning, I got paid!). Her story is kind of done, but I still have one extra surprise for those who miss her. (Check my newsletter for MORE information on that) Oh, btw, she was the 31 drawing for Inktober, with the prompt Slice.
I hope you guys are familiar with Robin and his magical messenger Gavin. Robin still hates that I draw him as a girl more often than not, but well, not my fault! He looks pretty. I hope to finish issues 4 – 6 next year, so you can follow his adventures at the Dream Keeper Robin page in Tapas. Or buy the books at my store and at cons!
Maria and the Traveling Seers had a bit of a vacation for two years, so it’s time for them to get back in the field. Murphy was kind enough not to eat the flowers until I was finished with the drawing. You can read all about this supernatural baseball team at Traveling Seers in tapas.
Romeo and I have a long story. The magazine where his story appeared was the first one I edited professionally, but his personal story was filled with executive meddling. So now in Gradients, I have the freedom to tell it as it was. For now, you can read the strips at my Patreon (one for free every month, three for $1.00 USD per month), but in 2019 I have planned to publish the longform story (And yes, mexican readers, THAT question you’ve been asking since 2002 WILL be answered)
And finally, Lily. She came to me in a dream, and I have been writing and redoing her story for two years now. But thanks to my new editor, Amy Zunk, it’s starting to take shape so you all will get a chance to meet her and her crush Raz in 2019. I promise!
If you want to know more about how these projects are advancing, as well as others that are still in the starting stages, please consider joining my newsletter (link on the column to the right) for free! I swear I don’t spam.
And once again, thank you so much for joining me in this adventure, I really appreciate every single one of your views!
Robin Princesses
I love drawing the Robin cast in pretty dresses and different hairdos. Even if they have little time to actually wear said dresses or hairdos in the story. Maybe one day I will actually add Gavin, Orion and Zander to the extra drawings.
Dream Keeper Robin Strip Style
I have to say, one of the things I love about working with Mandi Gordon, Dream Keeper Robin’s editor, is that she keeps challenging me to do better every time. One of her challenges was to try and change my style, not for the comic itself (That you can read at Tapas, updating every monday), but for illustrations.
So here they are, looking a lot more comic-strip than usual, for a nice exercise with color sharpies.
Dream Keeper Robin Monochrome
For my daily drawings, I choose to do an exercise in monochrome ideas with the Robin Cast. I have to say, some were very rewarding, others made me see colors in a very different way. So here they are, Robin, the Elemental Squires and the mysterious Orion, for all to you to enjoy.
By the way, if you’re a Robin fan, stay tuned! I’ll be announcing soon the pre-sale of Dream Keeper Robin vol. 3!
Dream Keeper Robin Masquerade Ball
Last week, as part of my daily drawing challenge, I decided to do some portraits of the Dream Keeper Robin cast in a Masquerade Ball, to practice more their personalities. And after 10 days, here is the whole set:
Art Summary 2017
So… we’re in the final post of the year. First year I told myself I was going to be constant with my posting on social media, and I re-started my own site and brand as Calico Chimera. It’s been a bumpy ride, to be honest, but I am happy with the results, especially as well, it’s the first time I am able to fill one of these Art Summaries with one image per month (and choosing some months was HARD), and I’m really happy with the results.
(BTW, the blank template is from DustBunnyThumper at Deviantart. Credit where Credit is due)
I did notice that I forgot to post some of the images here. Sure, I decided that Deviant Art would be mostly for fanart, and everywhere else for everything, but I never posted the Horsemen and Squires in Art Noveau borders here! That was a big overlook! (So I guess I will post them in 2018, just for competition sake). Also, I have to balance more my finished color original pieces and the fanart since this year it looks as I did more fanart (But of course, that doesn’t count comic pages, or sketches)
Most of this comes, of course, thanks to the amazing support I’ve had this year. And since this is the last post of the year, I can’t let it go without thanking Mandi Gordon, Writer’s Block writer and Dream Keeper Robin’s editor. Half of the illustrations here wouldn’t exist if she hadn’t supported me, pushed me to my limits, and kept pushing me from under my drawing table.
In any case, thank you for reading this, thank you for being with me and supporting me through 2017. Here’s to 2018 where I hope we all have a much better year!