Hello. My name is Joseph C. Weide, and I'm a freelance artist and illustrator from Florida. I primarily work in black and white with pen and ink, in the spirit of Golden Age illustration, but occasionally experiment with other media. Subjects are generally focused on nature, mythology, horror, and fantasy, but I feel fairly confident in drawing anything.

I don't expect a collection of insults thrown my direction, but just in case... don't. That goes for other people in chat as well. I won't consider any topic off-limits, per-sé, but I will ask that you respect others' comfort levels. If someone doesn't want to talk about something at any point, please be courteous.

**How long have you been drawing?** I've been drawing ever since I can remember. If I had to be specific, I would say that I started in 2nd grade, or around age 6. **Do you use reference?** Not usually. I feel confident enough to be able to draw most things from memory, but if a project calls for something specific, such as a certain make of car, then I will look up pictures. Even so, the angles I use sometimes cannot be found in photo galleries, so I have to approximate based on pictures that I can find. **Why pen and ink?** I'm very attracted to the sense of tone and texture that can only be achieved with pen and ink. One of the reasons I wanted to pursue art as a career was also because I became fascinated by the etchings in classical novels (Gustave Doré's illustrations for the Divine Comedy specifically). **Do you use other mediums?** Occasionally I will want to see my work in colour, and will use watercolour for that. My ink-work will be more simplified when I plan that, though. I will also sometimes work with graphite, colour pencil, or charcoal, but those are used much less often. **Who are some artistic inspirations?** Primarily classical illustrators. Gustave Doré, who I've already mentioned, Albrecht Dürer, Franklin Booth, James Montgomery Flagg, Joseph Clement Coll, Charles Gibson, Hugh Thomson, Willy Pogany and Virgil Finlay, along with the comic artists Bernie Wrightson and Jean Giraud (Mœbius). I'm also influenced to a lesser degree by William Stout, Barry Windsor Smith, and Frank Frazetta. Other artists I have the highest admiration for, but have little stylistic similarities with, are Alphonse Mucha, Arthur Rackham, Juan Gimenez, Hayao Miyazaki, Kentaro Miura, Yoshitaka Amano, and Kim Jung Gi. **Where did you come up with MisterWillow?** My last name, Weide, is German, which means 'willow' when translated. It's mostly a time-saver. **What is your signature?** Ah. Right. When I was around 18-19 I got very interested in the work of HP Lovecraft, and by way of his work, I became interested in the occult. My signature is a sigil that represents my innermost (or 'spiritual') self, which I acquired during a meditation/ritual session. It's mostly a holdover, as I don't really practise spiritual work anymore, but am fine talking about it if you have questions about that. **Why are you adding 'U's to 'colour' if you're American?** I grew up reading a lot of Classical novels, most of which came from Europe, so I became accustomed to British spellings for most words.

Monday - Thursday afternoons (usually 2 - 7pm EST) and/or nights (usually 10pm - 2am EST). I say 'and/or' because I prefer to only stream afternoons, but if I'm working on a large piece that takes longer than the afternoon timeslot, I will also stream that night. I will also move stream to nights if I have errands during the day.

- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/misterwillow/) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/misterwillow_) - [Tumblr](http://misterwillow.tumblr.com/) - [Behance](https://www.behance.net/MisterWillow)

If you would like some extra benefits for your donations, consider supporting me on [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/misterwillow). ###Benefits include - See what isn't streamed before anyone else, and get full-size digital files - Monthly postcards - Monthly commissions at immense discounts

Completely optional, but I am working freelance, meaning that income can be inconsistent, so tips are always helpful for those times I don't have a paid project or commission. If you like my work, consider tossing some spare change my way.

If you would like me to draw something specifically for you, I do offer commissions. Contact me via email at mstr.willow@gmail.com and include size, subject, and if you'd like it coloured. I'll do a thumbnail sketch to provide a reference for approval. Once approved, payment will be made and I'll start the inking. Because of my medium of choice, prices are variable depending on the tone and size of the piece (i.e. how much ink I'm using). Tone is a reference to the lighting—is the image you have in mind dominated by light or shadow? I will refer to these Bright and Dark. Prices are as follows: ###Logos & Lettering - $50 ###7x10 - Bright — $100 - Dark — $150 ###9x12 - Bright — $200 - Dark — $250 ###11x14/11x15 - Bright — $300 - Dark — $350 ###12x18 - Bright — $400 - Dark — $450 ###14x17 - Bright — $500 - Dark — $550 ###18x24 - Bright — $600 - Dark — $700 ###Colour +$50 Prices are also flexible depending on the subject. For example, a Small scene with a sunset could be $125 or a Small; Bright portrait could be $75. Subject matter is something I won't limit, but I do reserve the right to refuse any commission for any reason. **Please Note** The drawings made through this commission service are intended for the personal enjoyment of the individual requesting them, and not commercial use. If you represent a magazine, book publisher, advertising agency, or any other commercial or business enterprise and would like to work with me, I will require the retainment (or return, if such be the case) of my original work, and royalties where applicable (such as book illustration).

##Nibs - [Hunt 108](https://www.scribblers.co.uk/product/hunt-108-nib/) - [Gillott 291](https://www.scribblers.co.uk/product/gillott-291-nib/) - [Gillott 659](https://www.scribblers.co.uk/product/gillott-659-nib/) - [Brause 66 EF](https://www.scribblers.co.uk/product/brause-66ef/) - [Leonardt IIIEF](https://www.scribblers.co.uk/product/leonardt-copperplate-2-point-nib-dp111/) - [Brause 511B](https://www.scribblers.co.uk/product/brause-drawing-nib-511b/) ##Ink - [Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay Ink](https://www.scribblers.co.uk/product-category/inks/drawing-inks/dr-ph-martins-bombay-ink/) ##Graphite - [Staedtler Mars Technico Lead Holder](http://www.dickblick.com/products/staedtler-mars-technico-lead-holder/) - [Derwent Graphic Pencils](http://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-graphic-pencils/) - [Koh-I-Noor Woodless Graphite Pencils](http://www.dickblick.com/products/koh-i-noor-progresso-woodless-graphite-pencils/) ##Brushes - [Trekell Kolinsky Round](http://www.trekell.com/Kolinsky-Round-7000-Series_p_1096.html) - [Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolour Brushes](http://www.dickblick.com/products/winsor-and-newton-cotman-watercolor-brushes/) ##Watercolour This varies. I work with the medium so little I don't feel comfortable recommending anything. currently using [Artist's Loft](https://www.michaels.com/artists-loft-fundamentals-watercolor-paint/10125734.html#start=7). ##Coloured Pencils - [Derwent Coloursoft](http://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-coloursoft-pencils/) - [Derwent Studio](http://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-studio-colored-pencils/) - [Derwent Artist](http://www.dickblick.com/products/derwent-artists-pencils/) - [Koh-I-Noor Woodless Colour Pencils](http://www.dickblick.com/products/koh-i-noor-progresso-woodless-colored-pencils/) ##Paper - [Canson XL Mix Media Drawing Pad](http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-xl-mix-media-pads/) - [Canson XL Watercolour Pad](http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-xl-watercolor-pads/)

- [Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/shop/MisterWillow) - [Society 6](https://society6.com/misterwillow) - [Redbubble](http://www.redbubble.com/people/misterwillow) - [Design by Hümans](https://www.designbyhumans.com/shop/MisterWillow/) - [Avant Debut](https://www.avantdebut.com/collections/joseph-weide)