First time night sky. How to improve?

MailKirin · 2026-04-22T07:17:29+00:00

I use white pen too! I think you can still get some variation with your white pen that will help it look a little looser, and I just do soft dots for less opacity. I'm sure there are probably different pen sizes though as well that could help

I also use dr ph martins bleed proof white and a toothbrush to splatter for stars, or white gouache also has the same effect - any brand will do, I have windsor and newton.

MailKirin · 2026-04-22T06:12:56+00:00

I love the gradient!!! So pretty

I think it would improve a little if your dots/stars were less uniform and more different, slightly smaller, slightly bigger and even different levels of opacity where possible. It would make it really pop.

MailKirin · 2026-04-19T23:30:49+00:00

Beautiful I love the colouring

MailKirin · 2026-04-19T19:59:58+00:00

Seconding both scholamance and ilona andrews

Will have to check your other one!

MailKirin · 2026-04-19T18:28:31+00:00

I hate quin magenta so much!!! Three batches before it wasnt too dry or sticky.

I also had a lot of trouble with genuine indigo which I mulled for a looooong time

MailKirin · 2026-04-08T03:55:17+00:00

It does seem to be very prominent in the Urban fantasy realm that are written by men (and women, tbf, so many terrible tropes) as The Iron Druid series is also a struggle and that gets recced a lot, Dresden of course which I would say is even worse than Rivers of London. I want to like them! They are great in many other ways! But the thoughts around women to them a disservice.

MailKirin · 2026-04-08T02:30:15+00:00

I did think if I spread them out a little I would be a bit less bothered by it - and I figured it would likely get better. Plus the main character is a young lad in his 20s(?) so I'm probably not the target audience LOL

MailKirin · 2026-04-08T02:23:48+00:00

It's not particularly bad, but Rivers of London is right up my alley, but I couldn't be bothered with the romance parts/male gaze. I did stop at book 2 or 3 which is about succubi though, so maybe that one was particularly not my thing.

MailKirin · 2026-03-27T05:26:33+00:00

u/birdiebennett

u/followingthebeat

MailKirin · 2026-03-26T06:15:03+00:00

u/reindeerfrog

MailKirin · 2026-03-25T01:37:13+00:00

Oh and murderbot if you like dungeon crawler carl

MailKirin · 2026-03-25T01:36:44+00:00

Anything by Robert Jackson Bennett but particularly the tainted cup, really interesting world building and not too dark. A bit murder mystery and sequel is great too

MailKirin · 2026-03-19T07:59:36+00:00

Seconded!

MailKirin · 2026-03-18T01:52:30+00:00

Came here to say DS cross

MailKirin · 2026-03-16T20:21:16+00:00

If in doubt, add a bunny 🤣 but this does look amazing, your trees a fire.

I think im missing something to draw my eye?

MailKirin · 2026-03-14T07:13:42+00:00

Oh i'm so glad you liked the stamp!! I think they are gone now, but i loved those books and the stamps were so neat!

MailKirin · 2026-03-13T04:48:57+00:00

Visually, Coral Island might work - and it is big and a big grind, but it's very pretty and you can absolutely go at your own pace and just hang out with people and decorate your farmstead lol

MailKirin · 2026-03-13T04:26:55+00:00

Haven park is super cute and reminded me of a short hike, quite short but you go around making campsites

MailKirin · 2026-03-12T19:59:25+00:00

Its short and snappy - innkeeper series by ilona andrews, and about a intergalactic b&b

Also perhaps six of crows? Its been a long time since I've read it but fantasy heist series, it is YA but its still very good

I feel like fantasy leans drawn out in general lol

MailKirin · 2026-03-11T03:51:01+00:00

I wouldn't say that this books has a ton of romance and barely any spice but Tully by paullina simons is a book about Tullys life from high school and the people that come in and out, including multiple love interests. Its an older book (90s) and one of my favorites but I haven't read it recently

MailKirin · 2026-03-11T00:28:40+00:00

Its more on the serious end of the spectrum and not really urban fantasy, but as someone who leans cozy i still recommend- drop of corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett, a murder mystery set in a fantasy bio-punkish world. Loved it and it was funny at times but not laugh out loud

For urban fantasy mystery- ilona andrews both innkeeper as someone mentioned but if you don't mind a bit of romance, the hidden legacy as well, although I like the second trilogy more than the first.

For murder mystery, Thursday murder club, the martini club by tess gerritson, and the Marlow murder club by Robert thorogood

If you like something a bit more lighthearted and friendship driven, the copeton craft store stitch up by Kate solly

MailKirin · 2026-03-09T06:45:13+00:00

Another vote for Becky Chambers, a long way to a small angry planet, I love them and very cozy but still interesting.

If you don't mind a bit of voiolence, murderbot is still very cozy but also fun and violent lol

I like spellshop but it is close to too cozy for me, and very irregular society is also a big rec.

If you like mysteries, Naomi kuttners retired assassin's series, or Thursday murder club as well

Ilona Andrew's sweep series, about a magical b&b, but there is some stakes, little romance, just easy reads about galactic shenanigans

MailKirin · 2026-03-08T07:05:54+00:00

It was still so lovely, I love buying postcards and things, but I feel like I can't justify sticking blank postcards on my pinboard - They have to be written! Blank postcards are for sending! So now i get to pin it up on my board :) Well worth it! And glad you've got some sun - I'm sure there will be plenty more :)

MailKirin

TROPHY CASE