Bust/headshot sketches of various female characters from Thou Shalt Defy Death.

3/27 doodles.
Women. ✨
#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #ocsky

Doodles of main two characters of Thou Shalt Defy Death in coffins. On the left is Aislinn, who is surrounded by a background of hands and is considerably more displeased about being in a coffin. On the right is Arien, who is surrounded by a background of eyes, and he's lying there awake but indifferent.

Coffins.
Concept for a possible series of symbolic illustrations, we'll see.
#wip | #ocsky | #ocs | #tsdd | #defydeathcomic

Two-page comic spread depicting a victory parade and people from various cultures celebrating.

Literal sobbing:
#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #comics | #webcomic

Headshots of Empress Altair with variations on her head accessories. Text on the left describes her as 24, 5’9”/175.25cm with prominent swan motifs. Text in the middle says Crown, referring to the headshot of her with a crown.

The young Empress. (WIP)
#tsdd #defydeathcomic #ocs

B/W bust painting of a nobleman with long, dark wavy hair in a ponytail.

Color bust painting of a nobleman with long, dark wavy hair in a ponytail.

Pilyeon (@vlfdus) style study.

#ocsky #art #tsdd #defydeathcomic

Aislinn of @thesparrowling.bsky.social , from their webcomic!
#tsdd #defydeathcomic #ocsky

Predominantly red illustration featuring the twins Empress Altair and Arien, with the former holding a royal orb and the latter doubled over in pain, holding a red ribbon as if he's holding in his own innards.

🩸 The Weight of This World. 🩸
#ocs | #ocsky | #tsdd | #defydeathcomic

A WIP of a comic page spread showing crowds from various parts of this fictional world celebrating the defeat of an empire

WIP on the comic specifically after literal months like Thou Shalt Defy Burnout-

#tsdd #defydeathcomic #webcomic

Aislinn (woman with shoulder length white hair) wearing a red dress, cape, shiny red shoes, and a chain of pink gems around her leg. Text behind her says Valentine's Day 2026.

Upper half of the full, previous image, showing Aislinn's face.

Lower half of the main image, showing her red shoes.

Valentine's Day 2026 👠
#tsdd #defydeathcomic #ocsky

"Can I copy your homework" meme with cast from Thou Shalt Defy Death. I'll help you with it!: Flor, Vega Yeah Sure: Milo, Sophiel Bold of you to assume I did the homework: Aislinn, Harley lol nope: Renna, Arien, Nikola wait we had homework????: Kieran Read 5:55PM: Harper The one giving the HW: Sol

[TSDD]
Homework meme with many of the cast.
#tsdd | #ocsky | #defydeathcomic

An empress with long black wavy hair sitting on her throne and holding a scepter and orb while looking leftward towards a cathedral background.

Empress (WIP)

#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #ocsky

Grayscale art of a sleeping woman with long white hair and white gown curled up on a large sofa with a drowsy man with long wavy black hair holding a pipe.

Peaceful dreams
#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #ocsky

Potentially, yes. Will be watching it against pivot levels 417.86 and 411.45. If actionable, would trade via #TSDD.

Text says "Thou Shalt Defy Death, Art&Story (by) Sparrowling." Features its two main characters, Aislinn (woman with long white hair and white eyes) and Arien (man with long black hair). The former is holding the latter in a comforting embrace and both are surrounded by paper, moon and typewriter key motifs.

Stories.

#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #ocsky

Sketches in blue and red of Harper (short haired Asian woman with a gun and a cloak in one sketch and a second extra bust sketch) and Flor (girl with long ponytail and a red dress in one sketch and a headshot in another) respectively

Roommates (Platonic)
Trying to figure out a style of sketching that’s presentable for public view.
#tsdd #defydeathcomic #ocsky

WIP of a comic page spread from Thou Shalt Defy Death, a webcomic by Sparrowling. Black and white comic page spread of a victory parade, featuring a celebrating crowd of people and confetti all over the place. It also features two of the main characters, Aislinn (as a child) and Sol. The child Aislinn is being carried by Sol on his shoulders.

Breaking through that burnout. 💪
Rare WIP, featuring chicken scratch vs. refined bits.

#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #ocsky | #webcomics

“Leave me alone!” 🌕👻✋

#tsdd | #defydeathcomic

Picture of Aislinn in her full civilian outfit, side view, wanted poster and color scheme.

1 ❤️ = one fact about my oc

I had a rapid influx of new people so here is Aislinn, the main character of #tsdd. I’ll try to answer as many of these while being as spoiler free as possible.

It never REMAINS a joke.

#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #ocsky | #ocs

One of those tall, dark and handsome goth aesthetic villains except he’s trans. 🏳️‍⚧️

#webcomics | #comics | #tsdd | #defydeathcomic

The other MCs will show up eventually. 😔

#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #webcomic | #comics | #ocsky

Initial concept of Ciriach, Cathedral Capital in Thou Shalt Defy Death. A woman with black hair and a long white dress looks over a metropolis with European aesthetics.

Comic page spread from Thou Shalt Defy Death. Crowds and peacekeepers are fussing and spreading rumors over urgent breaking news about a wanted rogue knight.

A WIP comic spread page for Thou Shalt Defy Death. A train is traveling across a European metropolis on an elevated track. The narration bubbles are censored out.

Ciriach, Cathedral Capital
Concept (2023) vs Comic pages/WIPs (2025)

#TSDD | #defydeathcomic | #comics | #webcomics

A young woman with short white hair brandishes a greatsword while a young man with long, black hair looks onward. The text reads, “Thou Shalt Defy Death, art & story (by) Sparrowling.”

The sigil of the royal household features in the center, featuring six wings, a crown, and a crescent. The text reads, “A World Profaned. The Holy Empire of Daul-Emallám is humanity’s final bastion after war and an apocalyptic calamity. Its people persist only by the blessing of their royal demigods, which promises their loyal subjects perfect health through the royals’ ties to the God of Life. Desperate to move on to a new golden era, the people readily embrace the royal grace without heed to its consequences — until a vengeful survivor of the calamity comes along, destined to become their God of Death and Rebirth.”

Thou Shalt Defy Death 🔥
Website launch!
Comic launching ~Q3-Q4 2025.
www.defydeathcomic.com

#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #webcomic | #comics

Cast of Thou Shalt Defy Death, featuring Aislinn in the front, supporting characters in the back. It's decorated with gothic elements such as black wings, rose petals, gold flakes, angelic eyes as well as typewriter keys.

Thou Shalt Defy Death Promo Art
Saint Aislinn and those that loved her.

#ocsky | #darkart | #tsdd | #defydeathcomic

Cast of the Thou Shalt Defy Death webcomic (24 character slots), all of whom are drawn in black and white art with some red, orange and black accents. At the bottom is the Thou Shalt Defy Death logo.

Thou Shalt Defy Death 🔥
All Cast.

#tsdd | #defydeathcomic | #ocsky | #art

A fictional pope in a mask depicting a tranquil face holding a staff. Text reads, "Pope Innocent IV - Head of the Holy See, 68, He/Him, 04.08, 5'8". Although the Pope and the rest of the clergy are meant to abandon their noble titles (if any), the Pope and high ranking members of the Holy See sometimes are called into the court for ceremonial purposes. Like most in the imperial court, Pope Innocent has his share of secrets, but when crisis strikes, the Holy See is expected to align with the royal family as the family is the Maker’s descendants."

Two young girls with light hair and a veil over their heads. One has a black dress and feathers where her long ponytail would be. The other has lilies on her head and there's a bare spine adorned with lilies. Text reads, "Lumina, the Divine Maker. The omnipotent God of Life almost universally worshipped by imperial citizens. It is said that the Maker created all life and that she is the ancestor of the royal demigods. Although the Maker is said to have left the mortal plane, it is said that she can appear before her worshippers in dreams. It is said that she can also take the form of a six-winged dragon and that her descendants may temporarily take such a form as well. Her Three Saints, Saint Celestine, Haim and Pandora, were the founding pillars of the Empire, and these figures are likewise widely worshipped."

A demon with a serene face, a second jaw, and multiple dark hands on the left. The text reads, "Caligo, the Divine Diabolus. The Maker's counterpart, and widely condemned as "Foul Caligo." Caligo is often depicted as a monstrous man with many hands, although his true form is deemed too terrible to describe. It is said that he is jealous of everything the Maker has created and offered to her worshippers. Scriptures commonly warn of Caligos attempts to foil the Maker's grand design and to foil each individual's attempts at salvation in the afterlife. Unsurprisingly, Caligo is often blamed for the Cataclysm, especially since no logical cause for the Cataclysm exists."

Thou Shalt Defy Death Cast:
The Holy See & Divinity ✨
Bios 1/1
#tsdd #defydeathcomic #ocsky

A well-groomed nobleman with short, light, sideswept hair, reaching for his sword on the left. The text reads, "Regulus - Prince Consort. 32, He/Him, 07.30, 6'. There is no love lost between himself and his wife, Empress Altair. Regulus is often absent in both his wife’s and his child’s life, instead preferring to spend his time among the Peacekeepers. Despite his cold relationship with his wife and child, Regulus is devoted to his father-in-law’s cause to maintain order among the Empire’s new age."

A female knight with long braided hair and dark skin/eyes, with her hand reaching out to the viewer. Rose petals float around her. Text reads, "Vega Frey, 35, She/Her, 03.12, 6'. The sworn protector of Crown Prince Sophiel. As the first common-born member of the Crownsguard, Vega has been subject to much scorn and envy among the members of the court. Despite being a contender to becoming one of the Empire’s greatest swordsmen, it is speculated that her assignment to the 5-year-old prince was an attempt to sideline the warrior to what is effectively babysitting. However, in gaining Prince Sophiel’s trust and affection, she has also been gaining his mother’s favor as well."

A smug knight with black hair and black eyes on the left. The text reads, "Nikola Novach, 27, He/Him, 12.15, 6'. The sworn protector of Second Prince Arien and one of his only true friends in the court. Although Nikola is capable with both his sword and his wit, it is said that Nikola also made it into the Crownsguard’s ranks by the skin of his teeth. Like Vega, Nikola is also subject to mockery and scorn, albeit due to his bastard blood. Desperate for validation, Nikola always strives for above and beyond and to carry out his duties to perfection."

A bald, disgruntled elderly knight on the left. The text reads, "Elias Sanvellan, 81, He/Him, 12.15, 5'9". The Empire’s greatest living swordsman and the leader of the Crownsguard knights. Although the old knight should have retired some time ago, the Divine Grace has given him life beyond what is normally possible. Elias is formally sworn to protect Empress Altair, but he is more loyal to —and more often seen with— Archduke Valérian. Beneath his stoic face lies a vulgar appetite for bloodshed, and he makes no secret of his disdain for those who challenge old traditions."

Thou Shalt Defy Death Cast:
The Royal Family & Nobility 👑
Bios 3/3
#tsdd #defydeathcomic #ocsky

On the left is a child with wavy light hair, happily looking up at his large white dog. The text reads, "Sophiel - The Crown Prince. 5, He/Him, 01.20, 3'7". Although it is uncertain whether Prince Sophiel will ever need to inherit the throne in a world of the Divine Grace, Sophiel is nonetheless well-guarded as Empress Altair’s heir. Sophiel is under heavy pressure from tutors and nobles alike despite his tender age, and like many 5-year-olds, Sophiel largely seems interested in playing outside. Perhaps the heaviest pressure of all comes from Altair herself, who is overprotective of her only child."

A jolly old nobleman with long hair, bear and mustache on the left. Text reads, "Duke Leo - Head of House Vogelsberg. 62, He/Him, 05/05, 5'11". House Vogelsberg of the Great Four is the wealthiest noble household in the Empire, and the Duke is not afraid to show it through both luxury goods and widespread philanthropy. A long-time friend of Archduke Valérian, Duke Leo has been appointed the Luminal Hand of Empress Altair, and is also now her father-in-law. However, Duke Leo is more closely aligned with the Archduke’s agenda more than that of his daughter-in-law."

A suspicious old noblewoman in fancy dress on the left. Text reads, "Duchess Columba - Head of House Rania. 58, She/Her, 10.29, 5'7", House Rania is a matriarchal household, and it was formerly known for diplomatic excellence on the Empire’s behalf. However, with the rest of the world destroyed by the Cataclysm, House Rania is in danger of falling into obscurity and losing its prestige as one of the Great Four families. Despite this, Columba appears to remain loyal to the royals. Perhaps this is out of fear for the future of her house, or perhaps she is simply biding her time."

An imposing general in black armor and holding a sword. Text reads, "Grand Commander Cygnus - Head of House Havenscourt. 79, He/Him, 06.02, 5'8". House Havenscourt of the Great Four is a very large noble house that has long been involved with the military. Grand Commander Cygnus has served as the head of the imperial army for three monarchs prior to Empress Altair. Despite his very advanced age, the Grand Commander has no plans to step down — in part due to the blessings afforded by the Divine Grace. However, his refusal to step down appears to also be very personal, and perhaps borders on insanity."

Thou Shalt Defy Death Cast:
The Royal Family & Nobility 👑
Bios 2/3
#tsdd #defydeathcomic #ocsky

Art featuring Arien (man with long wavy black hair and glowing red pupils) on the left. Text reads, "Arien - The Second Prince. 24, He/They, 06.26, 5'10". Born Arien-Alshain of the royal House Vos-Mhahára and the second child of Saint Lyra. Although primogeniture guaranteed his sister's place on the throne, there are some who would regard the Second Prince as the more capable twin. However, Arien is not appear inclined to depose his sister — particularly if despite the Divine Grace, he is on borrowed time himself."

Art featuring Altair (woman with long wavy black hair and glowing red pupils) on the left. Text reads, "Born Lucienne-Altair of the royal House Vos-Mhahára and the first child of Saint Lyra, Altair inherited the powers and responsibilities of the Divine Grace. Although Altair's existence is a promise of prosperity, peace, and power following unprecedented tragedy, her history of deep trauma and instability is of great concern to the court's upper circles. Her father, Archduke Valérian of House Dupré is the de facto ruler in her stead."

Art featuring Valérian (man with long wavy dark hair, a black mask hiding half of his face, and a red sash) on the left. Text reads, "Archduke Valérian - De Facto Emperor. 53, He/Him, 12.04, 6'2". Once Duke Valérian of House Dupré, the Archduke already held significant influence as the head of one of the Great Four families, as Saint Lyra's widower and as Empress Altair's father. As the true power behind his daughter's throne, Valérian is both feared and controversial among the nobles and commoners alike. Valérian holds paramount duty above desire and order above chaos — both of which he uses to justify his methods."

Art depicting Saint Lyra (woman with long black hair tied in a bun and with a royal red cape) on the left. Text reads, "Saint Lyra - Empress Lyra, Fourth of Her Name. Deceased (36), She/Her, 08.03, 5'1". Perhaps once per era, an Emperor is deemed worthy enough to be referred to as a Saint — and Saint Lyra is one of them. Almost everyone credits Saint Lyra as the first channeler of the Divine Grace, which many believe saved the Empire from the deathly fate suffered by the rest of the world. Her legacy casts a very long, dark shadow over both of her children."

Thou Shalt Defy Death Cast:
The Royal Family & Nobility 👑
Bios 1/3
#tsdd #defydeathcomic #ocsky

Depicts three divine beings in black and white. The first two are goddesses in black and white dresses and a veil. The last is a demon with a blank face, a second jaw and fangs, and many eldritch hands.

Working on the last third of the character lineup, but wanted to share this WIP ahead of time just because I’m loving how it looks.

God and Devil.

#ocsky #tsdd #defydeathcomic