J. Holt the Illustrator (@jholtillus) / X

J. Holt the Illustrator

4,689 posts

J. Holt the Illustrator

@jholtillus

An Appalachian drawing myth & fable. Anglo-Saxon graphic novel of faith and penance in progress. Art prof.🏺Love wife. 5 kids. Trying to follow Christ.

Tennessee

Joined August 2011

Pinned
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Jun 8
Last fall I marked June 8 as the start of my venture into full-time illustration. For at least 14 months, I'm out of the classroom and fully devoted to drawing. Some for clients, some of my own myth & fable projects. Wish me well as I try to support the family by the pencil. I
5K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
May 13, 2024
I think this is my best video. It's 19 minutes of analyzing the color theory of Aladdin. It never really took off on YT, so why not try it here? I'm not convinced people want long videos on here, but if it goes mega-viral (like art theory content tends to) I'll admit I'm wrong.
00:00
7.6M
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Oct 30, 2024
This is for a niche corner of my audience it just struck me as amusing.
130K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Jul 23, 2025
While teaching illustration I've noticed this shift: GenZ doesn't come up with stories or concepts as much as they come up with characters and then build stories for them. It's also highly, though not exclusively gender-dependent. You can take it as good or bad.
Make Up An Artist 🖌
@makeupanartistt
Jul 23, 2025
artist who doesn’t wanna draw anything that’s not their oc’s
358K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Dec 4, 2024
I love my spot
Derek Laufman
@laufman
Dec 4, 2024
Hey artists, show off where the magic happens. Share your workspace.
104K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Mar 28, 2025
Art is now accessible.
43K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Nov 6, 2025
Color outside my university office has achieved peak.
25K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
May 13, 2024
Replying to @jholtillus
The YT link for those who like the Youtubes.
164K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Apr 28, 2025
Watercolor and ink.
22K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Mar 24, 2025
I'm preparing for an Anglo-Saxon graphic novel. I'm going for broke. I want this to be my Magnum Opus. A journey to holiness for a converted Thane. A penance fairy tale couched in myth and history. It's titled PETRA COR. Stone heart. Follow along for the process.
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Mar 24, 2025
I had great fun with this. Learned a lot. Successful test.
54K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Nov 20, 2024
This deserves the artist equivalent.
Bernard T. Joy
@bernardtjoy
Nov 20, 2024
43K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Jul 24, 2025
Replying to @jholtillus
Extra note: I would distinguish this from previous character-centric models (like episodic TV, manga, etc) of recent decades because they talk about their characters like they're real people and are affectionate toward them. No opinion on good or bad yet but it's new to me.
23K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
Jun 16, 2024
Replying to @MatthewTheStoat
It seems like the image generators are less and less able to mimic different styles. All the AI images are converging into one specific "look" that is less like art than ever.
73K
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
May 22, 2024
It disappointed on YT, so I posted it here 6 months later and now and it got me to 90k views on YT through the link. You all have 10k views left in you? I've never had a video break 100k and I may need it later for bragging purposes. If not that's ok but I'd be a fool not to ask
J. Holt the Illustrator
@jholtillus
May 13, 2024
I think this is my best video. It's 19 minutes of analyzing the color theory of Aladdin. It never really took off on YT, so why not try it here? I'm not convinced people want long videos on here, but if it goes mega-viral (like art theory content tends to) I'll admit I'm wrong.
00:00
45K