october art diary #11 ★ purple, whimsigoth mania & all things ethereal

TODAY’S MIXTAPE:

TODAY’S PROMPT: WHIMSIGOTH

INSPIRATION, MOODBOARD & (DARE I SAY) THE PRETTIEST AESTHETIC OUT THERE <3

When I made my list of prompt words for this October Art Diary project, “Whimsigoth” was the one I couldn’t wait to dive into.

To be honest, I didn’t even realize this aesthetic had a name until a few years ago, but when I found out it was all flashbacks straight to highschool, during my peak witchy era: purple hair, dark red lips, way too many necklaces and accessories with moons and stars everywhere, literally a whole vibe. While that phase has mostly faded (thankfully, the purple hair is long gone), this aesthetic still clings to me in the best way: it still influences how i dress, the accessories I gravitate toward and my overall style. So when I found out it was a full-fledged aesthetic with a name I was instantly obsessed. And this fall, it seems to be everywhere, which only makes me more inspired (and lowkey obsessed).

If you don’t know what I’m rambling about, Whimsigoth is a pretty blend of whimsy and goth, creating this magical, mysterious, yet somehow soft and dreamy vibe. It pulls inspiration from fantasy, folklore and witchcraft, weaving them together into a rich, eclectic tapestry. Think spell books, crystals, tarot cards, celestial motifs and other fun occult details. What can I say, it’s the prettiest aesthetic ever. It’s everything. Don’t even try to argue with me. Period.

Anyway, here’s a peek at the moodboard I created to inspire this illustration:

FIRST SKETCHES

My initial sketches for this illustration were surprisingly clean instead of my usual chaotic style of sketching. For this composition I felt like I had to map everything out to make sure I didn’t forget any of the little details, so I sketched the objects that screamed “Whimsigoth” and thought of how it would all fit together. As for the overall composition, I thought about giving the scene a more casual bakery vibe, with subtle nods to the aesthetic in the clothing of the characters, but as I kept going I naturally leaned into the full witchy energy instead. I guess if I’m going to channel the aesthetic, I might as well go all in x

Also, after focusing my last two illustrations on cozy little corners or clusters of objects, it felt like the perfect time to shift gears and bring my besties duo back into the spotlight. This prompt felt like the perfect setting to reintroduce them, fully immersed into the the Whimsigoth aesthetic.

CLOTHING INSPIRATION

As I mentioned before, clothing plays such a massive role in expressing the Whimsigoth aesthetic, so I made sure to gather plenty of fashion inspiration to properly design the outfits of my characters.

The thing that fascinates me most about Whimsigoth is how it’s a blend of gothic drama with whimsical fantasy, but full of contrasts: black, navy, deep greens mixed with soft pastels like lavender, mint or pale pink. There’s often a touch of metallics which add to that mystical sparkle and of course the nature-inspired prints like florals and celestial patterns which tie it all together: think romantic and flowing pieces like long skirts, velvet, chiffon or lace dresses paired with chunky boots or Mary Janes.

And then there’s the jewelry: crescent moon pendants, crystal chokers and star-shaped rings that make every outfit feel enchanted. It’s a look that somehow manages to be ethereal and approachable, mysterious yet totally wearable. It’s everything I love rolled into one aesthetic.

MUSIC INSPIRATIONS: FLORENCE WELCH, STEVIE NICKS, AURORA, HA VAY

And if you think I’ve reached my limit on romanticizing Whimsigoth, buckle up. I could literally talk about it for hours. Case in point: music.

Some of my all-time favorite artists perfectly embody this vibe, not just in their ethereal outfits with bohemian touches, but in the way they move on stage: those dramatic, almost ritualistic gestures like twirling or shawl-waving moves that turn their performances into pure magic.

Obviously I couldn’t resist making a mini playlist of my favorite songs from these artists to help you fully step into the vibe. If you’re not already listening to them, this is your sign.

COLOR SKETCHES VS FINAL DETAILS AND TEXTURES

Because I wanted to include so many details, symbols and different patterns, this illustration offered endless possibilities in both composition and mood. To make sense of it all, I decided to create some freehand sketches where I could experiment with various palettes and clothing combinations until I found the perfect balance. This process helped me refine the aesthetic and set the tone for the final piece.

It was pretty clear from the start that purple was destined to be the star of this illo. Even though I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with this color, I’ve recently started enjoying it more, especially when I pair it with colors I adore, like orange, green and pink.

CLOTHING, ACCESSORIES, DECOR, ICONIC WHIMSIGOTH ELEMENTS

I can’t stress enough how proud I am of how this turned out, it absolutely screams Whimsigoth <3

My favorite symbols are obviously the moon, sun and stars, where the sparkly yellow brings so much life to the piece, perfectly capturing the whimsical side of this aesthetic. And the clothes? I honestly want to own every clothing piece in this illo, especially the blue jacket with the puffy purple sides. The colorful accessories and witchy objects also feel very on point with the theme, I think it was a good idea to make them pop instead of blending the colors altogether.

While I think the illustration feels complete, I’ll admit, I might have been able to squeeze in even more objects (there was definitely room for more !!!!!!!!!!!!). No complaints tho, the girlies are absolutely nailing this aesthetic. Every corner of the illustration is packed with symbols and elements that invite you to explore: no matter where you look, there’s always something new to discover & that is exactly what I was aiming for. I couldn’t be happier with this piece x

AND THERE SHE GOES <3

FINAL PIECE & CLOSEUPS