#nostrill

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

woke up and someone spilled vanilla extract all over my dash, so as punishment you strange little beasties are getting all the VANILLA FACTS i know:

vanilla is the 2nd most expensive spice in the world (2nd to saffron)

which is why more than 99% of what we call "vanilla extract" is actually vanillin (vanilla's dominant flavor compound) and is not extracted from real vanilla.

luckily, even professionals struggle to tell the difference when it comes to things like baked goods. but there is a distinct difference in non-heat treated products like vanilla ice cream. real vanilla has a more complex, individualized flavor profile.

why is vanilla so expensive? because it is a ridiculously delicate & demanding crop. complete primadonna.

vanilla beans come from vanilla orchids. these crazy flowers bloom for A SINGLE DAY and have to be HAND-POLLINATED in a process that is exhausting, delicate, and requires specialist knowledge passed down over generations.

then, if you're lucky, you get vanilla beans.

which then require months of further specialized treatment.

the entire process takes about a year and can go wrong at any stage

vanilla has been cultivated for over 800 years (possibly much longer). the first known cultivators are the Totonac, an indigenous people of Mexico.

the Aztecs used it as a sweetener to balance out the bitter taste of cocoa. it was popular in a drink called xocolatl--the precursor to modern hot chocolate!

it is only pollinated by a very specific orchid bee!!!

which is why no fruit could be grown outside of Mexico until the 1800s

Edmond Albius, born into slavery, invented the pollination method we still use today--launching a global industry when he was just 12 years old.

today, the majority of the world's vanilla is grown in Madagascar

if you want real vanilla, read the labels carefully--it's harder to find than you think!

in conclusion, those tiny black specks you see in fancy vanilla ice cream? those are vanilla bean seeds! itty bitty orchid seeds!!! they are delicious and also a PRISSY BITCH!

(src)

[kensatou]

bonus:

[that1notetaker]

This cotl concept horse is probably the reason why Narinder was banned from experimenting with life and put in jail time. I love it so much

The lamb: what IS THAT.

Narinder: Fucked up thing I invented once

The lamb: what do you mean invented

Narinder, a god not just in name but the lamb doesnt know that yet: Spare time project

The lamb: ...does it have teeth?

Narinder: Sometimes

[gxxdomen]

"so I tried to get reservation at Dorsia..."

"dorsiapilled reservemaxxer"

[pangur-and-grim]

I am a little worried that Belphie is the only cat not on antibiotics. apparently they can disrupt the bone growth in kittens, so (after the vet told me that) I agreed that it was best to see if his immune system to could do all the work on its own, before interfering. but it’s so sad to see him all lethargic and snuffly. he needs to be climbing brick walls and sucking on them……as is his way……

[canisalbus]

I love the way vasco is drawn and shaded, my favorite is always the highlight on his nose <3

Thank you! It's such a small thing but the little highlight at the tip of their noses is actually one of my favorite details to draw ´v`

It doesn't do anything per se (besides making their snouts look a bit moist I guess) but it's usually the last thing I add when drawing their faces and it's such a satisfying final touch.

[goldenshrikecomic]

I was asked how I make my characters fit the background with such minimal shading, and here's how I do it!

Starting point is just background + the base colors

Add a multiply layer on top of the characters. The color is usually eyedropped from the background, but just as often I just play with the hue/saturation/brightness slider. This layer usually has either high transparency or brightness so it doesn't become overpowering, especially if the background is light.

Airbrush the background colors lightly on top of some parts of the characters, usually the outer edges and the parts that should be in shade. I do this willy-nilly with a big brush.

Add color dodge as the last thing, and let it affect both characters and the background.

There's thousand other ways out there, this is just how I've done it!

[hyunpic]

[angelnumber27]

hi! my hair is reddish now!!!

[spectra-bear]

curious abt the alien designs,, wanted to exagerate the uncanny features of her design a bit more, (design by @/somerandomdudelmao)

[alphynix]

Spectember 2024 #03: Terrible Toucan

This concept comes from @thecomiccreator who suggested a "carnivorous/omnivorous toucan":

Descended from toco toucans inhabiting savanna grasslands, Deinotukan auctorcomicus is a large stork-like bird standing about 1.2m tall (~4').

Unlike its mostly-frugivorous ancestors it's primarily a scavenger, soaring on thermals with its long broad wings and following vultures towards sources of carrion. Its massive serrated beak allows it to efficiently open up tough-skinned carcasses, and with its nostrils positioned up near its eyes it can probe around inside much deeper than other scavengers while still being able to breathe.

It also opportunistically hunts live prey, especially during the breeding season while raising chicks, slowly stalking around on foot snatching up anything small enough to fit in its mouth and be swallowed whole.

Its beak contains an extensive network of blood vessels, which along with the large surface area make it an effective way of shedding excess heat in its hot tropical habitat – but when soaring at high altitudes where temperatures are near-freezing it's also able to shunt blood flow away from its beak to conserve body heat instead.

[hyolks]

twiddles my thumbs. some studies with the troubleshooting promo pics

[snakebunker]

woman with holes in her brains and every intention to fill them with worms, or; putting in your contacts in the mornin

[planetvries]

I just know these two saw each other from the best angles.

[hmdaaaa]

once upon a dream 🌜🌟

(sleeping beauty paro 🐍⚡)

a sketch of their costumes 😊

also some details : voldemort and tom are the same but different since the curse casted on harry made him younger irl (both physically and mentally), so harry hasn't connected the dots that they're the same person. he saw voldemort in his dreams and tom in real life.

voldemort is in harry's dreams instead of tom because that's what represents tom/v soul.

and when harry fell into slumber because of the curse, tom already had feelings for him and panicked because he didn't know the cure for it so he brought harry back to his castle and guard it until harry wakes up 😪