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Published:
2024-11-20
Completed:
2024-12-07
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2,977
Chapters:
6/6
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59
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Jessie's Archive of Murdle Fanart [Director's Cut]

Summary:

Collecting all of my murdle fanart here + some yap about specific details or the art experience :]

Marked as Incomplete = Have art that isn't added here yet
Marked as Complete = Up to date to everything I've drawn

Notes:

Gonna put notes at the start of a chapter about the spoilers of the art [if applicable] but in general, these will have some spoilers for the books :] so if you super wanna avoid those, maybe come back here when you've read everything you wanna read.

And, of course. Hello, Andi.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: Jessie Woods and the Case of Not Knowing Colours

Summary:

Relevant Murdle Spoilers: Vol 1 Case 1. I mean if you're on the Murdle tag of ao3 and somehow haven't read Vol 1 but also care about individual case spoilers, you need to be studied. /silly

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

The first Murdle drawing I ever posted was this drawing of The Amazing Aureolin. In which I clearly didn't bother checking what colour "Aureolin" was. Its a shade of yellow. Its a little embarrassing I won't lie. There is a yellow version, but the green looks better imo [probably because the other colours were made with that green in mind.]

The Amazing Aureolin

I love some of the cute little details on this. The bunny earrings and card suit cufflinks are my favourite!! This was also an opportunity to draw puffy shirt sleeves [I love drawing puffy shirt sleeves.]

This wasn't the first Murdle drawing I started, but it was the first one I finished.

For context: Murdle Vol 1 was a gift from my mum for me to read on holiday. She knew basically nothing about it, other than that it was murder mystery puzzles and that was very much my thing. I read the whole book in 4 days in restaurants and bars and pool sides, almost always with a Fanta lemon in hand. [Sidenote: I love Fanta lemon. We don't really get it where I live, so I drink it like water when I'm abroad.]

Aureolin was my instant favourite. I literally opened the book, skipped the "How To Solve" [I had unfounded confidence and didn't realize there was lore.] and opened 1: Murder in Hollywood. She's literally the first suspect. I have a soft spot for magicians, especially if they're murderers.

I drew basically all of this on the day I was travelling home. I distinctly remember sitting in the hotel lobby with my tablet plugged into a random outlet while I decided to make her waistcoat green. A truly tragic mistake.

If you're intrigued, this is the yellow version:

An Illustration of Aureolin but actually yellow this time

I have some more art in my backlog, so I'll post a few more in the next few days. If I have the energy to write the other stuff.  

Notes:

Next chapter will be posted: eventually! If I remember!

I have a few drawings off of Tumblr to post, then after that I'll update at some point after I've drawn each piece. If I keep the hyperfixation. Who knows?

Chapter 2: Struggling with Anatomy? Try 2am Hyperfixations!

Summary:

Relavant Spoilers: Vol 1 Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. Like big time.

Notes:

I've just started so have a 2 in 1!

Chapter Text

Should have considered that to write this, I have to look at my art. Terrifying. 

This is the first piece I started. Took me forever to finish this [I was long home by the time I actually posted it].


Fans of this drawing described him as “fabulous”, “The Guy of All Time” and “The Real Sirius Black”. /silly [but those quotes are real!]

A Series of Irratino Doodles

I don’t think I’ve ever had such a terrible experience with finding references as when I drew this. I was suffering. Spent ages looking for a pose of someone tall enough before I used a picture that was like 5’6. Nobody check the scale of any of my art ever, I have no concept of height.

My favourite details are the stars and sparkles on everything, Logico and Irratino's little eye icons, and the fact I kept the freckle placement on his face consistent. [Like a maniac would.]

 

Anyway let me start with the doodles, in an order determined by vibes:

“Stay Wild Moon Child.” Where did I get Stay Wild Moon Child from? I just own that shirt. I’d slept in it with a high bun, woke up, saw my reflection and went “yea that’s Irratino in his house arrest arc”. I don’t even think I’d finished the book when I had that idea.

“How I Look With He/Him Pronouns In My Bio” is 100% just about me. I do just dress like that. Also I’ve heard other genderfluid people look at Irratino and declare that he’s genderfluid, and they’re 100% correct about everything /silly

“Was he hot??” is in reference to that one Vol 1 Ch4 hint where Irratino’s actor in the film is murdered and he asks if he was handsome. Spent so long trying to make the hair look right [it still doesn’t]. Something something queer people can’t sit in chairs something something. 

I know a lot of people draw Irratino with fancier clothes, but these are all him in his house arrest arc, and personally I would not be turning looks for my ankle monitor. If you’re curious, the t-shirt is Tinky from Nightmare Time. Irratino has peak “probably a little into Hatchetfield” energy.

That one Mister Shadow one was just plain fun! He slays [people with a shovel]! Even if I somehow had never seen sunglasses from the side. 

And ofc, that one running pose. I was struggling on it for so long before I was hit with divine inspiration at 2am and simply declared I could probably do it. And now here he is.
The eye jumper? I’ve seen so many people draw it but I can’t remember for the life of me if I’m the originator or if I got it from somewhere. What I know for certain was my idea, though, was the stars embroidered on his jeans. I saw someone give him star jeans once and I was so happy :] crazy how artists influence one another, huh.

 

This drawing is also the origins of the Carlos lore! But that’s a story for another day.

Chapter 3: Two More of the Girlies

Summary:

Relevant Murdle Spoilers: Volume 2 Case 97. Or around then. I refuse to check and vol 2 is my least favourite.

Chapter Text

I’m gonna put these two in the same chapter because I don’t have a tonne to say. But I’m sure someone ships them /silly

 

I drew Miss Saffron at the bequest of a friend from a fanserver. Since then, I’ve literally never been able to draw a character someone has asked me to. She’s special.

 

An Illustration of Miss Saffron

 

I had so much fun with this one. The reference was great, plus designing the outfit and referencing the colours from saffron flowers! I think this is the clearest example in my brain of how drawing a character changes your perception of them: since making this, I’ve always loved Miss Saffron. Also this is one of my favourite things I've ever drawn. I love her she's adorable omg

 

Unrelated sidenote: if you haven’t read Murdle Jr, I need you to know Miss Saffron canonically has a pet ferret. This is very important to me.

 

And the second sapphic for today [because all the murdle girlies are sapphic until proven otherwise /silly], Doctor Crimson!

 

An Illustration of Dr Crimson



Funnily enough, when I drew this, I hadn’t read volume 2. I remember Andi [hi, Andi!!] reblogging it with something along the lines of “I see you drew her in flats...” and being so confused. When I eventually got to the end of vol 2, I had to put the book down and stare at the wall for a bit. This is why you never pick favourites. /silly

 

I never had the motivation, but one day I want to draw a follow up of “Dr Crimson” in heels, and with the mole on the other side of her face, just to see if anyone will say anything. I think that would be particularly evil of me.

 

And a little bonus for today:

 

A photo of a rat, edited to have long wavy brown hair and a tiny crystal ball.

Its Ir-rat-ino. Yes I know that's not how you say it. I refuse to change my ways.

Chapter 4: Obligatory Oxymorons Fanart

Summary:

Relevant Murdle Spoilers: Vague allusions to Vol 1 Case 75. That is all.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

When you draw a lot, you improve over time. This is obvious. What they don’t tell you, is that sometimes your ability to perceive improves before your art can catch up. This is one of those drawings that got stranded in that no-man’s land, where immediately after I posted it I decided I hated it. I think now it’s been long enough that I can say this drawing was good, and maybe my impostor syndrome should shut up.

 

This was the culmination of an idea I first had before I’d even finished volume 1. I was thinking about this while walking back from the beach, to distract myself from how much I hate the feeling of sand. I finished and posted it over a month later. And I think that alone is cool enough.

 

An Illustration of Inspector Irratino and Deductive Logico, each listening to music, with their playlists shown beside them.

 

I very strongly remember making the playlists for this. Like that I had to add my longest playlist to Irratino’s playlist about 12 times to get it long enough. Or going through the Rusty Lake soundtrack to find songs I thought had Logico vibes.

 

Let me explain some of my song choices, to the best of my recollection:
Dr Sunshine Is Dead: Has peak Mr Shadow energy. I think basically any Will Wood song has some Irratino vibes to it, but this one works very well. [Some other very good ones are Hand Me My Shovel, I’m Going In! and Cover This Song]

Touch Tone Telephone: The general vibe of conspiracies, but also lines like “I try and I try and I try (To make you listen to me)” are just so him with his hints.

Curses: uh. andi told me to. 

All of Logico’s songs are just Rusty Lake songs. I didn’t even realize the implication of adding Promising Relationship until the day after I posted it, I just thought “ooo i loved that song”. The song from The Cave was targeted, though.

 

I’m pretty sure I’m alone in the “Logico’s hat is navy” crowd, but I saw exactly 1 photo on pinterest of a guy with a bright scarf and navy coat and hat and decided that was literally him. And I stand by it because I think the colours are nice. Plus, the purple and blue is now cemented in my brain as their colours. I'm sure these specific shades of purple and blue will not come up again in future art in a way that has any symbolism, pay no attention to them.

 

There’s so many little details on Irratino’s outfit that are based on so many things, like the star earrings I gave him because I have them [also shout out to Lily (hi, Lily!!) who gave him star earrings in their SoM fic, proving once again that this fandom has 1 braincell]. I gave him an opalite necklace because its my favourite crystal. I gave him a penguin necklace because penguins are inescapable in Murdle. And the stars on his headphones are in the genderfluid colours, because if I already have ADHD and long wavy hair, I might as well project all the way. /silly

Notes:

If I keep up this pattern of adding 2 chapters each time I update, the next installment will be the family portrait and the Murdle Jr kids :]

And thanks to all of the lovely people in this fandom, including you lurkers [/j] who don't comment. Your kudos are appreciated!

And to you commenters, thank you :] I love yapping

Chapter 5: The 18 Hour Painting[s]

Summary:

Relevant Spoilers: School of Mystery Chapter 4.

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

I love that I read School of Mystery and my main conclusion was "omg... tragic sapphics..." That's violently in character for me. Irratino and his Batman backstory have been rotating in my head ever since. This is inspired by the weapon in Case 34, and the emotional devastation of finishing Case 34 and turning the page. 



I need you to know I drew so much of this at school. And I did most of the shading at my friends house [we were baking crumble with weird fruits, for science]. I also did so much of the colouring in discord VCs with my friends. Apologies to all of the one person who got a single minor SoM spoiler from that. [Though I still think they’re more mad at the Fisherman Incident.] 

 

This picture is massive, and the aspect ratio is whack. Would kill as a computer background though! In fact I spent 10 minutes in the middle of writing this paragraph making it my computer background. 

 

This is the full thing:

 

idk man

 

One thing I can’t decide whether I like or loathe about this drawing is its so... empty. It feels weird and kinda off centre [there’s more stuff on the left than the right] but I think you could argue that it works. There is some inherent emptiness to the whole story: a family’s mansion with only one inhabitant. Even the butler gets murdered. This guy is surrounded by murder throughout his entire life, to the point where [Vol 1 Cae 50] and [Vol 1 Case 70]. This tangent is unrelated but I am insane about it.

 

Anyway! Let’s start with the central portrait:


A family portrait of the Irratinos

 

I’ve realized now that there’s no good way to distinguish the parents. So writing this will make me sound like a wattpad author. [/silly] My friend suggested these nicknames so send all of your hate to him /j

 

The general vibe I was going for when designing the Ginger one was a combination of wine aunt and vampire. I remember that originally the portrait was full-body, but her shoes annoyed me so much that I just cropped it. 

 

For the Not-Ginger one I wanted to lean more into the mystery solving angle [I mean Irratino had to get it from somewhere] with her design. Also I just wanted to give her pins and the coat was a good excuse. 

 

Some of my favourite little details!!

The Not-Ginger one has the locket from Case 35.

She also has some references in her pins: Irratino’s symbol from the website, a horse [because of all the horse references in Vol 1 and Vol 2]

Both parents have their crown icons as accessories on their outfits

And everyone has fun earrings because I am an earring lesbian

 

There’s something so difficult yet so fun at taking a character design and trying to reverse engineer their parents from it. Of course, we already had hair and eye colour, but assigning other traits to them is interesting. Also ofc adoption exists but let me have my fun

 

And my kid Irratino design!! I think its funny how I drew this central painting, then Lily posted Conducting Shooting Stars [which everyone should go (re)read rn], in which Irratino also has a missing tooth. One braincell. This fandom has one braincell. I also remember debating if his hair was always long, or if he grew it out when he was older. I went with this, but I could totally see him having a shorter hair phase in between. The star jumper was a nightmare to draw but 100% worth it.

 

And now the other paintings:

 

A painting of a cat, a painting of a crystal skull, and a painting/photo of Irratino's parents' wedding.

 

The crystal skull took longer than I wanna think about. I think it was the clearest example to me of pushing through the ‘ugly’ phase, because damn did it look bad half way through. But that is to be expected of rendering. This was a kinda fun experiment, as it was more similar to the kind of paintings I did for school. Its nice sometimes to revisit a style you don’t use that much anymore.

 

The cat was just fun. This is all I have to say on the matter.

 

The wedding picture is actually referencing two things!! First, its a reference to Lily’s fic again! I was stuck on the background for a while, and reading that fic gave me an idea. Secondly, its a reference to one of my favourite drawings of my OCs. If you’re interested - ignore the old username in the watermark -  but this is them!  Basically the background and foreground are identical. Remember kids: Its not plagiarism if you also drew it :] 

 

And that’s all my yap for this piece! I fucking love this drawing and it’s a shame I had to hide it for spoilers. [Although I don’t mind it, excited for when people who haven’t read SoM yet can enjoy it :] ]

 

And today’s bonus, the original sketch for the wedding picture:

 

the goobers

Notes:

After drawing this, I was so sick of drawing children and cats. Then I read Murdle Jr.

Chapter 6: I Forgot To Name This One

Summary:

Basically no spoilers!

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

Sometimes you get a normal hyperfixation. Sometimes you get the puzzle book gays hyperfixation. And sometimes you get the puzzle book children hyperfixation. One of those is far harder to explain than the others. And one of those is my hyperfixation. You’ll never guess-

 

I drew this because I hadn’t drawn anything in a while. Due to a combo of the burnout of finishing my magnum opus [see previous /silly] and school, I hadn’t had motivation. Then I drew these two pictures in a weekend. 

 

I wanna preface this with: Julius is so hard to draw, because he only has one reference [in comparison to the girls, who each get 2 drawings in different poses]. I say this mainly to convince myself. Also, lighting was a nightmare. 0/10 do not recommend.

 

The Murdle Jr kids around a computer

 

Drawing from an actual character reference made by someone else for the first time in ages was a nice change. I did basically just draw this with the book next to me. [Fun fact! They do now have pictures on the wiki. I took those :] ]. I completely ignored them on the colours tho and did my own thing.

 

The colours are 100% my favourite part of this. I started by looking at the main colour each of them had [Olivia has green, Jake has blue and Julius has purple]. They also have some of each other’s colours on their outfits, but it's not very consistent between them as a group. So I reshuffled them a bit, so everyone had a bit of all 3 colours. I feel like it makes them a little more cohesive. Like a group of friends: they’ve all influenced each other.

 

Another fun thing about the colours: do the blue or purple look familiar? Perhaps reminiscent of Chapter 4? I’m sure there’s some better analysis you can get out of that than my thought process at the time [“oooo this would be so fucking cool”] about parallels or whatever. Idk someone smart can do that I just draw lines /silly

 

I also remember complaining to my friend that I “[kept] making Jake gay”. This is a problem I could explain but leaving it out of context is much funnier.

 

One last thing on colour: Julius’ necklace is red. When I drew him, I specifically picked a slightly darker red. Garnet, if you will.

 

The second [if we ignore last chapter] drawing for today is one of those where you find a reference so perfect that you have to draw them. Like look at this photo...

 

A Stock Image of a boy holding a cat.

 

...and tell me I could have done anything other than drawing this:

 

Julius holding a reluctant Buster McPaws

 

This is unironically one of my favourite things I’ve drawn. This has been in my procreate widget on my drawing tablet for ages. I drew this in like 2 hours with no breaks. I was running on the BotC video in the background and pure hyperfixation. I don’t have much to say here. It's a kid holding a very reluctant cat, and the rendering is particularly satisfying to me. 

 

Bonus! This art is Greg-Approved! /silly

 

Bluesky Screenshot

Notes:

Welp, that's everything for now! Thanks for all you commenters and all you lurkers!

Notes:

Thanks for reading my yap :] comments are appreciated [/gen] but I will get massive imposter syndrome from the notification [/silly]