Barfing Unicorn Extravaganza
This unicorn sketch is the definition of "freaking swell," mostly because there is nothing quite like a slightly deranged, rainbow-vomiting creature to kickstart your day with a burst of chaotic energy. While the drawing itself is a trip, the way I decided to tile the artwork across the canvas is what really elevates it for me—it turns a single moment of madness into a rhythmic, psychedelic pattern that I find endlessly entertaining. I truly hope you find as much joy in this vibrant, nauseous little magical being as I do.
The origin of this piece is humble, to say the least; it began its life on a lackluster scrap of light-teal paper. I suspect I scribbled it down in a hurry just to capture the concept before it evaporated, perhaps with the vague intention of turning it into a sticker sheet or a series of decals. I was working with the most basic tools available—just a black and a blue Bic pen—to render the unicorn’s head, the cascading rainbow, and that little cloud-like flourish at the bottom. It wasn't until I uploaded the scan to my computer that I began experimenting with the tiling, which transformed the singular sketch into the wallpaper-style design you see now. Honestly, there is nothing I love more than the reliable, tactile feel of a ballpoint pen for capturing these kinds of weird ideas.
In fact, Bic pens have a bit of a storied history in my portfolio. I once channeled that same ballpoint energy into an entire book of "weird ladies" that I drew specifically for a drummer I was into at the time. That project was a total labor of love, fueled entirely by ink and a desire to impress, though that’s a much longer story better saved for another day. For now, let's keep the focus on this toothy, magical mess of a horse.
When it came to the actual technique, I really leaned into the exaggerated, toothy grin that has become a bit of a signature for my more eccentric characters. I’m especially pleased with how the crosshatching turned out for the shading; it’s a constant reminder that "practice makes better," and the more I commit to these intricate lines, the closer I get to the style I’m aiming for. While I originally thought this would make a killer magnet, the design has since migrated onto a whole range of gear. You can find this "Unicorn Barf" masterpiece on everything from t-shirts and wall art to coffee mugs and even towels—which, honestly, would be a huge conversation starter on the golf course or the pickleball court.