Two Years in the Making

The scariest thing I've made in a while

The Ritual of Light is finally here ✦

After two years in the making, Mugo’s Universe: The Ritual of Light is finally out in the world. I’m very excited I’m finally saying this out loud!

I’ve illustrated many books over the years, more than fifteen at this point, but this one is different. This one is mine, fully. I wrote it, illustrated it, imagined it. It’s the first time I’ve been both the author and illustrator, and that alone makes it feel like a completely new creative chapter.

If you’ve been following my work, you already know I tend to work fast. Some books I finished in three months, others took nine, other twelve, all depending on the creative process and book/client schedules.

This one took two years, possibly because every decision, layout, brushstroke and word was mine alone.

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What Mugo’s Universe is about

This book is the first part of a series called Mugo’s Universe. Each book will tell its own story, but all of them will be interconnected, like little worlds orbiting the same sun.

The first story follows Mugo, a small bat on a solitary and quiet, but urgent mission. It’s a story told entirely in the dark, unfolding at night, when only candlelight and instinct guide the way.

Something that makes this book special is that it’s fully monochrome. No colors, just light and shadow. I wanted to see if a story could glow even when it’s stripped down to its quietest tones.

I made everything in Procreate, all spreads, both of the covers, the interior pages, using a mix of my own custom brushes and Procreate’s native ones. If you’re an illustrator, you probably know the magic of that one perfect brush that just feels right.

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Beyond the book

Because I can’t stop at one thing, I’ve also been working on toys, stickers (both physical and digital), and a few small experiments like keychains and figurines. There’s even a plushie concept on the way. Mugo is slowly escaping the pages and turning into a small universe of his own.

You can find everything on the website, from GIFs on Giphy and stickers to more about the world of the book and what’s coming next. I’ll be also adding downloadables, coloring pages, and a few extra things for anyone who wants to step into this world a little deeper.

And for those who prefer to read in their own way, The Ritual of Light is available as hardcover, paperback, and e-book. Personally, the hardcover is my favorite.

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A small behind-the-scenes

Before Mugo’s Universe became a printed book, there were piles of sketches, test prints, and pencil notes scattered all over my desk. The kind of chaos that only makes sense to you when you’re deep in a project.

I kept all of it, the thumbnails, the first draft of the storyboard, the messy annotated pages. They remind me of how the story grew and how long it took to get here.

There’s something strangely grounding about seeing your own process and tiny steps, telling you what to fix or move or erase. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for your future self to find.

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What’s next

Book two is already in progress, and it’s going to be very different, a colorful forest, vibrant and alive. I can’t share much yet, but it’s planned for early next year (2026).

Until then, you can step into Mugo’s world through the book, the website, and all the little side projects that are coming along with it.

This story started as a small spark on a sketchbook page. Now it’s a book, a world, and hopefully a beginning of something much bigger.

Thank you for being here and for caring about stories like this one.

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