This is completely gorgeous. Your deep dark tones are the lovelier for the texture.

I don't know if it's the old-bookishness, but I'm reminded of E. H. Shepard?

thank you. i can't really point to a specific source of inspiration for this, but I adore his work. english cartoonists/illustrators in general are just the best(including you)

I have no idea how you did that, but it looks perfect.

all the effects n such are quite easy, really!

this is really wonderful. reminds me of those old children's story anthology books i used to dote over as a child

Oh-ho wow! I love everything about this piece.
Beautiful and charming linework. I love the way you did the leaf patterns on the trees and the look of the branches. The old bookcover is particularly cool, I had been admiring some of those covers in antique store just recently too.
On top of that I love to see that this is unlike the stuff of yours that I've seen before, and I'm very glad, surprised, and much honored that you would not only make a picture of Kio, but that you did experimentations with the style and technique. I've really liked the images I've seen of your recent drawings with your style of linework, so it's a bonus to get to see it here!

Thank you so much.

all my pleasure, been wanting to do something like this for some time and Kio just seemed like the perfect candidate!