Spotlight on a Charming Fan Artist: Noxalisaurus.rex

Welcome to a new edition of Danmei Dreams’s artist spotlight, featuring Noxalisaurus.rex (Nox)!  These spotlights highlight some of the incredible, creative, and cool artists making danmei fan art. The artists will share some of their favorite work, talk about their process and approach, and you can find out how to follow and support them.  You can read previous editions of artist spotlights here.  Today we’ll be focusing on Nox, a talented artist creating gorgeous danmei enamel pins and adorable chibi illustrations.

Why I Love Nox’s Art

I personally discovered the existence of danmei enamel pins only a handful of months ago, and was immediately charmed.  They’re so pretty, these little gems of color and metal!  But it is truly an artform to create a good one, with the right balance of color, line, form, and composition for the medium.  Nox gets these elements right time and time again to create these beautiful confections absolutely oozing with charm.  She nails the characters and even more so their interactions.  Every time I see a new design from Nox I’m enchanted all over again. Check out my first pin from her:

Meet Nox

Can you introduce yourself and share a little bit about your background as an artist?

Hi! I’m Noxalisaurus.rex (Nox)! I’m a Canadian artist and I mostly draw Danmei and Anime art. I’ve always drawn but I started my small art business in 2022 by attending my first conventions. I seriously started to sell online in 2024 with my first enamel pins. Now I live my dream and I’m a full time artist!

What was your introduction to danmei?

I read a lot of Yaoi manga, and one day I came across an Instagram post about TGCF. I thought I could give it a try since it’s also BL. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the first volume at the bookstore I went to, so I decided to buy Erha instead. That’s where it all started. I immediately fell in love with the story and the characters. That’s when I discovered Danmei!

How long have you been creating danmei fan art?

My first Danmei drawing goes back to spring 2024, when I first discovered Danmei. Since then, that’s (almost) all I’ve been drawing because it brings me so much joy!

Creative Process & Style

What inspires you to create new works of art?

Often, my ideas come from reading new volumes, or simply because Danmei novels are always on my mind!

What is your preferred medium and tools for creating your art, and why?

I’d say enamel pins have now become my favorite medium. I love seeing the final result and all the work that goes into producing pins! I also really enjoy making prints, but I haven’t yet had the chance to create any Danmei ones.

How do you choose which danmei scenes or characters to illustrate? Are there specific moments, themes, or characters that inspire you the most?

Honestly, I just go with whatever inspires me in the moment. I really enjoy drawing the well-known characters, but I also love illustrating those who don’t get as much attention. There are so many great characters with lots of interesting personalities! I like introducing them through my own style. The characters I enjoy drawing the most right now are from Peerless, Husky and His White Cat Shizun, and from the lesser-known Danmei.

How would you describe your art style? Has it evolved since you started creating danmei fan art?

I would describe my art as inconsistent 😂. I’m always searching for ways to upgrade my style and I like to draw inconsistent lines too (with different thickness and weird shapes). Drawing Danmei changed my art a lot. I find my chibi style by drawing these characters and I want to try new ways of painting I would never have thought I’ll try one day. I can’t wait to get better at drawing more complex pieces!

Fandom & Community

How has the danmei fandom influenced your art? Do you feel a strong connection with the community?

Drawing Danmei changed my art a lot and will continue to change it as I learn and see new things. The community is AMAZING too! I’ve found so many new “Internet friends” since I discovered this great universe! I’ve never felt so close to the people who are supporting my art journey. They’re amazing!

What is your favorite part about creating art for a danmei fan audience?

I like drawing the amazing (and so pretty) characters but I also love the way that everyone (including me) is so invested in this small world! We all like the same characters and the same stories and it’s nice to have this simple connection between all of us that brings so much joy in our daily life.

Have you received any particularly memorable feedback or reactions from fans of your art?

I have so many (I’m so blessed ❤️)!! When people take time to DM me and tell me that receiving my package made their day, I seriously want to cry! Also, when someone tells me that I’m their fav artist it makes me so happy! I’m like, me? Your favourite artist? I’ve never thought to hear that someday. It’s like every artist’s dream!

Honestly, every little interaction from a like, a comment, a simple DM or the picture of an order is really important to me and means the world.

Art and Storytelling

Danmei stories often have deep emotional connections and character development. How do you convey those emotions through your art?

I think, since I draw mostly chibis, that the emotion is mostly conveyed through the expression in their faces and their poses.

Do you try to stay true to the canon representations of the characters, or do you incorporate your own interpretations and styles into your art?

I try to stay true to the original so that people can recognize them and connect with their favourite characters. Even so, I always incorporate my own style in everything I do (like the eyes and the face expressions). Sometimes it’s also that I don’t find the reference I want to draw something so I’ll have to improvise on the clothes for example.

Future Plans and Advice

What’s next for you as an artist? Do you have any upcoming projects or themes you’re excited to explore?

I just launched a big Enamel pin project (Fruity Danmei Babies) so I still have many things to do about this one. Afterwards, I would like to make more merch at home so I’ll have to buy some new equipment. I already have ideas for new enamel pins but I also want to do some clothing (t-shirt, sweater, baseball cap…). I have so many project ideas in my head it’s scary 😂(for Danmei and Animes).

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in danmei fan art or art in general?

My advice would be: Take your time and don’t let the pressure of social media get to you. Art is something that should bring you joy. Not stress. Also, make what YOU like, have fun and please contact me. I want to follow you! 😂

Fun Questions

Do you have a favorite danmei couple that you enjoy drawing the most? Why?

That’s a tough question! But if I had to name only one, I’d say RanWan ❤️. They are my favourite couple in general and I really like the fluffy hairs of Mo Ran and the stoic face of Chu Wanning (also I like to draw their eyes purple and orange-peach).

What’s your favorite danmei scene and why?

When Mo Ran and Chu Wanning confess their love for each other with their first spicy scene 👀. I was so happy my heart was about to explode. I love them so much!

Outside of danmei, what other genres or fandoms do you enjoy creating art for?  Can you tell us a little about your webcomic?

I mostly draw Anime characters when I’m not drawing Danmei. I like too many mangas/animes to name them all but I really like Toilet Bound Hanako-kun, Jujutsu Kaisen and so many Yaoi! I would like to draw more of them soon!

Appreciation

I hope you can see now why I find Nox’s art to be so charming and irresistible!  There are lots of ways to support her and follow her, as you can see below.  I’m a member of her pin club and delighted every time one arrives, can’t say enough great things about them.  Whether you want to start or add to your danmei enamel pin collection, or you just want to appreciate and support Nox’s art from afar, please check her work out!