Artist Spotlight: Noksindra

Meet Mathilde! Known as ‘Noksindra,’ she is a 20-year-old artist and fandom member from France.

Describe yourself in three words.

Creative. Shy. Stubborn.

How long have you been drawing?

Since I could hold a pencil, to be honest. This isn’t a very original answer I’m afraid, but I’ve always loved drawing. I used to write and draw so many short stories when I was six that I was even encouraged to read in class when my teacher found out about them.

But I started being serious and using drawing to relax and escape reality when I was 13, and although juggling my studies the last two years has been difficult – I barely have time to draw – I’ve never given up on this passion of mine.

How did you get involved in the Shadowhunters fandom?

I had been away from Tumblr for two years because of my studies, but my final competitive exams were approaching, so I thought I could start watching TV shows again and become part of a new fandom. I was scrolling through Tumblr when I stumbled upon Malec gifsets. I read metas about Shadowhunters and how the show had great representation.

To be honest, I remembered the 2013 The Mortal Instruments movie that I haven’t watched and still don’t intend to – no offense – so I was kinda afraid of being disappointed. I haven’t read the books, and I remembered my 13-year-old self thinking that this was just another Twilight Saga and I had no interest in it. And now, I’m obsessed with the world and the characters of the show [laughs].

Who is your favorite character to draw and why?

Oh man! I can’t choose between Alec and Magnus. I love drawing all the characters because, yay diversity, but…Malec for the win! The thing is, Magnus is my fave character, and let’s be real, Harry Shum Jr.’s face is a blessing, so I really love drawing Magnus. But his features are also harder to draw in my opinion. Which is why I end up drawing Alec/Matt more often, especially when I want to draw something quick. Don’t get me wrong, I love Matt’s face as well (who doesn’t?), and that’s why I can’t really choose because drawing Alec isn’t the same as drawing Magnus. They both are amazing to draw for different reasons. Both Matt and Harry have peculiar, interesting, and expressive faces, especially in the shape of their eyebrows and eyes. It’s not something I’m used to, but I really enjoy the challenge because I don’t want to mess up.

What ships do you ship, and why do you love them so much?

On Shadowhunters? As long as the relationship isn’t incestuous, toxic, or erasing a character’s sexuality, I’m up for it. Except Malec. Malec is endgame, period [laughs]. This applies in general to all the other ships I’ve ever shipped. I need the two characters involved to be respectful to each other, acknowledge each other’s strengths and weaknesses – but won’t take advantage of them – and support and encourage each other to be better.

There are lots of reasons why Malec is my OTP. They are basically relationship goals. I love how they’re different when around each other. They’re more open, more vulnerable, too, and also, truer to themselves, which is so nice to see unfold as their relationship develops. They’re also both clearly happier around each other and they talk. Their relationship is healthier than most ships on TV right now because they’re honest with each other and won’t take no shit from the other. Not to mention that they’re an interracial LGBT+ couple, which is so, so important for representation in the media.