Snapshots of latest pencils...

Only 10 more pages to pencil before Book 2 is finished! Really enjoying how these last pages are coming out. They contain the climax of the story. I was nervous about the story...and the layouts I thumb-nailed...but jumping right in seems to be working!

Ink Washes

-First Kisses-

A couple little images of the Ghosts of Pineville characters as I would have them paired :)

Ink-wash on watercolor paper using Winsor & Newton series 7 Brushes and Speedball Super Black Waterproof India Ink. 2.5” x 3.5”

Status...

Met another goal...was able to pencil and ink up to page 65 before mid March! After I halftone this small batch of pages...I only have 15 pages left!!! I plan on having the story complete for print for early May. Really enjoying how my inking is evolving.

Part II of Book II

Finished penciling part two (as the story was written in the classic 3 part structure)! Planning on inking and halftoning this batch of pages before moving on to part 3...which will be starting on page 56. Moving right along!

200 Portraits Project!

The 200 Portraits Project is a personal attempt at creating 200 trading-card sized portraits by the end of the year. It will be an exploration of my own drawing & inking style while an exercise in capturing likenesses that I would normally never draw. I’m hoping the project will not only improve my illustrative capabilities but my productivity through the new year!

So look for portraits on Tumblr as I finish them! (As of today...already on #12) I will be drawing characters from all my favorite books, films and TV shows…along with my own characters. Feel free to suggest any. And wish me luck…

http://cricketpress.tumblr.com/

Mini-Comics Dump Truck

This year I'm participating in an Art & Story podcast's Mini Comics Dump Truck. It's a project where all participants are given 6 months to create their own mini-comic. It's also a club where once everyone is done we all swap our comics. 

It's perfect for me because I can work on my own, independent project while knowing others are working towards the same goal, in the same time-frame. Not only is it motivational to see a group's work come to life, but the same group can offer support, feedback and encouragement along the creative process. And it's great to see everyone get really excited about making comics!

So...I've started what will be my MCDT contribution! I have outlined and written the story and have thumb-nailed all my pages.

Details:

Funny Shaped Scars

20 pages

4.25" x 5.5"

Word Balloons

As I digitize the latest round of inked pages I've noticed some things. I say this because as I was penciling AND inking...nothing appeared odd or awkward. I believe most artists and writers make a lot of decisions for their story on a subconscious level...but WORK despite the lack of mindful intent.  In my case it has been the placement of word balloons in certain panels.

For example: in this panel. I placed one balloon behind the other...then both behind the speakers heads. In the context of the story the words of this conversation aren't what's important...it's the interaction. It's merely to show two characters bickering, as usual. And what do people do when they argue? They talk over each other. They interrupt each other. And they don't really pay attention to the other person's opinion. Which is why I think the balloon placements really work in this panel! I also like how placing so much of the word balloon behind Chopper's head, making it almost impossible to read what he's saying, makes it seem like he's walking too fast for the balloon to keep up. His words are throw away. They are behind him...yet still dominating Glory's.

In this panel placing the word balloon behind both character's heads serves another purpose...secrecy. By being slightly obscured it offers the feeling of hushed voices, speaking behind someone's back...which works for this panel!

I'm not sure how many other times I've done this in my story. I'm suddenly conscious of the device and how it can appropriately and inappropriately be used in comics storytelling.