| A new post, and comic |
I spent the weekend catching up with many things and resolving none. In the background of doing a great many things, I found myself thinking about my various comic projects; the good and bad about each and how I can nudge each one along to what I want it to be. What surprised me most is that I found myself thinking A LOT about Girl and Monster, and wanting to return to that world.
I started Girl and Monster in October 2006 (foolishly optimistic that I would have time to draw it - and my other comics- right). It ran for one month and then was more or less put aside so I can get back to Todd and Penguin. The big problem with the comic is that there is a BIG story behind the whole thing. One with mystery and whimsical and dark fantasy elements. Something more than what is shown in the four panels. Something which takes TIME to tell. Unfortunately, telling a long story at 4 panels per week would be drawn out for far too long, so I scrapped it until I can do it right.
So, here's what I'm thinking... Scrap the four panel standard newspaper comic style and go with a once-per-week full page longer form (comic book) style. I'm still mulling it over, but as I do so, know that the story is slowly building, taking root and stretching deep into the earth while its branches reach skyward, stretching skyward.
Back to Todd and Penguin-land: there is a new comic today, continuing the ongoing tragedy of Sicily's accident. I've already been yelled at my mother for this depressing storyline. She asked if Sicily will die and then, "Isn't a comic supposed to be funny?!" (I hear that a lot when I do the serious comics, not to mention the supposed-to-be-funny comics).
That is all for now. Feel free to comment or email me with your thoughts on either Todd and Penguin or my plans for Girl and Monster or whatever else is on your mind.
Oh yeah, Taking Up Space will be back Wednesday. IF you missed last week's comic, it is still on the front page. Go check it out.
I'll post again Monday night and tell you about a cool comic I recently found.Labels: girl and monster, todd and penguin |
|
|
|
| Wow. |
Lately, I have been VERY frustrated with my drawing, or lack of drawing ability. I have struggled to draw better comics than I've done lately. I've also been struggling to find out which comic I should devote more of my energies to. Todd and Penguin, Girl and Monster, or Taking Up Space.
Part of me would love to take some time off and just concentrate on getting better and figure out what I want to do.
Tonight, while checking out other sites, I stumbled on an artist who amazed me. Mélanie Delon, a french artist who paints digitally, using nothing but a sylus and Photoshop, and creates some very beautiful stuff. Here's the kicker, she's only been doing it for a year.
While you're at it, check out her DeviantArt page here.
I stumbled on this site, via the Lines and Colors blog.
Lastly, I can't wait to see Pan's Labyrinth. In case you haven't seen a preview, check out the trailer at the official site. It looks beautiful!Labels: artist, girl and monster, Melanie Delon, taking up space, todd and penguin |
|
|
|
| So tired. |
Wow, today was a long day.
I bought these non-reproduction blue pencils. The idea is that you can pencil in the blue lines, then just ink over, without the need to erase the lines, because a scanner won't pick them up. A wonderful idea in concept, because I hate erasing. It takes too long to get all the pencil marks. So, I was TRYING to save time.
In theory, the pencil should work... In theory.
However, the scanner picked up lots of the pencil, meaning the scans of my drawings were all dirty looking with tons of stray pencil marks. I was going to erase the lines and then re-scan, but guess what, this pencil I got, doesn't erase!
So, I had two choices, redraw the comics in regular pencil, re-ink and erase them, OR... go in and clean them up manually during the coloring process via my art program. I chose the latter, thinking it would take less time.
It didn't.
The comics from start to finish took about eight hours!
Then I spent the rest of the night working on a story for the newspaper.
I hate Sundays.
Thanks for allowing me to bitch. I promsise a more entertaining post next time.Labels: girl and monster, sundays suck, the drawing life, todd and penguin |
|
|
|
| Confusion |
I'm facing a crisis over Girl and Monster. I'm not happy with the comic yet. It's been two months and I still don't like what I'm seeing. I put a lot (over two years) of planning time into the comic, so I'm kinda' surprised I'm not liking it more than I am. I hope once the intitial storyline is over, and it gets into a regular groove, I'll like it more.
To be honest, the more I draw Girl and Monster, the more I want to start Taking Up Space again. Which brings me to the same problem that keeps rearing its head... Too many ideas, not nearly enough time.
If only I could combine all the comics into one. I know I can't do that with Girl and Monster, but... maybe, I could combine Todd and Penguin and Taking Up Space?
I dunno'.
Speaking of Todd and Penguin, today's is based on my own cat, Charlie.
Well, I'm off. Back to work at the paper tomorrow.Labels: girl and monster, taking up space, todd and penguin |
|
|
|
|
Name: Blogger Dad
Home: Florida, United States
About Me: I was a reporter at a Florida newspaper, where I covered city politics and draw editorial comics. Now, I'm a Blogger Dad (click the link for my webpage - the blog on the bottom is for Todd and Penguin) in search of a job and attempting to write a book or four.
I'm also a cartoonist, how most of you know me, who draws Todd and Penguin, Taking Up Space and the occasional other titles, featured on KeenSpot.com.
I'm married (sorry, all you ladies interested in overweight guys who spend too much time drawing) and have a one year old son and two cats. Three of the above mentioned poop way too much!
See my profile...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to the feed
|
|
posted by Blogger Dad at 
