I keep getting ads in French for some reason, heh.

I'm sitting on the brink of a large decision, artwise. I am about to decide whetherto make my next big project inked (digitally, once the tablet is up and running) or pencils only.

My pencils have been getting a bit better recently and I just need to clean them up a little more before doing the final version I guess. That would also let me work much faster, I assume 3 pages a day would be a reasonable amount.

But I foresee problems with buildings. I don't know if I can get all the necessary perspective grids laid down properly on paper. I just don't know.

Also, inks would give me crispier, cleaner lines and then I could use any paper (ruled/graph paper would work too) for the pencils (which would be more like breakdowns).

But then it might be difficult to keep things consistent for I tend to do very rough breakdowns if I'm inking digitally which often leads to proportions being off between pages. Also, it would considerably slow me down (2 pages at most).

I could also try traditional inking, but my inking skills there end at using a gelpen, and those things run out of ink a bit too fast (max. 3-4 pages if I remember correctly).

I think I'll have to come up with a short comic to test these ideas out.

I love learning stuff. I pick up a new technique and off I go to play with my new skill.

Now if I could just talk. Humidity up and down has killed my voice so after speaking I feel like my vocal cords are swollen and I start coughing.

But go to the doctor? No, because of insurance problems because this may be part of my last accident so I can't just go and get my throat looked at.

woa the DD front page was… woa, big black ad.

I was speaking to ProductPlacement about the downtime today and I told him that I felt I was committing adultery by reading a strip on comicfury. Almost regret it, maybe the duck will take me back?

OnlyFoolsAndVikings
I know how you feel, bro. But smart move with the dryer, that is an excellent idea, did it work?

Yup it did actually! I knew it would because that's what it does. I suspect it only works because it's a condenser dryer though. It condenses the water into a tank, and some of the warm dry air escapes out a vent or something. No need to hook it up to external vents. (Which is why I got it in the first place.)

Ally Haert
Has anyone else been given the advice to take a hot shower when you have a sunburn? I've had more than one person tell me to do that before, but it seems so contrary. Wouldn't it be better to use cold water in a shower?

Has anyone else ever heard this advice before and is there any kind of credence to it?

You're not supposed to use hot OR cold. Hot because your skin isn't able to judge the temperature and you're just irritating it more, cold because if it's too cold (like icy) you can actual kill the damaged skin cells and give yourself gangrene. Water/ice on its own doesn't do a whole lot for healing anyway.

The best remedy I've ever found was to steep some tea in warm water, then use a towel (it will get stained, as will any clothes) like a compress on the burned spots. Just wring the towel til it's mostly damp and just lay it on whatever's burned until it starts to dry out, then redo it. If you can let that tea-water sit on your skin all day or overnight, it will feel a lot better and heal much faster (if you can do it as soon as possible). Usually you have some tea left over the next day and can do it again. Tea, is there anything it can't do? I've been told you can do the same thing with milk, but I'm less keen to let milk sit around on my skin for extended periods of time.

Sheesh. They don't tell you how much work it is to get your name change while you are planning your wedding. I waited in line for 45 minutes to get my name changed with social security. 1 hour and 30 minutes to get an updated driver's license. 5 minutes at the bank (ok that isn't too bad). I still have to get a new passport and change my name with the school. But I can't change my name with the school until my new driver's license comes in the mail. Waaay too much work.

I recently found out I have a second cousin who lives here in New Orleans. Which is awesome, because he's apparently the other weirdo in the family. He's one of those guys that like, hangs from hooks and whatever. Going to see him perform tonight.

today was killer. however, i managed thru it to spend another 4 hours outside. this town aint gonna save itself after all.
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i forgot this window was even open. oh well, i'm sure i'll rant after two more people have posted.

gullas
I was speaking to ProductPlacement about the downtime today and I told him that I felt I was committing adultery by reading a strip on comicfury. Almost regret it, maybe the duck will take me back?

If Drunkduck takes me back after making an account of my comic on there, it'll take back you :D Though I suspect it only took me back because it couldn't quite remember who I was after a long night of… being… A drunk duck.

——–

If your mother offers to fringe your trim, do not take up the offer, I learnt the hard way, she butchered by fringe and now I look like I've got a partial bowl cut half way up my forehead.

Dear God, and school photos are tomorrow.

Kiiiiiillllll mmmmmeeeeeeeeeee…..

OnlyFoolsAndVikings

gullas
I was speaking to ProductPlacement about the downtime today and I told him that I felt I was committing adultery by reading a strip on comicfury. Almost regret it, maybe the duck will take me back?

If Drunkduck takes me back after making an account of my comic on there, it'll take back you :D Though I suspect it only took me back because it couldn't quite remember who I was after a long night of… being… A drunk duck.

——–

If your mother offers to fringe your trim, do not take up the offer, I learnt the hard way, she butchered by fringe and now I look like I've got a partial bowl cut half way up my forehead.

Dear God, and school photos are tomorrow.

Kiiiiiillllll mmmmmeeeeeeeeeee…..

When I was 17 I gave myself a chelsea buzz cut right before picture day. My mother didn't speak to me for like, a week.

Wow… weird ideas for comics come up in my head a lot… like this one…

Panel 1: Caption- How a girl sees a baby pigeon
a young girl watches her baby pigeon on the table eating seed

Panel 2: Caption- How the Viking diety of Trickery sees a baby pigeon
What looks like a Thanksgiving turkey with all the fixings is actually an oven baked baby pigeon chick, with the diety on the table. Dressed with his bib around his neck and knife/fork in his hands he shouts “Ahhh… Pigeon Chick Roast Magnifique!!!”

Panel 3: Closeup on the diety's face… except it looks like a giant studded iron globe has been smashed into it

Panel 4: Camera pans out with the girl holding the other end of the weapon. Looks like she maced the diety in the face. On the table the pigeon chick is contentedly eating its seed

girl: HOW DARE YOU!!!!
diety: It was just a joke! A JOKE!!! OWW!!!

Okay… time to go get some stuff done. :)

I hate having my haircut. It never turns out how I picture it in my head, it always ends up butchered. Which is why these days I just grow it out and I don't bother with the whole cutting business anymore.

—

Thanks for the tea tip! I looked up both water and tea remedies on a medical website. Everything you said about the water is true – it can potentially leave permanent skin damage! It's amazing that so many people believe old wives tales about it.

And I guess the tea works so well because of the buteric (sp?) acid in the tea.

Also, can't go wrong with aloe vera I suppose.

Oh my god, this page is ridiculous. There's so many details, it's going to take days to color just one panel. : |

Why do I do this to myselfffffffffffffff~

I love having my hair cut. Although, it's pretty hard to mess up the military cut. (although it happens often). I like the look i have with long hair, which i can't have right now….but i like the feeling of getting the hair cut. the buzz cutters on my neck is cool.

——–

I'm just gonna tuff out the sunburn. I've been through worse. One time, 7 years ago, i needed to renew my Lifeguard Cert. So we spent about 9 hours in the pool. I applied 1 layer of sunscreen at the beginning of the day. I couldn't wear shoes for a week, and even sandals were horrible. Getting dressed was the worst thing i've ever done. I got the nickname “Lobster Boy”. It was the first thing everyone said when i posted over on facebook. I wouldn't trade all the gold in the world for those summers.
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It's sooooo cold. and i'm pretty sure it's below sixty in this house.

Lonnehart
Panel 2: Caption- How the Viking diety of Trickery sees a baby pigeon
What looks like a Thanksgiving turkey with all the fixings is actually an oven baked baby pigeon chick, with the diety on the table. Dressed with his bib around his neck and knife/fork in his hands he shouts “Ahhh… Pigeon Chick Roast Magnifique!!!”

I see what you did there.


——-

Yeah, lovin' my partial bowl cut hahah, oh lord, I'm going to be using a truck load of hair clips tomorrow. :(

Humm, I just got a rather surprising critique on deviantart and now I'm debating whether or not to stop comicking all together. It wasn't anything I didn't know was wrong with my ‘art’ so much as what they had just noticed about certain characters that they thought was new, but has been something I've been drawing for years. I did something ELSE in the drawing completely differently, but the critic (who has been reading my comics since 2007) only noticed somethings that have been a constant in a few of my character designs for just as long, and praised me for it. Like “good job, everyone has different eye brow shapes, hair parts and eye shapes now!” when those have been something I've been trying to emphasize for a while.

And it sounds even worse when I paraphrase it. : |

I'm really mad at my stupid hands right now. I've known they create nothing but mediocrity for years, but I didn't think I was this bad off.

Dodger
Humm, I just got a rather surprising critique on deviantart and now I'm debating whether or not to stop comicking all together.

Don't give up :(

I'd call that “user error” more than anything else. Lots of times people are just way too familiar with things to notice changes and alterations. It's not you, it's the reviewer.
____________

In part of my job I deal with clothing companies… Those guys just abuse clothing traditions.
-OK, “navy” blue isn't navy blue anymore, it's not nearly dark enough, but they still call ANY vaguely darking blue “navy”.
-They use the word “pant” to describe a PAIR of PANTS (or “trousers” to you pommy buggers). “Pants” can be plural or singular, “pant” is something you might do when you breath. You morons.
-“Shirting” is NOT a word you use to describe your range of “shirts”, it describes the fabric from which they are made.
-A “trench coat” is a long, light coat, generally with a fabric belt, long lapels, epaulettes, made with cotton etc- they have a distinctive theme. It is NOT a short waste length jacket with only a simple collar (no lapels), only one button and a basic tie belt without even a buckle… Don't call that a trenchcoat, it's barely a light robe. -_-

I try you for crimes against clothing and find you guilty!

Ozone
I try you for crimes against clothing and find you guilty!

It's another victory for the fashion police!

——

Dodger
Humm, I just got a rather surprising critique on deviantart and now I'm debating whether or not to stop comicking all together

Awww Dodger! Don't give up, I'll be so pissed if you stop and I don't know what happens to Koji in the end! Changing characters and styles is part of growing as an artist, everyone does it, it would be stupid and boring if everyone kept the same and didn't improve or try new things. Don't let one bad comment (from a possible dickhole) stop you from making comics and doing what you love!


——

I've had an idea for a story Comic kicking around inside my head for a while now, finally decided to sit down, write out the script and plans, and draw it. Wow. I have new found respect for people who write massive long story comics, because even drawing one page I was like: “Fuck this!” After just one pannel.

I have a feeling that if I continued I'd probably have no time to do anything else.

ozoneocean
In part of my job I deal with clothing companies… Those guys just abuse clothing traditions.
…
I try you for crimes against clothing and find you guilty!

And ignorance is no excuse. As the great philosopher said “Read a book!”

I wish the navy blues in the USA were just a dark blue. All the navy blues here are so dark you can only tell it's blue by holding a pair of black socks next to them. I have a pair of black socks put aside for just this purpose.

I once had a knock down drag out verbal war with some English teacher about how to describe color. Saying you can't have a reddish maroon as opposed to a brownish maroon when maroon is already a specific color. Yes you can and no it isn't.

The only truly specific colors are those in design specifications given to a manufacturer and even they vary from lot to lot. Except Barbie Pink, but then Mattel is evil. Satan isn't red anymore, she's Barbie Pink.

—
So I teased on my facebook page that I would put up a link to my comic. I got a slew of reponses insisting that I should do it. I put up the link and the silence is deafening.

Dodger
Humm, I just got a rather surprising critique on deviantart and now I'm debating whether or not to stop comicking all together. It wasn't anything I didn't know was wrong with my ‘art’ so much as what they had just noticed about certain characters that they thought was new, but has been something I've been drawing for years. I did something ELSE in the drawing completely differently, but the critic (who has been reading my comics since 2007) only noticed somethings that have been a constant in a few of my character designs for just as long, and praised me for it. Like “good job, everyone has different eye brow shapes, hair parts and eye shapes now!” when those have been something I've been trying to emphasize for a while.

And it sounds even worse when I paraphrase it. : |

I'm really mad at my stupid hands right now. I've known they create nothing but mediocrity for years, but I didn't think I was this bad off.

I saw the critique on your DA (hello i'm skullbie and i'm your friendly neighborhood e-stalker) and I think you are taking it way too hard. I mean wanting to delete your comic and chastising yourself for ‘having too much fun’? Come on girl, your comic is nothing to be ashamed of. You're acting like you're the author of craving control or that weird furry comic where they shave eachothers armpits.

That critique was good though. I was expecting something really jerky but he knows what he's talking about. From the critique he linked the dresden codak guy and I found this image unintentionally funny:

OnlyFoolsAndVikings
It's another victory for the fashion police!

We're like the Vegan Police in Scott Pilgrim, only less manly :(

bravo1102
I wish the navy blues in the USA were just a dark blue.

Traditional navy blue is basically black with a blue tinge. But there was an old practice of adding royal blue threads to navy material to create a hybrid colour: “junior navy”. People started to think of THAT colour as “navy blue” and since then anything that's reasonably dark blue has been accepted as “navy”.

So yeah, there is a pretty massive difference between real navy blue and modern navy blue, and I have seen people almost run into expensive mistakes when they haven't known the difference (like a big order of leather for custom wallets in a specific colour). But as you say with things like maroon it's more subtle. As you know the differences is Navy blues is like pink Vs scarlet.

Skulbie
funny pic

HA! I'd say they were both fashion concious… just the one on the right is less practical.
Ooooh yeah… knee high boots aren't practical for much except horse-riding or wading in a muddy field, REALLY crap to wear otherwise generally. And that plunging neckline on her over jacket thing is useful for…?
I like the clothes designs there anyway, and the expressions :)

ozoneocean
And that plunging neckline on her over jacket thing is useful for…?

+5 to dexterity.

So the current plan is this:

For the big project, all art will be pencilled traditionally. Then, after the scan is made, there'll be some digital touchups, but not total inking. just clean up some lines that didn't erase properly.

I might also apply some textures/flat greys at this stage.

The goal: three pages of art a day!

But I need to get as many designs down before I start drawing as possible. Preferably all the characters that have been written in already + some spares for various monsters and the like.

When working on Din Krakatau, I could pencil up to 5 pages a day, so now that I'm better (or so I hope at least, haha) if I spend some more time on the art, I could keep up with three.

I'm kinda torn though: do I draw the three pages and end up with 21 pages thus enough for a weekly 20-page chapter…. and risk running out of buffer if some delays happen, say, the next job is 12 hour shifts again?
OR do I update bi-weekly and thus build a huge buffer pretty fast… and risk that it'll make me lazy and cause too many breaks and I will run out of buffer?

Second option would also allow me to work on other projects, but the first one would allow me to get this thing done in half the time.

I don't know!

It's deep cleaning day – the day where I do those chores that I usually try and put off for a few months.

Cleaning out the van.
Mopping all the floors.
Shampooing the carpet.
Scrubbing the dog's kennel.
Cleaning the fridge.

UGH. HATE deep cleaning days. I'm so lazy. ):

Ally Haert
Cleaning out the van.

Careful. Last time I helped clean out my sister's van some living green slime mold jumped out at me. Thank goodness for conveniently placed flame throwers… :)

stupid volcanic ash, spouting into the atmosphere and making summer suck balls… I honestly feel like it's the middle october or something, and I've got a cold which ultimately leads to dadadadadaramm cold sores (Herpes labialis) just belove my nose. And am seriously considering to post a picture of it in the picture thread <_<

Lonnehart

Ally Haert
Cleaning out the van.

Haha… Get rid of that old, stinky mattress in there!

Vans are funny somehow… I think it's their vaguely sleazy/pervy reputation.

-Apart from Hippie-van of course! Obviously she's excluded from that.

Hippie vans a she?

ozoneocean

Skulbie
funny pic

HA! I'd say they were both fashion concious… just the one on the right is less practical.
Ooooh yeah… knee high boots aren't practical for much except horse-riding or wading in a muddy field, REALLY crap to wear otherwise generally. And that plunging neckline on her over jacket thing is useful for…?
I like the clothes designs there anyway, and the expressions :)

Exactly my thoughts lol. I mean I'm sure there's some gadgets in there but calling something so stylish ‘purely for function’ had me laughing. And knee high boots are sexy but oh god do not run in them -_- My ankle….

———
Would anyone be interested in playing artists roulette? Basically you sign yourself up as a writer or artist(or both) and then get randomly assigned to another person to create a 4-20 page comic.

You would have a finite amount of time to complete the comic so it would kind of be like a challenge to see how fast you can meet the deadline. (1 week?) And then the stories would be put up online. It would mostly be for fun challenge and the experience of working with another writer/artist

Someone
Would anyone be interested in playing artists roulette? Basically you sign yourself up as a writer or artist(or both) and then get randomly assigned to another person to create a 4-20 page comic.

You would have a finite amount of time to complete the comic so it would kind of be like a challenge to see how fast you can meet the deadline. (1 week?) And then the stories would be put up online. It would mostly be for fun challenge and the experience of working with another writer/artist

I would but only once august hits, moving soon so time is limited until then.

4-20 pages is a pretty big spread, and that's potentially a lot of work to feel obligated to do. I'd suggest a smaller number as a maximum.

There was a project back at some point I participated in, can't remember the name… but yeah, you basically got paired up. But it was 5 pages max. I think most people averaged one or two pages a week. Not saying that's what you should do, just my experience from a similar project.