Archive for June, 2008
11 items.
I was really excited about drawing this first panel. This is one of those cases where the image popped in to my head, and I had to write a comic around it. I think the shading is getting better, and I am happier with the darkness/highlight effect in the first panel than I thought I would be. I`m even more excited about my idea for tomorrow, but I`ll get back to the lobster as soon as possible. I know that`s why you come here.
Try it. It`s a totally different experience as an adult.
I`m trying to describe volume better with shading, and I like where it`s going. More practice, of course, is required.
A brief story: I originally thought of this strip and didn`t want to draw a whole restaurant, so I decided they would be sitting next to a window and looking out on a nearly-empty parking lot. When it came time to draw, though, I was short on time and didn`t want to put that much detail in the background. I threw around a bunch of ideas, including a hilly scene and a glass pane that`s mostly reflective, then it hit me — Wall! It`s a cop-out, but it gets a comic out on time and if I didn`t say so, I`d be willing to be nobody would have noticed.
First off — The title is a line from a great Robert Redford movie, Spy Game. Yes, I rip things off left and right. Check yesterday`s comic again…I pretty much rolled out my Jim Davis model, no changes. A little idol worship never hurt anyone, right…Right?
There`s been a big theme at play the past few comics: The issue of roles and success. We all know the guy is coasting along in an entry-level position while the girl is quite successful in the corporate world. Here, they are trying to step outside of their comfort zones, and they are meeting failure. The guy can`t seem to climb the corporate ladder (he gets perks, like an office and a raise, to keep him happy) and she`s met a string of failures in being domestic.
The second panel here is the last I`ll run in this theme, at least for now — They are willing to return back to their roles. He assumes the domestic burden and she`s paying because she has much more earning power. His solution, dinner out, is a bit of a cop-out, but he`s never been portrayed as a really good cook anyway and I`m sure they`re really hungry. Notice also that he drops his work bag — He`s relinquishing the role of corporate success to his wife.
I tried to tie it all up in a nice neat package, but it`s a huge story that y`all probably never even realized was taking place. Three strips a week is not enough, but I can`t possibly provide more. That`s why I provide comments form time to time — I fill in the details behind my motivaiton.
I can also point out some artsy stuff — This is one of the few times, and definitely the best, I have been looking over the shoulder of a character. Shading helps define direction here, but I still need work on things like the hands. The second panel is a bold new example of shading for me, where I`m really trying to define the depth of the actors. It`s definitely a start, one I`m very proud of. I think overall that today`s comic is an indication that I`m going to start trying new things again. Keep checking back to see the good (and the bad).
I decided it was time to play with some different panel formats again. I`m still not quite sure what I think of this type. I think it`s not quite tall enough, but it gets the point across.
I also wanted to do something with SA Johnson again…I really like him. Lance and Vance from the RIAA are good foils, but how often can my characters run afoul of them?
This was one of those spur-of-the-moment dealies that I churned around for quite awhile before putting pen to paper. It was essentially a one-liner, but I wanted to play with it a bit. Notice the veep (Veep?) sleeps with his shirt, tie and jacket on, ready to go. Also, I like the turkey on the headboard (trust me, it`s a turkey). That was a contender for national bird. Plus, it`s got a great connotation for the Veep (veep?).
If he had a few letters behind his name, though, or a certificate or two…
Yes, yes, another pun comic.
I highly recommend
Jonathan Coulton
. On his download page, anything with a smiley face is gratis. I recommend hearing his resampling titled “W`s Duty,” regardless of your political leanings. It`s fun for the whole family. Of course, all of his work is good, but Chiron Beta Prime, for example, didn`t inspire this comic.
Hehe, duty…