Coughing, it’s better than the coffin they carry you off in. So the old man used to say.
Good week this week regarding progress on comic work, I’ve managed to get the character concepts done for 6 squad members of the cast of Jingle Squad, with a remaining 8 designs to go (these are just the characters in the initial chapter, there are plenty more to come in the next issues).
I really do enjoy this stage of comics, in my experience so far you tend to get a brief description of the characters from the writer (s) & it’s always a joy to hear back from them once you’ve handed in your ideas.
Sometimes you’ve tapped straight into their strange & wondrous nuggets & pulled out almost exactly what they were after, other times you’ve brought something new to the characters look that hadn’t occurred to the writer (s)? Each time I do a collaboration or pencils for hire I find I really do appreciate the freedom that a lot of writers give you to ‘do your thing’.
While I have no desire to share too much as I go along on this job I do think it’s ok to show a bit of process for those who may be interested? I know I spend a lot of time pouring over others works & the processes they employ.
Along with the characters I’ve also had a first pass at the layouts, all ready to get the thumbnails down. I find it’s good practice to keep progress moving forward wherever possible, so while I’m still crunching through character designs you can sometimes come to a brief pause, it’s at times like these that I then turn to other parts that require my attention, like layouts, locations research, clothing & equipment references etc.
As long as you’re moving forward with it & even though it might begin to feel like you’re not getting anywhere, it all helps as you eventually find yourself handing in your final pages!
I’m learning how to work on numerous projects at once as scheduling becomes a much more important part of my comic book creating experience? This is probably the first year that as I look ahead I’ve really got to try & keep balls in the air as it were (no I’m not doing a handstand), with collaborations, pencils for hire & my own projects all jostling for time & space. At the time of writing this I still haven’t sat down & drawn out a proper schedule on paper (I still like analog, I know I know but I am of an age) but I do have it all floating around in my old noodle & it’s great to be busy.
It also makes me aware that my own projects (I’m mainly thinking Incomers of the Bloated Goat) get pushed onto the back burner so I will endeavour to free up a slot as everything needs to keep moving onwards.
I’m also very keen to get in amongst it with these reprobates.
As this month starts to wind down from its 54 day cycle I’m also going to be building my next Kickstarter campaign for SPACEBOY & THE FUTURE KING #2 Awakening of the Spittypig! Hoping to launch in February but I think it’s looking more like March at the moment. So to keep it in mind here’s a little peek..
Before I go I’d like to congratulate Rob Jones that I’m sure we all know & have probably worked with at sometime or other for winning the Broken Frontier Best Letterer award! Well deserved buddy.
Also, I’m gutted to have had to cancel my hotel for the 500th episode of the one & only AWESOME COMICS PODCAST on the 25th January in London town. I know a lot of ‘us’ are going (details of where & what time can be found at the ACP?) & I’m sure it’ll be a helluva day /night. I hope all who go get the shits..I mean have the best time & keep spreading that joy of comics!
So in keeping with the ACP & all who love comics,
Staaaaaaaaaaaaay AWESOME!!
Rory.