Hate to do this to y’all, but I’m running out of time. The page is sitting on the drawing desk, less than halfway inked, and I need to get back to another project. I’ll try my best to finish it later in the week if I can find 3-4 more hours. I’m afraid that the next couple of months are going to be like this, as I have a couple of projects lined up that are going to take time away from the comic. I’ll do my best to keep some sort of updates coming as I’m able.
Think of this as a sneak peek inside my process. You’ll notice the backgrounds are 3D-generated. I’ve been using Google Sketchup to create some set pieces like JT’s cabin to cut down on drawing time where I can. I’m also doing all my pencilling in Photoshop these days, and printing up bluelines onto bristol board for traditional inking.
Nice pencil work. I’m actually glad to see this as it gives some insight to your style. Thanks.
Yes, JT seems to be backing down a bit. That was either a test of her character or a test of how far he could push her but it was a test and JT knew exactly what he was doing. BTW, she evidently passed.
BTW, I haven’t heard the word “Toots” used in yonks and I’m a child of the fifties. I haven’t heard it used at all in the last 30 years, not even in reference.
Given how everything is electronic these days, how is he going to make sure that his forgeries pass detailed scrutiny (especially if he’s off the grid)?
Oh, that’s not quite accurate. Equipment that can turn computers on/off and access them remotely through your house wiring exist. 60 minutes once demonstrated this being done.
You don’t need an internet connection to make false documents, and it’s not entirely unusual to see solar panels out in the sticks. Besides, you can run a computer off a generator if you *really* need to, especially if you have an uninterruptable power supply and battery backup to stabilize the voltage.
Shoot, micro-hydropower would work, too… It’s just not plugged into anything that ‘big brother’ knows about!
I see the influence of your master studies on Kate’s face. It’s not as long, and more Shiro-esque on this page. It makes her cuter. Nice line work on the drapery, too.
hah, dunno why your so worried dirk, this page actually give off an more authentic feel to it in my opinion, which is a good thing
looking quite interesting right now, wonder what he’ll “rename” her as?
I wouldn’t worry about it. The pencils look sharp enough that it still gives a very professional look. As people have said before, your unfinished work outright embarrasses some other professionals’ complete work.
I’m disappointed with myself. I should have guessed JT was the magic paper maker. The antisocial and boorish behavior fits the trope to a T. They are always located in hard to reach places though usually some slum basement or junk pike. In about 50% of the books I have read, they get offed by one side or another for either passing information on how someone can be reached, or the bad guy offs them to protect his new identity. Fear of this eventuality is the implied reason for why their location is difficult to reach and has esoteric protection measures in place.
I seem to remember Mike saying that about half a mil went into building JT’s place, I’m betting there is a pretty good perimeter warning system in place which was why JT was out waiting when they arrived.
Hey, if you don’t mind sharing, I have a question about your possess.
You said you do the penciling in PS but then you print it so you can ink it by hand. Presumably you then scan it back into a digital form (after all, we aren’t reading this on bristol board). When I “ink” things (I really just use a dark pencil over the blue line) I try to stick as close to the lines as possible so going from a digital to an analog just to darken the lines seems less than efficient to me. You clearly know more about comic art than I do so now I’m wondering: What exactly does printing it and then inking by hand get you?
It’s not about just darkening the lines. Inking is an art form that deals directly with line itself, and manga is pretty much all about the ink. Using different line weights, crosshatching I add character to the drawing that just doesn’t come across in pencil. Sure, my pencils are tight these days, but that wasn’t always the case. However, just jacking up the contrast on the digital pencils won’t yield my intended results. Yes, I could ink directly in Photoshop (or Art Rage or Painter or whatever), but my preferred tool is a classic ink nib (a Hunt 108) and india ink. I actually ink much faster traditionally, and I get an original piece of art out of the deal which can be hung in art shows, or perhaps sold one day.
At this point my bottleneck isn’t inks or pencils. It’s writing, layout and storytelling. I spend as much or more time on that before I actually start doing the finished artwork. Until I get creative brain upgrade, it’s not going to go any faster.
Nice pencil work. I’m actually glad to see this as it gives some insight to your style. Thanks.
Yes, JT seems to be backing down a bit. That was either a test of her character or a test of how far he could push her but it was a test and JT knew exactly what he was doing. BTW, she evidently passed.
BTW, I haven’t heard the word “Toots” used in yonks and I’m a child of the fifties. I haven’t heard it used at all in the last 30 years, not even in reference.
That’s probably how long he’s been living on his little isolation patch of his
Given how everything is electronic these days, how is he going to make sure that his forgeries pass detailed scrutiny (especially if he’s off the grid)?
he’s not as ‘off the grid’ as you would think?
a terminal and access point that are turned off don’t show up all that well when you’re looking for them.
Oh, that’s not quite accurate. Equipment that can turn computers on/off and access them remotely through your house wiring exist. 60 minutes once demonstrated this being done.
You don’t need an internet connection to make false documents, and it’s not entirely unusual to see solar panels out in the sticks. Besides, you can run a computer off a generator if you *really* need to, especially if you have an uninterruptable power supply and battery backup to stabilize the voltage.
Shoot, micro-hydropower would work, too… It’s just not plugged into anything that ‘big brother’ knows about!
No issues here, Dirk! I can “rough it” smirks…
For something that’s “unfinished”, it looks better than a lot of comics I’ve paid money for.
Seconded!
I see the influence of your master studies on Kate’s face. It’s not as long, and more Shiro-esque on this page. It makes her cuter. Nice line work on the drapery, too.
hah, dunno why your so worried dirk, this page actually give off an more authentic feel to it in my opinion, which is a good thing
looking quite interesting right now, wonder what he’ll “rename” her as?
well she is still completely human. good news for JT.
I wouldn’t worry about it. The pencils look sharp enough that it still gives a very professional look. As people have said before, your unfinished work outright embarrasses some other professionals’ complete work.
it’s all good dirk get things up can bee a pains sometimes
Toots, I haven’t heard that word used since Will Smith was rapping! I’m gonna bring that word back guys!
Wow. You can feel the emotion in the first panel. Nice job!
JT’s an ass. A useful ass, but an ass nonetheless.
I’m disappointed with myself. I should have guessed JT was the magic paper maker. The antisocial and boorish behavior fits the trope to a T. They are always located in hard to reach places though usually some slum basement or junk pike. In about 50% of the books I have read, they get offed by one side or another for either passing information on how someone can be reached, or the bad guy offs them to protect his new identity. Fear of this eventuality is the implied reason for why their location is difficult to reach and has esoteric protection measures in place.
I seem to remember Mike saying that about half a mil went into building JT’s place, I’m betting there is a pretty good perimeter warning system in place which was why JT was out waiting when they arrived.
I actually like this in pencils. Gives it a neat sketchy quality.
When you get some breathing room, you might want to check out ArtRage Studio Pro at Ambient Design.
http://www.artrage.com/index.html
It could lighten up your workflow, lead to digital inking, and all without the learning curve of programs like PhotoShop or Painter.
Hey, if you don’t mind sharing, I have a question about your possess.
You said you do the penciling in PS but then you print it so you can ink it by hand. Presumably you then scan it back into a digital form (after all, we aren’t reading this on bristol board). When I “ink” things (I really just use a dark pencil over the blue line) I try to stick as close to the lines as possible so going from a digital to an analog just to darken the lines seems less than efficient to me. You clearly know more about comic art than I do so now I’m wondering: What exactly does printing it and then inking by hand get you?
It’s not about just darkening the lines. Inking is an art form that deals directly with line itself, and manga is pretty much all about the ink. Using different line weights, crosshatching I add character to the drawing that just doesn’t come across in pencil. Sure, my pencils are tight these days, but that wasn’t always the case. However, just jacking up the contrast on the digital pencils won’t yield my intended results. Yes, I could ink directly in Photoshop (or Art Rage or Painter or whatever), but my preferred tool is a classic ink nib (a Hunt 108) and india ink. I actually ink much faster traditionally, and I get an original piece of art out of the deal which can be hung in art shows, or perhaps sold one day.
At this point my bottleneck isn’t inks or pencils. It’s writing, layout and storytelling. I spend as much or more time on that before I actually start doing the finished artwork. Until I get creative brain upgrade, it’s not going to go any faster.
For a penciled sketch, this is top notch work.