I am working right now on three separate paintings, maybe four, depending upon how you count. Two are representational and very detailed. So I needed a break.
A comic - just the thing! A quick diversion. And I'll try it in ink and watercolor this time, I thought, since the last was in black and white.
Dots! How long could it take?
Well ignoring the quick story board which was dashed out in a flash, there was the measuring and drawing of the boxes; and then the writing and drawing itself (I used mathematical calculations - yes math - to get the approximate proportions right because I liked my little storyboard so much). The drawing involved measuring to get the circles to be in about the same place for each frame and then eyeballing the sky to get the stars in approximately the same place in each frame. Then there was inking and applying the masking fluid for the stars. Then the watercolor, wet-on-wet on the top half, and drybrush over a wash in the lower half. Finally, a touch of really awkward Photoshop-ing here and there for where that marvelously flowing watercolor went out of the lines.
Whew! I figure about six hours. Six!
Yup. Call me speedy.
So, go Pamo! (If you don't know what I'm talking about, see Pamo's twice-weekly strip here. She's a pro.) Me, I'm returning to painting to get a break!
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Hif, Dan, the comic is nice ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ! (don't aske me about math. I was hopeless!) Enjoy painting. I look forward to your work! Best wishes, Sadami
ReplyDeleteI will not require you to do math. Thanks, Sadami!
DeleteHi Speedy. I've found that nothing in art is speedy. I love your tree painting in the previous post--great color.
ReplyDeleteHallie - come back!! I need some surreal art. Yeah, I think I was too darned careful on this one. Ridiculous. But fun. Next comic (if any), I set a timer. If it can't be done in an hour (or two), it won't be done. I'm glad you like the trees!
DeleteDan, it's been such a long time since I've visited your blog! Probably a year or more. I've missed so much but I'm kind of glad to see it this way, digesting your progression and transitions all at once. Of course I realize that you are still in progression and transition mode (as I hope we all are), but what fun to see it condensed like this. I'm really liking your abstract acrylics and your Kandinsky/Miro-ish pieces. Carry on!
ReplyDeleteWoof! My god, Ruca, that is the problem with the last year, man's best friend was missing. I like the way you put it - progression and transition. I hope my transition is a progression. Sometimes I wonder. Glad you like the abstracts. There will be more, for sure.
DeleteDan you're no Pamo, but there is a lot to be said for simple and straight forward. Great break! Now baby-step back to that easel. Slow and steady... Hugs.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I'm putting my right foot..my left..now my right.. Actually I have already been back to the easel and it is calling to me this weekend - loudly.
DeleteDan- First, I must say your title is brilliant. I would have titled it "Two Dots" but I would have been wrong. Your symbols work so much better!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE the color! The time you spent works and this comic will stand the test of time. I really like that you went to a more vertical comic- it works better in my opinion than the strip format for internet viewing. The beauty of Photoshop though- is you can switch it to strip form anytime. (Tangent here.... many comics creators online still use the strip format. These creators are making beautiful, funny, well thought out comics then post them in a little strip that you have to squint to view. It's like these guys are stuck in newspaper land. I completely get that someone might prefer a strip look but save it for the funny papers. It's just too simple to make it vertical and more viewable.)
I for one am glad you took a break from painting! There is no way I could have done all that you've done in only six hours. From conception (ie the initial idea) to final product, I spend about ten hours typically. And I don't use watercolors!
In fact, I'm making my black and white journal comics on the side as a break from the lengthy process of color. So I guess we kind of think alike. But I'll leaving the painting to you!
Thank you for the mention. You're a pro too.
I can barely believe it. I typed a long response here twice and lost it twice. So here is the shorthand version. I'm glad you liked the title. Didn't think anyone would notice. Interesting what you say about the horizontal format - I have seen that, and it has been impossible to read on my cell phone, for sure. I was thinking that one frame at a time going down may have been better.
DeleteI have to keep my eye on the ball - painting is my passion. Six hours is too long for a comic. I need to sketch it first in pen, like in my moleskine. After all, it is the idea that matters in comics, more than the artwork. I've seen some quickly sketched comics that have been funny and brilliant, and wonderfully drawn comics that fell flat. Next time - if there is a next time - I will set a timer. Thanks!
Oh and I'm sharing this on my Pamo's World Facebook page. Love it!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks!!
DeleteIt is remarkable how seemingly simple things are not simple at all. I do agree with the philosophy too...I take it that it means that we are all special..! I always love your cartoons..and I am looking forward to seeing your painting(s) too!
ReplyDeleteI wanted it to appear that the two of them were a bit overwhelmed by the vastness and grandeur of the night sky, and realizing their insignificance, wanted to assure themselves that they are special. And I do believe that we are all unique and very special dots too - so that is there as well. Thanks Celeste! Paintings will be coming, but they are coming slowly, so I may have to post a work in process.
DeleteYeah Dots rule!!! Great comic and glad to see that you are able to get a 6 hour break between working on art work...
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are really on the roll, speedy or not, enjoy it and have fun with it!
Well I had a special week, two wonderful naps of my son opened up time, and some time during his therapy sitting in the car - comics don't require much space. And in the end I stayed up late, obligations be damned! I am on kind of a roll - I even had time to paint! Don't know how.
DeleteJust in case you EVER do one of these night sky comics again… remember if time is passing, the earth is spinning around at 1,000 miles per hour… so from that mountain top the stars will appear to move… so no need to put them in the same spot exactly. Love the comic btw… very funny.
ReplyDeleteReally?! I'm a Florida boy - no mountains here. The stars stay put! Thanks, captain!
ReplyDeleteNo they don't Dan… unless Superman stops the world from spinning… no stars anywhere stay put… set up time lapse photography… we are spinning around otherwise the Sun would never appear in the East or set in the West.
DeleteWell, okay Elaine, you got me there. But .. here in Florida the sun wears sunglasses - bet you mountain folk can't say that!
DeleteMath is totally underrated.
ReplyDeleteHah! That is so funny!! :)
DeleteI didn't know how complicated a comic strip could be, all that maths and measuring the stars....but the end product was worth it!
ReplyDeleteBefore completing this comic, I underwent an intense review of astronomy and calculus. I went to the University of Miami and gathered the greatest minds available to assemble and review the data. It was rewarding for all of us. Thank you. We are sharing our results with the space program, so that they can be ten or so years ahead of where they are now.
Deleteha ha Great comic. Your mad way of producing it, though the results are great, was amusing itself.
ReplyDeleteMad? You call me mad?! Mwahahaha. Am not.
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