Dapper as hell!

I wanted to start trying a couple of different things stylistically with this comic update, I mentioned before I'm going to play with this, and today it ended up with a little bit of a storybook look to it.  I'm constantly worried about people not being able to read my handwriting, so I think Ill stick to the typed text, solid colouring does seem to be a little easier. Currently considering how to mix it up again for Wednesday. Also, even if I do nothing else with this, I'm so glad to have made this picture:

Damn right!

Damn right!

Comically speaking

Well there it is, I'm throwing my hat in to the massively overcrowded web-comic arena. I've long thought about diving in, and I feel there are many benefits to tackling something like this. I have several ideas for a kind of ongoing serial style story Id like to produce, video series, comics, etc, but I've never tried to develop content on an ongoing basis, to a deadline, coming up with and producing a new idea every time. I don't know how I would tackle this artistically, creatively or how I could manage the workload and stay on top of it, among other projects I have to do. As well as an illustrated companion to my blog, I want my webcomic to be a kind of training ground, so that when I do try something more ambitious, Ill have a better idea of what the hell I'm doing. To that end, I'm going to be experimenting with everything from the art style, to what I want to say with this. My initial entry is inspired by the everyday musings of the massively talented Connie Sun, whose slice of life webcomic always brings a smile to my face, please check her out! And please let me know what you think of my first attempt: 'Drawing Desk'

 

reycastillo-01.jpg

Id like a do-over please!

Its time to talk about second chances, going back and doing something properly. Recently I was rushing through some artwork, trying to get something done as fast as possible. I finished everything off and walked away, I felt a bit dis-heartened with what I produced. There are times where, as an artist, you start to question yourself and what you can do - what am I doing? I'm not as amazing as some of the people I see online, some of the real talents I've been fortunate enough to meet in real life. But this kind of thinking is toxic, and you have to recognize it for what it is - an obstacle. One just as real as any other from writers block to a broken paintbrush, and like those obstacles, one that's completely possible to overcome. Sometimes all you need is a victory, not a huge one, but enough of one to remind you that the path ahead is bright, and getting brighter with every step, every sketch, every idea, every artwork. I went back to the ol drawing table (literally) and started the image again. I just finished the first character, and could not be happier with the result. This is my small victory, my reminder that everythings going to be alright. I've included her here with the original version I produced a couple of months back, to illustrate what doing it properly can do for an image. Right, time to move on to the next character, this one is going to be crowded!

Stay animated, creative people! 

Left - Yellow in her initial incarnationRight - redone, improved, and ready for colouring!

Left - Yellow in her initial incarnation

Right - redone, improved, and ready for colouring!