More NEMS sketches
Work on NEMS part 2 is well underway, I'm a week into drawing pages. It's almost as difficult to draw as it was the first time around, when I abjectly failed! But I'm up for the challenge now. The demands of rendering a lot of period specific things underline certain issues with my process. There's always a lot going on on my pages, and "correctness" of rendering can work against a drawing that satisfies me. My favourite artists are very "free" and in trying to get things right, I can lose that freedom. I'm moving away from using 3D models to lay out pages. It opened up things, but closed doors too. I've started to find myself resisting rigid lines, but finding organic shapes that don't look too messy is tricky. My comics depict a busy world, and sorting that out (and making it readable) is a decades-long struggle. But I'm happy with what I've produced so far on the new NEMS. I only really learn from my mistakes. But I make plenty.
Here are some more Esther sketches for the project. Obviously, I have drawn her a lot over the years, but this is a new context and requires new thought. In the 1960s, there's not a lot of context for her unique energy, perhaps only the Addams Family. So my feeling is that people simply perceive her as creepy and kooky.
Comments (8)
Very "The Mod Squad"
What is canon, and what isn't? I am impressed by The Simpsons, and their ability to kill people, destroy the world, end the universe, then reset everything for the next episode. I don't feel this is right for you. I feel you stick your next stories in where they fit the gaps left by the last ones. I don't think it is right for me either. I found myself wondering 'Where's Peggy?' after she was born, and was happy when I saw her again in Cornwall.
I keep finding that what ever favorite character I have of yours is whoever I've seen you draw last.
I always enjoy our cloud of sexy darkness, no matter what form she may choose (like Gozer the Destructor).
More lovely sketches!!!"Organic" seems interesting, but short-range perspective (making objects that radiate and stretch) isn't chance or random at all. In fact it's absolute precision that leaves the square world far behind. Satisfaction is what stops creativity, so you should never be completely satisfied. It could always be better, but doing it quickly has It's Own Style.
I'm sure in the 1960s UK, Esther would probably radiate some kind of classic Hammer Horror energy among people.
Can’t think of any points in your stories (at the top of my head at least) where there wasn’t a good degree of readability Whether it’s the very detailed stories now, or the simple gradients from Scary Go Round’s Adobe era Could just be me though
You've got to understand Luke, I'm never satisfied with anything I draw. I never will be. If I ever was, I'd quit. I'll be trying to improve until the day they carry me out of my studio feet first.