Fresh fields
I've got one page of Steeple volume 3 left to draw, the 154th page. The book, due next summer, encompasses Christmas With Clovis, the Author Unknown crossover, and the four parts of Clotted Crime. Between the start of February (when that 154th page runs on the website) and volume 3 coming out in bookshops, I'll be taking a break from the series.
While working on Steeple, I've pushed myself very hard drawing, along the principles I set out for myself drawing the first issue for Dark Horse. My hope was that I could draw it as well as a "proper" comic book is drawn, with consistent backgrounds, strong posing, decent composition, reasonable anatomy, attention to inking line weights, and a basic understanding of how to put large areas of black on the page.
I am confident that a. I have now achieved this within the bounds of my limited artistic ability and b. no review will credit me with it so c. I hereby renounce this exhausting dedication to tidiness.
My next project (I'm still choosing what this will be from a now-intimidating list of options) will feature weird, wobbly backgrounds, loony tunes posing, half-arsed composition, unreasonable, stylised anatomy, precisely two line weights or maybe three if you're lucky. Colours will frequently be garish and hastily laid down in my traditional style. I will, however, retain the basic understanding of how to put large areas of black on the page, as I've come to enjoy swathing the odd page in darkness.
In preparation for this chaotic new frontier, above are some Giant Days sketches I inked this morning to begin to loosen up the old madness muscles. I've not reached full power yet but I feel a new energy building up.
Below, some Lottie and Claire sketches (plus an Esther) I did yesterday, reaching for the same thing.
Comments (20)
" My hope was that I could draw it as well as a 'proper' comic book is drawn" You're nuts, John, plum nuts. Your strange magic is beyond propriety
You know what I mean! The direct market reader has certain "expectations".
OH OH put your list of options up to a poll so that your dedicated readers can choose for you, and then ignore our verdict
Ahhh, but you know what people think they want if asked, more of the same. The dinner always destined to disappoint.
You'll find that some of the crispness and palette sense has now inveigled itself into your wanton, carefree ways. Such is the craft of the artisan.
Lottie's smiling. Watch out.
Yes! Flex those madness muscles!
Also, I want to know what is in Susan's Box o' Dooooooom.
I love how there is so much action in a lot of these drawings. Also, my first thought was that McGraw had become a vampire, but then I thought it more likely that he fitted himself with sharp tooth extensions so that he can carve wood with his mouth, and save having to carry tools for it.
This is canon now.
I've been reading you since the first run of Bobbins way back in the day, introduced by a long lost friend. I'd been a reader of comic books in the late 70s and early 80s but had been seduced away, as an angsty teen and pratty college student, by "literature". Your aggressive engagement with form, apparent simplicity of style, and engaging characters rekindled a love of the art form of comics. I'm excited to hear you're re-releasing the inner artist and I can only hope it's like Godzilla on Tokyo. (Don't get me wrong, I've loved Steeple and look forward to more but bring on the boundary pushing please!)
Really love the direction you've been taking Lottie and Wee Clair. Both have matured into Shelly level of attractiveness, and the bond between the two comes off as so very genuine. Your characters really live and grow in a way that is unique - and somewhat amazing given how many different "bubbles" of world building you've put them through. Always fascinated that the ladies are the ones with the most longevity and growth. Sort of been that way all the way back to the Bobbins-verse. I suspect if it could be tallied up somehow, your stable of strong female "actresses" is literally unparalleled in any medium.
I work really hard on my male characters too, but I've made more stories about women because when I started out, most mainstream English-language narratives were driven by men as the primary characters, it did feel monotonous - particularly in American comic books.
I feel weird thinking that Steeple will end (or will it be paused ???). But I'm also very curious what your next story will be. I really love the sketches ♡. It's good to see that Susan has finally infected McGraw with her horror teeth.
Just a pause, not the end. Hopefully there will be five volumes of Steeple - I have many more stories for these characters. But I need to do other things too.
What you said yesterday. about getting it 95% right and the other 5% can sod off (That is what you said, isn't it?). Those sketches are great, whatever the anatomical accuracy. And so black!
When you say "I feel a new energy building up" have you consulted your medical experts to avoid anything bad happening this time? (Or indeed the local Electricity and Séance Board?)
I've recently had a new meter cupboard built, replacing the old post-war one. The old coin-meter log book from 1951 fell out from behind the boards. I think there is a definite chance that this is linked to the "new surge".
Woo-HOO! Return to chaos and madness!
I applaud this resolution.