Hand update : Alfie hiatus
Bad news everyone! Or at least bad news for Alfie fans. Right now, with the state that my hand is in, I can't continue working on the comic. For now
Over the last week I've been using my drawing hand again and... It's been a mixed bag. I don't want to go into medical details... Because I don't know what's wrong with it. There's more diagnosin/tests to come. I've been told by my doctor to keep using my hand as much as I am comfortable so I am doing just that.
Between my hand and wrist getting tense and tired very quickly and me having to change the way I grip the stylus [I've used a dogshit spider-like deathgrip for years], I am fairly limited in what I can do. Right now I simply don't have the manual dexterity to ink, or stamina to draw comics.
That's why, over the last week, I've been putting out these illustrations in a rather simple, blocky style. That's literally the only way I can create finished works right now. I do really like the end result, but it is born out of limitations I have right now.
Same reason why I won't be doing any more animations anytime soon. Can't handle using the mouse for the long periods of time.
I am getting a wrist/hand ultrasound on the 8th of april and then back to my Ortho for more diagnosin. Then probably some form of PT? Surgery? Who knows. We'll see.
I won't know for sure how's the future looking before then. I am really frustrated to have to put Alfie on an indefinite hiatus this close to the end but I literally physically can't finish it right now. Same with GrimLewd. Anything that involves inking is out of the question for now.
If I make a full recovery then this is just a small hiatus before I finish out Alfie... but I don't? The comic is definitely getting finished, don't worry about that. Even if I have to change the way it is drawn. We'll see.
I hope you guys are having a good one, and I will keep you posted on the hand business.
Comments (60)
As another artist working on the computer I understand all too well the perils of the deathgrip on the stylus along with the endless hours of micro movements with a mouse in a 3D viewport or on the animation graph editor. Very sorry to hear its affecting you so much.
Take care of yourself. Hope for a diagnosis and speedy recovery. Not knowing is awful.
Hey, so sorry to hear this. It must be so frustrating and worrying. Look after yourself.
I hope it gets better soon . You have a lot of talent
Just take care of your self we will always be here. Funny that you wrote simple and block style as they are better, in my opinion than most people’s best effort
I absolutely love that simple style! When your feeling better, I'd love to commission some art in said style of some of my dnd oc's!
Those images look pretty cool. Big departure from Alfie style, but if you start another work in that style, it would be pretty awesome.
Take care of yourself! We'll be here.
Ok point 1: Even your "simple blocky" style is incredibly nice and high standard. 2: Please prioritize your health before your productivity! I deal with a pinched nerve that runs out to my fingers and it is hell when it's inflamed. I absolutely adore your art and will gladly keep supporting while you take some time to do what's right for your body going forward! I'm glad the doctor says you can do a bit, just don't push too hard. I read Alfie for years before I felt economically stable enough to support you, I can go some while supporting without updates right now. Just so happy I have a way to support you while you're dealing with all this!
I don't comment much, but I am today because you need to know that I have found so much happiness from the art you create and support your work regardless of the regularity in which you post. Please take care of yourself. Know that there is a big segment of us who find you to be one of the most unique and talented erotic artists and want to see you prosper and create for a long time. Much Love <3
Get well soon. Alfie and you are now part of my life. It's been so long. Best wishes
We support you.
Actually really digging the new style
I'm sorry for your trouble, wish you a full and speedy recovery.
The illustrations have this storybook vibe to them,you should keep this in the back pocket whenever you feel like taking it easy,it's different in a good way. Good luck with resting the hand, hope it's nothing major
Agreed. It's almost wood-block-like. Pretty cool style. Anyway, take it easy, and get better soon. We'd rather have a healthy artist than have you push yourself too hard.
Omgoodness, lots of well wishes to you! Hopefully you're not on the mend for long, but until then lots of rest! <3
More of the Journals of the Hunter please!
i love the "New" art style too, I would be happy seeing alfie "finished" in that style if it came down to it.
You only get one body to live in. Best take care of it. Alfie fans are in it for the long haul. We can wait for you to recover.
Get well, take your time to heal. We have patience. Alfie is an amazing work, which deserves a strong ending.
Make sure you get your physio to have a look at your shoulder and neck, many arm/elbow/wrist/hand problems can stem from things being wrong further up, like nerves pinched by misaligned vertebrae and such
You're an amazing artist, we can wait for you to heal.
Uhhh, I just looked at your "rather simple, blocky style" illustrations, and umm, they pretty much ROCK (rock hard : ). Please rest and allow your injuries to get better though, your skills and imagination are really wonderful, and I'll be happy to wait until you are either back to full strength or find some other way to create.
I have wrist/hand trouble as well, so i know the struggle. 😒😒 Take your time, it'll get better, and you'll master the loose pen grip!
Take care of yourself!
I've had more than my fair share of chronic pain experiences. I know how hard it is to rest. I'm glad you're making that space for yourself. I second the recommendations David Liao listed. I also have had great results from acupuncture. I think with overuse our bodies tend to get a lot of cruft that needs to be cleaned up.
Lots of patience and best of lucks!
I hope your had feels better soon. I just want to say that, no matter what style, or type of content, or effort for the piece, you have got to be one of the most talented artists in the world, and almost certainly the most talented nsfw artist alive right now.
Take your time ! Health first. Also see if there is any ergonomic specialist in your area. It greatly improved my posture and working habits.
Health first ! Anyway, is there a way to buy Alfie's story as a physical object ? In France we make a lot of "Bande dessinée", I guess the equivalent would be comics ? If you can't work on drawing at the moment, maybe you could check how much per book it would be for those of us who want that ? 👀
Hi InCase, please rest up as long and as frequently as you need to! I love all the ways your art come out, but not at the cost of your suffering. If you haven't already, Id consider seeing a massage therapist if you have the means. Specifically someone who practices one of these modalities: myofascial release, deep-tissue, trigger point therapy, neuromuscular, Orthobionomy, Rolfing. The wrist is a tricky structure, and sometimes it may be affected by the posture of the shoulder and core, too. Much love!
Rest up incase!!
Hope you feel better~ Take all the time you need and more.
Take your time, your health is most important. At the same time, your new pictures look great! They don't seem deficient, at all - just different. Honestly, it's a flex.
Wishing you a return to full health
Take all the time you need!
Feel better soon! And also, if you're taking medical advice from strangers on the Internet, I super recommend seeing a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, especially one who focuses on acupuncture. Consult your doctor about it, but don't go to a Western practitioner of acupuncture, has to be someone trained in the full suite of Chinese medicine! Western practitioners typically only treat for pain and discomfort. I've had success with joint and tendon injuries as well as repetitive stress problems. Luck.
…we have the technology, we can rebuild his hand…better, stronger than it was before.
My vote is on recovery. Family first, health always!
If a shorter story has been kicking around in your head, now might be the time to bring it forward and illustrate it in the "blocky" style. If it's in that style from the beginning, it won't present a jarring transition like it would if you switched to that style for the end of Alfie.
"Sorry only simple art for now" proceeds to link a bunch of amazing art in a cool new style lol. Thanks for the update! I hope your recovery is quick!
No worries! Rest up
Wish you a speedy recovery
Honestly I still love the simple style, it's still recognizably yours
Take care of yourself first, my friend. The rest can wait.
I’ve had hand/wrist issues for a number of years due to 25 years of computer work and know first hand it can be frustrating getting a diagnosis and fix for the problem. Take your time and do what’s best for your recovery! I can only speak for myself but I’ll be waiting patiently for whenever you feel you can return! Good luck!
You're important and so is your health. Do what you have to do. Get well at your own pace
I wish you a swift, painless recovery. Take your time, we can wait.
Get well soon!
Get well soon! Concentrate on recovery
Get well soon, it's sad that Alfie has to wait, but it's so much better than you wrecking yourself to finish it!
Sorry to hear about your hand, absolutely do what you must, we can wait. And the blocky more limited pieces you managed are still sublime.
Absolutely no rush, I'd rather Alfie not be finished (or wait a while) then you do yourself damage trying to push it out. The new style looks great too!
Thank you for all your amazing work. It's incredible that your "simple" style is still gorgeous. Please take all the time you need to recover
Wishing you the best!
These illustrations looks amazing :) also please take as long as you need to recover. Will stay subscribed.
Hopefully you recover soon! Nothing worse than having something concerning like that hit, best to you, but take all the time you need
So sorry to hear. Hope your recovery is swift.
First: please do recover. It's the most important thing. Second: I kinda like the blockier rougher illustration style. A bit more raw than your usual super slick work. Maybe something to explore in the future. Third: thank you for all the awesome content. 👍🏼