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Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Comic No More

I have a strip almost completed; but it has taken far too long to draw and paint. I would also like to thank Jennifer Diane Reitz for her Talcryl assistance.

But the days of E Motel as a "pure cartoon" are over. From now on, it's going to be an illustrated story, probably about three illustrations per chapter. Yes, I've thought of going back to a three-panel "strip", but I'm not certain I can even do that, the way things are now.

The main reason is that I now hold down a full-time job. I'm not used to a front-line role, let alone working with other people, so at the moment it's incredibly draining when I get home. Weekends are invariably dotted with interruptions: the olds wanting help with this and that.

A secondary reason is that I no longer enjoy drawing this damnable comic. It's too much work and effort. But I don't want to simply drop it and walk away; there's too damn many comics about like that already. "Reduce the workload and keep going" seems to the best way. Some readers — if there are any — will no doubt gripe and complain about having to read text rather than comic panels. Too bad. I want to finish the story, but I cannot draw it. Besides, comics are just a form of illustrated story anyway.

Finally, there are other pursuits I need to follow. E Motel, back in the heyday of 2003, was a valuable outlet for me, but I simply do not have time nor energy for it any more.

There is also another comic idea in the pipeline. I'm gathering sketches and ideas for it in time to get serious in 2008. I will not say any more except that it's less serious and more sci-fi, and hopefully less niche.

And then there's the book. I have to finish the book. And publish it somehow.

Have I learned anything from the experience of drawing this strip? Well, yes.

1. Don't skimp on quality paper. When using wet stuff like watercolours or ink, 300gsm paper or denser.


2. Plan out your stories in advance. Way in advance.


3. Practise your drawing well before launch date.


4. Enthusiasm isn't enough.


5. Make notes. Lots of notes, and not just words. Sketch out landscapes, maps, people, things... nail it all down. Makes it easier to draw strips when you have enough references.


6. Unplug the damn computer first thing. Otherwise you spend all day porn surfing, Second Lifing or gaming.


7. 99% of readers won't utter a peep; 0.1% will say something positive; 0.1% will give constructive criticism; the rest are shadenfreude addicts.

posted by Cardboard at 11:52 AM