Today has been an interesting day that started rather early - certainly earlier than I'd like on a Saturday but hey, these things happen and I got through it without a problem so I shouldn't complain too much. A 7am start, arriving at the radio station with Jenny at 9am and getting down to a two hour tribute show for Michael Jackson. It was a shock to hear he'd died when I clicked on to a news site while taking a break from drawing Friday's Nob Mouse comic, I can tell you. No doubt you felt the same. It seems everyone did, which is unsurprising given the circumstances.
Anyway, when we got back I started work on inking Monday's Nob Mouse comic. I drew that and Tuesday's All over the house while Jenny was doing the radio; with me interjecting here and there. It's a nice way to start the morning and I really enjoy having the time to sit and work on the comics without many distractions. Working here is a constant battle against the Internet, which can be quite draining. Nevertheless, I managed to produce Monday's comic and it looks pretty good, even if I do say so myself. It's not my best ever but it's good and Jenny loves the joke, so that's a plus.
After finishing the comic, I jumped into a game of Quake Live; where I was promptly killed by a guy calling himself RoboCOP112. You've got to really want a certain name to settle for a number that high tagged on the end of it. That going me thinking: how high a number is too high? Is there a point where you'd think "nah, this is getting silly. If I can't have it at the next digit, I'll pick something else." Then I thought "Gandalf900" and decided that actually, that was pretty cool. Maybe it's an inverse bell curve of coolness, or something: after a certain point, it stops being sad moniker and becomes cool again. For a time anyway, then the cycle repeats.
Jenny has booked us a few days in Wales to get away from things, which is fine by me. It means doing a lot of work over the next week or so because not only do I have an assignment due on the eighth but I'll have to get at least a week ahead on the comics, which effectively means drawing, colouring, shading and lettering eight comics in one week. I can do it but add in an assignment for my law course - an assignment that I have to do well on because the tutor's marking is harsh to say the least (I lost 50% of the mark on my last assignment because, effectively, he decided I didn't give him enough detail in a 1200 word essay. I'm considering putting in a complaint) and I need to recoup some percentage points to keep my overall degree average on course. I've got my work cut out for me, that's for sure!
Anyway, back to the grindstone. I need to get another comic done today so I can free up time tomorrow to finish this week's comics. That will give me the breathing space I need to get ahead. As usual, you can keep track of where I'm up to and how things are going on Twitter, if you're so inclined.
Saturday, 27 June 2009
Friday, 26 June 2009
Cover design - Bringing Home The Stars
Jenny has almost completed editing on her latest novel, Bringing Home the Stars, and asked me to produce a cover for it. This is what we came up with. It is based on the cover for the short story she developed the book from, only with a more sci-fi feel to the titles.
If you're interested, be sure to visit Jenny's blog to get more details on when the book will be available.
If you're interested, be sure to visit Jenny's blog to get more details on when the book will be available.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
My own personal barometer
The weather today and for the last week has been very annoying in a way that, traditionally, old people are usually the only ones to understand. The humidity is annoying, of course, but the worst part has been the air pressure changes, which have been causing problems with the barometer in my left ring finger. Does that sound odd? Let me explain.
When I was nine, I was attacked by an older kid armed with a crowbar. He was an odd sort and I can't say for certain whether he meant to hit me or not but now, twenty years later, I don't think that really matters. The fact is, he smashed the join in my finger and since then I've not been able to bend the top part of the ring finger on my left hand. The distal bone is turned slightly to the right when compared to the other bones (it looks kind of like: / if that's any help) but is not attached to any tendons any more. It's also not entirely fused to the other bones, so it bends a little if I try to bend it with my other fingers but it can't bend on its own.
The joint itself seemed to be filled with either air something similarly prone to changes in volume and density depending on the air pressure in the atmosphere. This is where the barometer idea comes in: every time the air pressure changes, this joint aches because whatever is in it expands or contracts. This last week has been hell for aches and pains because the weather is constantly changing, from pouring rain to intense heat.
I was hoping the downpour we've had today would stop this, but no. The air pressure is still changing and the humidity level tells me there's more bad weather coming. I just wish the weather would settle down. We could all do with something better than this.
When I was nine, I was attacked by an older kid armed with a crowbar. He was an odd sort and I can't say for certain whether he meant to hit me or not but now, twenty years later, I don't think that really matters. The fact is, he smashed the join in my finger and since then I've not been able to bend the top part of the ring finger on my left hand. The distal bone is turned slightly to the right when compared to the other bones (it looks kind of like: / if that's any help) but is not attached to any tendons any more. It's also not entirely fused to the other bones, so it bends a little if I try to bend it with my other fingers but it can't bend on its own.
The joint itself seemed to be filled with either air something similarly prone to changes in volume and density depending on the air pressure in the atmosphere. This is where the barometer idea comes in: every time the air pressure changes, this joint aches because whatever is in it expands or contracts. This last week has been hell for aches and pains because the weather is constantly changing, from pouring rain to intense heat.
I was hoping the downpour we've had today would stop this, but no. The air pressure is still changing and the humidity level tells me there's more bad weather coming. I just wish the weather would settle down. We could all do with something better than this.
Saturday, 13 June 2009
A quick update
It has been a few days since I last wrote anything here because, truth be told, I've had so much other stuff going on that I simply haven't had the time to sit down and write anything worth reading. I've managed a few choice words on Twitter here and there, but nothing really substantial.
Partly this is because I've been trying to keep up with my law work, partly it's because I've been looking for work, and partly it's because the bloody illness has been attacking me again. It's really going to work on my joints right now, and my skin isn't looking too great either (although I think that's also got something to do with the fact that I've caught the sun a little). I've got the usual nose and cheeks rash that I get when the illness flares, plus a few bits of blotchyness here and there. If I have to go out, I'll be using makeup through a sheer need for self-confidence. It's not that I look hideous, it's just that I need to know that I don't look hideous. People who have this same condition will know what I mean.
The joints trouble is particularly noticeable in my hands, which is a real bugger for writing and drawing anything. I dug out the old wrist guard to keep my right hand stable but so far it hasn't helped. Still, I'll give it time. If you see Tuesday's All over the house and think the drawing is a little off, the fact is it's the best I could do right now - the pain and lack of mobility is significant but so are deadlines. Something had to give. Maybe I'll get Jennifer to draw Thursday's comic.
In other news, I've discovered why I've been dropping things lately, and why I'm usually so clumsy at certain times of the day. I'd been drinking a lot of caffeine (about 6-10 cups of tea a day) for about three months, but recently I cut back because tea isn't tasting nice right now (in fact, most things are tasting bland right now. I'm not sure why though). I've been suffering from caffeine withdrawal symptoms - clumsyness whenever the caffeine in my system wears off, including dropping things (sugar bowls spring to mind - it took ages to clean all the kitchen counters when that happened). I should have noticed the connection earlier but hey, I've also been feeling drowsy and not thinking straight.
Anyway, the comics are still on schedule and that's got to be a good thing. I'll hopefully be able to get back ahead of the game soon enough, once I'm over the worst of the illness, and I've got some excellent ideas for some one-shot comics that I'll be making available via Print on Demand once they're written and drawn. Because of the time it takes to colour things, these one-shots will likely be in black and white but that will also keep the production costs down so if you fancy buying some of my work, low prices have to be a good thing! One of these stories is The Improbable Adventures of a Cat on a Motorbike, which I've mentioned before, so you'll soon be able to slake your thirst for more information on that one, I'm sure.
Right, I'm off now. Got some serious rest and recuperation to do. Bye bye!
Partly this is because I've been trying to keep up with my law work, partly it's because I've been looking for work, and partly it's because the bloody illness has been attacking me again. It's really going to work on my joints right now, and my skin isn't looking too great either (although I think that's also got something to do with the fact that I've caught the sun a little). I've got the usual nose and cheeks rash that I get when the illness flares, plus a few bits of blotchyness here and there. If I have to go out, I'll be using makeup through a sheer need for self-confidence. It's not that I look hideous, it's just that I need to know that I don't look hideous. People who have this same condition will know what I mean.
The joints trouble is particularly noticeable in my hands, which is a real bugger for writing and drawing anything. I dug out the old wrist guard to keep my right hand stable but so far it hasn't helped. Still, I'll give it time. If you see Tuesday's All over the house and think the drawing is a little off, the fact is it's the best I could do right now - the pain and lack of mobility is significant but so are deadlines. Something had to give. Maybe I'll get Jennifer to draw Thursday's comic.
In other news, I've discovered why I've been dropping things lately, and why I'm usually so clumsy at certain times of the day. I'd been drinking a lot of caffeine (about 6-10 cups of tea a day) for about three months, but recently I cut back because tea isn't tasting nice right now (in fact, most things are tasting bland right now. I'm not sure why though). I've been suffering from caffeine withdrawal symptoms - clumsyness whenever the caffeine in my system wears off, including dropping things (sugar bowls spring to mind - it took ages to clean all the kitchen counters when that happened). I should have noticed the connection earlier but hey, I've also been feeling drowsy and not thinking straight.
Anyway, the comics are still on schedule and that's got to be a good thing. I'll hopefully be able to get back ahead of the game soon enough, once I'm over the worst of the illness, and I've got some excellent ideas for some one-shot comics that I'll be making available via Print on Demand once they're written and drawn. Because of the time it takes to colour things, these one-shots will likely be in black and white but that will also keep the production costs down so if you fancy buying some of my work, low prices have to be a good thing! One of these stories is The Improbable Adventures of a Cat on a Motorbike, which I've mentioned before, so you'll soon be able to slake your thirst for more information on that one, I'm sure.
Right, I'm off now. Got some serious rest and recuperation to do. Bye bye!
Sunday, 7 June 2009
A visit from the family
My sister and brother-in-law came down to visit over the weekend, bringing with them their wonderful baby, Molly. It has been great to see them both and we've all thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, which has been packed with activity and just plain good fun. A welcome break from the arduous task of job hunting, comic drawing and keeping on top of my coursework.
Yesterday morning, we went to the radio studio as usual but this time Jenny interviewed Beth about being a new mother. We had fancied interviewing Dave about fatherhood but he didn't seem keen on talking on air so we didn't push him. He seemed more than happy to look after Molly and leave the talking to his wife. :) I know how he feels in that regard, as I tend to leave the talking to Jenny and just make occasional interjections. I think it's a style that works well and it also has the advantage of giving me plenty of time to draw comics. :)
Speaking of comics, I'm really pleased with the new look for both The Life of Nob T. Mouse and All over the house, which I've managed to produce by toning down the colouring using transparencies and also adding a textured background. I think it makes the comic as a whole look more naturally painted and less computer-generated; which adds to the overall feel of the comic.
Speaking of comics, the collected Life of Nob T. Mouse is coming along nicely and I hope to have it ready by the autumn at the very latest. I'd ideally like it ready for the summer but I don't want to rush the art and make it look awful, thereby removing the whole point of reworking the Series One stories.
I'm currently working on a design for a new, quarterly magazine to be produced via Print on Demand in order to keep costs down. Jenny and I have been discussing producing it as a sci-fi/horror crossover magazine, although pure sci-fi and pure horror will not be out of the question. The magazine is intended to contain short stories, articles and reviews so hopefully there will be something for everyone. We'll likely also include a letters page and accompany the launch of the magazine with the launch of a forum. I've considered producing a 2-3 page comic to go in each magazine but I'm not 100% sure about that yet. It's all about whether I have the spare time to produce another comic.
We'll have more information on this new magazine as our plans for it develop.
Yesterday morning, we went to the radio studio as usual but this time Jenny interviewed Beth about being a new mother. We had fancied interviewing Dave about fatherhood but he didn't seem keen on talking on air so we didn't push him. He seemed more than happy to look after Molly and leave the talking to his wife. :) I know how he feels in that regard, as I tend to leave the talking to Jenny and just make occasional interjections. I think it's a style that works well and it also has the advantage of giving me plenty of time to draw comics. :)
Speaking of comics, I'm really pleased with the new look for both The Life of Nob T. Mouse and All over the house, which I've managed to produce by toning down the colouring using transparencies and also adding a textured background. I think it makes the comic as a whole look more naturally painted and less computer-generated; which adds to the overall feel of the comic.
Speaking of comics, the collected Life of Nob T. Mouse is coming along nicely and I hope to have it ready by the autumn at the very latest. I'd ideally like it ready for the summer but I don't want to rush the art and make it look awful, thereby removing the whole point of reworking the Series One stories.
I'm currently working on a design for a new, quarterly magazine to be produced via Print on Demand in order to keep costs down. Jenny and I have been discussing producing it as a sci-fi/horror crossover magazine, although pure sci-fi and pure horror will not be out of the question. The magazine is intended to contain short stories, articles and reviews so hopefully there will be something for everyone. We'll likely also include a letters page and accompany the launch of the magazine with the launch of a forum. I've considered producing a 2-3 page comic to go in each magazine but I'm not 100% sure about that yet. It's all about whether I have the spare time to produce another comic.
We'll have more information on this new magazine as our plans for it develop.
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