4/6/2020

I am currently grinding away at what may be the most artistically complex page so far. It has in the coming days become reasonably apparent that my initial 44-page stretch goal plan is either unfeasible or will actually end in me going insane. So as of now, I am striving for my original, comparatively unambitious but certainly solid 22-pager. I think this kind of plan leaves much more room for halting and error as well as unforeseen circumstances (such as those that arose over this weekend). Either way two full days are definitely the absolute longest I plan on taking for any page, and as previously mentioned this is due to unforeseen circumstances.

Hatching is my main source of shadow (I’m too scared to use sharpies for now since I know the havoc they can wreak), and given that it’s a black-and-white comic, shadow is my most essential tool in outlining proportions, shapes and volume. Currently, hatching and crosshatching are really my only two options (that and, as previously mentioned, just dousing everything in pitch black marker ink), but throughout the comic, I am definitely going to consult James on any more complex shading techniques. Beyond simple shading, different hatching styles have certainly helped me to outline different types of clothing (particularly uniforms), so this is definitely a field I am planning to pursue further.