I’m firing myself
Well… sort of. Although performing every single aspect in the production of Twilight Lady has been hugely educational, I’ve felt for awhile that it would better serve the comic if I were to focus solely on the writing.
In other words, the big announcement I’m making is that Twilight Lady will have a new artist, beginning with the next story arc.
A preview page will be up shortly. In the meantime, don’t shed no tears for the guy I just fired. He couldn’t draw for nuts, ate all my food, only showed up when he felt like it, fancied himself a writer… I mean, sometimes he’d even try to tell me how to do my job… anyway, best thing I can say about him is that he worked for free.
I understand the issue of managing scarce resources, and collaboration can often produce new ideas and approaches. So I’ll support whatever approach you want to take.
But don’t run yourself down.. I’ve actually been quite impressed with the visuals you’ve been producing. You’ve definitely got the right instincts when it comes to staging, framing, and so on; much of this has felt more like storyboards for a film than “just” a comic. I hope your new partnerr can maintain the combination of drama and moodiness you’ve achieved.
So will you, finally, tell us what tools the guy your outgoing artist was using? I would still very much like to see a “making of” sequence showing how a sequence comes together.
(If you’ve done one and I missed it… pointer, please?)
I don’t know what it takes to make good artwork or how to describe it but I perfer your work to most of what I see on the web
Thank you both for the kind words.
technogeek, you haven’t missed anything. The reason I’ve yet to do a “making of” is simply that explaining the process would take time. It would probably require several pages of writing, and some graphics as well. But it’s definitely something I’ve kept in mind to do.
I liked that guy and his art. I hope he finds new job 😀
That guy’s art is half the reason I read this comic. You might not think so, Blake, but you’re good, really good, and inspire me to push myself as an artist, as well. I see what you can make using ‘old’ figures like Posette and Victoria 2, and it makes me want to be less lazy in my own art processes.
Poor guy… and in this economy too 😛
I hope the changes aren’t too drastic. I agree with the others, this comic has something unique that simply works with the mood. Good luck to the new guy.
Do we get to know who the new guy is?
You will very soon.
I can understand your decision. I’ve worked a bit with this, and the posing the characters, creating the sets, lighting, and so forth is often hard work, but I always thought you did a very good job with it. The shot angles, the poses and expressions, and the fx blurring were quite good and consistent. The style is unique and interesting. The monsters are bizarre and inventive, and I have no idea if you created them yourself or bought them, but they work.
The best part is the storytelling, though, so whatever you do, don’t contract that out. 🙂
I agree completely with what they all said. I have a fairly long list of webcomics I browse, but this one caught my eye a long time ago. I’ve enjoyed watching your artistic talent improve and flourish, especially in facial expressions. If you feel it would be better for your own sanity to take over solely on writing, I’m cool with it; the story is what hooked me after reading only a few pages. The art kept me here, however, and I hope it continues to do so. 🙂
I recognized most of the figures you’ve been using and have long admired your skill in handling them. I am not familiar with the shaders you use in your renders that contribute so much to the mood and atmosphere that are the Lady’s hallmark.
I understand that the work can be overwhelming, but let me join in the chorus of “I love your art!” It’s distinctive and beautiful, subtle and expressive, and is a perfect style for the story. I hope the new guy’s art isn’t too much of a deviation from that, but I will of course withhold judgment until I see it 🙂
Thank you all so much for the kind words. Don’t get me wrong, I’m certainly proud of the work I’ve done as an artist.
One thing I’m excited about though, is the different story possibilities a traditional art style will afford. As much as I’ve attempted to push the CG envelope, there are still limits I’ve had to work within (same as with any style).
In any case, I’ve not ruled out coming back to do a story (or several) in future.
aww no you cant fire yourself, i love the way you do things Blake the art is great!!
please, come back in the future when you are ready i will stay even if the new artist resorts to stick figures
Is this mystery person going to be as willing to talk to us as you are?
I hope so. Time will tell. But hey, you’ll still have me to talk to no matter what.
That is a real shame. This comic has a strong conceptual as well as visual identity and it will not look the same anymore. I loved your art but sometimes change is unavoidable I suppose. Kudos to your artist choice, his drawing looks very good.
I’m curious, what’s your main reason for this move?
The truth is, it’s the only way this comic would be able to continue beyond the current story arc. (At least for the time being.)
Well, that’s a good reason :).
WOW! I will definitely miss your artwork, but I’m here (mostly) for the story 🙂 am looking forward to the new spin that your new underling(partner?) will bring.
now, you not drawing your comic means that you have more time for other projects:) what will you be up to?
The lady in the hood was always hard, come talking that trash and she’ll pull your card…
Sorry, that’s been in my head for a looooong time, and I had to get it out. Loved the art, love the story more, and your cosmology maps so nicely to the neoplatonic/hermetic metaphysics that I’m hooked even if you went to eNOVELS SOLD ON KINDLE/AMAZON BY THE CHAPTER FOR A BUCK.
Is the subtle jedi mind trick working yet?
“now, you not drawing your comic means that you have more time for other projects:) what will you be up to?”
Gee, I don’t know… just got a random idea to do eNOVELS SOLD ON KINDLE/AMAZON BY THE CHAPTER FOR A BUCK.
Now where did that come from?
But seriously xcal, I will mainly be up to the same thing… making Twilight Lady as good a comic as I possibly can.