Probably the last images of the year. I reached the one goal I set for myself on this blog and that was to have more posts than the previous year. While I didn't complete any big projects, I did make a lot of things which I take as a positive. I'm still finding my way, partially through the grief of the loss of my mom last year. Directionlessness is still a problem, though perhaps there's solace in the short form as well. I have hopes for Ghiroy, but we'll see. There's been a lot of stalling. Strangely, this little ditty with Smatt has helped me out some and I think I need to format Ghiroy more like this, not least of which because it's fun to draw and that's an important part of making comics for me. If it's not fun, I won't do it. So anyway, this. Dunno where Smatt's going. Not sure he knows. We'll both see when he gets there. I know he's looking for his cousin and he's not pleased about it. That's all I know. Happy New Year.

Did this today. Well, mostly today. Might be the start of something, might not. At least I think I figured out the problem with Ghiroy; I'm trying too hard to make it into a regular comic style, meaning that it should have panels and the like. The first section is almost all single illustrations, no panels, just an occasional head. That's what I like drawing the most, so the comic should be the same way. This page with Smatt is very much like that, and I should continue doing that with Ghiroy so I don't lose steam or interest. Doesn't mean I can't do more than one thing at a time. I don't know that I have anything to say with Smatt; perhaps he is the avatar of my anger. I don't know. But here's this thing; pencil drawing first, Illustrator in greyscale and final version with limited color.

Some stuff from the last few days. As Xmas approaches, I've had no time at all for art. Too tired, shifts too long, etc. Managed to eke these out, though and had fun doing them. The multiple styles thing can be a real problem. I get so easily distracted. I'm amazed I ever got any of the comics done. Anyway, before and afters for both.

Been looking at Jack Davis' ink work and have been thinking about adding some texture/shading to my own stuff, something I really don't do or haven't done. This was a first attempt. Sadly, when shrunk, it gets muddy so it's hard to see. I'm not sure I like it for this application, either, though it has some possibilities. It makes for a much 'dirtier' drawing, I think, so I'd have to adjust the subject matter to go along with it. But his work for EC, in its original, pre-colored form just amazes me. So, this.

This year's digital holiday card. Didn't come up with the idea until too late and I wasn't even looking for an idea when I drew it. For all those (Vince) watching this blog, I hope you have a great season.

Getting back on the horse, at least a bit. It's really hard at this time of year when there's so much else going on and I'm working more hours. I think I have my mind wrapped around where I want to go with this now and I hope I can make better progress than I have been on it. I do want to tell it. And hell, I'm thirty pages in already. That's nearly twice as long as the last thing I finished. So here's hoping.