Drawing a bearded Cadwell is weird.
So yeah, this is a long one. I wanted to try something a bit different and allow the panels to breathe, as much as working on A4 as helped me put more story in, I feel working on one page is tightening the page too much, so I’ve done away with drawing in sketchbooks and have started drawing on Bristol Board. It’d be great to get some constructive feedback about today’s strip in the comments.
Also, you know those Tote bags and posters I was banging on about last week, well you can buy them now from my store (now with added Chloe Noonan items). Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table at the UK Web & Mini Comics Thing this year, it was my most successful show to date and I had loads of fun, fun, fun. See you next year!
I’ve also updated the list of cons I’m exhibiting at this year at the site. The next one is part of the UniComics event in Hertfordshire on the 24th of April. It’s free entry, so come along.
Funnily enough, until I read your comments, I didn’t notice much difference in the strip layout – which is lovely, by the way (aww, winter wardrobes!) – but once you know about it, that middle section does break up the strip quite nicely, and seperate out Cadwell’s initial moment of “Hey…”
One thing, though – and it’s a silly little obsessive compulsive niggle (OCN?) on my part – is that with the more opened up composition, the horizontal gutters between panels are a bit wide, so my brain parses them wrong, as if it wants each row to be a seperate strip.
Is that constructive, or just a bit weird?
It was great meeting you on Saturday, though I was probably pretty shot away, I think. I often am at such things.
Also, I admit that I hadn’t picked up Chloe Noonan before the Thing because I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about your style on a less “real” story, but it was ridiculously fun stuff, and I look forward to further issues!
Really like the larger gutter space and overall composition. Gives a feeling of playfulness to the piece. The symmetry of the panels from top to bottom really works. Look forward to seeing more like this!
Bigger and better, yo. Just out of curiosity, any idea how the varying sizes of the last few months will translate in the, presumably forthcoming, collection? #curious
Nicolas: I know what you mean about the gutters, this was just me playing around with composition and I’ve been obsessing over gutters recently. I admit they need a bit of work, but I’m kinda pleased I’m playing with them.
Also, I know what you mean about Chloe. Some people are put off by the pop culture nature of it, but then some people are put off Ellerbisms by it’s indie blah blah blah nature. There’s no real cross over with the two books, I guess.
Marc: Hmm, I’m trying to get back into the idea of little moments that make a day and I think this was an excercise in layout and also storytelling. Thanks for your comment.
Clark: Well I’m (probably) not going to do a #4 as #3 didn’t really set my sales on fire, so I see anything getting collected as going into a trade paperback. The larger strips will make up Volume 2 of said TPB collections. But this is all speculation and nothing concrete, but something I think about every. single. day.
It’s a good move to step outside the sketchbook, it can be a scary world with all that space though. *
Plus point being able to put more information in the panels/pages, and not cramping the space.
Plus, original art for sale ?
*I recently tried working on A3 – it was like walking round a Polar ice cap, all that white space…brrr.
Oooooooooooooh!
I really like the larger panels, such nice detail and I really get a sense of London from them. Plus you drew me just right, with my coat collar up and my beard and my portfolio case. I also like my expression in the “You guys trying to look like me” panel. So basically I like it because I am in it lots and it’s all about me, as all comics should be.
Re: Gutter spacing, I’d keep them all equal but I didn’t notice it until I read the comments.
One other tiny thing, since you asked for crits, is the in the “Hey… My boots are a bit like both of yours” word balloon, I’d have made the connecting bit overlap the panel border.
Adam: D’ohhhhhhh, the word balloon was on my “to edit” list. I fixed it now, but yeah that was my intention. Honest!
I actually paid loads of attention to how you look as opposed to my usual attempt at drawing you. I’ve still got a way to go.
Sean: I draw Chloe on A3 and it’s a treat. All that space to put in backgrounds! And legs! I was thinking about drawing Ellerbisms A3 but why give myself more work to do, eh?
Short ‘n’ sweet….. Love the new approach, but I agree with Adam that the gutters should be the same.
The first panel looks amazing – great way to start a strip.
In the last panel, the black squares on the back of the jacket on the left are somewhat distracting.
I am loving the new longer Ellerbisms, more detailed backgrounds and longer stories are making it flesh out loads. I find that the long page layout works really well with webcomics. I wouldn’t be too worried about them gutters though cos the pacing of the panels themselves are spot on. Plus all the white space lets the detailed panels breathe so its easier on the eyes.
Love the characterisation of Cadwell!
Another great read, keep up the good work!
You should add your site to ComicHovel.com so I can fave it! =]