Happy Accidents

Just a quick update, yes I am very close to posting new strips. I’ve got several strip ideas plotted out and just have to find the time/motivation/courage to sit down and draw them. I’m finding that the confidence that I’d built up with my first 9 strips completely eroded away during my 3 month hiatus, so it’s taking some effort to get back on the horse.

I recently posted a thread to the Webcomics.com forum, in which I asked for pointers/advice on time management and staying motivated. Mostly, the responses were positive, and a couple were pretty helpful. Some folks, however, suggested that if I were truly serious about doing a strip, I’d make time for it no matter what, forsaking everything else in my life. Thanks, but frankly that’s not an option. Especially as I’ll be a new parent within the next month or so.

One thing I’m going to try to do is more sketching on a regular basis. Normally at work, I’ll heat up my lunch and eat it at my desk. And normally I’m still working throughout and “lunch” only lasts as long as it takes to eat. So I’m making a conscious effort to step away from my desk for lunch and try to do some sketching. My first day of trying this was fairly successful (sketches below).

Right now I’m trying to come up with character designs for at least two recurring characters for the strip. There won’t be any real continuity or back-story for them right now; I just need to have a couple stock characters I can draw quickly, in strips where I’m otherwise not drawing celebrities, etc. I’m also trying to experiment with different styles, too. I don’t want to emulate Penny Arcade or PvP too much, although much is to be learned from those guys. I also am absolutely enamored right now with the style of Dan Schoening (aka, Dapper Dan). His style has a very “animated” feel, but is so clean and fun. Hist latest Ghostbusters pieces are mind-blowing.

So anyhoo, big thanks to everyone that’s been so supportive lately. I really am coming back, I swear