my inking strategy

Now that I am in the thick of inking of I am trying a new strategy. Not that there was anything wrong with just inking one page at a time, but perhaps there is a way that could be faster and more psychologically satisfying. So instead I am treating all the pages as one. Focusing in on sections of inking as opposed to panel to panel. So right now I am just filling in the blackest blacks, then I'll work on backgrounds, move on to the figures and finish up with corrections and fine tuning. Whether or not this will work, I am not sure, but it is worth giving it a try.

Once these pages are done, I have another set of pages not only to ink, but also to color. These are vastly different in style from the pages I am working on now. Once those are done, I want to keep the creative work going. I listed my ideas for illustrations so now I'll be more focused in the future.

I've been given some encouragement to draw more from a Pronto colleague actually. Over the weekend, as I mentioned before, I worked on a logo design. I didn't get the gig, but I got several encouraging words from my friend asking why I don't make more illustrations. so with that positivity I want to keep things moving along, and hopefully I will.

Inking time

So I am in full force inking mode. Working on my first set of pages, so I can move onto my second set next week. Since all the tests are done I have a good road map as to what I want to do and accomplish. The only obstacle is finding time. Time is always an obstacle it seems.

Aside from that there is not much to write about today. I made a submission to a gallery yesterday as a PR writer. I will be waiting to hear back from them. If I get it it would be a nice new feather in my cap, so I am crossing my fingers.

Other then that things are humming along well. I am slowly making progress in the right areas and I just need to keep plugging away.

got some stuff done

Things are lining up slowly, but surely. I didn't get a huge amount of things done this weekend, but I did get some stuff done.

The big thing was that I got the boards for me to ink on Friday. So i was finally able to start doing pencil corrections on them, which are all done. Now I can finally start inking, and that is a huge relief.

Also on Friday I got an email from a friend and colleague about some one looking for a logo design. I am pretty proud that I was able to get and idea out and on paper over the weekend, an sent it to him last night.

Aside from this I also got a good amount done at Dowling making several glazes, a fresh batch of clay, firing a kiln and numerous other things that needed to be done.

Finally I was also able to get several errands that were mounting accomplished. I finally bought some accessories that I needed for my car, which will help me transport my art supplies, welding equipment, and metal. I also bought new paints, and was able to order a necessary book for putting together my mailing list.

So it was a productive weekend which I hope to to extend into this week.

What to do, what to do

There is something that happens to me, and in talking to others, I know its a common occurrence, in moments of calm or free time I forget what I wanted to do. Today is such a day. I have most of the day off, not starting work until tonight at 6.

I know there are things that I wanted to do. There are illustrations that I want to get started, pencil corrections I can begin to make, articles and rants to type up, financials to look at and errand to run.

It is a bizarre things because clearly I know the things that I want to do, it is really more of not being able to remember how to get it done. In certain ways writing this blog is very helpful. As I am sure I have said in the past, it helps me focus my thoughts and concentrate on what needs to be done.

So the real trick is getting started. Many things have been squared away and organized, there is still more that can be of course. One could relate this to the student that has to clean their room before writing a term paper, I guess. However, I am going to try a technique I've used in the past, and that is to simply put what i need to do right in front on me, forcing myself to deal with it.

We'll see how that goes...

Seeing some progress

I was able to finish my tests yesterday. More importantly I was finally able to send them off the the penciler as well with some notes on the pages. Now that they are done, I will wait for the penciler to get back to me.

With this mini-down period, and I mean mini, I am hoping to get a little visual reference work done for my own illustration ideas. Also there are things I want to write and publish online. Also I have to do a booze review tonight and submit it to sex herald's new booze editor.

Tomorrow and this weekend I'll be working at Dowling and doing some of my own work I hope.

Inking and ceramics

Well with the house just a little neater, I am able to get a little more done. Last night I did get a chance to work on my ink tests and I am now working on the final one. Once this is complete I can actually start on the boards. Thanks to the ink tests, the boards should go by very quickly, which is the point of the tests.

In a nice little confidence booster, someone contacted me about doing some illustrations. Unfortunately though the turn around that they wanted it done by was too short. There would have been no way that I could have gotten it done with my current schedule. Though it is nice to be asked, as dumb as it sounds. It is just too bad they didn't have more time, or that to ask sooner rather then when they needed it ASAP. it has been my experience that many underestimate the art process and just don't understand that it takes time.

Tonight I have work at Dowling. There is a lot to do. Unloading kilns, mixing up glaze samples and a couple of other things as well. Plenty to keep me busy for the 4 hours that I am there.

Also I need to find some time to do a booze review for sex herald, as well as some other typing and writing. Hopefully i will able to get it done tomorrow.

As always there is just not enough time in the day.

Less productive day

Went to work this morning and then came home and took a nap. Aside from that I have been rather less productive then usual today. I have a couple of tings to do around the house, but I am hoping that later this evening I will be able to do a bit more.

The last couple of days though have been good. I've been able to work on my inking tests, and I just have 1 more to do. Also I've gotten some writing done and been able to put out my Sunday Times round ups on a regular basis. The only thing that i need to do which I have been neglecting is putting out a food blog.

Artistically there are other things that I have been on the back burner, but I feel confidant that I will be getting to them soon.

Right now the big thing for me it too, quite literally, set my house in order. I am not compulsive about needing to keep my area clean, or having to clean before getting to work, but there is something to be said for keeping a clean area. This though goes beyond just tidying up, long overdue projects need to get done.

Tomorrow, I have work at Dowling and i will see what else I will do.

Writing, drawing and clay making

So I have several things that need to get done today. I am a little late on my reviews for sexherald.com. the Christmas season kept me a bit busy and I didn't have time to write them up. So I plan on part of the day being devoted to writing.

I have also been working on my ink studies for the new anthology. I am hoping to finish them in the next day or two and then I can start working on the actual boards. With the questions answered and the plan made, the actual inking will be much easier.

Finally tonight I start back at Dowling. As is usual, my supervisor sent me an email letting me know what needs to be done. Top on the list is making some new clay. While we were away the clay hardened beyond use. So we are trying to soften it back up and I have new clay to make. It was a good thing that before I left I broke down and prepared a lot of clay to be recycled.

So as is a typical day for me, it will be a busy one.

Back to...everything

Well the 2 week break that was the holiday season has come to and end. though it didn't feel like much of break, since I stil worked, albeit only at one job. This week marks going back to my regular, or as close to regular, schedule. I'll be working at the gym and back to Dowling tomorrow for the winter interim class.

With the new year comes an assessment with the old. I can't say it was the greatest year I've ever lived, but it definitely had some good points. It was the first year where I made major strides in my professional goals. Now this year, hopefully, I will be able to build upon them.

To do this I've created new daily and weekly tasks that need to be done, to keep me on track. Also I am lucky that Christmas has afforded me some new/old tools that will help me. This years goals though, mostly revolve around illustration and sculpture. I hope to get some actual freelance jobs this year, put out more comic book content with Pronto and finally get more sculpture shows.

This year I plan on being more consistent with my mailings and promotions. I also hope to create a fourth website for my sculpture portfolio. Finally this year I want to get fishysuicide.com running at the level it should be. Its going to be a long year, but hopefully it will be even more productive then last year.