drawing

From Pixelfed: 2023-11-01T15:33:34.000Z

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This week in high school comics class: working on outlining and structuring our minicomic stories. The structure is there to support them when they’re stuck and for them to rebel against when they’re not.

P1: Introductions – We learn about the characters and setting

P2: Characters interact – We learn more about how the characters see themselves and each other, particularly through dialogue

P3: Conflict – Some kind of problem shows up

P4: Characters react to conflict – We learn more about the characters through their reaction to the conflict

P5: Twist – Some kind of surprise shows up–could be big, could be small

P6: Characters react to twist – We learn more about the characters through their reaction to the conflict

P7-P8: Resolution – I always think about this part as answering one of two questions: *How* is the world different, or *Why* is the world the same?

#teachingarts #comics #drawing #storytelling

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Droppin’ Art in Akron

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Some tiny drawings I hid at Canal Park during an Akron RubberDucks game. Mascots Webster and Homer in action, on the field!

I don’t get as many opportunities to leave these “art drops” as I used to. Back when I lived in Ann Arbor and was part of a bowling league, I’d hide these kinds of watercolor and crayons sketches weekly:

I always include a note on the back that reads something like this:

You found an art drop! I’ve hidden these drawings around [insert location here] just for you to find it. I hope you enjoy it, or give it to someone who will!

I don’t sign my name or leave any website info anymore. The idea here isn’t to get followers or subscribers, but to put a playful bit of charm in the world as best I can. And it helps me to be less precious about the drawings. I’m making something to let it go.

A few years back on the Lean Into Art Cast I spent an hour with my pal Rob Stenzinger where we dug into more reasons why I enjoy leaving little drawings all over the place:

There are worse ways to spend your time!

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Loving Ink Lines

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I’m working on a new illustration of Baba Yaga (for an as-yet-unannounced project) and I was taken by the ink lines while flatting. Something has happened in the last 15 years or so where I absolutely love the way ink interacts with different papers.

Back in 2002 when I was penciling, inking, and halftoning my first mini-series, PPV: Pay-Per-View, I thought of inking as a largely utilitarian thing that made the art more printable. This page was where I switched from inking with super-dark pencils to a crow quill and technical pens.

It’s not bad, but I can see how crisp younger Jerzy kept things. Lines weren’t there to express, but to describe. It’s clear work that reads comparatively stiff when you consider the energy and character of lines in Baba Yaga’s hood.

I honestly never imagined I’d ever ?love? inking. But here I am! Let’s all promise to never stop learning, because we’ll always find new ways to love making art.

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A Barbarian Horse in the Snow

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A wintery panel from my upcoming book, The Inscrutable Doctor Baer and the Case of the Two-Faced Statue. I thought having a chapter of the book take place in the arctic would make things easier on artist Jerzy and his color assistant, but I forgot about the woods the characters needed to hide in!

Get more behind the scenes info on the book via my Patreon, or subscribe to the newsletter!

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My Old Studio

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My analog drawing area when I lived in Ann Arbor. Sometimes I miss that little yellow nook.

I have a bit more space now, though! Eventually I’ll figure out how to make it as cozy as my old studio.

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