Hourly Comics 2012

NB.  The text on the comic posted here is a little hard to read, but I like the whole composition.  For clarity I have posted another version below that is panel over panel. There.

OK, so here it is.  Typically for me (at present) this is incredibly late.  I did all of the drawings as the day happened - often having to resort to a sort acting as if I was actually concentrating on the lesson I was supposedly teaching.  I didn't get on the forum, this was only due to my lack of time, but i will be doing next year.. I did however keep track of the hashtag on Twitter and was some great examples, a real range. 

I'm going to get the students at school to have a go at this as I reckon the task has many positive qualities to it.  Firstly it's just interesting to look at your day in such a detailed way - it goes by sooo fast. Then it's a good tool for editing, you have to decide on the spot.  I hadn't drawn for a good while over Christmas and needed something to stop me being so precious about drawing... and it worked.

The drawings were done in my A4 water paper book, using coloured pencil, fine liners, brush pen and finally aqua-brushes. Photoshop was used a little to snip up a little and desaturate the effect of my old scanner.

My favourite panel is 1200. If only I could produce compositions and inks like this on regular basis. Some of it on show here is so hideous and tight.

Dan:)

Brunetti homework assignment 3 p.38

Here are the 'finals' for the Brunetti ex on Kochalka.  Just six days worth of 4 panel excepts from life. Nothing flashy, just see what comes out.  Looking back on these I can see elements of a style emerging I guess... I'm still fanning around trying to figure out what to do with black...wavering between 'comiccy' simplified elements and objectively drawn bits (hands).  Quite like the type type.  Final 4 are my faves.

Dan.

Brunetti Homework assignment 3 (Roughs) p.38

Here are the roughs for Brunetti's assignment 3.  I was working in an A5 Moleskine, mainly due to the problems and constraints that are provided by my lack of time (although I do still find time to watch a Borgen every night, so I can't complain too much.)  The A5 helps because I can draw in the car, in the doctors *relevant to story*, in the bath, on the loo, whilst giving a baby a bottle etc etc.  Trying to come up with a me, a girlfriend, a daughter etc was tricky.  I really do have these in real life, I've just never drawn them.
Any hoo, this task was based around Kochalka's daily strips. 4 Panels a day, no attempt to be meaningful or funny.  Really enjoyed doing it - a great way to keep a diary.  I can see why Kochalka does it - little things seem to magnify with only a short amount of time- but actually committing yourself... Inked strip to follow:)
Still can't believe I stapled my effin fingers together...

Brunetti objects exercises HW1.2, 2.3, 3.2

This is a great exercise and one of those that makes no sense when you start doing it.  The brief was to collect 12 objects that had some quality in common - I raided my son's toy box.  Next you've got to take away two to make the remainder feel more of a cohesive unit, and think about the reasons why - I chose stuff with a face. Later, you get to put them in different arrangements to see how they 'read'.  Maybe they can tell a story or maybe there is conceptual link of some kind.  After a while you realise that you are reading the objects as if they were panels. And the end result is a developing of our visual sophistication.


Out of interest, the kids helped me do this and naturally loved the different arrangement and attempting to guess each other's...


Reasons are below each image...

Colour

Cutest (Reuben)

Scariest (Reuben)

Timeline (Reuben)

Looking human

Hardest 

Cutest (Mimi)

Furthest from reality (Mimi)

Mimi draws Robot and Rabbit from Google+

Here's a little drawing done by Mimi (6) whilst waiting for the train on Shrewsbury station. I managed to get a little signal and this was what was on my Google+ stream at the time. Now, when i look back over the post to give credits i can't find the post (deleted?). Would really appreciate any help on tracing the artist... maybe a big ask.

Anyways, cute aren't they?

Dan

Scenery for the Sound of Music

Over the past few Sundays I've been painting the scenery for the school production of 'The Sound of Music' which takes place this Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.  This is the 10th production that I've painted and the most enjoyable to date, but unfortunately the first one that I've remembered to document! The first few slides show the flats that I was greeted with.  These are basically  bits from other productions by other organisations.  First job is to paint an even colour over and then set to with charcoal.  

My favourite parts have to be drawing out the mountains with a huge piece of garden cane with charcoal taped to the end and the two concave shelved in the convent.  I'll hopefully post some images when it's been lit... then it really begins to come to life.  

Dan.