We always work together to set up the tents. It takes a bit of practice to get it all set up before dark. We are still working out the bugs in the system....
We bought new sleeping bags this year. They couldn't wait to test them out. From outside the tent I heard the yell "Worm Wars!"...They were flopping about in the bags on the air mattress. They didn't sleep much....
I never get lost in the woods. I always know where I am ...wink wink. Its the trail that moves. Like fish in a stream the "Trail Trout" swimming through the dirt and the well worn trails. Every so often they change direction and take the trail with them.
And the "Mudd Bears" that lie on ground sleeping all day. If you happen to walk on them while on the trail, they let out this crazy sound. Its the Mudd Bear, always the Mudd Bear....never Dad....
Been out of my head for a while and found it difficult to write, sketch or post. I am sure this happens to many. Not sure where to go next.
My last project had to do with our summer camping trips. We spend time in Northern Michigan along the big lakes. It is very beautiful and allows for great quiet getaways. We spend time with the kids, tenting and hiking in the woods. I think I like the cookouts the best. Hot dogs, beans and s'mores are all better outside under the stars.
Last year we went out in the woods and Nat asked about the animals. We made up a few of our own.... hope to show more of these in the coming days.
Lots of chanes, time running out!
Almost finished until I gave my wife a job to edit the text. She texted me asking if she could cut my pages apart to rearrange frames. She took an axe to my 28 pages and I didn't take it well. But as usual she was right. Her suggestions on page flow, text, character development and more have brought out a much better story. It means a step back, maybe two, from where I thought I was in my timing. It's well worth the effort. It has made me rethink just when is it the perfect time to bring in a critique. She saw the earlier stages in rough, but at those stages intent was still unclear. In the rough it is very difficult for a critiquer to know really what you are planning on changing vs. keeping. If you wait until your intent is clearer, changes can become more painful. But the input is often more focused and valuable. Still learning that sweet spot in my development process to share.
28 pages of edits.....
With the Kids Read Comics June 21 date getting closer an closer, I need to get this moving.
I was able to finish a little more of the prelim inking so far. Here is a sneak at page 23 with prelim text. I plan to do a quick and rough text to leave space for balloons and sound effects. My biggest worry should be story but I am more focused on consistent character and facial expressions. I am getting more comfortable with my characters and am anticipating a number of page redos to match the feel of my later pages ...I really liked this page in that regard. KCR (Kids Read Comics) is getting closer...
Here is an update on page 20 light inking is done. Still trying to stay on schedule for the June 21 show. Had a pretty productive couple days. Fun showing the kids, they are really good at critiques. They come up with great ideas on how to tie the story back to school and happenings that are specific to their class. This is so much more work than I thought. Every step seems to take longer than expected. I haven't even got to deep into the editing and rewriting yet. I just want to get 28 pages complete to see the whole thing together. I am noticing that the line work done on the computer doesn't always print well. Because I can zoom in I am adding detail that does not translate when I print it out on test pages. Learn as I go.
The middle of the night bathroom visit, comes along with any camping trip.
And just like that the game was over....
Our last search led us to a local old cemetery. We had to take turns looking for a number of hidden boxes. Spooky fun.
