Hello June!
…but first, a recap of May!
I finally FINISHED the script for my graphic novel! And all the thumbnails for each page’s layout. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE pages!?!?! At least!! (“At least” you say? “How do you not know?” Well, the story is kind of split into chapters, so I’m considering adding pages to officially mark those chapters. And I also want to add a few pages of extra drawings at the end, since I always enjoy that in graphic novels I’ve read. So that’s why it’s not exact. But that’s already SO MUCH.)
Should I have started with a short story? Or split those chapters into comic book issues? Probably. Maybe. I don’t know. But it’s too late now!!
So, the graphic novel really took up most of the month. I did a little anime-style sketching, which was fun! But I mostly worked on cartooning practice.
Some fan art I did of Mabel Pines from Gravity Falls, as practice for my doodle cartoon style!
I did a little brainstorming for the book’s character designs too. I’m a little — okay, a lot — intimated by the size of this project. So it’s been sloooow going. I really need to make sure I love the way characters all look, because I’m going to have to draw them A LOT.
I also had to spend a couple days working on the technical stuff for creating a graphic novel. I finally learned the basics of Clip Studio Paint. I had to decide how I wanted to self-publish my book, what size I want it to print at, and how to set up my files so that it will in fact print that size correctly… so waaay less fun stuff, but still kinda exciting! I mean, it’s gonna be a real book! Yay!
Now my goals for June…
The main priority, if you haven’t already guessed, is the graphic novel (which also needs a title too!! eek!!). I’m getting ready for the actual drawing part now! I need to finish the planning stuff, and practice/design stuff. But that shouldn’t be for too much longer. And then I’ll get to start the super rough draft stage! Then I’ll really be in my element again, after all that experience from my comic strips! Same process, just way different scale and style!
For a while, I suspect momentum will be important for keeping everything consistent across the book. I don’t plan on working on anything else while I get started. Once I get more comfortable with that process, I want to start doing illustrations again and comics in my downtime. I still have illustration ideas! And I’m thinking paint markers would be fun again too! But for now, I’m giving myself permission to not have any goals for any other drawing projects right now (at least nothing beyond sketching somewhat daily). And that’s okay! This is plenty! haha.
Time to get to work!
Thanks for reading!
P.S. – Don’t forget! You can support my work (and get cool stuff!) by shopping prints, shirts and more at INPRNT and TeePublic!
Bee Sauls Art 