Storytelling 101a
Sunday, October 21st, 2007When I was finishing this page, I was really happy with how it worked out, which seemed weird to me because there’s nothing necessarily striking or bombastic about the layout or the drawing of the characters, and as far as the writing goes, it moves the story along but there’s no huge point I needed to get across (although we find out Zip’s shadow likes grits, but who doesn’t?).
Now this may seem like a lame thing to focus on, but I think what I really like about this page is the items in the foregrounds of the first four panels and how they tie those panels together. It’s something that I can’t quite make work all the time, but it sure helps make the composition of the pictures more interesting and gives me more options to work in subtle story elements if I need to.
I hope I don’t sound like a windbag talking about my own artwork, but I wind up thinking about it a lot. Perhaps I need to spend less time at the drawing table and more time interacting with actual people. My wife and kid would probably appreciate that. 
October 21st, 2007 at 11:23 am
I think your commentary on your own art is fascinating, and it helps me to appreciate things I might not have noticed before. (I tend to be the type of guy who thinks “It’s beautiful” without really knowing why, but I love a bit of analysis to help my engineering mind connect with my artistic appreciation.
)
For the record, I’m an actual person, and I like your interactions with me through your comments. Hopefully your wife and kid appreciate this kind of interaction too!
October 21st, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Hey Don, glad you like the commentary. I’ve been wanting to post comments about the pages. It’s fun to share what I was thinking when I’m working. And my wife will definitely appreciate me adding comments to the comics. It’ll save her from being the only one stuck listening to my silly ideas.
October 26th, 2007 at 8:43 am
i love when you post this kind of stuff! keep em coming.
sorry for lurking for awhile. well a LONG while… i’ve actually been here since page 18! (TUDM)
October 26th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Awesome! Glad to hear from someone that’s been here since almost the beginning. Thanks for letting me know you enjoy the commentary on the strip. I’ll keep it coming. I enjoy sharing the little things I figure out as I’m working.