Perseverance

Still working on the inks for the first issue of a book called Kord & Harley. There is talk of a new penciler on about issue 3 or 4. The possible new penciler's name is James Kyle. He goes by JKyle74 or something like that on Digital Webbing. I got a hi-res copy of his pencils of a Swamp Thing pic done for a Draw-Off at DigitalWebbing to see what my inks might look like over his pencils. It took me way longer than I expected but here is the result.

Pencils


















Inks




















I've received a few comments and a couple of really good critiques. What it boils down to is this - you know how sometimes you get tunnel vision and all you can see is making the feathers and the lines look good? That's what I seem to have done here. I concentrated so hard on making all of the lines and feathers look good that I neglected the piece as a whole. Don't really have the time right now to re-do it but I may in the future. Maybe once I have some more experience and learning under my belt, I can do it justice and make it look correct.

Also, I went to a temporary agency yesterday and filled out all of my paperwork and am looking to return once again to the full-time work force. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about it right now. If I get the job that was discussed, I'll be once again making good money and can save up. I'll be losing a lot of inking time though. I've really enjoyed the last few months of having the time to just ink and ink. I think its definitely helped me to improve. Sadly, I was starting to consider the possibility of maybe earning a meager living doing this. Oh well, the dream now takes even longer, that's all.

Dissipation

Spoke to the publisher of the small company I've been inking for tonight. Seems as if there might be some misunderstanding between this fella and the big publisher. Small publisher insists that he's had several PM and e-mail conversations with big publisher. He's slightly distressed that he's not made a bigger/better impression. Eh, I'm happy. Air feels as if it's cleared between us and I got paid for my inking invoice almost immediately. As I stated previous, all of the business aspects of this relationship have been great. Nothing looks like that's gonna change. All is back to status quo for me. I'm inking a pin-up piece by the artist set to follow the current artist on the series I'm working on for the small publisher. Said new artist is Jim Kyle (JKyle72 or something from Digital Webbing). Once that's completed, it's back to the inking board for more sequentials on the book.

I also got in touch with a solid supporter and pro named Tony 'Ugly Knuckles' Bledsoe about my inks. http://uglyknuckles.com/ Sent him some inks for critique. He gave me a thorough and very thought-provoking critique on some of my earlier work on the same book I'm working on now. Also, told me that he thinks I'm coming along fine. Even said that he's had to turn down some inking due to the pay or that he's too busy. Told me that he might suggest me for some of that if it comes his way again. I told him that'd be fine and thanked him. You'd never know to look at this guy - large bald guy with tattoos, looks like a biker - but he's one of the most helpful, supportive guys I've had the good fortune to run into over the internet. Also has a great-looking book called Frankenstein coming out from Dead Dog Entertainment. http://deaddogcomics.proboards34.com Pencils are by Jerry Beck and I'm jealous of Tony gettin' to ink 'em. Solid as they come, this fella is.

That's about it for right now...

Meandering

Well, I've been inking for a small company and have really been enjoying it. I have been paid a nominal rate per page but that was okay as it was to be published work with the promise that, if sales were good once published, I'd be getting a page rate increase. As my friend Forrest once said, "That's all I have to say about that."

This is important - I have no qualms with this small company as of now. I've been paid the agreed upon rate for every page I've invoiced for. As a matter of fact, I was pre-paid for four pages on the first check.

Slightly on topic, I received an out-of-the-blue PM from Loston Wallace (Bruce Lee) on PencilJack inquiring as to my inks. He suggested that I submit to Marvel, DC and Dark Horse and told me that he felt that I was good enough. What a great pick up that was! Even more so because it didn't follow a posting of inks or anything. Also, it was from a solid pro. Maybe I'll put some stuff together. I might even push my luck and ask Tom Nguyen for his input and opinion. Couldn't hurt, right?

On that note, I finally got things together and ordered the penciling and inking DVD's from Tom Nguyen. Wonderfully helpful and informative! Any artist that can afford them should really look into them as they are great.

Still no 'real' employment but I have had to start looking harder as bills will very soon eclipse the monies I have in the bank. I even had to close out my saving account. Maybe I'll get a part-time job at the local video store while I continue to pursue more lucrative inking assignments.

Take care all!

~Ed!

The Tick(r) and related characters are (c) and ™ 1998 Ben Edlund. The Tick(r) is a registered trademark of Ben Edlund