It was early in my screen-capture career. I’m still experimenting with every new video, still doing my best to make sure they’re entertaining enough for those who have no interest in art to watch. Of course a big factor is the music.
Although I’m still proud of that video and the image itself, I got quite a bit of constructive criticism. Some of my defenders, though valiant, seemed to think I’d be offended at the critiques leveled at the image. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I welcomed the suggestions. I don’t plan to take every word to heart, but I’m a grownup and I can handle it when someone has a genuine gripe about my depiction of an ageless horror. Despite all this, the C’thulhu creation is one of my most viewed videos.
I found myself in my doodles returning to the dread, dreaming Lord of R’lyeh. True to my word, this attempt is creepier, crawlier and less humanoid and flabby:
Earlier this week I was linked to this by lovely co-author and psychic-soulmate Lyndsey. I’ll wait three hours until you can read all about it.
Back? Good. Later on, I had an interesting conversation with another lovely friend Stephanie in which we discussed the forced digital evolution of the written word. I didn’t bring up Dionaea House at the time, and I think Steph ended up winning in the end.
I’m still on the fence. Forms of communication never really go extinct, just out of style. People still know how to make smoke signals, chisel words in rock, press papyrus, and write in cursive. They just don’t do it so much anymore.
I made the comparison to the 3D phenomenon in cinema today. 3D is new technology that we aren’t sure how to use yet. It works best when used to shock and surprise the audience. Therefore, the best 3D movies are scary ones, like Coraline or My Bloody Valentine. Perhaps more artistic uses of 3D will be developed in time.
So it is with digital storytelling. I, a lover of webcomics, was quick to point out I’ve enjoyed reading and subscribing to webcomics for almost ten years now. Traditional, printed comics have lost the attraction. No more am I subjected to advertisements that border on insulting and obscene, or shameless self promotion of a product (because that’s what a superhero has become). I can instead have updates emailed to me.
E-readers and unforeseen future-tech will never force print into extinction, but it will purge it of all but the most stubborn survivors.
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Lyndsey and I also worked on outlining more of the Tales of Auli: Book 1 rewrite. Once more solid storylines are in place I’ll be able to draft up storyboards for the comic version.
Here’s the color test for the background, tweaked slightly for visibility on this blog.
I sometimes like to whistle the theme from Disney’s Robin Hood and see whose ears perk up. Those people tend to be on our side.
Been working a lot this weekend, as you can see from the blog. Here’s the state of the Zorbius/Riikos illustration:
That’s coming along nicely. Lyndsey and I had some phone conversations ironing more details out. I spent most of Saturday in or preparing to go to a birthday party for a relative. It was a cookout and the weather was nice. Ugh. I’m allergic to sunlight and fresh air, in case I haven’t made that clear.
While I’m very proud of the progress I’ve made, I’m frustrated by how much time the actual drawing is taking. I used to be a lot faster!
Also in-progress: Alucard from Hellsing versus Edward Cullen from Twilight. Guess who’s winning. Go on.
"C'mon Edward! Unleash your powers! Read my mind! Predict my attacks! C'MON! C'MON!! C'MON!!!!"
I think this article sums up how I feel about vampire mania as it exists in pop culture today.
I’m currently working on this illustration for Tales of Auli. I’m putting a lot of effort into the detail, and eventually the atmosphere and coloring layers. The whole recording was running long, so I had to split it into parts. On top of that, I had to change the music because YouTube wouldn’t let me use Kashmir by Led Zepplin.
The music is now Superbeast and How to Make a Monster by Rob Zombie.
