Blank It Comics

I was gonna gab about the last couple strips and make all these artsy observations and insights, but I’ve learned over the years that unless specified otherwise, people don’t really like to know what goes into the kool-aid, to quote a friend. Which is generally why I run the Ustream show, but I haven’t fired that up in the last few weeks due to strained circumstances. Or rather, I’ve been doing the strip in the buck lately. No lie. I’m bucking out right now. Moving on.

If you’d like to see me quite not in the buck, or see just how accurately Aric resembles his cynical comic counterpart, we’ve just gotten a communication from basecamp that we will be “guest creators” at this year’s MCBA Fallcon. That’s just a fancy way of saying we’ll be sitting behind a table. But nevertheless, we promise antics and homilies, sketches on the very same sketch paper I draw the comic on, facepainting, boxing matches and glass-blowing demonstrations. Only some of those claims are fabricated. Anyway, if you’re in the midwest and into comics, online or printed, you should seriously consider this con. I’ve gone as an attendee many years, and it’s a romp.

That’s a big enough deal. I’ll doll out the smaller tidbits later in the week.

Recently I inked one of the Blank It strips on the computer as opposed to by pen. I wonder if you can pick it out. It took me a little longer than usual, but not enough to make it a big deal. But this wasn’t anything new. I’ve been using fancy-ass tablets for almost a decade now.

The point is this. There’s a bit of back-and-forth about the lovely wonders of inking digitally these days. Or even just drawing digitally. As if it’s better. And while these discussions are constructive, they are often weighted with the unspoken; easily confused as arguments between people who are unable to adapt to a new medium (the old farts) and the folks who do things the new way simply because it’s new (the neophytes). And as usual, my stance on it is complicated and in the middle.

I’ve been drawing on the computer my whole damned life. Since the days of CGA graphics on monitors, single-button mice, Mario Paint, you name it. Google the words Degas Elite and you’ll know the programs I’ve worked with. So for me, digital art is just as “old school” as pens and paper. So I’m already going to sign out of that side of the argument.

The other debate is the versatility of digital art versus the permanence of inks. The problem is, it’s not an exclusive factor. I draw by pen, and whenever I mess up, I write “FIX” on the page, right next to the boo-boo. I scan it, and make the repairs in Photoshop when I’m doing all my coloring and post-production. Heck, sometimes my art is cut off, so I’ll make modifications once it’s digital. Anyone who’s watched the Ustream show can attest to these techniques.

I think the cost debate is moot. I even deleted my paragraph on it.

And my last and final point is not having to spend every. waking. second. of my life in front of a computer screen. I work in front of a computer. I game in front of a computer. In between these times I browse on a computer. If I didn’t have a commute, and I know some artists who don’t, I’d be hard pressed to do anything away from a computer. So preserving my hobby as an organic experience is really rewarding. I can look at a piece of paper and not rot my retinas.

So here’s my verdict. I think the people who argue for digital inking are the folks who have found out how awesome it is, and are trying to convince the people who don’t do it to try it. But what they miss is that there are people, like me, who have been happily in the middle for this entire time, and want to remind everyone supporting digital inking that art is art, you do it how you want, and chances are you’ll find the way you like to do it best. Try every way. Draw in charcoal. Paint. Watercolor. In fact, go do your webcomic in chalk on the sidewalk and photograph it. The quality of your work will come from what you invest in it and what you get out of it.

So, y’all been knockin’ me out witcha voodoo, so I thought I’d drive you crazy with some boogie-oogie.

Aric mentioned the forums last week, and I’ll tell you. In my book, squeaky wheels get the gwease. Which is to say, I like to surround myself with loquacious individuals like me, so the chattier people tend to be, the more I enjoy their company. That all rhymed on accident. The point is, I’m glad we have a few gabbers around. It makes my obsessive browser refreshing valid.

We’re officially listed on the MCBA Fallcon list, so I can officially tell you you’re officially invited to officially come and hang out with us, unofficially. I toured the Grandstand where the convention will be taking place, and it looks like a good spot to hang out and have an awesome time. I do suggest you come out. We’ll try to make our booth as findable as possible.

Why don’t I talk about the actual comic more in these blurg posts? Because I’m not really allowed. That part of the human brain brain that shouts “SPOILER ALERT” doesn’t really work in mine, so I have a tendency to just explain everything away. Which is great if you want explanations. But the truth is most of you don’t want explanations, you want the thrill of wanting explanations. So far be it for me to ruin that for you. Carry on now.

I haven’t missed updates with the comic. This is a personal achievement. But it also relies on having a work buffer. This comic was done ahead of time. The bummer is that I’ve now lost my head start to this niche underground game you’ve never heard of, called Spore. Evilly addictive, it is.

Anyway, I’ve already made it through to the space section with two species, and now I’m working on a teeny little bean dude (I call him a Legumite). He’s little and meek, but vicious. Anyway, if you want to check any of my creations out, my Spore ID is my old moniker, HotSoup.

Hey, if you have a Spore ID you’d like to share, drop it in the comments here, or plunk it over in the forums. I expect if you’re here, you’ve got a knack for the wacky, and I’d like to see what you got.

Oh, and Google Chrome rocks. Though, I don’t think it does live spelchequing. I’m in for some trobule.

Blank It just received a pretty glowing review by comic aficionado Ryan Stemple. Go and take a read.