To My Beloved Royalty...

        

Guest post by "stephy1aq"
"also... I don't think I'm gonna do the "colored line" thing again. yeep"      ???! don't get what you mean, please explain.

Submitted May 23, 2014 at 2:38AM

        

Guest post by "Rainey"
I kinda like it; maybe not for the whole comic, but a once in a while thing to express a certain emotion in the panel that might otherwise seem a little vague.
And yes! The conversation is here! I can't wait to see what comes of this.

Submitted May 23, 2014 at 8:26AM

        

Guest post by "Z"
I agree that it doesn't really work in the second panel. I don't know if it's the panel, or what. It can be quite pretty and add depth. Maybe if the lines were darker it would work better. I also find that it gives a softer look to the piece, which doesn't really mesh with Sarah's freaked out expression. It would add to the more upbeat and light-hearted strips, but here it contrasts with the tone of the strip.

I think that the different line colors work in the other panels, though. It works really well for the first and third panels because it adds to how deflated Sarah works, in the final panel- it might be better to have it a little darker because Lucy is still an imposing figure and it seems a little conflicting to have her greyed out like that given her pose. Obviously this is a lot more work and it'll take time to work out how to do it properly, so if you don't have the time for it, I'm sure everyone understands. It looks fine with all black lines.

A+ to Lucy for getting straight to the root of the problem. And good that Sarah realizes that this isn't a good situation, even if she doesn't want to admit it to herself. This friendship isn't totally doomed, but things really need to change. I don't think either girl sees the other as a full person to be friends with.

Submitted May 23, 2014 at 8:30AM

        

I always thought it was kind of suspicious that Sarah became "friends" with Molly immediately after the falling out with Irma. Sarah thought Irma was mocking who she was, while Molly practically worships at Sarah's feet. At first I thought she might have befriended Molly to spite Irma, but it was probably more to fill the void that Irma left (a void Sarah has yet to admit to).

Last edited by RachelN
Edited 1 time(s).

Submitted May 23, 2014 at 5:27PM

        

Regarding the "colored line" effect, I agree with what Bonnie said. It emphasizes that panel, and also illustrates Sarah's uncertain emotions quite well.

Last edited by RachelN
Edited 1 time(s).

Submitted May 23, 2014 at 5:43PM

        

Guest post by "Being Useful"
I think the colored lines thing can work fine(look at Disney!)

The main problem here is that the panel looks like a newspaper misprint--the colored lines and the fill colors don't match up. It makes it look very surreal.

I wouldn't abandon it completely, but I would consider doing some practice runs with it to get it how you want.

For the purposes of this segment, it works well--she looks about as insubstantial as she seems to feel running face-first into that pointed question.

Submitted May 24, 2014 at 4:56AM

        

No, that's not a problem. No practice is necessary to 'stay within the lines'. I always draw outside the lines. I have many reasons for it, but it's an aesthetic choice, and one I'll continue with. It's not accidental, it's not sloppiness. Quite the contrary in fact. Clicking the paint can tool is easy. It takes work to draw outside, and it's a joy for me to put in that effort. It's about gesture and life and movement, it's about aesthetics and theme, and it also functions metaphorically. It's a choice, it works, and it will continue. It's the price of entry to enjoying my work, or not enjoying it. Either is fine, but that quality is not going to change soon. Non negotiable, take it or leave it.

Last edited by Pinkbatmax
Edited 6 time(s).

Submitted May 24, 2014 at 6:43PM

        

As for what I meant.... well, it was late at night. I think it clashes, and doesn't communicate exactly what I want here. I've been using the style in other work to good effect, so I think I need to figure that out.

Submitted May 24, 2014 at 6:49PM

        

Guest post by "Being Useful"
Not sure why you took that as an insult.

I don't think you quite got what I meant by "practice runs". Wasn't saying "you're incompetent", was saying "I think it could work, but you probably will need to try doing it several different ways before you find the magic formula"

Submitted May 25, 2014 at 3:42AM

        

I disagree very strongly. This where my passion comes from. When you tell me what the "main problem" is.... and you did exactly that.... I'm going to defend my work passionately.

Last edited by Pinkbatmax
Edited 2 time(s).

Submitted May 25, 2014 at 2:24PM

        

Guest post by "Being Useful"
Uh, okay. But if it was flawless(without any problems), you'd be doing it again with great joy.

Submitted May 26, 2014 at 7:48PM