Off the Grid

[Inkwolf]

A little something I may putter with now and then, when I have ideas and am not busy...
http://off-the-grid.webcomic.ws/

[Abyssinica]

Ah yes, the Middle kyu. I am familiar with myself.

[EdLee]

Hi Inkwolf,

Thanks. May I ask:

(You don't have to reply to anything Just curious...)

• Are you a professional illustrator/artist/cartoonist ?
• Did you draw that entirely old-tech (paper, pencils, pens, ink, water color, sprays, etc.) or now-tech, or a mix ?
• How long does it take to draw one (after the initial ideas; the actual mechanical portions of producing the image.)
• Is that an earring on the left ear ?

Thanks.

[wineandgolover]

If you are looking for encouragement, then "Yes, please!"

[Inkwolf]

(You don't have to reply to anything Just curious...)

Are you a professional illustrator/artist/cartoonist ?
Did you draw that entirely old-tech (paper, pencils, pens, ink, water color, sprays, etc.) or now-tech, or a mix ?
How long does it take to draw one (after the initial ideas; the actual mechanical portions of producing the image.)
Is that an earring on the left ear ?

1. Not really, though I wanted to be one for a large part of my life. I work in a library, where I often get paid to do artwork, but it is not quite the same thing. I get to make library signs and posters, and design new outfits for the giant Flat Stanley hanging in our entrance hall. This past summer, the Summer Reading Program theme was heroes, and I drew a comic book for the kids.

2. Did it in Corel Painter with a Wacom tablet, using the Digital Watercolor brush for most of the coloring. The sad part of digital art is that there is no original to give away to someone. The nice part is, no materials expense, instant erasing, easy storage, no-consequence experimentation, and that lovely, lovely 'undo' button. When I do use real media these days, I often find myself mentally groping for the control-Z.

3. It's hard to say, because identifying the moment when I go from procrastination/puttering around to actual drawing is kind of like identifying the exact moment you fell asleep. Aji's Quest pages used to take about three to five hours to do, depending on the amount of detail. Monday I got out of work at 1, walked the dog, checked my e-mail, played some games, did errands, and finished up those two comics by around 7pm. (Though I did most of the board layout for the Middle Kyu the night before.)

4. Earrings in both ears, actually. (Female, they force us to get our ears pierced by peer pressure.)

[EdLee]

Hi Inkwolf,

Thanks so much for the replies.

The predatory state look is brilliant -- classic!

Have you considered submitting (anything) to the New Yorker.
Perhaps you've tried it occasionally already.

Bob Mankoff's memoir .