Shades of Grey: 2008

Robin

So this should give you a preview of how all the different styles will be coming together for this last segment of SoG. Which means that the final book will have to be in color, but that's the price to pay. Bummer.

SPEAKING OF BOOKS!

Realizing that, no matter how much I beat up on myself to get the book 2 (LONG long long overdue) re-scanned and prepped, I was never going to find the time to get it done. So I got an editor, and holy cow he's AMAZING. ALL of book 2 has been re-scanned. That's right. ALL of it. SO now all that's left is assembling the FoTs, making the title pages/table of contents/etc and adding in the contest winners work. SO! That's exciting!

This whole thing taught me something important. Actually, several important things.
1) NEVER run a contest for something that's not already finished. It will only cause dissapointments.
2) ADMIT LIMITATIONS EARLIER. *grumble*
3) Help is good!
4) FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS GOOD, KEEP YOUR HIGH-RES FILES!!!

Robin

Hans = Holden Caulfield.

I realized this recently. Now that he's growing out of it.

Blech. I always disliked Catcher in the Rye. I've come to understand that it's a book of male adolescence.

Being female, it now makes sense that I couldn't relate.

Robin

Robin

It struck me, as I was putting in the Shades for Racy and Sincerity, that these two characters represent two negative patterns that I often see in women and struggle with/despise greatly. One is the manipulative woman who hides behind a mask of syrup-sweetness, but is vicious and cold. The other is the woman who uses sexuality as a weapon, or defines herself as nothing but a sexual object, thus devaluing her character to little more than breasts and a...well...you know.

Vapid women and manipulative women...two of the worst manifestations of corrupted feminine power in our society. At least, in my opinion.

I wonder why I never noticed this before.

Robin

And so we begin the last part of the last chapter. The final style will be a hybrid of the old and new ones, to show that, no matter how much you grow, your past will always remain a part of you.

Robin

So that's (mostly) it for our dream sequences. I hope you have enjoyed them! I learned a lot about the characters and a lot as an artist in this section. Both will be useful in the next, and last, section of Shades of Grey.

Next up! The beginning of the end!

Robin

I like this speech.

Robin

It was a difficult day yesterday and I didn't have a chance to update on time. Sorry folks.

Robin

Dun Dun DUNNNNN

...

or...or something...

...I'ma go sleep now.

Robin

Robin

There's something important about names. Names take something out of the realm of unknowns and places them somewhere that the mind can grasp. Something nameless is limitless in what it can do, where it can be, how it can exist. Give it a name, and you give it form, identity, and boundaries.

At least, those are my thoughts. Anyone else have their own theory on the meaning/importance of names?

Robin

...is born in the mouth. That's why Sunfire lives there.

Robin

Oh Brand, why is that so amusing? That joke wasn't funny the first time around...And yet, that's the last time you weren't all UltraAngstMan5000k!!11!!

Silly Brand.

Robin

Lots of goodies today. I was getting the impression that people were having trouble with the environments and rules of reality as they currently stand. Hans stepped in and volunteered to comment. Hopefully it's enlightening. I know it's a big file, but it will be moved to DA permanently after this week.

Also a new Rambling with Robin, where Khan and I discuss the rare, intriguing, and beloved Zeppo character of popular film. Zander Harris? Sokka? Anyone? Anyone? So check that out if you have an empty 34 minutes to fill. Lots of snark and randomocity to keep you entertained.

Robin

So the water doused the fire, flooded the room, and now Brand drifts upwards through the murky depths, leaving everything behind.

Robin

Is it clear that water comes down the chimney and starts filling the room?

Also:

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Robin

Updating a little early, as I will be out in the field for a day.

Robin

The dark character is supposed to look leathery, or burned.

I think I've created a design too creepy, because I had a nightmare with that image, except with an added bonus of sharp claws, teeth, ultra-regenerative powers, and enough of the creepy things to surround the continental US from the air.

...Yeah.

Robin

Page 94

Robin

Originally this was going to be a very different character to start out, but my Violence Consultant talked me out of it. For the better, I think.

Robin

That part of Brand just doesn't mess around, does it?

Robin

Since there seems to be a demand for it, I'm going to go back and write up some new Fangs of Thought (the little Q&A's that were at the end of each section) for the parts I've neglected. First on my list is Chapter Four, Part Two. So if you have any nagging question about this section please post them here or in the forum!

Robin

Yes, that's the wolf above. Yes, Brand's on his back. Yes, that's also Brand's body below.

As if this couldn't get any trippier, right?

...You have NO idea.

Robin

There seems to be some confusion. Remember at the end of Chapter Four, how everything went to Hell - er, Mist - in a hand basket? Grey turned into ashes, Brand lost his heart, Hans lost control of limbo, and everything fell into Mist? Yes? No? Maybe? Lobster?

Well, this chapter has all taken place INSIDE Mist. What does that mean? Well...Mist is kinda like a dream world. It goes in your head and you play out a dream. Some are more lucid (like Hans) and some are more primal (like Brand). Nobody realizes they're in a dream. Like the Matrix. The world you think is "Real" is in fact all in your head. Meanwhile, in the ACTUAL real world, other beings are feasting on your energy until you're all used up. In the Matrix, the Dream world is of reality. In Mist, the Dream world is just dreams. Well, nightmares more like. If you don't grow, you don't wake up. If you don't wake up, you get digested and what little scraps of soul remain get re-birthed in Heaven or Hell. If you DO learn something and grow, you awaken from the dream state. Like Neo. Into the PLACE that Mist is, rather than the place Mist made in your mind.

There's a lot of symbolism that I'm cramming into these pages. If you're spending all your time trying to make it fit into neat and logical boxes, you're probably going to miss the point.

Robin

So now we get to see what the mysterious figure actually looks like.

That's right. He's got a totem animal.

Heh. Actually, Brand has been associated with wolves for a while. I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe because I have so many dreams with wolves and foxes in them, so they had to make it into the comic somehow.

Robin

...Ta da!

Okay, so it's just the title page. I had to inject some excitement SOMEHOW.

Speaking of excitement, if you're an Avatar: The Last Airbender fan, I'm now working on a project that may be of interest to you. Check out the DA Gallery for details.

Robin

Yay! Moving on from the angst. Brand does tend that direction, given the option. It's nice to nudge him onto something different, finally.

Actually, that goes for all my characters.

Grow my little rose buds! Grow! Be free of your inner shackles!

Robin

Oh Brand. So angsty. Get over yourself.

Robin

The fun (and sometimes infuriating) thing about watercolors is that I never quite know how they're going to turn out. For example, the first panel I LOVE. The masking fluid for the borders, however, spread too far and now there's no color between them. Less good.

Ah well. More reason to practice I guess.

Also, thanks laudabilis for catching the p. 80 glitch. It should be fixed now.

Robin

And now we start on what has been the second most challenging experiment (David's is the first, because I did it all wrong) which is watercolors. I have never used watercolors before, so you're looking at my first attempt! I'm not amazed by this page, but I really like the effects I've been able to achieve in the other pages I've done in this style. I think the indistinct nature of the muted colors and medium really reflect Brand well.

Hope you enjoy this change!

Robin

I really like this switch, where David realizes that he and Epoch are together in this, rather than isolated and alone. It felt like a really good place to finish this part of his journey.

Up next, Brand! And you'll all have to get used to another art style. Again. Wheee!

ALSO! CALLING ALL RPers! The Shades of Grey online RPG is looking for one or two members! There are no limits on factions or roles. All I ask is that your character is sane (or functionally insane) and can work in a team setting.

Currently in the RP: After discovering that Mist has infiltrated Heaven and is feeding off of the negative emotions there, our team has tried to convince people to cease fire in the Civil War between Rebel and Department forces. Unfortunately, neither side was easy to convince, particularly the militaristic Fist. A massive battle, complete with a demon-fire brigade and kidnapped rampaging demon, erupted in the Contested Zone, only ending when the Voice stepped in to call a truce. Now Rebels and Departments struggle to resolve their issues without further bloodshed. However, some suspect there's something greater and more sinister going on behind the scenes...

Basically, there's going to be a lot of intrigue and mystery in this part of the campaign. If that sounds good to you, let me know! I'll help you stream-line the character creation process and get you into the thick of things ASAP!

Free inked drawing of your character to sweeten the deal! Email me by clicking on "Contact" near the top of the site!

Robin

So tired.

Gonna crash now.

Enjoy page.

Robin

Is the plant under the rock clear? I'm not sure if that came out particularly well.

Robin

Sleepy now yesh...

*Zonk*

Robin

Place not ringing as many bells? Might be time to refresh.

Robin

Creating David's section was something very special to me, because in the process I realized something very important. All my life I had been channeling my problems into this comic without realizing it. It enabled me to process things in an unconsciously conscious way. However, since I had never identified or dealt with the problem David represented, I found I had no idea what to do when I tried to write a resolution to him. Recognizing this allowed me to see this work as something much more connected to myself.

At the time of writing this page, which was back in April, I didn't know how to resolve David. I didn't know how to answer his questions for my own life, when it came to my personal Grey. I still am not exactly sure, but I hope that working towards the end of SoG's journey will help me work towards the next step in my own.

Robin

I like how David's face came out in this one. It looked good when I inked it, and I think the tone just adds to it.

Robin

I updated last Saturday, but I didn't have the opportunity to post that I had, so if you missed page 73, this will make a lot more sense if you go back a page. Just FYI.

Robin

I love how this page came out. The body, the expression, the blood-effects. It made me happy.

Robin

I swear, when I drew this page, the nipple outline seemed tiny. Now I look at it, and it's like it's so huge I can't look away.

Meh. Oh well.

Robin

Ahahaha! Guess what? GUESS WHAT!

I'm going to an Eddie Izzard show.

YES.

Robin

Update last night, but didn't have time to post announcement. So...here's the announcement.

Robin

Ahhhh...kids.

Someday, if I have kids, I hope they ask a lot of questions. I can't wait to explain to them why we should brush our teeth, or else bacteria will feed on the sugars we leave in our mouth and slowly destroy everything.

Ah...yeah, it's gonna be good.

Robin

Also? Dr. Horrible. GO. NOW. For all your entertainment and sudden lurching into realms of disturbing thoughts needs.

Robin

Sleepy now.

Night night.

Robin

I like Little One.

Robin

Work = Ug. That is all.

Robin

Early update for the 4th. Happy 4th, for you USA folk! And...um...sorry everyone else doesn't get a vacation.

Robin

Okay. Get it out of your system. You know you want to. The response most have to kittens and puppy dogs and other adorable things is most likely bubbling up in your throat. Let it out. Just...just let it go.

Our normal blood, guts, and angst will resume...eventually...

Robin

Just got off plane. Feel icky. Crashing in 5...4...

Robin

There are no children in Heaven, so David has no (current) memory of children. So a baby is a very strange creature to him indeed.

I am away from my computer and files this week on a business trip, so RekKa of Skyfall has been kind enough to update for me! Go visit her site and witness her awesome!

Robin

And that's my Bowie quote for the evening. Extra points if you know the song it's from.

Annnnd now I must go, for I am having Robin's Super Awesome Fantastico Summer Solstice BBQ Pot-luck Pool Party!!!

Yeah. You wish you were here.

Robin

Echo...echo...echo...echo...echo...echo...echo...etc.

Robin

No, seriously, tell me you saw this coming. Because I REALLY didn't try to keep it a secret. Or did I fail at being obvious? Or was it TOO obvious, and as such disregarded? Cuz I do that sometimes and not intend to. So...who called it?

Robin

I really like how this page turned. I enjoy the shading, symbolism, expressions, and sentiment.

Robin

Originally I was just going to have Epoch and David standing next to each other, but it was too boring, so I drew this instead.

Robin

Dun dun dun.

Robin

First update in the new apartment. And now...pass out. I've been running too hard, too long.

Robin

I'm back from my (exhausting) Austria trip and quite ready for a vacation from my vacation. Sadly, there's no time! Update is early today because I'll be moving my computer and the majority of what remains here to my new place, and I have NO idea if they'll have the internet connection up and running when I arrive. So I'll just take advantage of my current beautiful T-1 connection. For the last time. *sniffle*

Urg. Moving is such a pain. It's not just the inconvenience. That I can deal with. It's the empty rooms and empty feelings. The last of an era, summed up in so many cardboard boxes and lonely hugs. Standing on the threshold of newness and the unknown future, symbolized in material things that sum up a life but together do not make a whole. THAT is why moving is pain.

Robin

UPDATES WILL BEGIN AGAIN ON MAY 28th!!

I'll be getting on a plane at 7 am tomorrow to fly to a lovely little spot in Austria with absolutely NO INTERNET. I was going to have RekKa of Skyfall update for me, but she'll be in Mexico at the time. So that's a no go too. Therefore, there will be a brief hiatus while I am out of the country.

Robin

So...I graduated yesterday. I am now, officially, a Mechanical Engineer.

...

That REALLY hasn't sunk in yet.

I've moved almost all my belongings into boxes, to transfer to a new apartment I found near my new work place. The home I have spent three years in with my wonderful friends (who are my chosen family) will soon be a thing of the past.

...

I don't WANT that to sink in!!!

Growing up is hard.

Robin

I am happy with this page. It commands the space, I think.

Robin

I wish I had more time to truly give my Violence Consultants pages and pages of fight scene material to do them justice. Sadly, I could tell David's story OR I could tell David's fight scene. I chose story, so you only get snippets of probably 20-30 reference photos and events that my boys laid out for me. All the same, I'm grateful for their help.

Sorry if it's a little confusing. The point is: There's a lot of fighting.

The exact nuts and bolts of the brawl really aren't important.

Robin

Now THIS page, on the other hand, I like. I like the effect of the shadows quite a lot. That's how it goes in comics sometimes. You either act the perfectionist and never produce much, or you try to do better next time and tell the story. Win some, lose some.

Speaking of losing something, I may have misplaced a few marbles over in my DA Gallery. If you're an Avatar fan, you might appreciate it. Or hate me forever. You know, whichever comes first.

Robin

I just...don't like this page. Just don't like it. I like page 48, which is next Wednesday's update, but this one...not so much.

Can't win them all, I guess.

Robin

David's lost it just a little. A smidgen, really. A mere speck of losing it. Right? Yeah...

Robin

My thanks to my violence consultants for the action on this and several of the pages following. They were super helpful for brainstorming and reference. You guys = awesome. Any mistakes are my fault in translating from motion to paper, so file complaints with me if something looks wonky.

Robin

...
...
Added new rotation images (finally).

Robin

Must get back to a Birthday Party. Enjoy.

Robin

And our favorite Strip Bar and Grill owners make an appearance. I like their hats. No idea how they're allowed to keep them, but they have them. They're logic-defying hats.

Robin

I like how the last panel turned out.

Robin

Can't recall who Hope is? See This Page

Robin

Black and white, strictly, is surprisingly difficult to do. I chose to use just black and white with David for reasons that, I would hope, would be obvious. His tendency to see things in extremes made stark lights and shadows an easy choice.

Thinking back, I wish David was less black and white in his perception. It has been really, REALLY challenging to draw his section.

Robin

...Not much to say. So tired. Sleep is...good...

Robin

Look familiar? Remember the Dark Warlord? No? Check this section for a reminder.

Robin

Dun DUN DUUUUUN!

What, you thought that crazy painting thing was the new style? Ha!

Robin

Annnd there's our boy. A bit less simple-minded about his world view. And his art style. See? There was a point to it all. Cah-razy.

Robin

I think this page did not even remotely accomplish what I was trying to convey. The idea was the pile of ash (Grey) was the actual hunter, posing as something helpless to lure in other predators. The spider, the Shade of Sister Sincerity, falls for this trap and is absorbed by the ash critter, which becomes more powerful.

Did this page say that at all? Any time I've show it to people they get confused.

Robin

I went to STOMP last night! It was sweet! For those of you who are expressing sentiments of "What the heck is STOMP?" I shall explain: STOMP is a mixture of rhythmic music combined with high energy movement and physical comedy. Also, every single instrument is a common object or, more often than not, trash. Instruments used included boxes of mints, empty water drums, metal sinks, lighters, pots and pans, plastic and paper bags, flexible piping, metal chairs, newspapers, and trash cans. The sound was explosive and intense. The Encore act was actually mostly just one man returning to stage and directing different portions of the audience to created their own song. It was super cool.

In other words, I was out and about, so the update is about 12 hours late. Whoops.

Robin

Anyone recognize our little Spider-ish friend? Yes? No? Maybe? Cloud Lobster?

Robin

And that's the end of Hans' section! Who's up next? Guess you'll have to come back and see!

I hope that Hans has become, at least for some of you, a more human character. He has flaws, but he's a feeling, thinking, learning being. You may not like him, but hopefully he has gained more dimension than a simple villain.

ALSO:

I've already made a donation, but I'm afraid I have little to give. So I thought I would at least share this plight with others. Even a little bit helps, and this is a worthy cause!

Robin

New RWR! It's been a while, and our skills are rusty, but Khan and I got out the ol' microphone to discuss what makes a good ending. If you have any comments on what you think makes a good ending, feel free to post in the Forum under RWR!

Robin

If you finally got your heart back from someone who'd been controlling your every move, what would you do? Attack? Engage in snappy dialog? Kill, kill, kill?

I think, considering that said person GOT your heart in the first place, meaning he could GET your heart again, that I would GET THE HELL OUTA DODGE!

It's the sensible thing to do, you know.

Robin

I have Ms. Potts chanting that over and over in my head to a rousing chorus of "Beauty and the Beast." Oh god, now I have Brand dancing around in the Beast get-up with Hans in...well, you can finish that mental image on your own. *twitch*

In other news, I may be emerging from illness! I'm ALIIIIIIVE! *cough! hack!* (Mostly)

Robin

So. Sick. Brain. Full. of. ...Grossness...

Want...to...not be sick anymore. EVER.

Huurrggg.

Robin

Job searching fair today. Wish me luck! I managed to talk to everyone on my list of companies to pursue, learned a lot, and hopefully made some good impressions. Now it's a matter of follow-up and job applications before I move on to my second stage of my "I Will Get An Awesome Job" plan.

For now, however, I need to nurse myself to health, do laundry, and sleep. In that order.

Robin

NO OTHER REMINDERS FOR THIS UPDATE! This includes forum, DA, LJ, and Email reminders. I'm on a connection of SsssslLLLllllooooOoooowwWWWWWuuuuuuh. I'm just glad that I could actually update.

Robin

That's Beast talking. Not Brand. I realized as I posted that it might be confused.

Mmm...blood spot.

Robin

I really like how the white lightning burst turned out. Take that, Brand heart!

Robin

I'm afraid it's really hard to tell that Beast is holding the pouch that Hans had across his chest before. I shouldn't have given it to the Grey arms. I had four other arms to choose from, but nooooo, I had to give it to the only ones the same color as the bag.

Curse you, 20/20 hindsight.

Robin

...

i can has sleep now?

Robin

I just love the dopey expression on the Brand doll's face. Originally this page was going to be mostly talking heads, but I'm much more pleased with what I actually decided to do with it.

Robin

AHhahahahahaha!

*ahem*

That is all.

Robin

I can't wait to post the next page. Ahhahahahahaha!

Ah.

Robin

I. Love. This. Page. Especially the last panel. It makes me happy.

Robin

Page 16

No, it is not the door talking in the last panel. It's Brand and Hans. Seriously, people. *cough*Laura*cough*

Wheell. It's that time again. The vacation is over, and it's back to school again. I'm actually looking forward to it, this time. Less hard-core Engineering courses and more non-math classes. Even the Engineering course (Steel Structures) is taught by a good teacher, so that do a lot to make it a good class. So we'll see how it goes!

I'm feeling pretty good about the SoG RP so far. I hope people are having fun! Four people are currently participating, although I will allow a group as large as 8. Still 1 Free Sketch for the next person to send in their character sheet. For a sample, see Keter's sketch and Rhamiel's sketch.

Robin

I got my new computer (finally)! I've gone over to the way of iMac, and so far I'm pretty happy with it. There are a few buggy things, but WAY less than I've ever had compared to the PCs in the past. We'll see if I still like it in a month. Even if it isn't perfect by then, the ease of set-up was well worth it. 3 lines of instructions? Is this a joke? Amazing.

Ummmmm....nothing to report outside of that. Shades of Grey Forum RPG still accepting players.

Robin

Happy New Year! It's going to be a big year. I hope all of you enjoyed bringing in 2008.

The SoG RPG currently has two confirmed participants! My first drawing of the year was a character sketch for one of them. Sadly I have no scanner at the moment, but at least the drawing is done! I'll begin work on the second soon. This means there are still three people who can submit their characters to me for a free sketch! Soon I will start people on individual threads until we have enough participants to join together in one group. I'm so excited! It's going to be awesome.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Friday, December 19, 2008

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

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Tuesday, December 2, 2008

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