Gawain comic: The Darkest Hour, 7-9

"Then, as the Plough began to revolve its pole, Uther ordered his leaders and princes to be summoned to him, so that with their advice he might decide how they could attack the enemy. They all came together in the King's presence; and he ordered them to say what they advised. He asked Gorlois, the Duke of Cornwall, a man of great experience and mature years, to give his opinion first."
- Geoffrey of Monmouth, The History of the Kings of Britain (c. 1136)



I'd hoped to update a bit earlier today, but circumstances prevented me... In any case, here is the Saturdaily Gawain comic. Well, at the moment it is of course not so much about Gawain, but I have my reasons for that :-).

I have been thinking about the style of the finalised comic a lot. Cecilia/Cabepfir recently suggested that I go for a stylised style rather than a more realistic one (insofar as I ever draw 'realistically'). Reading rufftoon's Water Tribe reminded me of the things I have always loved about clear lines and the liveliness of more animation-like artwork. During today's train journey I drew a page with a brush pen only, to find out what the result might be. I suppose with some more exercise - and a stable drawing table instead of a train *g* - I might be able to attain something sufficiently nice. The trouble is that my strokes really aren't strong and secure enough. Maybe I should have another try with a pencilled picture as a basis.

Another possibility is to start considering digital media. At work I met a young multimedia artist who declared himself willing to teach me the ins and outs of Photoshop and to divulge other mysteries of the trade :-). This opens up possibilities for colour, and perhaps also the digital revamping of pencils into something that looks like ink. I tend to be rather hesitant when it comes to digital arts because I am romantically involved with traditional media, but I have to face the facts: anything that can save me time is worthy of consideration. Besides, in the meantime I know that digital media can yield far more beautiful results than I used to think possible.

Things to chew on...

Anyway - have some more storyboard. Concrit is welcome! - I hope the confusion after last week's update gets dispelled... I realise the 'digest' wasn't ideal; it would have been better if it had just started with the title page, followed by pages 6 and 7. But I hadn't drawn page 7 yet :P.

What went before:
Klingsor the sorcerer has come to see Queen Ygraine at her husband's fortress. Why is he there? Let us find out by diving into Ygraine's past... First stop: meet her first husband, Gorlois.

The Darkest Hour 1-3
The Darkest Hour 4-6

( The Darkest Hour )