[[LOKI]] All Part of the Process

[atadesert]

So I've been hmming and hawwing about Chapter 3 of LOKI. My main issue was that it was too episodic, and unlike the first two chapters, which are also quite episodic, didn't really do anything in terms of advancing the plot or characters in any way, shape or form.

I told myself to just tank it out and do it anyway, since the chapter was only 19 pages and not a whole lot of work compared to the first two but. I just finished thumbnailing the chapter that comes afterwards, and not only is it monstrous in length and will take me a long time to finish, it does a better job in terms of both advancing the plot and characters and makes Chapter 3 pretty much redundant. So now Chapter 4 is Chapter 3 and Chapter 3 is a scrap folder.

Unfortunately I couldn't have figured this out BEFORE I did a whole bunch of inking, but I'm getting better at not trapping myself into spending weeks on comic pages I'm not excited about because the whole point is to enjoy what I'm doing, right? So, the pros outweigh the cons I think.

Anyway, so here's some of my inking progress (with sketch layers visible). These will never see the light of day as final pages, but I'm still pretty proud of the way they were turning out. Don't worry about spoilers, it won't ruin anything for Chapter 2.














09/19 pages yeaaaaaaaaah. Good job me.



And here's my initial doodle of the two central characters of the chapter, siblings Marietta and Sebastian Amarez. I actually super love them, and will try to throw them in somewhere if I can. They were childhood friends of Lochlan's who remain occasional drinking buddies/partners in crime with him.

Marietta owns a ranch and lives by the rule of "work hard and party hard" but work always comes first. She's incredibly responsible and self-sufficient but knows how to relax (unlike a certain Marshal...)

Sebastian is pretty much the opposite. He's lazy and irresponsible but well-meaning and very easy going. He makes friends easily, and gets into trouble even more easily. Unfortunately for Marietta, she's usually the one to bail him out. 

Comments

[kheradihr.livejournal.com]

Now seeing the inks I'm actually curious about scrap!ch 3. Mostly because I want to see more of Marietta's butt (I cannot tell a lie, I am an ass-man, er, woman. yeah...). /shameless

[ukiiukii.livejournal.com]

Ahaha omg I was almost literally sobbing during that first scene. Almost every godammned shot is of someone's ass. Hers gave me a lot of trouble haha, she's so pearshaped. I now have a folder of Jennifer Lopez ass shots as reference orz

I might go back and finish the first couple pages and stick them in a book as a bonus thing. We'll see.

But trust me, new!Ch.3 is, so much better. I have been waiting for it since I put up the first page, I can't wait to show you guys.

[ardent-star.livejournal.com]

I'm right there with you, man; I've definitely got experience with the whole 'cutting out entire chapters' thing. As Doug Sweetland said (in a mindblowingly awesome lecture on Pixar's Presto), throwing out = moving forwards. It's one of my favourite pieces of story advice (bet Zara remembers that too, she'll agree with me!). Drawing what you want to draw? I'd call that a win. Except for the second and third pages. That is a fail, because I am left feeling deeply disappointed. I just want somebody to make out with Atherton so that I can live vicariously through them. Is that really too much to ask??

[ukiiukii.livejournal.com]

Yeah I feel a lot more motivated to get back to it, although Uncaged is seriously testing my dedication to these guys right now hahaha.

OH. DUDE. DUDE YOU DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND. The new Chapter 3 is literally like, here's 52 pages of why I have a raging boner for Atherton all the time. AND THERE WILL BE MAKEOUTS. OH WILL THERE EVER BE.

[featheredtips.livejournal.com]

@_@ Hey, babycakes. ♥ I read through LOKI before I even realised that you were its artist. (BLIND FRIEND IS BLIND. *SOB*)

I know ask for you to give me my brain back after putting Atherton in a suit. I have a weakness for dark-haired men in suits and you totally exploited that. D: I DEMAND TO HAVE ALL MY BRAIN JUICES GIVEN BACK TO ME, PLSKTHX. \O/

That said, the art is gorgeous, and if you're not already a professional, please be considering it most seriously. ♥ The colouring is so purdy. And I love the cleanness of the art work. ♥

I didn't really think it was that episodic. :D I like slow build-ups, though. D: So don't ask me. x.x

How've you been, bb? <3

[ukiiukii.livejournal.com]

OMG YOU!!!!!!! HI!!!!! :D :D :D :D :D :D

How've you been!?! I haven't talked to you in forever!

No, I'm sorry. You can't have your brain back, since mine is also gone and I don't know where it is. Atherton kind of has that effect. I HAVE THE BIGGEST CRUSH ON MY OWN CHARACTER SOBSOB

Man, you have no idea how much I would love to be a professional haha. Drawing pictures for a living = the dream. M-maybe someday? ;A; Sadly for now, still working full time in a kitchen OTL

Yeah no it's still episodic, but like, is actually building up a plot. Trust me just, the new chapter 3 is. Amazing. One of my favorites of the whole thing.

[zaralet.livejournal.com]

OMG, cutting out an entire chapter?! Congrats! Yeah, it can be pretty tough, but incredibly worthwhile (Agreeing with ardent of course!) :)

But nooooo! You're beautiful horses! What ever shall you do without them? :P

It's too bad you had to spend so much time inking them, but CHAPTER 4!!!! :D :D :D *Is excited*

[ukiiukii.livejournal.com]

Yup, sometimes you gotta cut stuff out to make it better. It's pretty satisfying though. :D

I KNOW RIGHT?! AND ALL THOSE COWS I WON'T GET TO DRAW SOBSOBSOB

Ughguhg this chapter. I'll probably send it to you and [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] right when I finish it because I'm. So psyched.

[zaralet.livejournal.com]

YES! YES! Please do send it to us!!! :D

[ukiiukii.livejournal.com]

Oh I totally will. I won't be able to keep it to myself for that long haha. Just gotta finish this flashback...only seven pages.....and then!