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Last year was not good for many creatives. Being able to dip my toes into the icy ponds of comic conventions was going to be a part of last years’ endeavors, but things changed so quickly! I did accomplish a lot with my comics, though my day job tended to be rather consuming at times. I have big plans for 2021, but I understand how quickly things can flip to being unfavorable. For now, I have a few smaller goals in mind.
- Continue working on Lifesong. While I know that I have other comics I’d love to spend time on, I want to focus my time and energy on telling this story. I feel that it’s important to see a project through and I want to be certain at least this one is completed.
- Work on getting volume 1 of Lifesong wrapped up and published in print and digital format.
- Work on Penguin Capers as I have time. This comic is essentially what launched basically all of my other ideas into comics series. I’m also wanting to see this to its completion, after Lifesong.
- Publish Lifesong twice a week. Multi-posts are strenuous. I understand that there are many other things I can do for this comic, but I think that twice a week publishing will be of good benefit for me and readers alike. I do have end goals for this comic and it’s already coming to fruition!
That’s all! I don’t really have a lot of things in mind as far as big changes, but I want to try to keep things simple for a possible unpredictable 2021. Cheers!
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I understand that I am a bit new to this review thing, so I will do my best and be as concise as possible. Over the years, I’ve used several varieties of computers and input devices that I’m probably at the point where I can do this for the devices I’ve used in the last 4 years. I’ve used primarily Apple devices since about 2005, so this is definitely going to have a strong bias for Mac usage. If these app prices are not accurate, please notify me and I will make the correct adjustments.
In late 2015, early 2016, I acquired an iPad Pro (12.9″ display) 1st generation tablet, and the 1st generation Apple Pencil. The hardware was definitely up to Apple’s finest quality (especially you took very good care of it!). However the number of applications I could use with it at the time had still been in their infancy. My chief complaint about the 1st and 2nd generation iPads with Pencil is the way the Pencil needs to be charged.
In 2019, I acquired a second iPad Pro (12.9″ display) 3rd generation tablet along with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. It was considerably thinner and smaller than the 1st generation iPad Pro. The magnetic charging on the 2nd generation pencil was a big purchase point, as I didn’t need to worry about how I was going to charge my pencil and my device at the same time (this was a common issue I had).
Apps I have used:
These are the few apps I have used in my comic creating process successfully:
ProCreate
The first app that I purchased for my iPad a few years prior to purchasing my Pro model. This feels a lot like what Photoshop could have been early on in mobile development.
Ease of use is fairly simple for those just starting out with digital art. It’s simple setting up canvases, modifying and creating new brushes can be a little more challenging if you’re uncertain of what you’re doing.
Setting up entire pages is like drawing them traditionally, and it’s quite challenging if there is not/cannot find the ruler tools.
The cost of this app fairly inexpensive, so it’s well worth the investment to have, especially starting out drawing comics (this is a comics blog, after all.)
Astropad Standard
This turns the iPad into a digital display to use with your laptop/desktop.
Its cost runs considerably more than ProCreate (~$20 vs ~$6) and it requires the use of an additional device. If you already have drawing apps on your desktop or laptop and do not wish to spend extra on mobile apps, this is a good option.
ComicDraw by Plasq
This is a complete setup for beginning and intermediate comic artists that don’t wish to spend extra money on Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint. There are plenty of presets for standard comics, plus you can set up custom paint pallets as well as brushes. It’s a definite win if you’re looking at cost (last known cost to my knowledge ~$10-$12) The only drawback that I encountered when I was using it, was the limited file exports.
Clip Studio Paint (EX version) for iPad
This is currently my main go-to comic-creating app on the go. The setup is very similar to the desktop version, though the interface is scaled down a little. This is one of the more expensive drawing apps in the store currently, as EX version requires a ~$70 annual subscription (monthly subscriptions are also available). The standard version is quite a bit less, but it doesn’t have access to all the features that I prefer. If you want to give this a go, there is a free trial period to test out its features. There is also the subscription option of desktop and mobile subscription for about $3/month.
Astropad Studio with LunaDisplay Adapter
This is a more complete version of Astropad Standard. Its annual subscription cost is ~$70 which includes a lot more features than Astropad Standard, though there is a 30-day trial you can utilize to see if this is right for you. Paired with the LunaDisplay adapter, it turns your iPad into a true second display so you can use multiple displays on the desktop or laptop. If you already have an iPad Pro, this is a less expensive option to choose for a drawing display if you prefer working with desktop apps.
The LunaDisplay adapter runs for about ~$79.
Yes! It can be expensive!
It all depends on what you are going for if you’ve decided to become a digital artist. If you are dedicated, there is no right or wrong way to choose, unless financial decisions bind your selection. I chose an iPad Pro because of the amount of processing power it provides to keep Clip Studio Paint running efficiently with minimal lag. Technology is expensive for a lot of folks out there. It’s not about what you create with, what counts is how you create and overcome your challenges. If you can get your hands on a 1st or 2nd generation iPad Pro, this is a great beginner’s way to go, and it will cost a bit less than purchasing something brand-new. Since my initial purchase, Apple has added additional, smaller iPad Pro models that would definitely be worth considering. If you draw a lot and don’t want the worry about having to charge a pencil at an inconvenient time, I recommend the 3rd and 4th gen iPad Pro with the 2nd gen Apple Pencil.
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All webcomics go through many changes throughout the years, and many I have seen, do make it successfully. Some do not, which is unfortunate, but it does bring other positive changes and a new opportunity to their work and career in art.
A brief history of Penguin Capers:
In the early 2000s, perhaps as far back as 20 years ago, 2 of my penguin characters were created: Joey and Meg, the superheroes I invented in my later childhood. In 2006 I began an amateurish endeavor to create a comic about teen sibling superheroes without much knowledge about what it might look like to a reader or even much about comics and sequential art. I have since learned a lot about comics as a medium and the many different genres that have come about because of personal tastes. I started out drawing comic strips, then migrated toward more of the graphic-novel style of storytelling beginning in 2011.
What are you doing? Why is there so much dissertation?
Before I proceed, a short history of how Penguin Capers began is important to understand why this is such a big deal, and a huge step for me. I’ve been working on this comic since 2006 and has gone through many, many changes in these years since it’s been published. I’m currently in a position to be able to do this because I feel my skill as an artist and storyteller has grown and matured enough to be able to re-boot this series. Though I do not have an actual proper term for this, I will continue to use re-boot.
Firstly, it’s not a true reboot as it is a re-telling of the same stories I’ve already published. I want to give myself a second chance at telling these stories with more clarity and draw more matured illustrations. The nature of my work will largely remain consistent with the older versions (storylines) of this work.
Secondly, I want to re-build my brand to be a better person seeking new opportunities.
While I understand that this is based solely on my personal endeavor, I want to be able to have my hobby to potentially reach new readers as well as regain some long-time ones I’ve lost.
When is this happening?
I have projections to launch the new, updated Penguin Capers later this year. Why? I’m working on an entire comic by myself! What takes a team to do a graphic novel or comic book in an estimated 2-3 months will take me nearly twice as long since I have a full-time job to sustain my current needs; this comic is worked on in my spare time.
What will become of the older story arcs?
There is no need to worry. I emphasized previously—I’m planning to re-publish these stories as part of the reboot. They are the same stories with more clarity, but with newer, better art! Hooray!
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To begin things, I will note that this is my re-launched site, so I will have to re-write my book recommendation post! I have a bunch more to add, which will be beneficial to re-do this anyway.
Happy New Year! It’s the beginning of a new year and I do not wish to look back on the old one. I look forward to what this year brings for me and my family. I’ve come a long way since the end of 2016 and 2017 since those years were rather rough for me, personally. Comics-wise things have been rough since 2013, but enough about the past!
The future is looking bright for Penguin Capers and Lifesong. I have a lot of completion underway for these works in progress. Both Penguin Capers and Lifesong will have a lot of extra content, so be sure to check out my $5+ Premium Patron subscription. Canine Kid will most likely be returning this year, but I have a lot going on already.
I plan on re-drawing the first couple of adventures of Penguin Capers since they turned out to be vague and rather amateurish 14, 15 years ago. This will, I feel, since I have so many other things(like working too much and family obligation) going on at the same time, will have to be one of those “as I have time” to finish pages, but I will get there.
ANYway, 2019 was a lucky year to finish a bunch of pages, so 2020 is looking that much more lucky for my creative work.
What goals have you set for 2020?
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Maintaining a website is a difficult task. So is making sure your hosting isn’t holding you back and making your site vulnerable. Most everything is back in order(if not better), but there is still the matter of a major overhaul going on for my other sites soon. I’ll soon get back to making comics and the like!