So, the strip’s been black and white for about a month now. And about a week ago I stopped the thick character outlining. And you know what, both might have been a mistake — but not for the same reasons.
Dropping the outlining was a mistake because, frankly, the outlines looked real good. I dropped them not because I didn’t like them but because I thought they were overpowering in a B&W strip. But really what they were doing was making the characters “pop”. And in the final analysis, I really like the thick outlines. Always have. So, they’ll be back.
Dropping color was a time pressure thing. I wanted back the extra half hour it takes to color. But what did I do with that freed time? Surfed the net, cut my toenails, taunted the cats with used Q-tips — in other words, nothing. And what did I lose dropping color? Probably a few readers. But most importantly, as has been pointed out to me, and even to my eyes, the strip just doesn’t look as good now as it did when it was in color. If the strip had started in B&W, the story might be different. But as it is, when I think of Kevin, he’s pink. Not B&W. Add to that my realization over the weekend that the Interwebs demands a show from the content it chews up and spits out, and bottom line, color will be back.
Since I draw two weeks in advance, the old and improved thick-outlined full color Arkham Polytech should resume with the July 26 strip.
Any bets on how long after that it’ll take for me to start pining for B&W again?
July 27th?? haha j/k
It’s amazing how I look back at my B/w stuff and cringe. I went color and never looked back.
the truth still is i love black and white… but maybe for another project, not AP. AP kinda demands full color. To distract from the triteness. (Yes, I’m still harboring vitriol for that single bad comment some loser left on reddit two months ago.)
I like the color, but the b/w really needs the thicker lines. Color and thicklines is the way to go. You’ll figure it all out in the end.
YAY!!!! Color is returning!!!!! and I can’t wait to see how this horse race thing pans out!!!
Happy you came around, but as a guy launching into b/w tomorrow – I have to ask… are you sure you lost a few readers because of it? I didnt leave.
And P.S. never again Reddit, it’s where the haters go to die. Just keep doing your thing!
i just assume i lose readers every time i put pencil to paper.
but seriously, my number’s haven’t changed that much since going b&w — but i’ve been doing more advertising lately. so either b&w lost me readers, or my advertising doesn’t build loyal readers. nobody told me they stopped reading because of going b&w, but people definitely told me they miss the color.
so, bottom line… hard to say. let’s call it a “feeling” i lost readers.
results may vary.
(and good luck with the launch. my life/trenches going b&w or something new?)