Vote now!
Okay, this project is driving me insane. I thought I was happy with it, but not I'm not so sure. I'm finding it hard to step back and view it objectively and I feel like I've lost sight of what it was I really wanted in the first place.
Help me out. View these three sample pages and tell me what you like/don't like about them. Which one is best? Are they all rubbish?
I've selected one page from the book and made it in three different ways based on how I've been working recently. The sequence takes place in an underwater environment.
Tell me your views either by posting comments here or e-mailing me.
Comments
okay, on this poop computer i can only view options 2 and 3...
of those i prefer 2, but if one has a white border, i'd probably prefer that...
i like the idea of the full bleed but it doesn't really work for me. it's cool to be immersed in that world but i like the more cropped style.
that's my 50 cents worth..
Posted by: andy | February 17, 2006 01:11 PM
Howdy. I think panels 1-4 work really well as vignettes in version 1, but the impact and scope of panel 5 works best with the full bleed in version 2. I think I'd probably splice those two versions into something like this. Hope that helps.
Posted by: F!NCH | February 17, 2006 06:13 PM
Thanks Finchy, thats a good layout solution, I'll give it a go. What do you guys think about the drawing style? Like should I continue with ink or drop the contour lines and just use paint, or should I go back to only using ink, like my older work?
Posted by: Leonie | February 18, 2006 11:18 AM
I'm the same as the first comment (Andy) - as I can only see 2 & 3. There's a picture icon where the image should be.
I'm in agreement that the border works better and would like to see page 1.
Art wise it looks really nice.
Stop greetin' and get on with it.
(in the nicest possible way!)
xNulsh
Posted by: nulsh | February 18, 2006 11:23 AM
I think I've solved the image problem, I think it was a PC/mac issue. Hopefully they'll all work ok now. And I will get on with it, Nulsh...once I've made a decision about how best to proceed:) I may only have one shot at this, I want to do something good! Thanks to everyone who has commented so far, this is helpful stuff.
Posted by: Leonie | February 18, 2006 12:03 PM
Overall, we like the figurework in 3, but the background effects of 2, though personally, I prefer the colours in 3. With version 1, we like the effect of what looks like sunlight coming through from above.
Thats probably as helpful as a chocolate teapot, but there you go!
Posted by: Dan & Nic | February 18, 2006 01:03 PM
I definitely prefer the first version with the white border.
Posted by: Richard | February 18, 2006 06:00 PM
Yeah. I see it now (page 1 that is).
Glad I can too - it is by far my favourite of the three layouts.
The others are OK - but the first one is much more 'immediate'.
Hope this helps. Can't wait to see the finished story.
Hope it all goes well Leonie.
Posted by: Nulsh | February 18, 2006 08:04 PM
Hi Leonie,
I'm probably going against popular opinion here...but have you tried doing this page with traditional panel borders and gutters? It could actually serve to emphisise the underwater effect by way of a contrast. I don't think the white gutters work, although maybe bleeding some slightly daker inks/dyes (is this done with inks, dyes or paints?) into the panels edges may help the design aspect without actually using a line.
Ths pics are a bit small online, so I can't really comment on the drawing. (if you want to email me the pics, I'd be happy to go into more detail on the drawing).
Maybe using some green or purple washes may give the water a little more depth?
Posted by: Shane | February 20, 2006 01:46 AM
I do like the white panel one first. There is more immediacy to it and sufficient distance, allowing empathy but not imposition. The second and third pieces are backdrop distance far far. Rules out over intimacy, and the backdrop on the second one, there is so much vastness that comes through. The colours in these two defi appeal : the second is neater and smoother with a tint of bare closure in sight. The ugly blotch in the backdrop of the third panel does appear to look like some kind of internal organ, like a lung or something.
I'm not really sure what you're specifically wanting to impart so perhaps my response might help you disseminate what works best for these. I really like looking at this. They are lovely.
Posted by: Andrew Luke | February 20, 2006 09:19 PM
Definitely number 1
Posted by: Bob Byrne | February 21, 2006 09:46 AM
My vote would be for the middle one. All three are beautiful to look at, but I think bleeding the colours out to the edge of the page gives an effective feeling of the vastness of the sea. Out these two, the ink version doesn't seem as aesthetically pleasing. I don't know what precedes this page, but if it is above water, with a standard border separating the panels, then I would say that a sudden change to full bleed would be evoke the feeling of suddenly being plunged into a different world.
Hope this helps.
Posted by: Marcus | February 21, 2006 05:03 PM
Yeah the first page- with the white gutters is my favourite. It's much cleaner and clearer to read.
It has better pacing i think for being separated by the white boarders. Hope that helps. Fred :)
Posted by: Fred | February 22, 2006 03:48 PM
Definitely Version 1.
Posted by: Bruce | February 23, 2006 10:06 PM