Comic Strip Hiatus again

It looks like the comic strips are going to be on an extended hiatus for the forseeable future. So far, I've had no luck in finding artists to help me out that would maintain the kind of style I would want for the strip.

Although it isn't something I want to do, I'm entering a pretty busy period and any spare time I have I want to concentrate on writing and design projects. I know it's not what the readers of the strips want to hear, but I must prioritise in order not to burn myself out. Sorry to everyone who's been following the strips, but I'm hoping they'll return in the autumn.

Comic Strip Hiatus

As much as I'd love to press on with the comic strips, they really have been taking up more time than I would like and I need to put more emphasis on my writing, particularly over the coming months with the game related projects I'm becoming involved in.

I've also been putting off the development of my novel, which is currently in the half-plotted stage and I want to finish off the plotting before too much longer.

I'm still searching for artists to help me out with the strips as I do want to continue writing them, I just don't have time for the artwork right now. Again, if any of you fancy a go or know anyone who might, please get in contact.

Comic Strips - Looking for Artists

I find that I'm at a strange place with my comic strips. I'm really struggling to make the time to create them, yet I'm enjoying writing them. The answer, then, seems to be to find artists who I can work with and who will maintain the vision.

While I appreciate that an artist will want to bring something of themselves to such a working partnership, they should also do it in a way that's consistent with the aim and design of the strips.

There are a number of ways this could work. A single artist could work with me on each of the two strips; artists could commit for a short term (week, month, whatever); or there could be some kind of rolling deal where artists work on strips as and when they are available to do so. Or anything else that others could think of.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to pay anyone for this as I make no money from my strips and simply do it out of love, but should that position change or you can think of ways to market the strip to make money then such earnings will be shared.

Please let me know if you are interested in any way and we'll talk. Contact me on steve@steve-ince.co.uk

0.5C - New Strip

I've posted the first strip in the new style. It's a re-working of strip 7 and I'm not entirely happy with the last panel, but I'm still working on my technique. I've gotten out of the habit of drawing more realistic people after all these cartoon style characters.

Check it out on the 0.5C page.

0.5C - New character art

Over on the main 0.5C page I've posted new character drawings in what I intend to be the new style. Feedback appreciated as always.

0.5C - thinking about the strip

The last 0.5C strip was posted almost a month ago because I went on holiday and then couldn't get myself motivated last week to create a new one. Part of this lack of motivation came from a feeling of dissatisfaction with the art style of the strip, which, to me, was a big problem in that last strip. In particular, the look of Pam didn't really do justice to her character.

In general terms, the way I've drawn the characters makes them look a bit like kids with old heads and when I started looking a little more critically at the whole look I realised that I want something that's a bit more substantial and a little less "cartoony". While I'll never get away from the cartoon look altogether (this is a comic strip after all) I'm at least going to give the characters more normal proportions and a slightly more realistic style of rendering.

I think that the issues with the style have come about from drawing Mr. Smoozles (and little else) for two years, which had the wrong sort of influence on my approach to 0.5C.

It may be a little while before I'm in a position to continue with regular strip updates, but I'll keep you informed of the progress. I already have sketches of Chris and Dan that I'm happy with, along with their wives, Pam and Shirley. Once I have inked versions I'll post them onto the website.

Thanks for your patience.

0.5C - the irony is too much...

There is no new 0.5C strip this week. I must have been tempting fate too much by creating a comic strip about people approaching fifty - I injured my back on Saturday doing some digging in the garden and I'm too uncomfortable to sit at the drawing desk and pull the strip together.

At some point, when I've thought about it a little more, this will probably become the subject of one of the episodes. :)

In order not to leave you completely devoid of new updates, I posted a sketch I did of a new character who will appear in a couple of weeks.

More 0.5C

I've just posted the second of the 0.5C strips. I'm really pleased with the look of this one. :)

New Comic Strip - 0.5C

I've just posted the first episode of my new strip, 0.5C, which will be appearing in parallel to Mr. Smoozles.

Although the strip's appearance may be a little sporadic at first, I hope to be able to settle down into a regular routine shortly.

Feedback greatly appreciated.