P.O.W.! Challenge 17--Not Our Kind...

[Ilaekae]

http://photos.imageevent.com/aljmary/conceptarts/CA-POWexLOGO.jpg


P.O.W.! Challenge 17
Deadline: Sunday, December 7, 2008, 11:59 pm anywhere in the world.

Topic: Not Our Kind...

This one definitely has a lot of room for interpretation. There are possibilities for aliens, just plain down home folks not liking your GF/BF, human vs cyborg, falling in love with a chicken, etc. You can interpret the art any way you wish, and the more creatively, the better. Any media. B&W or Color.

You can present your solution as a minimum of TWO to a tentative maximum of SIX pages which adhere to standard comic specs as below...and, yes, you can have the first or last (or both) as a splash page if you want. You can go to additional pages without asking if you have a decent idea that requires it--just don't get too extreme on page counts

Standard Comic Book Size:

--Trim size: 6 5/8" x 10 1/4"
--Live art area: 6" x 9"
--Bleed size before trimming: 6 7/8" x 10 1/2" (1/8" in all directions)

This thread will be the place you ask questions on this challenge, trash talk, post WIPs and post your final art. See the READ THIS FIRST thread for all specs.

Good luck.

P.O.W.! Challenge 18 will be posted before Sunday Midnight, December 7, 2008, and will be a special project that will run a full month due to the holidays.


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A little note here for all of you who have supported the P.O.W.! Challenges...thankyewthankyewthankyew...

Just a reminder--those of you who didn't get a chance to finish exactly the way you wanted to, or ran into deadline problems, remember there is a sticky section where you can post your stuff when you do get it up to speed.

[Ankh]

Interesting. I might participate.

Thanks for keeping this going.

[Ham-e]

Hey I'll give this a go.

Here is a link if anyone wants to download a page template (http://bozoartist.deviantart.com/art/Standard-Comic-Book-Template-88110360).

So does all the art have to fall inside the live area?

[Angel Intheuk]

Thanks for the template Ham-e :)

[llothcat]

alrighty..giving this a go.

[arttorney]

Hey I'll give this a go.

Here is a link if anyone wants to download a page template (http://bozoartist.deviantart.com/art/Standard-Comic-Book-Template-88110360).

So does all the art have to fall inside the live area?

Detailed discussion of rules and suggestions Here: http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=115867

[Ilaekae]

Thank you for the interest, guys...and I wouldn't be my obnoxious self if I didn't mention that there is a sticky called "Read this first..." that has all the good stuff, including templates in. That might be why it's called "Read this first..."? Thank you Arttorney for pointing out the thread.

[UCT]

This is a brilliant opportunity to comment on how the individual conforms to systems in society in an effort to belong and yet inevitably feels isolated in their struggle to be apart of a society that provides false hope. Personally I feel that more often than not, my efforts to belong in society are so fake and contrived that I can not truely identify with the outcome.

Hopefully I'll get this done and you'll see what I really mean...

I had to delete about 4 paragraphs of ramble & rant, so I think this project could help me really articulate what I want to say with combination of imagery & text.

[Ilaekae]

We will...all...be...waiting with bated breath for your entry, UCT...





:):P

[Kmadden2004]

UCT: Wow... I was just going to do something about my time at boarding school... seems kind of silly now.

[Pic]

Just to let you know you’ve another participant!

[UCT]

Ilaekae & Kmadden2004 - its only text at the moment, Im trying to get things in a cohesive order so that the story progresses smoothly.

This is hard. I think i have too many ideas and either need to drop some or grind somethings together. The 'not our kind' scene is sorted, :).

[Pic]

Maybe I'm posting this wip a little early, but I promised myself I would post at least a little something by the end of the night, and now its my bedtime!

Also, first comic... I would like input, if you have any, so I can get it as right as I possibly can at this early stage.
You're all more experienced and cleverer and good-looking then me (maybe flattery gets crits?) so any crits would be warmly received.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/3056872047_662a76a2f6_o.jpg

Obviously a missing panel here, it is headshot of woman talking flirtatiously in case you want to know.

[arttorney]

Early WIPS are a good thing. Your diligence will pay off because you will not feel the deadline pressure so bad later.

This looks interesting and the drawing is readable so far. The story line could be firmed up, but I can see this is page three and I am sure page 1 and 2 will provide some background.

Don't forget to put your screen name and page number on them so Ilaekae won't get all mixed up when he is making the poll.

It looks like you are exploiting the rule of thirds to bring the eye to the points of interest as the reader goes along. Are you doing that on purpose?

[zimfin]

Hmm, this looks interesting! Never drawn for comics though I love them so I might give this a go. Making up the story is the hardest part!

[zimfin]

Okay, this is where I am so far. First page. I think I will try to keep the colours quite muted but we'll see. Since it is my first proper comic page, I have marked the different areas, i.e. live, trim and bleed in slightly darker shades, (bleed being the darkest) just so I am aware of where I am painting in the page. Hope that makes sense.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfinwip1.jpg
and this one is just to check my text is legible!
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfinwip2.jpg

[Oni Rem]

alright internet is coming back easy for me again soooo...

i'm gonna give this a try...

[Junck]

Is it safe to assume we don't need supporting dialogue as long as the topic is conveyed plainly?

[Ilaekae]

Korrecto-Mundo...

[Pic]

This looks interesting and the drawing is readable so far. The story line could be firmed up, but I can see this is page three and I am sure page 1 and 2 will provide some background.

I should hope so, although I'm a bit dubious as to how well the panels flow, I'll see what people say when I post them up next.


It looks like you are exploiting the rule of thirds to bring the eye to the points of interest as the reader goes along. Are you doing that on purpose?
Not intentionally! But now you've said it I know what you mean, is it working? My last panel is taken to far out i think, maybe I should redo it cropped closer to the figures if i have time. Thanks for taking the time to crit!


zimfin Your background is really nice! I like the highlights on the distant mountain top and the faded watercolour quality of it, it adds a good sense of distance to the scene...

The same highlight detail on the creature works well too.

I noticed an inconsistency between the size of his eyes in panel three and four, and I think the eyes in panel four should be changed slightly to fit the style the rest of him is painted in, I think a change to them (perhaps bolder highlights? they seem more blurry then the rest of him) will pull the creature together well

I realise its to late for this and it only a small thing, but I think that a different angle on the balcony rather then directly side on will help bring a 3-dimension sense to it, even if only a slight curve to the top edge.

...nice consistency between the design of the palace and the design of his robe by the way

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A WIP from me, just why the woman looks like a drunk I'm not sure

[zimfin]

zimfin Your background is really nice! I like the highlights on the distant mountain top and the faded watercolour quality of it, it adds a good sense of distance to the scene...

The same highlight detail on the creature works well too.

I noticed an inconsistency between the size of his eyes in panel three and four, and I think the eyes in panel four should be changed slightly to fit the style the rest of him is painted in, I think a change to them (perhaps bolder highlights? they seem more blurry then the rest of him) will pull the creature together well

I realise its to late for this and it only a small thing, but I think that a different angle on the balcony rather then directly side on will help bring a 3-dimension sense to it, even if only a slight curve to the top edge.

...nice consistency between the design of the palace and the design of his robe by the way

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A WIP from me, just why the woman looks like a drunk I'm not sureThanks for the feedback. I'll see if I can incorporate some changes as mentioned. It is not too late since I have made no further progress anyway due to other responsibilities.
I'm not really experienced enough to give you a valid crit but I like how it is looking so far. It's probably not related to the story but I was curious when I saw a face lying in the street, (in the bottom left corner) in the scene where the girl is walking home. Is that meant to be there or were you just working something out on the edge of the page?
Anyway, keep up the good work.

[zimfin]

Well, made some alterations, (thanks Pic!) and that is pretty much the first page finished, apart from adding my name and page number and so on. Really enjoying this. I am aiming for around 3 pages but that is by no means a certainty!
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfinwip3.jpg

[arttorney]

zimfin- looking like you will be a staunch competitor around here. I don't know shit about digital so i will let somebody else crit.

Pic- you're more like me in that your pencils are rudimentary compared to how it looks when it's finalized. Be sure to finalize it. Re: rule of thirds ... it's kind of hard to do something solid with this because you have to ask yourself 1/3 of what? The bleed area? The trim area? The live area? As long as it seems to pull eyes through the panels you have done your job. Make 'em read. Make 'em want more and more.

Re: drunk woman ... Hey! Let's face it. Up to a certain point, drunk women can be mighty sexay!:drinkup: I ain't complainin' and I doubt if anybody else will. Just don't draw her barfing.

Oh. I almost forgot. i am going to do a couple of pages that amount to pages 4 and 5 of the three pages I did for the last challenge. Drivin' by angst, I'm just a poorly socialized complainer. Can't wait to see yours, UCT.

[Ilaekae]

I just had the weirdest idea for this challenge. I'm definitely in this one... :P

What's going on looks really good so far.

[Pic]

Pic- you're more like me in that your pencils are rudimentary compared to how it looks when it's finalized.

So we are both lazy! Good, now I don't feel so guilty


Be sure to finalize it. Re: rule of thirds ... it's kind of hard to do something solid with this because you have to ask yourself 1/3 of what? The bleed area? The trim area? The live area? As long as it seems to pull eyes through the panels you have done your job. Make 'em read. Make 'em want more and more.


Composition is important, I try to pay attention to it, but it's an easy one to let slip under the radar when your learning


Re: drunk woman ... Hey! Let's face it. Up to a certain point, drunk women can be mighty sexay!:drinkup: I ain't complainin' and I doubt if anybody else will. Just don't draw her barfing.


Darn! That's page four out the window.

I'm glad you two are submitting something soon , both your work is always interesting (based on previous POWs).

Zimfin - It's looking good! I'm finding it hard to pick out anything now, i like the lighting on the folds of his robe in panel 5 (lighting must be a strong point of yours) if I were to nitpick it would be the pupils of the aliens, they seem painted on? Not sure what to suggest though, maybe you could try a few things...or not...its a small thing

[zimfin]

Zimfin - It's looking good! I'm finding it hard to pick out anything now, i like the lighting on the folds of his robe in panel 5 (lighting must be a strong point of yours) if I were to nitpick it would be the pupils of the aliens, they seem painted on? Not sure what to suggest though, maybe you could try a few things...or not...its a small thing
Thanks! Lighting has always been a favourite way for creating mood. As for the pupil thing, I know what you mean but I am also unsure what else to do. Can't seem to find a better pupil shape. I am not too concerned at the moment though. I am more concerned with the fact that I am making this up as I go rather than having the story planned out! Guess it will be as much of a surprise for me as for all of you! Lol.

[zimfin]

Well, P1 is done, (pupils adjusted thanks Pic) and P2 is in progress as you can see.
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfin_page1.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfinp2wip2.jpg

[vandalrat]

I managed to finish inking page one, penciled page 2 and got other 2 pages to draw, since I got to work tomorrow I will have only one day to finish all that's left, I'm not sure if I'm gonna make it to deadline but damn I will try. I just noticed my skeleton had one arm longer than the other :P will fix that.



By the way, to anyone wondering, 11"x17" is "almost" in perfect proportion to standard comic pages, I recommend using that size if you are confused by sizes.

[zimfin]

Really nice work vandalrat. Good luck getting it finished. I was hoping to get 3 pages done but now, I will be lucky if I can finish the minimum 2! Damn it!!
*edit*
Well, here are 2 finished pages. Sorry it is only the minimum. I will try to get a third done tomorrow but it is unlikely I will finish it in time. Please correct me if this is the wrong place to post the final works.
Thanks.


http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfinp2.jpg

[llothcat]

dammit..I gonna have to drop out of this one. RL interrferred with this big time. 3 flats on my scooter in a week for starters..

blah.

Bad bad week. No biscuit.

[Ilaekae]

I don't know if this will help anyone a bit, but i have to go to Pittsburgh in about an hour and a half, and won't be back till tomorrow evening. Instead of wasting the time, let's just assume the deadline is extended to Monday night. I'm thinking a few of you might be able to use the time.

I'm also posting the new Challenge right now so it isn't up late.

[arttorney]

This is basically page 4 and 5 of the comic I started for POW 16. These are finals and I am only making two pages this week.
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[Chate Noire]

zimfin, lovely work. I'm really impressed at how much effort you put into it in terms of color and rendering, and it looks great. One thing that bothers me is the speech balloons:
First I'd lose the drop shadow, or at least make it much more subtle. Right now it just hides the shape of the balloon.
In the first panel of the 2nd page, the balloon has a lot of text, making it a little hard to read. Maybe breaking it down to a few balloons would make it easier on the eye and also give some pace to his speech.
In the 2nd panel of the 2nd page, it's a little confusing which balloon comes first - is it the one on the left or the one on top? I'd put the first one higher, so it's 100% clear: left-high first, right-low second.
Other than that really great job.

vandalrat - also a great looking page. I especially like the establishing shot: there's a great use of black and white and the style fits the scenery very well, creating that mysterious atmosphere. I really hope you'll be able to finish the other one.

[zimfin]

Chate Noir: Thanks so much for your advice. I really appreciate it and have taken it all on board as it made good sense. I made some alteration to the speech bubble in panel2, page2 but not to both of them as I felt moving one higher up was enough.
Here are my Final 3 pages Ilaekae. Despite the extension, I had too much on to get more done, though I will later.
Managed to squeeze in the 3rd thanks to the second extension! Thanks Ilaekae!
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfinp1.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfinp2.jpg

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee272/zimfin/POW17_zimfinp3.jpg

[Kmadden2004]

Here's my rather simple entry. I had no time this week, really. Sorry.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/Kmadden2004/Page_1-16.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii302/Kmadden2004/Page_2-7.jpg

Can I just say, this didn't sound so bitter in my head than it did after I wrote it... I guess I still have a bit of a chip on my shoulder about my old school.

[vandalrat]

I knew new proposals will appear at the last minutes.

Anyway, here's pencils of page 3, I have half of page 4 penciled but Im missing the hard panels.

I will ink 'till 12 am and see where can I get.

[vandalrat]

I can't believe it took me so long to ink a single damn page.

It looks very bad, I bet that printed in a smaller format it would look better, a format like 2"x3" :)

I will finish the other two pages and put them up in the unfinished section.

EDIT: Updated page 2 and added #3, let's see if I can manage to finish 4 before Ilekae comes back :P

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[Ilaekae]

Everybody is surprising me, so it's my turn. I'm back home for ten minutes (it's 3:40 am here), which is just enough time to post this. I hope it doesn't screw anyone up too badly. I'm leaving again in a few minutes again and won't be back til late tomorrow night, so I won't get the poll up til Wednesday afternoon at the earliest.

Soooooo...

If anyone wants to go for some extra work on their's, i'll pretend I didn't notice it didn't come in until Wednesday early-ish afternoon. :P Mine won't be posted til then anyway, since i don't have time to convert them to jpegs until I get back...


(In case you're curious, I'm helping a friend repair/replace some windows that got damaged a few weeks ago and finally collapsed...just as the temp here went to 14° F...I'm freezing my ass off...)

[arttorney]

Come on Pic! You got a couple of days. Surely you can do better than I did.

You other guys are great. Now I'm going to have to step up my game to whatever the next notch is above pathetic.

[UCT]

I have massively caffled on this one, only got half a page actually sorted, will post that later but it doesn't cover the 'not our kind' it.

Really good stuff.

[Pic]

Here's my entry, not to pleased with how it turned out so I didn't end up doing more then the two pages...sorry about that.

Any one elses cheap scanner throw an amazing amount of white glare on to their pages? What do you do about it? (Buy a new scanner...)

There is some great work up here! Well done to all those who put the effort in!

[Pic]

arttorney - 1984 is a classic, you write that typeface by hand? I like the style your using for the story, it works well, its got a strange sorta, disjointed feel to it that works with the plot I think

zimfin - Your put work into this I can tell! It's looking great! The lighting again, works well, very atmospheric...

Kmadden2004 - I'm liking the muted colours your using, and the paint stroke effect that brings forward the images

vandalrat - Your story really engages me in the few panels you have, and the simple black and white works very well, you've used the large areas of black well i think, which is hard to do right.

[arttorney]

I do the internal text by hand. Sometimes I do the "Arttorney POW 17-1" stuff with my Lexmark scanner's software (as I did this time around).

I got little enough to show for myself on the positive side compared to some of the talents here at CA, so I have been trying to take advantage of those years I spent learning calligraphy (for labeling the occasional patent drawings I have had to produce on the fly.)

Sometimes it seems to help scanned stuff if I push my scanner software's brightness slider bar down about 5 or 10 percent (post production prior to saving). Going a similar amount upward with the contrast slider bar might help were it not for the fact that your entry has colors and gray tones.

[Ilaekae]

I'm back. The poll should be up in a couple of hours, so thank you for your patience.

Vandalrat, if your last page comes in before late tonight, I'll add it to the poll list. The same goes for anyone else in the same boat.

Mine's not going up because I still have the last page to do, and looking at it just now, I realized it was a colossal sight gag that makes absolutely no sense without the final page. I blame it on advancing senility... :P I'll put it up later this week in the right thread...

[vandalrat]

Any one elses cheap scanner throw an amazing amount of white glare on to their pages? What do you do about it? (Buy a new scanner...)

All scanners have an "Auto Tone" or "Auto Contrast" or something like that by default "ON", search for it and turn it off, so you can do all the contrasting by yourself.

My fourth page won't make it since I won't be able to touch it again 'till next weekend, I'm sorry I'll try harder to complete it next time, we are all learning here, and making comics is hard, at least for me, many things to take into consideration (history, characters, enviroments, page layout, rendering, lettering).

[Ilaekae]

vandal', you have plenty up now for the challenge... and comics are a bitch. That's why we do this--everybody thinks they're something that just pops out easily, but I used to do them for real, and even i haven't finished a single one for any of the challenges yet. I'm proud of what you guys turn in because I know you're all really workin' your asses off... :)

[zimfin]

Congrats on winning this one Vandalrat. Great work. Would like to see the rest if there is any.