Oath Production Pages: Part IV
February 22, 2008, filed under: Kid B., Sketchbook, by LexI’m nearing the end of penciling and inking on Blood-Bound Oath(!) and thought I’d throw up a few more of my favorite pages. The first scene is between Hrothgar and his wife Welthow; this is toward the end of the book, when Hrothgar is readying himself for the final confrontation. I like it because it’s a quiet scene, but the way the characters are interacting on the page speaks louder: Hrothgar doubts that he’ll return and he’s effectively handing over rule of his kingdom to his Queen.
After I finished penciling the page I realized that I subconsciously moved Welthow from the back of the room at the beginning of the scene to the foreground at the end of the scene, showing the transfer of power as Hrothgar exits. This wasn’t intentional, but an effective and nice surprise all the same.
This scene’s a winner for the simple fact that it introduces Hama! For the longest time I had no idea how I was going to work Hama into the story. The seeds for Hama actually started with Brecca and the swimming race: Brecca’s father is a swineherd who Beowulf inadvertently insults (by calling him a swineherd, thus the challenge of the race). The Geats are providing food for the Danes at this point, so on the next supply ship it’s packed with the swineherd’s pigs (and a stow-away Beowulf to boot). This was another happy accident. I also dig that wrecked ship.
How To Draw Peanuts: Part Deux
February 19, 2008, filed under: Studio, by LexThis broadcast is from a month ago when I did another walk-in workshop at the Schulz Museum on “How to Draw Peanuts”– I finally got a copy of the tape! The segment was very spur of the moment, but it was fun and the reporter Bob Redell was a cool guy. Enjoy!
Writer’s Week
February 13, 2008, filed under: News, by Lex
I wanted to extend my thanks to the faculty and staff of Menlo School where I was invited to speak yesterday. I got to , kick off their annual Writer’s Week; it was good time as I got to introduce a new crop of students and educators to Kid Beowulf. The event was exactly what I needed to spur me on to finish Part III and get this book good and done!