DC Conspiracy[dots pattern]

5.07.2008

Scheduling is key

So, I had a moment yesterday when I started looking at all the art projects I have that I want to work on. Stuff I'm committed to. I started putting them in order and really thinking about how long each project is going to take, and before long realized that I'm pretty much booked up till mid November now. It's not really surprising, as I have a problem saying "NO" to a good idea. Here's the order of events in which I want to work:

1. Trickster - 8 pgs full color. 4 weeks to complete.
2. DC Conspiracy's "Wonders of science" anthology - 12 pages B& W. 6 weeks to complete.
3. Webcomic Softshell - 26 pages full color - 13 weeks to complete
4. DC Conspiracy's next genre anthology
5. Project 'Aspect'. I'm not talking about this too much right now, but it's a graphic novel I'm writing.

So, with that said, and with leaving the last off the count as I'm not entirely sure how long that is going to be, I'm looking at 54-58 pages of comic art over the next 6 months or so. Totally doable, but I need to really think about deadlines, even if they are self imposed deadlines, and work on meeting them regularly.

Had a talk with Laura about scheduling my work with my personal life, and we came up with a plan that allows me three to four evenings a week to work without anyone feeling neglected or my marraige devalued. Anyway, yesterday I got my hands on a big desk calendar and started playing around with how to best break these projects down to something I can work with and set milestones with which to guage my progress. Here's what I came up with for the month of May and Trickster, which is due at the end of the month:

Photobucket

It's hard to read, but the pink represents 'Pre-production' work that might include thumbnailing, photo references, character designs, etc. I allowed four days for that. I think that was fine for this project, and seeing as how I only accepted this assignment last Wednesday it really had to come together fast.

The yellow section is where I've allowed for pencil work to be done. Here's really the big challenge for me, as I'm always battling the urge to start inks before the pencils are done. It's always something like "Wow, that panel came out really well in the pencils. I wonder how good it's going to come out in the inks?" and then I've got half the work inked and half of it yet to pencil. With the last project I finished, I tried to focus more on knocking out all the pencils first. I didn't succeed, but I did manage to do the lions share in one cluster, and I noticed it really made the entire inking process go really fast. So, with Trickster I'm setting my foot down and doing this right.

The orange section of the schedule is for inking, greyscaling, and coloring. I'm hoping to finish the pencils early and be able to devote more time to this, but I know I can ink 8 pages in less than two weeks, and the greyscaling is pretty fast for me. The coloring should be a breeze, as I'll be doing that at work during the day. It's not a gross misuse of my time at work, but it's something I will have to work on to keep under wraps.

The green section of the schedule is for "Post-production" work. Any digital manipulation that needs to be done, whether that means compositing images, or lettering, or tiff generation. There's probably way too much time allotted here for that, but 6 days should completely cover that and allow for any makeup if I fall off schedule anywhere else. It's also the first project I'm applying this scheduling process to, so I wanted to give myself a little breathing room.

All in all it still works out to two pages a week. That's pretty much my standard pace, but this just compartmentalizes each step and lets me work to completion on each phase before moving to the next. I think it'll help for stability and continuity through each project. I'm also making notes each day on the calendar of how much work was done the night before, or when the final step of that phase is reached (thumbnails submitted to editor, pencilled three pages, etc) That should help me look back on this schedule and taylor the next to what my pace actually is. I suspect that this will coax me into working faster, which is what most industry professionals will tell you to do. Carla Speed-McNeil once told me that if you're looking to develop your style more then just draw faster. Like most things in life, your style will develop better whe you're not forcing it to. If you just focus on drawing faster you'll allow your style to devolop and refine more naturally.

Anyway, thought some of you might find this interesting, so I thought I'd share.

Jacob  |  0 comments   

5.04.2008

FCBD pics!

Matt D.  |  0 comments   

4.23.2008

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.12

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.12
By Bram and Monica
8 pages b/w

The Mountain, Part 1
Rose and Tyler move to press their advantage — but first, they have to get out of Los Alamos alive.

To read, go to www.raisedbysquirrels.com.

monica  |  0 comments   

5.14.2007

Softshell interviewed!

Hey everyone,

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Well, Last week Softshell was given some attention with a ten-question Q & A interview by this great webcomic community site hyattart.com. If anyone's interested they can check it out HERE. I think getting even a little bit of press has helped to refuel Laura and me, as we were able to get two pages out last week, and I think we'll be getting two pages out this week as well. Rock on!

Jacob  |  0 comments   

4.25.2007

CrumbSnatchers

Coming in 2008 from Little Foot Publishing
CrumbSnatchers
price TBA, 60 pages
color

"Watch Out for the Little Ones."

A whimsical world where children frequently interact with talking animals, insects, and fairy-tale creatures. Elliott, a messy, dark-haired boy likes to thinks outside of the box. Because of his unusual antics, Elliott stands out among his classmates and friends. Zoey, the cutest girl in school, is adored by all the boys and fairy-tale creatures. However, she tends to be a little chatty. The noble Frog King doesn't go anywhere without wearing his gold crown. Elliott and Zoey can draw out his playful side by including him in their hijincks. The mischievous Koala Bear creates mayhem throughout the neighborhood. Where there is a disturbance the Koala Bear is sure to be found! A gang of wily penguins known as the AnkleBiters can be seen driving around town in their go-carts running amok. The AnkleBiters are pretty resourceful and use it to their advantage to plot their outrageous schemes. Join Elliott, Zoey and all the others in a place where imagination reigns and anything can happen.

for more info: CrumbSnatchers

ETK  |  0 comments   

2.26.2007

Raised by Squirrels: Los Alamos

Raised By Squirrels: Los Alamos, $5.95
By Bram and Monica
72 pages b/w, color cover

Reluctantly reunited, Tyler and Rose have rejoined the SQRL, the covert agency that nearly destroyed them. Now, in Los Alamos, the discoveries they make about the organization's history will lead to even more mystery — and greater danger.

This book collects issues 8 through 11 of Raised By Squirrels, a gallery of new art, and the first four Squirrel Tales.

To order, go to www.raisedbysquirrels.com.

monica  |  0 comments   

1.04.2007

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.11

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.11
By Bram and Monica
12 pages b/w, $1.50

Los Alamos, Conclusion
Rose and Tyler have returned to town with more questions than answers. But before they move on, somebody's going to pay for what happened to Reginald.

To order, go to www.raisedbysquirrels.com.

monica  |  0 comments   

9.13.2006

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.10

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.10
By Bram and Monica
12 pages b/w, $1.50

Los Alamos, Part 3
Tempers flare as Rose and Tyler explore the underground lab from the early days of the S.Q.R.L. But the real fight is above ground, back at Reginald's house.

To order, go to www.raisedbysquirrels.com.

monica  |  0 comments   

6.15.2006

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.9

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.9
By Bram and Monica
8 pages b/w, $1.00

Los Alamos, Part 2
With the aid of that fellow whose house they broke into last issue, Tyler and Rose begin unearthing what really was going on in Los Alamos all those years ago.

To order, go to www.raisedbysquirrels.com.

monica  |  0 comments   

5.13.2006



Premiering at SPACE in Ohio!
Doctor Dremo Volume 2
$3.00, 32 pages
color cover, b/w interior

To order, please email etkeeling@yahoo.com

Get your copy of the folow up to Ignatz-nominated Dr. Dremo volume 1,, edited by Matt Dembicki, with stories and art by DCC members Evan Keeling, Jake Warrenfeltz, Matt Dembicki, Deborah Orgel, Art Haupt, Christopher Mararac, Stephen Loya, Chris Harback, Kate Harback, and Dale Rawlings!

Stay tuned for Vol. 3, edited by Evan Keeling, scheduled for release in Fall of 2006!

ETK  |  1 comments   

4.14.2006

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.8

Raised By Squirrels, Issue 1.8
By Bram and Monica
8 pages b/w, $1.00

Los Alamos, Part 1
The trail to Gabriel takes Tyler and Rose to New Mexico — and leads to a discovery in an unanticipated place.

To order, go to www.raisedbysquirrels.com.

monica  |  0 comments   

4.08.2006

Ataxia Overdrive vol. 1 prt 2



Ataxia Overdrive, Vol. 1 Prt. 2, $0.50
By Evan Keeling
12 pages, color, 2.5x5.5

Ataxia Overdrive is set in the future a long, long time ago. It's about A, B, and C — three kids makin' their way the only way they know how, but that's just a little bit more than the Rome-Botic Empire will allow. Oh yeah, it also involves chases, gun fights, sentient robots, alien races, and of course an Infinite Chaos Engine. It appears every Wednesday at www.webcomicsnation.com/dcconspiracy

This is a collection of the second 12 strips, in which you meet B and C, B has a mysterious dream, an old man decides to help A after having a revelation about her shoes, C helps A with a daring escape from the bar, and we are introduced to the leader of the Rome-Botic army and his lovely consort, as well as a sinister robot enforcer.

The cover is a sticker.

To order e-mail Evan at etkeeling@yahoo.com

ETK  |  0 comments   

3.02.2006

Howzit Funnies # 3

16 pages, 6 comics
50 cents

March 2006 sees the third issue of Howzit Funnies, another collection of original comic book ditties inspired by old blues, dirty jokes and dolorous ballads.

For ordering information, e-mail aacohen03@yahoo.com

Andrew Cohen  |  0 comments   

3.01.2006

Death by Sexy 1.2

Death by Sexy: flyer comic 1.2, $1.00
By Evan Keeling
16 pages, color, 5.5x8.5

This is the second preliminary collection of the show flyers Evan Keeling is producing for the DC band Death by Sexy. These flyers, when collected together, tell a single story. It is a tale of the band's lusty adventures through space as they encounter ex-lovers, super fans, space monkeys, bikers, and the evil queen of the universe. It also features some other art Evan has produced for the band and a beautiful pin-up by the DC Conspiracy's Matt Dembicki.

To order e-mail Evan at etkeeling@yahoo.com

ETK  |  0 comments   

11.01.2005

Howzit Funnies # 1.5

16 pages, 6 comics
50 cents

November 2005 marks the second (first and a half) issue of Howzit Funnies, a collection of original comic book ditties inspired by old blues, shanties, drinking songs and ribaldry.

For ordering information, e-mail aacohen03@yahoo.com

Andrew Cohen  |  0 comments   

9.28.2005

Hurricane Relief Anthology

Hurricane Relief Anthology
2 books, 96 pages
5.5 x 8.5"
$10 donation

Red City Comics and The Baton Rouge Cartoonist Society have teamed up to put out Hurricane Relief Anthology, with proceeds benefiting victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The DC Conspiracy has 3 pieces in the anthology: a story by Laura Uhl and Jacob Warrenfeltz; a memoir from Bram and Monica Meehan; and a jam called "Ghosted," created by Matt Dembicki, Chris Piers, Steve Loya, Jacob Warrenfeltz, Christopher Mararac, Rick Legaspi, Andrew Cohen, and Evan Keeling.

To order, visit www.redcitycomics.com/relief.html

monica  |  0 comments   

9.23.2005

Raised By Squirrels

Raised By Squirrels, Volume 1, $4.95
By Bram and Monica
60 pages b/w, color cover

The last person he thought he'd ever see has just come back into his life, and she needs his help. Suddenly, Tyler McAllister is drawn back into the world that he thought he had left behind — of metahuman espionage and all-too-human betrayal — that nearly cost him his life.

Our first trade paperback features: a full-color cover; issues one through seven plus Bookman's Afternoon; and a gallery of cool art from the talented people of DC Conspiracy and 7000 BC.

To order, go to www.raisedbysquirrels.com.

monica  |  0 comments   

Dr. Dremo Volume 1

Premiering at SPX in Bethesda!
Doctor Dremo Volume 1
$3.00, 32 pages
color cover, b/w interior

To order, please email Deb or Matt

Get your copy of the Ignatz-nominated Dr. Dremo anthology, edited by Matt Dembicki, with stories and art by DCC members Evan Keeling, Jake Warrenfeltz, Matt Dembicki, Deborah Orgel, Jeff Barrus, Chris Piers, Bram Meehan, Monica Meehan, and Andrew Cohen!

Stay tuned for Vol. 2, also edited by Matt Dembicki, scheduled for release in Spring of 2006!

Deb  |  0 comments   

Le Corneille Noir Vol. 1



Le Corneille Noir, Vol. 1, $0.50
By Evan Keeling
22 pages, b/w, 2.5x5.5

Le Corneille Noir is a pulp detective comic in the tradition of Fantomas, The Shadow, HP Lovecraft, and Edward Gorey.
Our detective unravels a greater plot while searching for clues to solve the murder of a noted astronomer.

To order, e-mail Evan at etkeeling@yahoo.com

ETK  |  0 comments   

Untitled



Untitled, $0.50
By Evan Keeling
12 pages, b/w, 2.5x5.5

This is a silent tale of murder and revenge in the African jungle.

To order e-mail Evan at etkeeling@yahoo.com

ETK  |  0 comments