Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Webcomic Feedback: Our World
Some creators have been kind enough to send me samples of their work this summer- so it's time to share feedback! First up, it's Our World by Kuurion and Captain Video.
http://ourworld.katbox.net/
https://twitter.com/Kuurion
After reading the first comic, I like the cast- excellent variety with the characters, it creates some great interpersonal dynamics. Jill is the most relatable, struggling to cope with the onslaught that is Alex. Although I think one of my favorite pairings is Alex alongside Art- their personalities seem delightfully incompatible, I love how flustered he gets.
The comic seems to be a classic slice-of-life setup- but I like the hint at the beginning that there's more to the situation, especially with that strange cuneiform tattoo... And it culminates at the end of the first issue with a mysterious outburst of power. The supernatural mystery element adds a fascinating layer to the mix.
And the slice-of-life portion seems to be working well too- there's the underlying problem of how Jill is going to deal with her suddenly-worse roommate situation, and the banter throughout works nicely. Plenty of quirky additions like the Death Couch keep things amusing.
Two things stand out to me as working especially well in the art:
One is the cinematography. By this I mean perspective, backgrounds, panel compositions, camera angles- there's a really solid variety. Close-ups, mid shots, establishing shots- different perspectives- and good perspective drawing adds a nice tangible heft to the backgrounds.
The other really strong aspect of the art is the expressiveness- they do a great job acting with these characters. I never have to wonder what somebody is feeling- there's an excellent range of emoting, and it's not confined to facial expressions. They bring in body language to great effect, and the result is that the emotions translate clearly from character to reader.
All in all, it was a good read- thank you again to Kuurion sharing it with me. 8 )
Feel free to give the comic a read yourself if you like, it's online for free:
http://ourworld.katbox.net/
http://ourworld.katbox.net/
https://twitter.com/Kuurion
After reading the first comic, I like the cast- excellent variety with the characters, it creates some great interpersonal dynamics. Jill is the most relatable, struggling to cope with the onslaught that is Alex. Although I think one of my favorite pairings is Alex alongside Art- their personalities seem delightfully incompatible, I love how flustered he gets.
The comic seems to be a classic slice-of-life setup- but I like the hint at the beginning that there's more to the situation, especially with that strange cuneiform tattoo... And it culminates at the end of the first issue with a mysterious outburst of power. The supernatural mystery element adds a fascinating layer to the mix.
And the slice-of-life portion seems to be working well too- there's the underlying problem of how Jill is going to deal with her suddenly-worse roommate situation, and the banter throughout works nicely. Plenty of quirky additions like the Death Couch keep things amusing.
Two things stand out to me as working especially well in the art:
One is the cinematography. By this I mean perspective, backgrounds, panel compositions, camera angles- there's a really solid variety. Close-ups, mid shots, establishing shots- different perspectives- and good perspective drawing adds a nice tangible heft to the backgrounds.
The other really strong aspect of the art is the expressiveness- they do a great job acting with these characters. I never have to wonder what somebody is feeling- there's an excellent range of emoting, and it's not confined to facial expressions. They bring in body language to great effect, and the result is that the emotions translate clearly from character to reader.
All in all, it was a good read- thank you again to Kuurion sharing it with me. 8 )
Feel free to give the comic a read yourself if you like, it's online for free:
http://ourworld.katbox.net/
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Thursday, September 10, 2015
10th Anniversary Halloween Fanart Contest
Halloween is coming- and with it the ten-year anniversary of the Dreamkeepers Fanart Contest!
To celebrate, we're pulling out all the stops, bringing back the hand-crafted bead prizes- and adding two shiny new contest categories:
Sexiest Art, and Writing.
This in addition to the longstanding categories:
Best Art
Best Costume
Best Comic
Funniest
Creepiest
Dimensional / sculpted
Notes on the new categories- Writing includes literature like text-based short stories and poems. Judging will be based on the first 3,000 words only. You're welcome to write more- but we may not have time to read it.
Aside from word count, what's our judging criteria for writing? Don't know, we're just winging it. Bear in mind I may not be a very good judge, every year deserving entries go without prizes. So entrants, beware- FUN is the only guarantee that awaits ye!
Regarding sexiest- Liz geared up to make the hand-crafted bead prizes for the year, spotted some dynamite pink-glitter paint, and that was the end of that.
Besides, sexy art is fun. But considering the contest is for the general public, we would ask that all entries be SFW. (Safe For Work- abstaining from graphic nudity and stuff. Except for Whip. He's always nude and nobody ever calls him on it.) People are welcome to create more potent fare if they like, but please keep it in venues where the unsuspecting won't be surprised by it.
That's about it! We'll have concrete deadlines and prize announcements as Halloween draws closer. It's going to be a fun year!
To celebrate, we're pulling out all the stops, bringing back the hand-crafted bead prizes- and adding two shiny new contest categories:
Sexiest Art, and Writing.
This in addition to the longstanding categories:
Best Art
Best Costume
Best Comic
Funniest
Creepiest
Dimensional / sculpted
Notes on the new categories- Writing includes literature like text-based short stories and poems. Judging will be based on the first 3,000 words only. You're welcome to write more- but we may not have time to read it.
Aside from word count, what's our judging criteria for writing? Don't know, we're just winging it. Bear in mind I may not be a very good judge, every year deserving entries go without prizes. So entrants, beware- FUN is the only guarantee that awaits ye!
Regarding sexiest- Liz geared up to make the hand-crafted bead prizes for the year, spotted some dynamite pink-glitter paint, and that was the end of that.
Besides, sexy art is fun. But considering the contest is for the general public, we would ask that all entries be SFW. (Safe For Work- abstaining from graphic nudity and stuff. Except for Whip. He's always nude and nobody ever calls him on it.) People are welcome to create more potent fare if they like, but please keep it in venues where the unsuspecting won't be surprised by it.
That's about it! We'll have concrete deadlines and prize announcements as Halloween draws closer. It's going to be a fun year!
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Sunday, August 16, 2015
UBERQUEST KICKSTARTER
We've reached a milestone. To date Vivid has published only our work, Dreamkeepers. But now our first new title has arrived. If you like color, humor, and high-octane fantasy, strap yourself in.
Introducing Uberquest! Stretch goals have just been posted on their Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/839048152/uberquest-volume-1-journey-into-evyr
This is the first crowdfunding campaign by Skidd and Phuufy, and their first book release together.
As artists, it would have been easier for them to kick back and focus on commissions, the most direct route to getting paid. But instead they decided to take a risk, push themselves into new territory, reach higher. They pursued that imaginative spark, and after pages upon pages of art, we all have a chance to turn it into something magical-
A book.
I love books, and I love it when talented artists choose to make them. Independent content lives on the support of people who care about it.
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/30078-uberquest-kickstarter-mayhem?locale=en
That's a link to our Thunderclap. It doesn't cost anyone anything- just sends out a scheduled announcement with anyone who joins in the campaign. Please join us on this quest, and let's launch a new, vibrant series together!
Introducing Uberquest! Stretch goals have just been posted on their Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/839048152/uberquest-volume-1-journey-into-evyr
This is the first crowdfunding campaign by Skidd and Phuufy, and their first book release together.
As artists, it would have been easier for them to kick back and focus on commissions, the most direct route to getting paid. But instead they decided to take a risk, push themselves into new territory, reach higher. They pursued that imaginative spark, and after pages upon pages of art, we all have a chance to turn it into something magical-
A book.
I love books, and I love it when talented artists choose to make them. Independent content lives on the support of people who care about it.
https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/30078-uberquest-kickstarter-mayhem?locale=en
That's a link to our Thunderclap. It doesn't cost anyone anything- just sends out a scheduled announcement with anyone who joins in the campaign. Please join us on this quest, and let's launch a new, vibrant series together!
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Uberquest Kickstarter Coming!
It's official- Vivid is publishing our first new series.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/839048152/1582409793?token=2c13b690
The Uberquest Kickstarter goes live on Saturday- check out the campaign preview here!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/839048152/1582409793?token=2c13b690
The Uberquest Kickstarter goes live on Saturday- check out the campaign preview here!
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