Tag: words and images

BLOTTING PAPER The Comic: Production Report No.24

Art, Blotting Paper, Cats in Comics, Comics, Germania, Japanning May 8, 2015

I have still not completed this issue of my comic but I am getting there! Completion of the fourth issue of my artist book/comic…and ultimately, graphic novel…Blotting Paper: The Recollected Graphical Impressions Of Doctor Comics is near. The printing and publishing process of those pages will follow. This includes the sequential stages of the pages being printed, collated, trimmed, covered and bound. As with the first three issues the fourth one has a total of 40 pages plus end-papers and covers. For this issue the covers will feature a wraparound print that includes the title. Being an artist book there will be a limited edition of 30. Each book in this first edition will be numbered and signed by the artist.

Planned wraparound cover for Issue #4 (Monoprint-© 2011 Michael Hill) — _{Planned wraparound cover for Issue #4 (Monoprint-©2011 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

The addition of some spot colour plus a few paragraphs of handwriting is needed. It may also receive a bit of a toning touch-up and a little overprinting. I have spread out the pages in sequence on the floor of the studio. This reveals some sense of the overall flow of the comic. There might be the odd alteration to the sequencing in the final edit. I try to feel a sense of rhythm from reading and turning the pages.

Pages from Issue 4 in layout spread-© 2015 Michael Hill — _{Pages from Issue 4 arranged in layout spread on floor.}
_{©2015 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics.}

UPDATE 6 JULY 2015: COMPLETION OF ISSUE #4! Although it took a little longer than expected I have now completed production of the fourth issue of my comic! The pages have been printed, collated, trimmed, bound and covered with title labels. Copies have been mailed to my supportive, personal readers. A possible launch is being looked at in Tokyo in October.

Issue 4 copies ready for distribution-photo © 2015 Michael Hill — _{Issue 4 copies printed, bound and ready for distribution-photo ©2015 Dr. Michael Hill} _{(a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

After running past the planned deadline and being slightly over budget I decided to finish in D.I.Y mode. This resulted in a somewhat hand-crafted look.

Tabletop work-space pages and tools-photo © 2015 Michael Hill — _{Tabletop work-space pages and tools-photo. ©2015 Dr. Michael Hill} _{(a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

Work clothes hung out to dry-photo © 2015 Michael Hill — _{Printmaking work clothes hung out to dry-photo ©2015 Dr. Michael Hill} _{(a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

Now it’s on to the likely final issue…although reprints of previously published chapters are also a possibility…as is the eventual merging of all chapters into graphic novel form…I wish!…and can’t stop thinking about that possibility. Looking ahead, the tentatively titled 2 Tickets to Tokyo Bay Chapter 5 will be set in Germany and Japan. It depicts the continued activities of Doctor Comics’ cats and their new canine companion Barks in “funny animal” comics style. It may also contain further comics related recollections from Doctor Comics’ past, particularly his research of manga. Below is the ad for Chapter 5 on the back page of Issue 4.

Teaser for 2 TICKETS TO TOKYO BAY the forthcoming Chapter 5-© 2015 Michael Hill, READING DRINKING -© 2014 Gene Kannenberg, Jr. — _{Teaser for 2 TICKETS TO TOKYO BAY which is the title of the forthcoming Chapter 5-©2015 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics. Also shown (insert) READING DRINKING Blotting Paper review of Chapter 2 – ©2013 by my American colleague Gene Kannenberg, Jr.}

BLOTTING PAPER The Comic: Production Report No.21

Art, Blotting Paper, Cats in Comics, Comics, Germania December 2, 2014

This is the second report documenting the production of the fourth issue of my artist book/comic…Blotting Paper: The Recollected Graphical Impressions Of Doctor Comics. The new chapter Beer, Chocolate and Comics…deals with the feline characters recovering from the demise of their patron…and their subsequent travels in Germany to visit the world of European comics.

Double page handprinted spread from Chapter 3–© 2014 Michael Hill. — _{Double page handprinted spread from my comic Blotting Paper, Chapter 3.}
_{(©2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

Continuing the turnaround of events and forward momentum that the above image from Chapter 3 illustrates…my feline leading characters start to get on top of things…taking control of circumstances and their situation and expressing their true character whilst on their travels abroad. Tail wagging. indeed!

Beer label collage character from Blotting Paper comic-© 2014 Michael Hill — _{Beer label collage character design from my Blotting Paper comic-(©2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

I have been exploring the notion of a beer label collage project…derived from Belgian and German bottles, and have come up with this character. I expect others will follow. With the European theme and setting I am also considering including some bilingual content, probably English and German…and there is also an option of doing a combined issue #4-5!

Fish woodcut from way back-© 2002 Michael Hill — _{Fish woodcut print from way back-(©1998 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

Fish woodcut with pyschedelic sauce from way back-© 2003 Michael Hill — _{Fish woodcut print covered with pyschedelic sauce from way back.}
_{(©2000 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

The subject of fish and the techniques of woodblock printmaking have returned…and there is some cooking too, of both fish and comics!

The Busch approach to managing a comics collection-now available as a postcard-© 2014 Michael Hill — _{The Busch approach to managing a comics collection-now available as a postcard.}
_{(©2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

Linocut, type, roller and ink dish after a print session. (Photo-© 2014 Michael Hill). — _{Linocut, type, roller, calligraphy brush and inkbowl after a postcard and comics art printmaking session. (Photo-©2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

In addition to collage there were some abstract ink and paint images that serve as backgrounds, settings…or sometimes mere graphic expressions of a characters’ thoughts.

Abstract print image from Blotting Paper comic-© 2014 Michael Hill — _{Abstract landscape print image from my Blotting Paper comic.}
_{(©2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

The art work also features several words and images made with pen and ink…including some quick-sketch location drawings from previous visits to Hamburg and Hanover and more recently to Berlin.

Dip pen with nibs by Gillot and Muller and ink from Lamy. — _{Dip pen with nibs by Gillot and Muller and bottled ink from Lamy.}
_{(Photo-©2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

Ink and watercolour drawing of Hamburg-© 2007 Michael Hill — _{Quickly executed ink and watercolour drawing on paper, Hamburg.}
_{(©2007 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

Quick Ink and watercolour drawing of Hannover-© 2007 Michael Hill — ^{Quick ink and watercolour drawing on paper, Hanover.}
^{(©2007 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

On location drawing trips I carry a small leather bag of art tools and sketch books. It carries some smaller leather bags and a tin of colour pencils that fit within the larger bag. (see photo below, taken on the carpet at home, before departure)

Packing my art bag for a location drawing session. (Photo-© 2014 Michael Hill). — ^{Packing my little art bag for a location drawing session…light, compact and easy to carry! (Photo-©2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

More visual developments and an update on progress will be posted on this blog in the New Year. As always, I would love to hear any responses to this post…plus any comparable comments about your own experiences of drawing on location.

Cheers for a Happy Comics and Graphic Novel Xmas and New Year…and Seasons Greetings to all comics art fans and followers!…Michael.

BLOTTING PAPER The Comic: Production Report No.20

Art, Blotting Paper, Cats in Comics, Comics, Germania November 3, 2014

This is the first report documenting the production of the fourth issue of my artist book/comic…Blotting Paper: The Recollected Graphical Impressions Of Doctor Comics.…it continues from posts on the first chapter/issue The Ingurgitator,…the second chapter/issue A Blot On His Escutcheon…and the third chapter/issue The Chthonian Turn: The Cats’ Revenge (see links to posts #1-36 below). The new chapter Beer, Chocolate and Comics deals with the cats’ recovery from the demise of their patron, Doctor Comics. It also covers their travels in Europe and their contact with the world of European comics. Printmaking is again involved in the production of this issue…with woodblock, linocut and the use of rubber, bakelite and wooden stamps. There is also drawing, handwriting and some cartooning. The intention is to produce a comic in an artist’s book type format. I hope to have it ready for publication early next year…but we’ll have to see about that…just as we will also have to see if my long term plan of combining these four separate issues…and subsequent issues into a full length graphic novel comes to fruition.

_{Brush tips dipped in ink and at the ready.}
_{(Blotting Paper comic-©2014 Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

Cartooning the cat character Cohl from Blotting Paper comic-© 2014 Michael Hill — _{Cartooning the cat character Cohl from Blotting Paper comic.}
_{©2014 Michael Hill}

More cat cartooning for the Blotting Paper comic-© 2014 Michael Hill — _{More cat cartooning for the Blotting Paper comic-©2014 Michael Hill}

_{There will also be the introduction of a new character in this chapter…a dog.}

Funny animal character from Blotting Paper comic-© 2014 Michael Hill — _{A funny canine animal character from Blotting Paper comic-©2014 Michael Hill}

UPDATE NOVEMBER 2015: Illustration and comments.

Here is how this character finished up looking in Issue #4-© 2015 Michael Hill — _{Here is how this dog character finished up looking(post publication) in Issue #4-©2015 Michael Hill}

This issue has a marked European flavour…no surprise perhaps following the careful research into Belgian and German chocolates, comics and beer…that I undertook on my recent trip there…Michael.

BLOTTING PAPER The Comic: Production Report No.18

Art, Blotting Paper, Comics June 4, 2014

GOING DEEPER INTO PRODUCTION MODE! Progress report on my artist book/comic Blotting Paper: The Recollected Graphical Impressions Of Doctor Comics, Chapter 3, The Chthonian Turn. It is subtitled The Cats’ Revenge as it starts heading in the direction of a funny animal comic. I am approaching the mid-way point in completion of the artwork, averaging one page per day. It’s been a struggle maintaining this rate.

Title page for Chapter 3–© 2014 Michael Hill. — _{Chapter title page–© 2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics.}

Serial production offers the opportunity of revisiting the work at some future date with the opportunity to make changes. With hindsight, the possibility of reworking things and adding new material seems appealing. One hopes it would improve the material…as this wouldn’t happen till after I have published a first edition.

Sorting out page numbers and doodling–© 2014 Michael Hill. — _{Sorting out page numbers and doodling–© 2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics.}

About half of this issue is being hand-printed and/or painted. Those are the areas I have spent most of the time working on. The remaining half will be digitally printed. Most of the page numbers are being stamped, some directly onto the page, others scanned then printed.

Sample of hand-printed pages–© 2014 Michael Hill. — _{Sample of hand-printed and painted pages–© 2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics.}

Over the past month I have completed the artwork, printing and the finishing stages of the labelling, stapling and bookbinding. I started out stitching the sections together but found that I lacked the skills to do the job properly. I abandoned this approach and switched back to the simpler form of stapling…however, I shall endeavour to master stitching techniques in future.

Page from Chapter 3–© 2014 Michael Hill. — _{Page from Chapter 3–© 2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics.}

It looks interesting as a volume being half hand-printed and half digitally printed. The varying pages are sometimes shuffled together. In addition to adding pages of colour and print-made texture this method has resulted in a shorter period of production.

Two of the handprinted pages from Chapter 3–© 2014 Michael Hill. — _{Two of the hand-printed pages from Chapter 3–© 2014 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics.}

The feline characters continue to assert themselves. This altered the generic pattern from auto-bio to funny animal comics with the odd not so humorous scene.

Notice of publication should be posted on this Blog around the end of the month. It is intended take place at a comics event in Germany…but we will have to wait and see about that, Michael.

BLOTTING PAPER The Comic: Production Report No.12

Art, Blotting Paper, Comics April 20, 2013

Continuing my series of reports documenting the production of my comic Blotting Paper: The Recollected Graphical Impressions Of Doctor Comics…this post illustrates the use of the note books, sketch books and design processes involved.

The main note book used on the project wherein details of the character, environment and story were developed. — _{The main notebook used on the project wherein details of the character, setting and story were developed. (Photo-©2012 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

The larger notebook (above) is primarily used for making notes and writing drafts. It has information about the characters and the environment in which they live…plus ideas about the narrative and its construction. The smaller note books (below) contain rough sketches that were used to develop ideas from the main note book.

_{Two of the smaller note books in which design ideas and thumbnails were developed. (Photo-©2012 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

_{Notes and sketches for one of the memory sequences. (Storyboard + Photo-©2012 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

_{Thumbnails for a story sequence. (Storyboard + Photo-©2012 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

_{Character design sketch in story sequence setting. (Character design + Photo-©2012 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

_{Early design for one of the feline characters. (Character design -©2012 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics).}

The design is a little on the rough and sketchy side! It does, however, show an outline of the character design and story sequencing. How did you find it? Let me know. I would love to read your responses to my posts, Michael.

BLOTTING PAPER The Comic: Production Report No.11

Art, Blotting Paper, Comics March 21, 2013

This post continues reportage of the production of my artist book/comic Blotting Paper: The Recollected Graphical Impressions Of Doctor Comics. It describes the use of printmaking in the image-making process, including the creation of landscapes of subconscious terrain.

Dark glade-first impression. (Monoprint-© 2008 Michael Hill) — _{Dark glade-first impression (monoprint-© 2008 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

Doctor Comics finds himself in a shadowy landscape during an intense dream experience. I have tried to express the inky and murky feel of this etheric place he traverses. To achieve this I made a series of monochromatic monoprints.

Dark glade-second impression. (Monoprint-© 2008 Michael Hill) — _{Dark glade-second impression (monoprint-© 2008 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

This landscape can be seen more clearly as more light is added to each successive image. Despite the extra light he still finds it hard to trace his way through.

Dark glade-third impression. (Monoprint-© 2008 Michael Hill) — _{Dark glade-third impression (monoprint-© 2008 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

These prints were made using an etching process. It was a novel method of printmaking that involved exposure of the design to a light sensitive plate. This process marked the lines on a gelatin coated metal plate. The plate was then rubbed with a stiff brush under running water to carve the lines. This process is known as solar plate etching.

Dark glade-the etching plate following exposure to sunlight and wetbrush. (Design-© 2008 Michael Hill) — _{Dark glade-the etching plate after exposure to sunlight and wet brushing. (Design-© 2008 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

The inky black lake scene (Monoprint-© 2011 Michael Hill) — _{The inky black lake scene (monoprint-©2011 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

A deliberate ‘blotting’ effect was obtained from pressing a saturated inked block onto highly absorbent blank paper. This was for a scene from the second issue. After printing, the paper was peeled off the block carefully to avoid tearing. This was due to the combination of the wet inked areas and the paper’s soft, tissue texture.

Proposed cover or insert (Monoprint-© 2011 Michael Hill) — _{Proposed cover or insert (monoprint-©2011 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

This unused print from the first issue remains a possible cover or insert in the second issue.

Fish tail print (Monoprint-© 2011 Michael Hill) — _{Fish tail print (monoprint-©2011 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

Tails and fins of a cooked fish were inked and printed for some of the images used in Chapter 1. This approach was inspired by the Japanese sosaku hanga printmaking method. That involves inkable flat objects employed as ‘blocks’ as an alternative to woodblocks. The resultant graphic effect is shown in the print above. Photos of the image-making process involved in making that print are below.

Printing the fish tails (Monoprint-© 2008 Michael Hill) — _{Printing the fish tails (Photos by Louise Graber)}

Proposed back cover print (Monoprint-© 2010 Michael Hill) — _{Proposed back cover print (monoprint-©2010 Dr. Michael Hill a.k.a. Doctor Comics)}

Another unused print, above, from the first issue is a possible inclusion as a postcard insert in this issue. It was constructed from a combination of woodblock and object prints. I know I seem to be pushing the printmaking cart here but it has really got me going. I would love to hear of your experiences of printmaking, if you have done that, Michael.