For some reason, I made copies of the pencils for this page at three different stages. My suspicion is that I didn't do a tight, preliminary, letter-size layout so I was working those things out on the 11 x 17" board.In the first panel, I moved the balloons around to show the dormer and the edge of the roof. In the second, I realized I needed larger "display" lettering for the chanting pigs.
I think you can still see that Mr. Murk is smiling in panel five, even though he's facing away from us.
I love....love the perspective on Jack in panel 5. Just a great example of using perspective to imply speed and motion. Truly Jack has important work to do and this drawing gives that impression.
ReplyDeleteAnd the panel structure is a nod of the hat to Toth as well.
Hi there Kevin! Just wanted to say I´m a huge fan of your work, love your style composition and everything else and I´ve been following you since the Man bat issue of Batman.
ReplyDeleteGreat to find your blog!!! I´ll come by always!
Hey Kevin absolutely amazing stuff on this blog always!
ReplyDeleteThought you should know this guys giving credit mignolia for your designs!
http://paulsalvi.blogspot.com/2009/08/mignola-batman-designs.html
Interesting... yeah, those are all my drawings. Weird that anyone would think they looked like Mike's.
ReplyDeletePatrick, the standard six-panel grid was the default setting for most JBQ layouts. We'd depart from it here and there but Alan would almost always describe the grid layout he wanted in his scripts. Followed by his standard disclaimer, along the lines of, "Now if you have a better idea, feel free to use it..."
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I know for the majority of the series, that was the panel structure. Just meant to imply that you both proved that telling a story in the standard grid format (like the old Toth 4-panel structure) still could be produced well and show action and storytelling without limiting the entertainment value.
Yeah, I think we all go through a wild layout phase but for the most part we settle down and focus on clear storytelling, saving the variations for those moments when there's a good reason for breaking the format.
ReplyDeletesay kevin,i love your artwork,when ever i need to get motivated i'm always here looking through your blog.i was wondering how do you go about drawing your wonderful backgrounds,do you use reference for this or what?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeffrey. Jack's house is based on my own, real-life house but Murk's Dairy is all made up. That's generally my approach, a combination of "real" and imaginary.
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