Eric Orchard's Blog, page 43

Dragon On Vacation

Here's another Cat Island drawing, just finishing up a few pages of this comic, after which everything is on hold but a few things that must be finished this Summer. I'm still preparing for a commission sale so please keep an eye on this blog! 

Cat Island Dragon

I don't like to complain but holy mollee I hate this heat! Makes me really homesick for the east coast. I'm tempted to just move into a swamp somewhere in Nova Scotia and mail all my comics out.

So, here's a dragon from Cat Island, which I'm trying to finish up a very short introductory story so I can move on the a pitch for another project. In the meantime I need to make some bill money so I'm trying to get a commissions sale going. Stressful week!

But I'm super happy with these Cat Island pages and that's what matters. 

Some Curious Cat Islanders

Another in progress look at my new comic Cat Island. What happens when the shy cat people start getting strange and frightening visitors? How would you respond if monsters started moving in next door? Cat Island tells the story of what it's like to share your home with monsters, and I'm in the middle of a three page introduction/exploration of Cat Island. Like I mentioned I'm trying something new in the approach,ink and watercolour and digital so I'm still working that out. Sorry about the photographs lately! I'm without a scanner. 

Beach Doodle

Just back from a family trip to the beach, it's beautiful out and we don't feel like hunting for fireworks so that's our Canada Day celebration. We blasted Elizabeth Mitchell on the way which always makes for a fun time. Here's a doodle I did on the beach.

I've decided to launch a commission sale in the next few days, I'm working on some samples right now so watch for an announcement on Tuesday. 

Fire Shrine

I found this little shrine in the garden yesterday, a gift from my father in law. There were two actually.

I'm working hard on a number of projects right now, all are pitches or work that won't make any income until I receive royalties which is one of those really tough positions freelancers find themselves in occasionally. I may have to get part time work for a bit. Unless I think of a really clever idea to make some income while I finish these projects. Nothing coming to me. Do you have any clever ideas?

Cat Island Sketch

A little sketchbook sketch from Cat Island. I like this character, though I'm not sure who she is yet.

And today is my last day as sole stay at home parent! My wife is done teaching for the Summer, leaving me with a lot more time to work. I'm a bit relieved, to be honest. I wish I could take a few days off to just read in the garden with a jug of cider but that's not going to happen. I actually think Christmas is going to be my next break. Love Christmas.

Some news on the Marrowbones front, I may have a co-creator to work with me on writing. I don't want to announce anything yet but it looks good and he is an amazing writer. More on this soon.

Right now I'm finishing a 3 page Cat Island story, and then it's a pitch and then Maddy Kettle. Getting there. 

Escape To Cat Island

Some more in progress work from Cat Island, which is going to have a whole lot of monsters in it, so very fun to draw. This is also my last day as a full time stay at home dad as Julie finishes up her teaching year this evening. So, I'll be hiding away in my studio in a frenzied attempt to complete some work. 

Mixing Up The Analog With The Digital

Another look at Cat Island, which I pulled out my old dip pen for. I've been covered in ink the last few days. I'm really looking forward to seeing how I can push the two mediums. In my illustration work I was doing some analog/digital work I thought was really cool and I'm really excited to bring that to comics too. Also, I just think Cat Island is a really, really cool idea for a comic. 

A Cat Island Monster

Some good, old fashioned pencils for Cat Island. Just doing a little three page intro story to Cat Island to get a feel for the look and medium I'll be using for it. It probably won't hit Saturday Morning Webtoons for a couple of months but I'm wanting to save up some pages before it launches. I'm trying to combing ink and watercolour with digital, pushing the analog stuff a lot in Photoshop....

Process Goblin

Just a quick sketch post today. A goblin to help promote a friends Kickstarter campaign. I'll post more about this soon.  I find myself working on 4 books simultaneously and still being a stay at home dad. Not sure how I got here.