Page Layout 5

Another page is done and up. Or more or less done, I should say. I'm realizing now that there will be a lot of final color correction to do once all the pages are complete, in order to achieve an overall balance, with a consistent range of hues and brightness. Some of this will have to wait until I see some page proofs printed out (my color laser printer is out of toner), at which time I'm sure I'll have to go back and change everything. But for now I'm just trying to get them somewhat close, so I don't have to make too many changes. Initially I had intended to make each of the underwater scenes slightly brighter than the one before, to emulate the approach of dawn; but that has proven unrealistic given the need to backlight the text areas enough to read without excessive straining. As it is I'll likely have to adjust these up to be even brighter, since anything less than pure black on white is bound to be a challenge for some readers, but I'll leave that for later. And I have to say I'll be really glad to leave these underwater scenes behind and deal with normal light for a change. Only five more to go...

This is the first "split" page layout, with what amounts to two separate scenes on one canvas. Bear in mind that in many formats only one half of each layout will be seen at a time, with the print edition being divided by an inner margin. Consequently I have to conceive each two-page spread as both a single, cohesive image, and a series of two separate ones. Here the composition works fine either way, since the eye will naturally read from left to right, and follow Alberich as he clambers up the pinnacle of rock. As the book progresses many pages will take on a more "graphic novel" approach, with multiple scenes on each page, particularly where there's a fast paced action sequence with a rapid-fire series of events. In general, in laying out my storyboards I tended to start with wide shots and work my way inward as the sequence of layouts progress. For this one I had to back off a little in order to get the two halves in with all the text. But the next few pages push in pretty close, so you'll see a lot more detail there.

As far as the story goes, this is the segment I refer to as the "Rhinemaid Seduction Sequence," in which our poor dwarf gets the runaround from all three sister nymphs, as they tease and taunt him mercilessly until he's nearly fit to be tied. By the way, I'm also writing this as a filmscript as I go, so hopefully one day we'll see it on the big screen. Unlikely, but you never know. This particular scene would be a lot of fun to watch.

As always, there are more notes and test art up on the main pages, and you can click the pic above to get there and view it in higher resolution.