When Things Don't Always Go As Planned

There are times when something you draw seems to go really well, the stars are aligned, the universe smiles upon you, and you start to fart rainbows. And then there are times when you finish a drawing and then realize that it won't work. This was the case with this page. It was done because I wanted to move away from the spread I drew before. When I started work on this again, I decided to keep a little bit of the original flow in it so this page will unfortunately NOT be used.

This is what the page spread was supposed to look like. I am keeping the concept in tact for the new version.

As sad as it is to not use this finished page, I am happy with the decision because I am finally moving forward and en route to finishing this book that has been sitting on my creative shelf for far too long. 

Until next time, draw what you want.

-Haro

One Page At A Time

So like I said before on one of my previous posts, (dont ask me which one cause I can't remember) this project has been sitting around longer than a biblical man's beard. I decided I was fed up with letting it sit on the shelf. Thanks to @vion4444 who just fell in love with one of the characters, I decided to bring it back to life and make it breathe.

Insanity with a pencil

Two posts ago I showed you how my first page came out in 2007. If I am not suffering from memory loss, collecting reference and laying it out took me most of the time. I think that's how I remember it. Filling out the lines with pencils and darkening those dark spots like a madman took me less time than I expected. I think I finished this page in about 6 to 8 hours (not all in one sitting). Just so you know, there was a first attempt at this page. That original pencil art is with our good buddy Sean Beck, of Invincible Comics, but onward.

Keep It Simple Stupid (K.I.S.S.)

Here is the finished first page. This is after all the tweaks and refinements. That girl you see in the panels is non-other than my little angel, Argus (click here to see who I'm talking about.) I was happy with the simplification of the characters and effects. I'm always amazed at how working digital allows you to do so much more.

Anyway, feel free to let me know what you think about this page below in the comments.

Until next time, sketch me a glass a water, cause I sho is thirsty.

-Haro

Evolution of Tim & Greg

For me it is always fun to see the evolution of the characters that I create. In this case, I was particularly taken aback by the growth and polished design of Tim and Greg (blond hair), two pothead kids created by The Webcomic Factory's very own Tony DiGerolamo. When I first created their likeness, all I was told by Tony was that they were teenagers who constantly smoked pot. In those days, I hardly used the likeness of people I knew for fear that I was being rude, or that they might take offense. I was always worried of what people thought of me and it bothered me if I did something to offend them.

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" I hardly used the likeness of people I knew for fear that I was being rude, or that they might take offense."

Enter 2018. I've stopped worrying about where I get my reference and/or my inspiration. This is not to say I am not careful about what I choose, I just don't worry so much about it. It has worked wonders for me to be able to use my surroundings as inspiration for my characters. I know this is not a new concept for artists and writers, but it is for me. The advice I leave behind to any artist who is suffering from the same crutch I was, is... when it comes to creating your characters, don't be afraid to use what you see around you, it is a great source of reference. Check out below how Tim and Greg evolved throughout the years. 

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"Don't be afraid to use what you see around you."

I Hate My Kids

For those of you who didn't already know, I currently work on a comic strip called I Hate My Kids, written by the very talented Tony DeGerolamo.

I hope you take the time to visit the strip, give your comments and spread the word. Thank you.

Until next time, keep drawing.
-Haro

Wrestling Demons

There is a certain calm after I finish a project or a drawing. I’m not sure how to explain it but I know that after I draw anything, and sink into it, it has a certain hypnotic effect. I come out refreshed. I guess in a way it’s a form of meditation, one that up until now I have just discovered. I try to draw at least one thing every day and when I don't, I feel a little empty. It doesn’t have to be a big project or anything like that, just something small or a quick sketch works just fine too. Although most these days I have some project or commission pending, I have to sometimes get away by drawing something of mine. Getting the chance to create my own thing tends to wrestle the demons in my head. I’m still trying to master them. That's why I love making comics.

Until next time, keep drawing.
-Haro

Character Sketching

It's only recently that I've had to put together some quick sketches of characters before I start working on books. The last time I had to do it, I was working on Fleischer and The Group. It's funny how sometimes I forget the tiniest of details when I'm all excited about getting started on a project. As a rule of thumbs, I have to remember to hash out some character turnaround sketches in my style before starting any book and use those as a reference. I'm grateful to have been given the opportunity of working on this book. If you want to check out The Fleischer comic, click here.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

-Haro

Storytelling

I've thought about illustrating what happened to my sister and I when we were kids, but can't really seem to figure out how. In part I want to share the story, but also bring awareness that child abuse happens everywhere, probably more often in countries outside the United States. I really had to come to terms with it as I got older and I can now see the emotional scarring it left me. If and when I decide to tell the story in visual format, I would love to get your opinion on it. Thank you so much.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

-Haro

Voices in my head

There are days that I wak up with what amounts to a crowd of people speaking all at the same time and trying to get my attention. It's nto a nightmare and it is quite real but, all in my head. These are the days where I just want to go someplace quiet and be alone with my thoughts or better yet, alone with ANY thoughts. It is frustrating that those are the days that I have to deal with people, make calls, engage others. I also find it as a challenge, one that will help me grow but at the same time, it is a challenge that I have yet to overcome 100% of the time. I am still working at it. I just recently had one of those days and I must say, meditation DOES help, to an extent. Having to do the daily chores that life gives us almost always keeps me from finding time to do this, though. Does this happen to any of you? If so, tell me about it in the comments below.

Until next time, thanks for reading.

-Haro

Making The Show Comic

Over the course of a couple of years I have been creating this webcomic in order to get my comic universe and these characters in the public eye. I have scraped some old sketches of old characters from old sketchbooks to aid in populating this universe. As it turns out, taking this long to put out this first chapter is a bit too long. What I propose for myself this year is to concentrate a little more on getting this chapter finished and creating shorter chapters in subsequent story plots. That being said, I want to thank all of those who have chosen to follow the story line and even add to it with your great suggestions and ideas.

Do you have a favorite character? I'd love to hear what you think so far in the comments below.