How many people does it take?

Many jobs, that’s what I have. Many roles, that’s what I juggle. Like a jester throwing knives in the air, shuffling them above his head with the hopes that his skills won’t falter and he'll be triumphant in catching the knife only to swing it back up into the air to start the process all over again. Woah, that was a mouthful, but you get the idea.

The many hats I wear

As it is with this juggling buffoon who does it only to beguile the crowd and tell the story of how amazing his dexterity is, so is my life. I juggle many jobs in my day to day existence. I also juggle many positions as I create this book. Not only am I the writer, but I am also the character designer, the penciller, inker, colorist, and letterer. I also serve as hype-man and marketing guru, because who else would promote my book if not me? I bet you didn’t know there were so many steps, or people behind each step (or maybe you did).

Step by step

The step you see before you is what I like to call a “Rough” and it is usually done by the “Penciller”, which I am at this stage. This is where I lay down all the important elements that I will later polish. This step, at least for me, comes right after all the thumbnails are done. In my opinion, this is one of the most tedious parts because this is practically the foundation for the whole page. Let me know your thoughts down in the comments.

Until next time, #drawwatuwant.

-Haro

Blocking My Time

This whole week I have been trying out something my sister pitched to me. It is a productivity method which I know I have used before but for some reason, I've stopped. I get overwhelmed easily and the last time I did that I was able to do so much within the time I gave myself. So, I decided to give it another try, cause hell, I got so much stuff I need to work on and I feel I have so little time for it. Then again, isn't that the same old song most of us sing; "I have no time for that!".

Block this!

I did a little googling (Yup, that's a thing now, in case you didn't know.) and found this awesome Youtuber (yup, that's also a thing) that mirrored the way MY MIND works when it comes to organizing stuff. I'll plug the video down below for those of you interested in watching it. In essence, the video talks about calendar blocking, which is just you putting down all the things you have to do within a week, into your calendar. This way you are able to see your week at a glance and can see if you have any holes that you can fill with things you need to get done. I just realized my days are so full, it kind of gave me anxiety just looking at the calendar. I need a drink now. 

It's my time

Why the hell am I talking about calendar blocking? Your guess is as good as mine, but it could be that I used the tool to help me organize this project that the Turlock Toon Skwad created. If you are still unfamiliar with who is part of this Skwad, then check out this post right here. I used the calendar schedule to make sure we got this commission done in time and it worked.  I must've developed temporary amnesia and completely forgot about the technique. So now, in the midst of me working on Ghosts comic and some Upperdeck Sketchcards, I am reorganizing myself so I can get the most out of my time. 

Until next time, #drawwatuwant.

-Haro

How do you manage YOUR time? Let me know down in the comments.

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