Espresso Grounds and Bleach
Sorry that today’s comic is going up a little later than usual. I’ve worked at Blue Monday every morning since coming home (eight days now!), and I’m still not so great at balancing Work + Comics + Friends. (Add Marriage + Babies to that equation and I think my brain would explode.) Last night I did manage to hang out with Goldfeather and Chris Schodt, which was wonderful! I also finished a little funny yesterday afternoon. Now I’ve gotta get cracking on my weekly Dispatch and my latest comic for Broken Pencil…no rest for the freelance cartoonist!
BUT FIRST! A few words about my Lutefisk Sushi minicomic:
I set myself a few rules with this one. As usual, I wanted to do an autobiographical story, but I wanted to change it up a little by making it a series of scenes (whereas Minnipeg was just snippets of jotted down conversation, and The (Old) Woman Question was more of an illustrated essay). I also wanted to use absolutely NO narration/breaking-the-fourth-wall, which I often rely on too heavily. I wanted everything in the story to be conveyed through the images or dialogue.
For format, I turned once again to the trusty 4.25″ X 5.5″ size. I really like working in that size; in fact, for now, I prefer it to standard comic size. I broke each page into four panels. The story is 16 pages long (or 64 panels), plus the covers.
For tools, I used my standard nib, dip ink, and Bristol, and then added some gray tones with a Prismacolor marker. I think a lot of the drawings are way too stiff. I tend to get that way when I’m working on longer projects–I overthink them and stress myself out, and they just don’t have the same fluidity that many of my quick Action Athena comics have. All in all, though, I’m still pretty pleased with this mini, especially the covers. I got it printed at Carleton College’s print shop, which is much larger and MUCH friendlier than Hampshire’s. I look forward to making more trips there this year!
Anyway, here’s some photos:
May 31st, 2010 at 4:49 pm
What to wear while waitressing, or at any job that requires you to look presentable but also clean up other peoples’ messes! Over the weary years I have figured out some basic rules of thumb:
-Patterned shirts are good for long shifts, because dirt/food stains aren’t as noticeable.
-Sleeveless shirts are better than T-shirts on hot days, because otherwise you’ll have sweat spots in your armpits. (Also, baby powder has become my BFF this summer.)
-Capris are great go-to pants: great for changing temperatures, casual but nice-looking.
-Sneakers don’t look as good as sandals or boots, but your feet will thank you!
-Cleavage gets you more tips, but this will also result in you becoming an angry Marxist.
-Nakey is also good, depending on the clientele. I consider our nudity a public service.
Hope your customers are treating you all right! If not punch ‘em and say it’s from me! <3
June 1st, 2010 at 2:07 pm
Heh, thanks for the advice, Wise Hannah! I will keep it all in mind. I plan to hit up the annual giant Carleton College garage sale for some decent cheap used clothes. Stuff that’s okay, but I won’t cry over it if it gets a big stain.
I hope your own post-college job hunt is going okay.