New (Or improved) Art Style?

Tenshi · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 2594 Location: Star Stuff

Maybe it's because I just caught up from where I left off quite some time ago, and all I had in the meantime was the physical copy of Volume I, but it seems like your art style has changed a great deal since I last watched the Earthsong page like a hawk, Lady.

At first it sort of put me off, the added details made the characters seem much more strange at first, though I could not tell why. Once I got to thinking about it, and looking at the pages more thoroughly, I realized it... they look much more real now than they did before. There is much less "cartoony" appearance, and a more "colorful cel-shaded picture of reality" feel to it now, at least to me.

I am definitely digging this new art form of yours, please keep up the extraordinary work. Hopefully enough people will purchase Volume I so that I can purchase Volume II, because the pages truly come to life much more on paper than they do on my computer screen.
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Asenath83 · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 47

That's one thing I like about webcomics, seeing the style of the artist evolve and improve bit by bit.
For example, check the first pages of Zap in Space and then compare the current ones to them. You probably won't even really notice any changes as a regular visitor but in direct comparison, the improvement is impressive.
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YatesOfYore · Site Admin Joined: 27 Dec 2006 Posts: 854

Well I'm glad it's not off-putting in the end Wink

I'm a lot happier with where my art is these days, though I'm sure I'll hate it come a year or so - lol... 'tis the curse of an artist to hate your own art.

Thanks!
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Tomato · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 312

Really? And I thought it was just myself and Van Gogh who did that XD

(EDIT: I'm not trying to draw any comparisons between myself and the lady and van gogh with this statement, other than that we all seem to hate our arts. Yay.)
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Tenshi · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 2594 Location: Star Stuff

@Asenath: Yes, Zap in Space is another comic with a DRASTIC change over time. The difference between the first page and the current page is mindboggling, it's hard to believe the same artist drew them both. Another comic with similar drastic art changes is Sluggy Freelance, if anyone's read that one.

@LadyYates: It's actually very beautiful now! I think that the characters are much more able to convey emotions, and some of the striking facial expressions have actually caught my breath for a moment (granted, all Nanashi). Facial expressions are incredibly difficult for me to grasp in any medium, I envy you! I also wonder, how many copies of Vol I do I have to buy for them to print Vol II? lol
_________________
. Dubbed "Usagi" by AsA .
Keeper of the Siderean Swords

"If by chance some day you're not feeling well, and you should remember some silly thing I've said or done, and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart, then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled."
Red Skelton

Asenath83 · Joined: 14 Apr 2008 Posts: 47

sythiar · Joined: 21 Apr 2008 Posts: 17 Location: Switzerland

I must admit that I was of those who didn't like the change in the art style at first. Mostly because I thought that it was more inconsistent than the old one. But I got used to it. I now think that both have got their good sides and actually prefer some of the character portrayals to the older style. Especially with Nanashi and Tristram.

Tenshi · Joined: 18 Apr 2008 Posts: 2594 Location: Star Stuff

Hilaryho · Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 12

The change in style is a definite improvement Lady, I just look at the folds in Willow's dress on every page and think 'wow'.
The only teeny criticism is that Willow's hair seems to lack the volume and general prettiness it did at the beginning of 'the journal'...Perhaps its just the length and the fact that her hair is wavy and rather heavy, but think it's due to the greyer highlights in her hair making it look a bit greasy. Her eyelashes seem to have gotten shorter also.
You can tell i'm really superficial complaining about a character not being as pretty as she used to. Laughing

Seriously though, I love the new colouring and definitely, definitely love the improvements made to the other characters designs (Tristram. Wow.) I think of your old artwork and developments you've made are outstanding. I'm so jealous!

RoseBlood · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

Yes, it actually looks as if your characters have grown up a few years since Volume I....

Willow and Nanashi specifically.

I like it.
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RoseBlood=Rose/Blood= Red
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Rolaoi · Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

sylph_14 · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 7

I really like the style Very Happy

It's a lovely style for the comic, but it also has a story-book illustration feel to it, which I think is a nice mix.

Shiru04 · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 31

The first thing I noticed about the new style? Willow's eyes. They've always been big and sparkly, which made me see Willow as an overly innocent character.

The smaller eyes work a lot better for the current "I'm extremely agitated at my situation" Willow.

Fenomena · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:17 am Post subject:

I love the variation between the characters faces :3 It's often hard to make characters look unique, but in Earthsong, everyone stands out as an individual

I get the feeling that this post is a huge grammar/expression FAIL
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Lady Dea · Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 10 Location: Winnipeg

There has been a sort of two year pause since the past time I read the comic, and last night when I reread it I was pleasantly surprised. I really like this new style, it seems so much more fluid to me. I especially love the pouty-lips.

Edit: Whoops, I so totally didn't notice the last reply was in August. What's the necromancy policies here?