Under the sea, Under the sea. Oh, wait. No.

[secondlina]

To continue on yesterday's post about how my free time most be divided between working my art and anything social or cultural I need to be doing... I feel like my cultural knowledge is going down lately. I used to read books for classes, and even in class (I was bored). I learned so many fun things. I used to keep up with newspapers too. Nowadays? Not so much. The more I seem to work to make books, the less I seem to actually read them. I have a pile of novels and comic books wanting to be read in my living room.

Really Cool Book # 1 - Read me Isa! I will teach you about German expressionism!
Isa - ....grmbl....not now. Busy.
Awesome Book #5 - No, read me! I'll teach you about Lewis Carroll and his life!
Isa - .....Guys, c'mon...
Random comic #3 - What about me? I take traditional characters in a new compelling direction with strange spooky art!
Isa - I...what.....?
Dvd I just bought #6 - DOGPILE!
Isa - Aaaaaauuuuugh! *is dogpiled*

I used to read a lot of books on the way to work. You know, back in Ottawa when it took me about an hour to get there. Nowadays, it takes 30 minutes, and that's including 10 minutes of walking and a switch between the subway and a bus. It's just harder to read.

So I decided to use technology some more. I watch movie when I draw thanks to the computers in the studio and i'm finally trying out Audio Books. Hopefully this will bring my cultural levels up. Or something. I'm beginning to feel pretty stupid when I talk to people. *laughs*

.............................................................................................................................

Aside from that, here's a little peek at "Psychopompes", the printed comic i'm working on. This book is basically based on a story by Sartre called "The chips are down". It's about a couple who awakens in a (highly texturized) version of the underworld and are told they weren't suppose to die. They are sent back for 24 hours to fall in love and fill out their roles has soulmates. I focus greatly on the character travelling thru the underworld to reach the door that leads back to the surface. The characters meet odd and terrifying creatures of all kinds and, of course, death, who doesn't really like seeing her good work being sent back up.

Hopefully this will be good. I have high hopes for this comic.

First page, when the male lead called Lucien wakes up in the underworld, not remembering who he is, or his own death. he'll remember gradually later. That knife he wakes up next to? Yeah, that's how he died. Of course, there was someone holding that knife at the time. XD



Sketches of the two main characters, the girl, Kara and the guy, Lucien, along with other creatures.



The logo for Psychopompes is a textured skull. Isa likes.



This comic is in french, but i'm going to try to get some english prints too. :)

- Isa

Comments

[earthstar-moon.livejournal.com]

I have the same problem. So many books to read, so little time. I'm still making my way through that Lewis Carrol book.

Oh! I think I remember when you mentioned this comic idea last year. It sounds really neat. Also, the background looks really cool.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Psychopompes has been in development hell for about a year. I finally get to draw it!

I read one chapter of the lewis carroll book *is fail*

[elirrina.livejournal.com]

I wish I had more time to read.

This looks exciting! And I could practice my French!

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Reading comics = best motivator to learn french ever

[putri-nih.livejournal.com]

C'est ma methode preferre pour etudier votre langue :)

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I learned english with sesame street. That's fun too.

And I barely have no side effects. Except for the occational saying of "Three, three bats, ha. ha. ha." in a heavy transalvinian accent.

[rose.livejournal.com]

Per usual, glamourous sketches and elegant inks! You will never cease to impress me with your fluid illustrations and comics.

And I'm actually in the same boat as you! Ever since I started professionally writing I have been reading less and less. Last year, I didn't finish a single book. Not one! I used to go through two - three a month while in school.

I always make the excuse, for my lazzzzy, that it's because "I wish not to be influenced by others while working on my own craft!!". Which makes me sound like a complete and utter snooty dickhead buuut nauseates others just enough to get friends off the topic when it arises, ahaha.

The worst part is that continuing to read while one writes is absolutely essential. It keeps you fresh, and prevents you from falling into the habit of using the same conjunctions over and over, the same interjections, the same bad behaviors, etc.

I was thinking about starting an online book club with my friends. I figure, if I do this, it'd be like being back in school again, which is good since I am obviously an irresponsible child anyways who can't finish the smallest of books on my own! haha. Reading the book will be my homework. If I show up to a meet without having met the goal.... ~*FLUNKY shame*~ will ensue. Problem solved?? I hope. :'(


Anyways, don't worry about not keeping up with books, comics, movies... whatever! Everyone does it at some point! And I'm sure, when you're ready, the tides will change and you'll get the chance to pick up and begin again. Try your best to not compare your reading endeavors, too. It's a very circumstantial situation. You're just not in the same spot you were before. In time you'll adjust and form a new, comfortable median. :)

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

You will never cease to impress me with your fluid illustrations and comics.

Aw, you know...hee *is bluching* Thanks!

I used to read about 4 books per month. Now i'm lucky if I get one done in 7 months! A few people said to me that it was probably better due to the "I wish not to be influenced by others while working on my own craft". I always though "people are going to think i've got one hell of an ego if I use that excuse". It's true that the books you read really do influence what you draw. Maybe try to avoid books that relate to what you are doing too strongly? That way you "keep it fresh" as you say while avoiding strong influences in the same direction?

I just want to read and have my own library with a ladder that rolls that I can sing on, like Belle XD

An online book club is not a bad idea. I would probably flunk too!

Yeah, I agree with what you said. I seem to still be in some kind of adjustment period. Damn limbo. Are you ever over *shakes fist at limbo*

At least i'm trying audio books. If I like it, it's a good lack of knowledge counter!

[engelen.livejournal.com]

I like that skull :3

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Who doesn't? :D *is in love with the skull*

[spankingfemme.livejournal.com]

Sounds like an epic story hun! =D Loving the sketches as always to :)

As for time and culture, I find muli-tasking to have become an integral part of my life just in an effort to keep up (hence my laptop being strapped to my treadmill so I get both exercise and internet time in :P) The books on tape sound like a marvelous idea! =D I hadn't thought about that combined with art! *snags for self!* Thanks ;)

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

I got the idea from a friend on deviant art saying she was listening to David Tennant telling "How to train your dragon" on audio book while drawing fanart. That seemed to be a brilliant idea!

[spankingfemme.livejournal.com]

OMG! Davit Tennant telling HTTYD! That is too awesome! (I'm a huge 10th Doctor fan!) That is win all around! =D

[kuridee.livejournal.com]

OH MY these are gorgeous. *A*

You have so much going on, how do you do it all? D:

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I worked hard on them!

How do I do it all? I don't! *laughs* See precedent post - i'm pretty behind on everything and entering a giant deadline bottleneck.

Generally, I just try to prioritize art over everything. Though friends come a very close second. And I like being busy. Though I don't recommend it - usually I get big periods of doing nothing, probably because I take on too much in too little time, so right after i'm done, I crash completly. I still need to balance stuff out. XD

[kuridee.livejournal.com]

No problem! :D

Ahhh. I like being busy, too. So wait, you said you're a part-time artist and you have another job? I totally know how you feel right now, after reading your previous post. Kinda. I don't get paid to write (not yet, anyway... *crosses fingers*), but when college was in session it was so hard to work and study and fit in writing time. Now that it's summer it's hard to work and WORK and fit in writing time. But I'm doing okay. Eventually things do even themselves out, right?

And do you ever wanna be a full-time artist? Like, if you could live off it entirely, would you?

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I'm sure that if you don't give up on it, things do work out. But you need to really push for them to happen. Stories about artists "randomly discovered" are heard often, but rarely true. It's really all about passion and work and dedication. Love what you do, pour your energy in it and don't be afraid to communicate. That's how you will get it done!

And since you're such a great person to talk to, I know you will excel at the energy and communication parts for sure.

I would honestly love to be a full time artist, but a comic artist, not really an illustrator or web designer. And that's usually pretty hard. It happens for a select few, and later in life. But I dare to dream to be one. I wish for it everyday, with all my heart. :D

[kuridee.livejournal.com]

That's what I hear--what it takes is hard work and dedication. But I feel like it's easier said than done, y'know? Sometimes I get really down and other people have to push me, but you just gotta get right back on your feet, right? XD

Aww, thank you so much! You're too kind. :3

And I'm sure you'll do it someday. If I had your talent, I would definitely want to be a comic artist, too. *A*

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

It is easier said then done. But it's worth trying. A lot of people don't try because it's too hard.

[kuridee.livejournal.com]

Wells, you never get anywhere without taking risks, amirite? If something's hard that just makes it worth it in the end. :D?

[putri-nih.livejournal.com]

Re: books

It's like when you're done with one awesome book/series you discover there are MORE that can teach you about subject X and you think to yourself...crap.

Psychopompe's inking is love and I see Chris Sanders influence a lot here.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Re Re: Books

Yeah and then you're all "Noooo! I missed details! Important details! That I could have inserted in my own dissertation/art/conversation"

I wish I had a chris sanders artbook. I would loooooove that. So I can absorb his knowledge. (Mwahahahahah)

[jason-register.livejournal.com]

This comic looks very cool. I likes too.

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

Glad you do! :D

[angelchan-2004.livejournal.com]

I'm loving the sketches and whatnot. Your pen skills are always a pleasure to look at<3

Just reminds me that I never got to buy your previous comic! D: I think I'd lost track of everything and never got to pay. *fails*

[secondlina.livejournal.com]

I still have like...2 copies or something. I need to check. But if I still have some around, it's never too late XD

Thanks for your nice comments! you guys are so sweet!