Hello readers,
Today’s update will be postponed until this evening. The art and most of the lettering is done. However, I’m still fine-tuning some of the writing. Sorry about the delay. Who knew it’d be so hard to write for an overgrown parrot?
Be back soon,
-Eldon
Hello readers,
This will be another Thursday update week. Yes, the delays continue. I’m trying folks, but there is a ton of work to get through before this train gets back on track.
On a positive note, I’ve finally dropped a bunch of designs on the Patreon page. About six character designs with a short paragraph going into depth about each one. Worth checking out for background story info. They might also give you an idea about why some updates take longer than others. It can be read for free here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/massive-astray3-25622930
And as an added bonus, here are some Procreate pics I worked on last week.
Enjoy!
-Eldon
Hello Astray3 readers!
As stated above, this week’s update will drop on Thursday. Expect shifting updates to be the norm for the next couple of months. I’m playing catch up with a lot of non-comic production duties. The above being an example.
The above image will be the cover for the first Comixology collection of Astray3 chapter one. If I can manage it, each chapter will be posted on Comixology for easier reading on mobile devices. ( And another way for folks to support the comic. ) This also means more comic delays as I move onto the artwork for chapter two. ( Chapter three will soon follow. )
I’m also preparing for the Death Ray Expo in June. ( https://www.facebook.com/events/hilton-garden-inn-fayetteville/death-ray-illustration-print-expo/783748332000043/ ) Yes, I’ll finally start looking into attending shows and conventions. It will still be some time before the first Astray3 print book is ready for purchase. But, I’m laying the groundwork for that with these early shows. There will also be a shop for various Astray3 tchotchkes and assorted sundries soon. Look for that after the June show.
That is it for now. See you Thursday!
-Eldon
And a bonus! Procreate practice from last week. Enjoy!
Hello Astray3 readers,
No comic update this week. I’m currently working on Comixology versions of the first two chapters of Astray3. The above artwork will be the cover for the first chapter once finished. Chapter two will also have a custom cover. Of course, all this artwork takes up comic production time. As such, expect continued delays on comic pages till this work is wrapped up. ( I’ve been putting this work off for waaaaay too long. ) Please excuse the delays.
In other news, Astray3 chapter three will be ending soon! I estimate we are about five pages away from the start of the next chapter. Chapter four will be the last in the currently planned first Astray3 book. ( This will be followed by a short epilogue. ) Yes, this year will see the first assembled Astray3 book. I have no idea how to fund the first printing run yet. I’m considering either a short kickstarter campaign or possibly just a straightforward pre-order period. I’ll keep you all posted on further developments.
That is all for now. Till next time!
-Eldon
Hello readers,
This week’s update is being pushed back to Thursday. I’m currently juggling several projects in preparation for an event in June. This means Astray3 updates may become erratic as I shift the workload. The goal will still be to continue releasing comic pages once a week. However, the post date may vary. Keep your peepers down here for further notifications.
Now for a bit of good news. What are these projects I’m working on? First, I’m working on ComiXology versions of each Astray3 chapter. In addition to being a new way for readers to support the comic, this will be an easier way to read the story. I’m not completely happy with how Astray3 reads on the current website. Unfortunately, I don’t have the resources or time to address this in the immediate future. Hopefully, a website redesign will be something that can happen once I free up the assets.
Next, I’m looking into putting materials together for an event. June 29th will be the first Death Ray Expo show completely dedicated to NWA comic artists and illustrators. ( https://www.evensi.us/death-ray-illustration-print-expo-hilton-garden-inn-fayetteville/290920445 and https://www.facebook.com/events/hilton-garden-inn-fayetteville/death-ray-illustration-print-expo/783748332000043/ )
We are still too early for the first print edition of Astray3. ( The comic will cross the first book threshold this year though. I still have to figure out how I’m going to print the dang thing. ) So, whatever I can throw together for the show will be comic promotional materials and miscellaneous prints. These will principally available for visitors to the show. But, I will create a way to purchase prints and booklets online after the event.
That’s all for now folks. See ya Thursday.
-Eldon
Late…LATE…LATE!
This week’s update has finally posted! Part of the delay is due to experimenting with Clip Studio Paint for lineart and layouts. Hopefully, this will help with production once the kinks are worked out. So, bear with me as I figure out how best to integrate it into my workflow.
No translation needed this week.
Until next time!
-Eldon
No need for translations this week dear readers. ( No Saturday translation post. ) I thought the page could speak for itself this time.
There are a lot of new developments percolating under the comicy surface my friends. I just finished writing a lengthy update on the Patreon post for today’s page. I would suggest checking it out for more details. https://www.patreon.com/posts/24778364
That is all for now. Till next week!
-Eldon
Hello readers,
After a short delay Astray3 is back with page 27. While illness and work was the primary reason for the delay another was experimenting with a new coloring process. The new method is based on current digital painting processes. Of course, it’s simplified for the speedier demands of comic creation. I’m fairly pleased with the direction. Although, there is still plenty of kinks to work out and exploration to do with the new process.
In other comic news, updates should largely be back on schedule. However, I should know better than to jinx myself by declaring that. Let’s hope there won’t be any production obstacles over the next couple of weeks.
That is it for now. All the best till next week.
-Eldon
Sorry folks, I got hit by a bug that threw a wrench in the comic production last week. So, no update today. I hope to have a new page up by Thursday. However….I also have a work related trip coming up this week. Thus there maybe no update this week at all. Let’s hope I get a lot of work done over the next couple of nights. I apologize for the delay.
See you soon,
-Eldon
P.S. In the meantime, here are some of my Procreate doodles from the last several weeks.
Yes, there will be a comic update today. The art is ready, but the lettering just isn’t done yet. However, since I have work in the morning, I can’t finish the lettering till Monday night.
Sorry for the wait. It’ll be up before you know it.
All the best,
-Eldon