Other cartoonists may have different ways of going about strip development, so keep that in mind as I offer my method.
I prepare a number of sketches of the characters with differing facial expressions. I also like to use tracing paper (or wax paper) to overlay on drawings to change expressions. Finally, I put the sketches in a panel approximately 13 1/2 by 4 3/8 inches. I try to consistently fit all my dailies into the same format. I do it large so when it is reduced after inking it looks sharper. I then ink the strip (at least until I am able to do it with my Wacom Tablet), scan it, and then add the type and logo. Enjoy!
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I've always been fascinated by hairless cats. Recently I spoke at a local high school and they had a hairless rat. So it was only natural to create my own in the strip. Enjoy and thanks for following the strip.
Anti-climatic, yes. But all super heroes are misunderstood at first. Electro-mutt is going to be one of my first 3-D sculptures. I'll post the photo when I finish it someday.
My son, Tanner, reminded me that part of the reason I started this blog was to share some of the behind-the-scenes of comic strip development.
So besides creating a persona for each character, the cartoonist must develop the character's appearance. The above sketches are different versions of Herman. Herman is based on my dog, April. The name Herman was my ex-wife's childhood pet's name. Any way, when doing a daily strip the character must be easy to draw and fun. The version of Herman I am using in the strip, though still changing a bit, is what I landed on. Enjoy! Electro-Mutt is my hero! Dressed in his red union-suite (long-underwear), he is ready to take on the universe. Or at least whatever I (we) dream up for him.
I hope everyone remembers, if you send me an idea and I use it, I will send you the original inked strip. A value of well over $.50. Ha! I've had fun with the shock collar, but it's time to move on. Herman is a smart cookie and will soon harness the power of evil to become our next great hero.
Dowey Bite (pronounced "Do He Bite") was my neighbor's dog. Dewey was the sweetest, most loving bulldog I have ever encountered. Unfortunately, in The Dog House he is the neighborhood bully, at least for a while. The name alone makes me smile.
My father-in-law, Hank, who is also my life's mentor loved the image of Herman getting zapped. Of all my commercial, medical, fine art, or cartoon drawings/paintinings, this was always his favorite. And by the way, Herman was his dog not mine.
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