5th in a series of 8, and first pic I've completed in '05

Now more confident in her shoes' ability to handle the mud (remember those massive platforms hidden in the muck), Tina ventures into an area even wetter (evidenced by the pools of standing water), and sinks in just a little bit more.

Analog: brush-inked pencils
Digital: Micrografx Picture Publisher & Ulead PhotoImpact
Attributions: on image
Original posting: 01/05/05. Reposted to modifiy attributions

4 of 8.

Originally these pics were going to have captions of Tina's thoughts, self-narrating why she gets such a kick out of slogging through the muck. At this point she would've been describing to the viewer what a thrill she's getting standing in almost eight inches of gooey muck wearing only maryjanes, (of all things), and still hasn't gotten any mud inside them, thanks to their massive platform soles.

I've been experimenting with ways to improve the shading, highlights and outlines of the eyes. I may actually be on to something.

Analog: Brush-inked pencils
Digital: Micrografx Picture Publisher
Attributions: on image
Original posting: 12/29/04. Reposted to modify attributions

3rd of 8.

A few steps further, and Tina is in deep enough to have to pull hard to overcome the mud's suction on each step. Never mind her expression though, she's getting a substantial thrill out of this. And as a bonus she still hasn't gotten any mud inside the shoes yet.

So far, the hardest part of these pics has proven to be coloring the mud and the footprints she's leaving in it. The pencils and inks for the whole series was done in September, but I only decided to go ahead with completing and posting them shortly before the first was posted.

Analog: Brush inked pencils
Digital: Micrografx Picture Publisher
Attributions: on image
Original posting: 12/27/04. Reposted to modify attributions

Second of a series of 8.

Tina walks out into the mud, apparently pleased at the wide margin of protection her platform shoes are affording her. It's a pretty good bet she's going to go further.

Analog: Brush inked
Digital: Micrografx Picture Publisher and Ulead PhotoImpact
Attributions: on image
Original posting: 12/26/04. Reposted to replace reference to SA with FA

Tina loves platform shoes. But a quirk of hers is she gets a kick out of slogging through gooey mud in them (the platforms let her go deeper without getting any in them). Continuing where the last comic left off, she's about to do the dirty deed to a pair of maryjanes you can see by Googling "Demonia Sin" (just so you know I'm not exaggerating the ones in the pic--and yes, the style name is just a coincidence). Up to seven more pics are slated to follow this one before the next comic.

Analog:Brush inked
Digital: Micrografx Picture Publisher and Ulead PhotoImpact
Attributions: On image.
Original upload: 12/18/04. Reposted to replace reference to SheezyArt with FurAffinity.

Tina takes a break from getting to know her surroundings to reveal a quirk in her personality, an activity that gives her an irresistable buzz, which will manifest itself in the next eight pictures to appear here.

The second page of this installment gives a hint as to what she's planning to do. Nothing earthshaking, but she's had the habit for quite some time before my work started appearing here.

Inking: Brush
Processing: Micrografx Picture Publisher
Attributions: On image

Second part of the seventh installment. Yes, Tina's been doing this for quite awhile before manifesting it here (it's in her profile).

Probably explains why Todd isn't surprised. (though he probably hasn't seen what Tina was alluding to in the third panel (example in the URL below))

Inking: brush
Processing: Micrografx Picture Publisher
Attributions: on image

Just briefly mining a headline for material, and the oppurtunity to actually post more than one pic in a week's span.

Image: brush inking
Processing: same app as before.

Installment 5, page 1

Even though listed as number five, this is actually a continuation of installment four, which fell short of fully describing a certain characters' reaction to being twice picked as a trade subject.

Brush inking + Micrografx Picture publisher. Reuploaded due to a defect in the .GIF that resulted in the first one appearing under "files" (weird)

Installment 5, page 2

Brush inking + Micrografx Picture Publisher.

This installment had the shortest completion time (about 3 days worth of spare-time work from conception to posting) to date. Not terribly fast by the standards of some, but an improvement on my previous work.

Detail of "Wakeup Call"

When I originally inked "Wakeup", I spent a fair amount of time (okay, a few minutes during a local 'furmeet') inking the hair and its highlights.

The amount of detail didn't translate well when I colored the pic (too complicated), and I wound up replacing the inkwork with a simplified set of color highlights and shadow.

Depicted here is a detail shot of the original inkwork before I colored it, all done with a size 2 Windsor & Newton round-bristle brush and Speedball ink. It's also one of the best examples of the technique I've done to date.

[Comment] link links to this image on FA. Description there links to the color version.

We all know the feeling. For some of us, it hits too early. Tanya reacts to the racket of a less than pleasant alarm clock.

Brush inking digitally processed with Micrografx Picture Publisher.

Examining the first art-trades involving the group.

Several months have passed since the trades being mentioned were first completed and the characters' acknowledgement of them, so yes, I'm finally catching up to the present.

Brushes resume inking duty next time--the Microns looked okay on paper, but needed extensive cleanup after scanning at 300dpi.

Installment four, first page of a two-pager acknowleging my first art trade here. Second page should appear before AC04 is underway.

Ink brushes take a breather this time while a new set of Microns breaks in on this pic. Same image processor as usual.

Page one of the third installment. Ignore the "02" on the page numbers -- that was before I realized this was the third set of comics posted.

Brush inking, processing by Micrografx Picture Publisher and Ulead SmartSaver.

Page two of the third installment. The last panel is explained in my readme files, updated with this upload. More detailed info included in a seperate document.

Brush inked, same image editors/ compressors as before.

Third page of installment three.

Brush inked, same image editor and compressor as the others.

#2 in a series.
Tanya wonders out loud what things there are to do now that the group is being exhibited in an online gallery (yeah, this one).

This comic was actually drawn before the preceding one, but it was held back when it was determined that their living arrangements needed a little explaining. Future installments are expected on an irregular basis.

A continuation of a comic I crafted for my website prior to joining VCL, now it uses the VCL as a backdrop and environment for my characters to operate in. For now, they're getting used to their new digs here.

Future installments may involve events here and could be influenced by contributions from other artists, either by story ideas or the involvement of their own characters.
(no promises) :)

While Roland tries to decide whether or not he likes his new sneex, Nei'chelle strolls by, and unwittingly gives us a glimpse of what's going on in her head. This happens to be among her tamer impulses, though.

Brush ink, and the usual image app referenced in my other pics.

copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

For the longest time, Roland's design included a pair of Reebok Classics as his typical shoes. This summer he got an update, seeing as somehow, massive basketball shoes looked better with shorts, and the Converse Weapon got the nod.

Later on I bought a pair myself, only to find I got the box colors wrong in the pic. I'll correct the pic someday but for now it's waited long enough to be uploaded (delayed by the blackout and a subsequent computer failure).

Brush inking processed with Micrografx Picture Publisher 8.

Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

"I Don't Want to be a Pin-up".

Concieved to spoof the title of "We Don't Want Another Hero" from the Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdrome soundtrack. Tanya makes a determined effort to not simply stand there on a white backdrop, while Tina attempts to warn her that her impulsive action isn't too well thought out.

Brush inking processed with Micrografix Picture Publisher 8.
Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

'Nei'chelle' as she appeared in 'What, Me Furry?'.

Nei'chelle was created to formally introduce my existing characters to the online fandom via the comic named above, which can be found on my site. (previously, I did not allude to fandom's existence with their material)

The fact she's parading around in the buff, (she's one of the 'why do I need clothes?' crowd) is intended to cause friction between her and some of the existing characters and will probably be responsible for attracting more traffic to my gallery than anything else :)

The overall intent is to treat VCL as a virtual community, inhabited by the characters stored within it, which means cross-creator-character interaction is being invited :)

--Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

'Tina' as she appeared in 'What, Me Furry?". Brush-inked during C-ACE, digital color with Micrografx Picture Publisher 8. "Dutch" platforms by Steve Madden.

(Observation) I seem to be getting better at rendering semi-shiny surfaces. Spooky.

--Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

'Bastien' as he appeared in 'What, Me Furry?'. Penciled and brush-inked during C-ACE, digital color and physical alterations via Micrografix Picture Publisher 8. Sneakers by...aw c'mon, do I have to tell you?

--Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

'Todd', as he appeared in 'What, Me Furry?". Penciled and brush-inked during C-ACE, digital color and physical alterations via Micrografx Picture Publisher 8. 'California' sneex by Puma (no pun intended).

--Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones.

'Sherryl', as she appeared in 'What, Me Furry?". Brush-inked during C-ACE, digital color and physical adjustments via Micrografx Picture Publisher 8. Shoes by Wanted ;) .

Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

'Roland', as he appeared in "What, Me Furry?". Penciled and brush inked during C-ACE, digital color via Micrografix Picture Publisher 8. Sneakers by Reebok :)

Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

Tanya, depicted as she appeared in "What, Me Furry?".

I completed this particular image during a Yerf room party at C-ACE 03. If any photos depicting this debauchery manage to escape, I'm the one working the mini-laptop and Wacom, finishing this image.

Brush inking processed with Micrografix Picture Publisher 8

Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones

Cynthia, presented as she appeared in "What, me Furry?". As usual, she's up to no good.

Brush inking processed with Micrografx Picture Publisher 8, plus photographic textures for her jeans.

Copyright 2003 Patrick C. Jones