Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Incubus Tales site redesign

As regular readers of Incubus Tales will by now know, the comic's site has been redesigned to be less intense and easier on the eyes. The decision was made long ago to do this, but only recently have I really had the time to dedicate to getting things looking and feeling like I thought would be appropriate. Of course, I've still got to tweak a few things and make sure that it's going to work, but I think this is a lot better than how it was.

In other news, I've put Pandemonium Renaissance on hold temporarily, because I really need the right inspiration for something that is so much a work of concentrated art, I suppose is the best way I could say it. It's very intense to do, and I want to make sure I do it right. Additionally, having only Incubus Tales as an active, deadline-oriented weekly update comic has freed me some time and opportunity to do things like changing its site design, which I think is good. I'm also working on commissions (which I'd always like more of!) and some special projects, as well as fun stuff for all you readers.

For everyone wondering, Masquerose and Midnight Down are coming along beautifully. Everything is going along at a steady and pleasant pace, and I feel sure that it won't be a very long time before we see both active and there to be enjoyed. As the launch for Masquerose comes closer, I'll be more forthcoming with details, but right now I want to keep it something of a surprise. I hope you understand, and I'm sure you do!

Recently I also completed another project that I'll be sharing with you all when it's ready and released. I'm really happy with the work, and I'm sure you will all be able to appreciate it, as you always do.

In my spare time I've been doing my piano, which is coming along very nicely, and playing Lego Batman. It's a hilarious and fun game, and if you haven't played it, it's definitely worth a spin. Lots of fun, and it never takes itself too seriously...thank goodness!

See you next time!

Friday, January 8, 2010

New Design, New Direction

Well, I don't know if it's entirely a new direction, just a sort of different mindset, a different approach to things. I hope you'll enjoy it!

I'm keeping this blog to keep you all appraised of what's going on in my life, and I'll hopefully keep it pertinent to comics and other pro stuff. I'm sure other things will slip in from time to time though.

I'm really happy with the new design of my website, and I'm thinking it will stay that way for a long time indeed! I always get put-out eventually with my site designs, but this one is one that really pleases me for its smooth look.

As you may have seen, a new comic is coming called Masquerose. I don't know when it's going to start; that depends on how soon I can get it to a comfortable point and get everything else sorted out. Finishing the redesign was a huge step, though, so that'll make it much sooner that Masquerose will arrive. I hope you'll enjoy it when it does!

As promised, and as I've kept pretty secret for a while now, I am also going to be starting up Midnight Down again, but this time it will be an illustrated serial novel. I found it worked much, much better in that format, and I'm also much more satisfied with the outcome so far. I'll be linking that in on the site, of course, when it's ready!

Okay, so maybe a little personal stuff won't be unwelcome...I've been learning piano, which is something I've wanted to do for years and years, and I'm so excited/nervous about my lesson tomorrow. I've been working for the past three weeks on holiday assignments, such as learning new scales and chord progressions, and I've also been working on some classic Celtic tunes, 'The Earl of Moray' and 'The Blue Bells of Scotland'. I've pretty much got 'The Earl of Moray' presentable, although 'The Blue Bells of Scotland' is less smooth but still all right.

The reason why it amuses me so much is because 'The Earl of Moray' is the very song that lends its name to the term meaning 'misheard lyrics', 'mondegreens'. The book 'Scuse Me While I Kiss This Guy, a book of misheard lyrics from popular music, explored the concept of mondegreens extensively, as did its two popular sequels. The term 'mondegreen' comes from the pronunciation of a line in the song, 'they have slain the Earl of Moray / and laid him on the green', which was misheard as 'and Lady Mondegreen'. If you listen to a native singer performing it, it's probably easy to confuse. But it completely cracks me up nonetheless to be playing this song.

Anyway, I expect that's probably enough for one update. Keep checking back for more!

And keep reading my comics!