Stroxx

I've been asking around quite a bit where gifs would go on the art forum and after much loitering I decided I'll just go for it and make a topic for them here based on the answers I've gotten so far. Have to postpone cross linking and infrastructure for now, kind of in a rush. As always comments and CC is welcome!

Hope you guys enjoy!

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Into the desert

"Ackar offered to accompany the Agori leader if he was going to seek Mata Nui out, but Raanu said no. Torch in hand, he followed Mata Nui’s tracks into the dunes.

He found the object of his search sitting on rock, staring up at the stars."

I've already shot this question in the General Arts forum, and I've been pointed here, but I'd like to go for sure. What is the consensus on animated gif images that don't exceed the size limitations? Can I post them here in this forum?

Also while I'm at it, should there be one topic for any future gifs I might make or can each individual animated illustration have it's own topic?

Ooh! I've seen these on Tumblr! I really dig them! I always wanted to tell you that I really like the colour pick for the 2nd and the 3rd vector and the compositing are top notch. The 4th one is a bit off balance though.

They look pretty nice! The posings are a bit one sided though. Maybe a few jumps, kicks or even sitting? I'd be really interested to see more sketches from you.

You said he looks dorky, and I quite frankly agree. Great job on this powerful yet insecure Timelord of a Makuta. His skinniness makes me worry about his diet though.

 

I never read Swamp of Shadows or The Final Battle, mainly because I already knew what happened in them. Should I read them if I already read the wiki pages and have for years?

He would be more of a Timelord if he actually rembered what he did in the future. Would improve his klutzyness. XD

He probably isn't skinny on purpose. I'm pretty sure he even stuffs his face full of Bula jam every now and then. He is just skittish.

It mainly just adds salt to some of the instances but it doesn't expand on characterisation as much as Shadows in the Sky did. Krika gets rounded out the most and the Makuta introduction scenes are almost cinematic, but not much else.

T-t-this place... The lights... The forms... That giggly yellow Rahksii who smells slightly like freshly baked cookies... It's so familiar..

It's been so long... I think...

...I feel home.

A whole new slew of characters, more stories and even youtube vids. So much to catch on. It's really awesome to see you still at the comic making biz. I 've been rereading the 1st season and they still make me giggle just as much as I remembered them to. I love your dialouges.

Dat sword design. I really like Akuji's design and glowiness so far. I'm kind of suprised the guard haven't gone dual on him from the start, but swordplay seems pretty well referenced nontheless. It makes me curious, have you used swords before?

I also just noticed, but wasn't our local Makuta all black back on page 2? I don't remember his colour scheme being revealed back when the page first came out.

I don't recall it being brought up, and I won't say this is a final answer, but if it's animated I would think it would count as media.

I guess I'll wait a bit then?

I just saw your comment somewhere and the link in your signature immediately caught my attention! This is a real a gem, I've been giggling all the way! You have made a really good job presenting the whole story as an article, I really like it. And the part about the Mahi herd...

What is the consensus on animated gif images that don't exceed the size limitations? Can they be posted here or do the go to Fan Created Media? Thank you in forward for the answer!

This is great. You can tell immediately exactly who it is, and he definitely has a dorky feel about him. He seems like one of those "Fite me IRL" guys.

He certainly did come off to me as pretty insecure in the books. His part with Onua was just hilarious.

Hm, very interesting. I used to draw pictures of pre-ev Bitil a lot and it's nice to see your perspective on it. 

You've got to shoot me some links in pm, I'm really interested now! I'm all in for seeing others' renditions of Makuta.

 

I saw this first on my mobile and I couldn't write then. This is a beautifully rendered picture, the atmosphere just hits. I'm really in love with the high contrast between Vezon and the background and the colour palette perfectly delivers it. And do I spy a montage in the bg? How did you add this peculiar stroke effect to the picture?

Thanks for the comment! Haha yes, I bashed in an image of the Ignika from the comics to fill up the empty space I had there, that version fit the best and wasn't as distracting as the set form. As for the stroke effect, that was done by hand with a specific brush. I can't remember it right now as I'm at a different workstation currently, but it was a rake-ish brush with color dynamics settings (possibly from Houston Sharp? I've been going toward his set of brushes usually) and I'd just go back and forth using the colors from the artwork to create that effect.

 

That must have been some work. But it really did pay off. I still love this woodeny texture it gives of.

I saw this first on my mobile and I couldn't write then. This is a beautifully rendered picture, the atmosphere just hits. I'm really in love with the high contrast between Vezon and the background and the colour palette perfectly delivers it. And do I spy a montage in the bg? How did you add this peculiar stroke effect to the picture?

You forgot to add, that he makes awesome puzzles! Btw, nicely delivered! He certainly would distract the Toa! (Or lock them up in a garage)

Look, an unevolved dork bug.

As per usual, this is a pre-evolution and pre-mutation, G1 Makuta design. I thought this would take the least time to finish but I got stuck on his face, and then Undertale and Gravity Falls happened in my life. And some graduation film progress. You should have seen my first attempt on his face (not the mask, jus the face).

Next Makuta up, Spiriah.

As always comments, and CC are welcome and make me happy! =)

The fragmented shall pierce the Veil, the fragmented shall see the End.

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I have a question: What mask does miss angry fish wear?

That's a secret to be answered either at the end of this chapter, or at the beginning of the next one. Rest be assured, there will be at least one indirect hint thrown around before I wrap up this chapter.

PAGE 15!

Next page up! Next week: FINALLY FIGHT! Someone's gonna have a bad time! Can Seth get Traqq out in time?

Yeah, definitely looks nice! It was a pretty clever idea to use old G1 mask as part of his armour. If I'm right those two are the Avhokii and a Lhikan styled Hau on his shoulders?

I am really digging all these pre-ev designs. Amazing work! It would be neat to see Turaga versions of the Toa Mata or Nidhiki pre-ev, Barraki pre-ev, Karzahni pre-ev...

I just squeed really hard when I got to the part with the Toa Mata and Nidhiki. Smol, elderly-looking Toa Mata. All the wierd quirks they could have. The Barraki sound like an interesting concept too, though I never had the book themselves to familiarise myself with them that much. And thanks! Glad to hear you like 'em so far. =)

I actually like it how it's all in medias res. I really like to find out the little details on the way, as the story unfolds without having any inkling. It keeps you attention. It's also fun to guess and see if I get any tid-bit out like that.

Text bubbles look a lot better now. And you have some really well thought out bgs! Do I spy some tires in the background? Are the guards Toa? And is there artifical gravity in the AA gun?

PAGE 14!
 

Seth is on dry land again! But for how long?  Will he be promted to take another dive? How long can Ms Angry Fish concentrate? Who is she anyway? Any theories on who gets dunked first? Also below answers as promised!

Heeeeyyyyy why haven't I seen this??

I think I read the first two pages long ago or something, since they seem really familiar, but beyond that... it was great reading through the pages you have. I love this comic. The organic approach to their faces, how they seem to change and move like human skin and bones rather than a robot's lends itself well to your tightly-reigned plot- a relationship between friends so far. I do really miss the loose and sketchy art that just kind of drops out by page 8 of chapter 1. It gave it a very fluid and natural feel, like the pages were just effortless, and while I do love a produced look, it makes me miss the very early page style. That said, your backgrounds have grown incredible; I love the energy and care of pages 9 and 11.

 

Your panels are a bit stale, on the unfortunate side: either too clinical and uniform or not controlled enough (some panel shapes and locations have nothing in common with the rest of the flow, mainly size and margin alignment stuff) when they could lend more dynamic movement through the pages. The action in the latest page's panels reflect this but not the actual page setup. If you wanted to go the extra mile to really make the motions explode you could look into a style that can support quiet stable moments and also action beats as well and reads with a logical flow that keeps the viewer moving when and where you want.

 

And your covers are absolutely great- they have this wonderfully deep inky texture and the font is pretty inspired. Normally that type of font comes across as too kitschy but somehow you just added to the depths of the story and style; it makes me want to see how it fits into the story, wonderful.

 

Your Toa of water is gross, it's awesome to see an atypical character like that (though the framing of the bottom panel in page 10 raises some questions) and I'm just as excited to see what happens as I was to read the dynamic between Seth and Traqq.

First, it may be a really long overdue reply, but I was really suprised when you commented. You are one of my old time favourites back from the old forums, and I'm really happy you like my comic! It means a lot to me.

The sketchynes unfortunately dropped out because of the extensive undersketching that I started to use to keep things character correct. The comic itself is a shameless opportunity for me to excercise anatomy, backgrounds, scene composing and lately text bubbling.

I've also been more mindful of the panel layout since you mentioned it.  With earlier pages I was more focused on a bit more storyboardish look, showing as much of the panel as possible. I'm still unsteady in panel dynamics, but I'm planning on mainly bending them when there is  more motion. Not sure where to look for the pointers.

Woah, this is beautiful.

 

I can't lie, I'm not particularly a fan of your rendition of masks on the characters, but I can understand why you would draw them that way. Beyond that, the fact that the masks and everything else in these few pages is so amazingly drawn just sweeps away any complaints I could form, which would be minimal in the first place.

 

I love the characterization you managed to form in the characters in the few pages of dialogue and action you've made, it's impressive to say the least! And the fact that you can draw something so detailed and artistic to match that writing skill makes these a real gem. Specifically, I have to say my favorite part of this so far is that water effect in the last panel of page 11 for comic 1. It's just so fluid and...well and I don't know how to describe it accept to say that, to me at least, it's fantastic.

 

I can only hope you'll keep up the work!

I'm always so happy to hear when characters come through strong! And thank you! I'm trying to keep the story focused but still give time to linger.

Finally decided to click on your banner and check out your comic.

 

I.

Love.

This.

 

i always imagined all of the seas of the Matoran Universe to be of the Silver Sea and not restricted to just Metru-Nui, but I don't care because this is beautiful. And funny, very funny. I eagerly can't wait for more and will await patiently (irony at it's best). Hail now, as your topic has a new follower!   All hail Makuta Sethuldur (whom is funny as McSchnitt).

 

I must say, your design for biomechanical MU beings are unique.

There are some lore inconsistencies in the comic I'm aware of. The seas in the Spirit Robot are very likely silver or close to it on the surface. But I guess, that's another thing I could ise as a story element. XD

And Seth is honored! Thanks!

Please excuse the genericness of my response, but I like this.

Generic responses are just as important! I'm glad you like the comic!

Man, these are great! I'm glad you mentioned them to me, it certainly is great seeing more Hand-drawn comics here!

It's a very interesting style, to say the least; certainly unique, I cant say ive seen anyone draw bionicles quite like you do I like it!

The story is shaping up to be pretty interesting; that water toa does not exactly seem happy at all, I wonder what it was that they took from her?

Cant wait to see more pages!

--Akaku: Master of Flight

I really like the style of the movies, but I'm a cartoonist at heart and a die hard for details. Thank you! :3c

TQ fished off her "scarfy-thing" off her. She registered their boat when she passed under it, so she assumes that they still have it. Somehow. Magically. Who knows? But she is mainly miffed at them because of their behaviour. She is also pretty drunk.
 

PAGE 12 and PAGE 13

Okay, so it has been a really long time and I PROMISE I'll answer even long over due comments too, but I really wanna post some new pages before that. Graduation year is stepping right on my neck, gotta tend to that too before I start writing. Please enjoy page 12 and 13 for now!

And don't worry, I have a few more additional pages lined up till at least the end of October for a page a week update schedule.

EEEEEEEEY! Ahaha! I could just fill a whole page with Capped garble right now! This is NICE! I really hope you can make more, I really like it so far. Who's that shade guy? Is it powerful? Will that nice craft be a MacGuffin?

How far are you progressed with finished pages? You might want to make the channels thinner between panels to help the flow. Also text bubbles - aligning text to the center has a better visual appeal and fills out the bubble better.

And oh my gosh, I'm so happy to see another handdrawn in here.

I really do like these 3D models, especially Tuyet's sword (if I gathered it right). It reminds me of the old Metru pieces and fits in nicely with the era. What software do you use for modeling? Blender?

...

I like how you do little sketches to explain stuff. How long does it take to do those (hopefully not nearly as long as it takes to do your full drawings, that'd be weird). I must add that the tail bit is implemented very well, I also like the origins in thought.

 

 

 

Well I appreciate taking the time to look! You didn't need to do that.

 

And yes, it is evil. Eeeevill! Bwlahahaah!!

 

Visual explanations are easier for me and adds a little bit of flare anyway. They are usually just a few minutes. I do them while I jot down the replies either on paper or in WordPad.

I'm just as desperate on finding good fanfinction as any honest Makuta fan. That list is shamefully short. Might aswell throw in what I have, when prompted.

...

I'm so happy you uploaded these reference sketches...  It honestly didn't occur to me that the extra width might be intentional (shortsighted of me), but I had assumed you'd probably sketched out alternate views.  I don't think you have to worry about the details translating well into your designs.  The thought that you've put into these illustrations shows.  I agree with Iaredios that the inspiration for his form is very imaginative, and the details you have chosen really play to his character.

 

I'll look forward to Teridax then, I don't mind waiting. In the mean time I'll have to check out your comic!

 

No need to worry, lay the crits on me fair and square. If an intended detail can't be made out at first glimpse in visual media, it should be pointed out and improved on. Otherwise all the well thought out things go right out the window or don't hit the way they should. You were right to point out the tail.

For future reference, I'm open to debating stuff that doesn't seem right on my pics. I either cave in and correct the mistake in the main picture or throw in some explenatory pics with a long wall of text. Either way I'm totally okay with it.