click to visit larger image Epic of Sally Robertson, page 51 From the Fenworks |
I know parents feel this way regularly about their kids’ behavior, whether they want to or not, because they talk usually talk about it. Either resentfully, or they worry. But, this goes a little deeper than simple parenting. Brenna here is worried about genetics, which is another thing that comes up. I won’t say more, because the comic will tell that story as we go!
Anyway, I’m not making a commentary on parenting here, just telling a story.
I’ve been thinking about backgrounds a lot, even though I don’t always draw them. I do try to have at least one establishing panel per scene, so that we all know where we are and what’s there. And, of course, if the characters interact with the scenery I put them into it as well. But when I leave the backgrounds out, it isn’t just about laziness or expediency. It’s also because when I get into a deep conversation with someone, I blank out my surroundings! Blanking out the backgrounds in the comic creates a tight focus on the characters’ expressions.
Most of the time I’ve listened to someone monologue about comic backgrounds, they talk about how important they are, and then they compliment an artist that draws amazing backgrounds in every panel. And I do appreciate comics that pull that off, so I’m not knocking it. But I wonder if anyone has ever talked about the strategic removal of backgrounds, because I sure haven’t heard it yet.
Epic of Sally Robertson: Responsible Parenting originally appeared on Drawing Contraption on 2013/09/17.