Final Blog Post

Over the course of the term, I developed and improved on many skills. I learned a lot about myself as well.

One skill that has always been difficult for me is organization. Without a question organization was important in completing my comic book. I take two English courses and had to complete two projects in one term. This was extremely difficult and would not have been possible if i did not stay organized and did not manage my time well.

Another skill that was put to test was my writing skills. I realized that writing comic strips is similar to writing a short story. I decided not to do a lot of writing, and only write a few words for each comic. Thus the wording i chose was really important. I also took advantage of drawing in detail to "show" rather than "tell".

I did a lot more reading than I expected. The first half of the term I spent reading comic books, and read a book on the basics of writing comics. After reading I developed a good understanding of how to write comics.

My listening skills were somewhat important. I worked with Cyn, (more in the first half of the term). We bounced a lot of ideas off of each other. I tried to listen to what she said and apply it to my work. We also did a couple of interviews at comic con. Out of respect for the artists, I listened carefully to what they had to say.

I learned a lot about myself through the process. I think that I work better independently. Towards the end of the term Cyn and I split and wrote our own comics. I also noticed that if i started a comic on one day and finished it another day that I could add more details in my comic strips. I have never really drawn much before but I think my drawing skills improved quite a bit. I think with a little more practice drawing comics could come a little easier to me.

I have learned a lot about myself over this past term. Creating comics has been a blast and I learned so much about art and comics, things I never thought I would ever learn. My writing and drawing skills have improved tremendously. Before this term I could barely draw a straight line and I had trouble free drawing. I was never very good at free drawing but after creating so many comics and taking the time to actually think about what I wanted my final product to look like, I have improved in this area greatly. I also believe that my writing skills have improved a little bit. Blogging every night was tough but being able to express myself freely and knowing that people would be reading my words helped and motivated me pick and choose my words carefully. As a student I have learned a lot about time. Before this assignment I would usually set high goals for myself and fail to meet them due to time management issues. But this project has taught me to not have such high expectations but to be more realistic when setting goals and due dates.

           

What I enjoyed most about this project and my final product was the uncertainty of it all. In the beginning I had this clear image of what I wanted my final product to be but once midterm came around everything changed. I was going in a completely different direction then I had previously been going and everything seemed to be spiraling downwards. At first I was worried but I learned to trust my instincts and not give up so easily. I am glad I did because I am so happy with my final product. I honestly thought it was going to turn out terrible but I surprised myself by really stepping it up these past two weeks and just let my mind do all the work.

           

I don't really have any recommendations for next year but one thing I really thought could go in a different direction is the calendar. I know it was mandatory to fill out at least two but I never really once looked at my calendar. I don’t have any suggestions for what could replace the calendar for next year. Something more concrete would be ideal. Maybe there is a website or an app out there that organizes things just like this. I tend to loose papers and don't usually refer back to my notes so it was only natural for me to not use the calendar. It was very helpful though to create the due dates in the beginning just to get my mind thinking about what I wanted to have done by the end of the project.

         

Overall I had a last doing this project. I am glad my partner and I really pulled through with our comics. I would definitely suggest this project again for next year’s students but also warn them that none of it is as easy as it seems. 

--Cyn

IM DONE!!!!!!!!!!! ITS GREAT ! i'm finally done. all i have to do it the last blog! YAYYY

Over the weekend I worked on my presentation. I am putting together a few of my old sketches and comics that I didn't put into the book in a binder to display during the presentations. I also worked on fixing my video errors. I'm really hoping that the video turns out well because I worked really hard editing it and it took forever. I have been managing my time well. IM EXTREAMLY worried about the comic book not getting in on time because the company said it wasn't shipping until Monday. This is because of certain fonts I used apparently? I have prepared a backup presentation for class incase the book doesnt get here on time. This way I will be prepared no matter what and with most definently have the book for the bigger class presentations that we will be doing. 

Tonight I finished up the last of my comics and scanned them into the computer. I put them into my comic book and will do the last editing tomorrow in class. Today in class I did a little research for my last comic, i want it to be something really funny that not only girls can relate to but boys as well. I really hope my book is in on time for my presentations but im pretty sure it will be. I'm also very happy that i am meeting the may 18th deadline. 

In class today I finished scanning the comics that I have done right now. Im encountering my first technologic difficulty. Some of the black in my comics is coming out blue and the blue in my comics is coming out black. Its very frustrating and I think I might have to redo this comic. 

Tonight I finished scanning all the comics onto my computer. I have started up creating my online comic book in paperback to be sent to me. I'm almost done with all my comics. I have been creating a lot of one pannel comics. They are more fun to me and its less hard creating the exact picture six times. With one pannel comics I can spend more time detailing just one and getting a lot more to look at then just simple six pannel ones.

I just learned how to scan!!! I scanned all my photos onto the computer and it was quick and easy. I'm so glad that this wasn't something I would have to stress over. Now I can edit my comics right from my computer! I have learned a lot about technology throughout this project. When you need to rely on it most it usually doesn't come through for you but thankfully I haven't had too many technology issues!

An update on my week

           This week has been rather chaotic for Cyn and me. We have been working hard to accomplish our goal of creating a comic book. I have a personal goal of doing 10 comics. This may not seem like a lot, but our project evolved quite a bit. We did a lot more research and reading than we expected. Through reading, I was able to improve my analyzing skills. The comics that I read were also inspirational. They triggered several ideas for me.

In class Monday Cyn and I worked independently. I worked in the classroom drawing and drafting comic ideas. I listened to some music and got into the zone. However, I do tend to get side tracked when I work in the classroom. Outside of class I finalized my latest draft.

Tuesday I worked more on my comics in class. I made a rough draft. I like doing my rough drafts in class and finalizing them outside of class. Today Cyn and I decided to take different approaches on our finalized product. I will be creating a comic book with a small book that I have. Whereas Cyn will be scanning her comics and creating a book electronically.

Wednesday night I spent about half an hour drafting a comic. I also read some Calvin and Hobbs because I had a tough time falling asleep. I ended up reading a lot more than I expected.

Thursday in class Cyn and I decided to go to the library and work. This was a great idea. We sat at a table in the back of the library and worked diligently throughout the block. I was able to stay focused the entire time because there was barely anyone in the library. It was the quietest the library has ever been in my few years here. I definitely plan on working in the library next week. Outside of class I was busy with other work and one acts so I did not have a lot of time to draft comics. I started to finalize the one I worked on in class.

Friday in class I worked on my log and tried to incorporate my habits of mind/ what works well for me, and what doesn’t.  After this week I have decided to work more in the library, it can be very easy to get distracted in class when I hear other people talking about their projects. 

-Eric

I'm learning a lot about these new websites. One of them is Shutterfly.com its really interesting and seems easy to use. I am going to learn how to use a scanner if I want my picture quality to be excellent. Today talking with Eric and Mr. Igoe was awkward, I felt bad like I was ditching Eric but we are still helping each other out. I am finishing the comic I started today in class. Everything is going well right now! 

Things I am learning about myself:

-I have learned that I work best by myself. Working with Eric has been fun but we both are pretty stubborn so its hard to agree on things. 

-I have learned to meet deadlines and stay on top of my work

-I have learned how to manage time between the drawing and the writing and the reading and research. 

-I have learned that when you really want something accomplished you have to stay on top of your work. I have learned I don't do this well. 

Yesterday I wasn't in class but I had a chat with Mr. Igoe. We decided that Eric and I should write different comics and our final projects will be two different comic books consisting of about ten different comics. Hopefully I can create more. 

Today I finished my proposal thingy in class. It was tough filling out my strengths in most of the categories for some reason but I'm glad my calendar is coming along. Hopefully we can meet our deadlines!!!!

The one comic a day is going to a little unrealistic but hopefully we can get as much as we can done before our deadline. I have been looking at the website fmylife.com for ideas and it's helps a lot to get my thoughts flowing. Eric and I talked about what we want our final project to be. We have different ideas a little bit so we will have to meet half way. 

Over this past week I have been so busy making comics that I have forgotten to blog! To fill you in, Friday we did presentations which went well. On Monday and Tuesday I was finishing working on a drawing on my iPad. Mr. Igoe didn't like it but I still believe that it will be fine and everything. Eric and I have decided to pump out these last comics. One a day till the 18th!!

I JUST REALIZED I HAVE BEEN POSTING ON THE WRONG BLOG FOR THE LAST WEEK!

Drawing Comics

Today Cyn and I drew comics during class. Mine is about a life guard calling adult swim, and a kid going through drastic lengths to swim. I got a little caught up with the detail of my drawings and did not finish it. Outside of class I drew a female character. My goal is to draw a character every day to try to develop one I want to draw on a consistent basis.

Character Developed

In class yesterday I finally developed a character that I like drawing. This is a huge step forward. I have spent some time thinking about funny comic strips and started drawing one out today. I look forward to finishing it up tomorrow.

Yesterday after class I downloaded "brushes for my iPad." it's tough getting used to the program but it's pretty helpful because now I can draw on my iPad and save everything there. I duplicate and copy and everything else. It's pretty cool! -Cyn