Usually these comics are drawn on strips of paper trimmed from a larger piece, but this one was actually drawn on a strip of toilet paper- which I guess qualifies as an "end strip" of a kind. It all started when a Facebookfriend named Ian J. Miller posted this:
"Murphy's Law: I socially distanced myself as a freelance artist working from home for 10 years. Then when I decided I was tired of socially distancing I got a day job I really enjoy. Today marks one month since I started that day job and the office is closed and I'm now at home socially distancing again.
At least I have all this toilet paper."
I posted a comment about how it's difficult to draw on toilet paper, which got me to thinking that I shouldn't make a categorical statement like that until I have actually TRIED to draw on toilet paper. My first attempt was a portrait of Ian from his Facebook profile pic, which turned out well enough that he asked me to send it to him. This strip is my second effort.
Observations: due to the fragility of the paper surface, I cannot use pencil, let alone make erasures. The paper is semi-transparent enough that I can do extremely loose tracing. All the drawing is done directly in ink with a brush. The technique I use is close to drybrush, with faint, subtle initial strokes building tones up gradually. A brush heavily loaded with ink will make a mark that blots and spreads out, so for the most part I keep the brush fairly dry. The brand is Scott, I believe, which has a surface with a tighter texture than some brands like Charmin which tend to fuzziness. l may experiment with watercolor or acrylic down the line.
From the top, the portraits are of Socialist presidential candidate Eugene V. Debs, French actress Julie Delpy, radio host Doctor Demento, and modern dance choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker.
It's been a while since I've done any new premiums for my Patreon page, so here's a quarantine special. Any Patreon sponsor who requests one can get their own portrait on toilet paper, while supplies last (Eve actually found a package on a recent trip to the grocery store, so I think we're in good shape). Just make the request in comments below, or message, email, or call me directly. I can either send you the art by snail mail immediately, or if you have health concerns I can delay sending until the present crisis has passed. For those of you reading for free, this may be an opportune time to sign up and see all the fabulous sponsor-only content I've been posting, including pages from my 1976 sketchbook. Levels start at only $1 a month!
Previous strip: https://www.patreon.com/posts/34909918
Next strip: https://www.patreon.com/posts/37622889