SPQR Blues Chapter V: XX

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XX

Here's the installment I drew Friday at Carmine Street Comics. I also just updated the previous comic.

I'll work on some weekend extras today and tomorrow. I'm still swamped with freelance projects, so will have to balance out the time between them and the fun, Roman stuff!

September 26, 2015 18:43:52

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XIX

September 26, 2015 18:40:56

None

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XIX

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

I'm going to call this the official #XIX, and we'll carry on the story from here.

There will be a second comic in just a little bit.

September 26, 2015 18:40:56

XIX: Work in Progress

September 25, 2015 06:44:29

None

XIX: Work in Progress

I have to tell you, this is another one that's really fighting me. I've tried several different approaches. I'm not sure this one works, or that it tells the story I want it to be telling. But I wanted to have something more to show you this week.

Tomorrow (Friday) is my day to draw at Carmine Street Comics, and I'll work on some new comics and art as well as this one.

September 25, 2015 06:44:29

SPQR Talks

September 24, 2015 23:44:38

None

SPQR Talks

I've been interviewed about the Blues! Check it out--and a lot of other great articles about things historical: https://histmine.wordpress.com/2015/09/24/a-quiet-word-with-roman-webcomic-author-spqrblues/">A Quiet Word With: Roman Webcomic Author @spqrblues. I got started reading other pages and lost an afternoon.

I'm currently inking the next comic--it's sort of three in one, so that should make up for the delay :) Expect it veeeeery late tonight.

September 24, 2015 23:44:38

Doodle: chapter II

September 22, 2015 02:01:48

None

Doodle: chapter II

So I'm pretty sure this happened between this scene and this scene.

Mostly inspired by the conversation here.

September 22, 2015 02:01:48

Kyleen Valleaux I totally forgot about the whole "you'll marry my daughter" thing. I really need to go back and re-read everything. :D

September 22, 2015 14:04:18 · Reply

Undone comic

September 20, 2015 04:56:01

None

For Patrons Only

To become a patron, view this post, and contribute in this activity feed, click here.

September 20, 2015 04:56:01

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XVIII

September 19, 2015 13:58:58

None

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XVIII

The finished version.

Historical Spoiler: Two of these men get a chance at being hailed as Emperor. Only one will be happy about it.

September 19, 2015 13:58:58

XVIII: Work in progress, both rows

September 18, 2015 04:35:44

None

XVIII: Work in progress, both rows

I might not get a chance to finish it and post the final version until Saturday morning.

September 18, 2015 04:35:44

XVIII: Work in Progress - first row

September 17, 2015 22:46:57

None

For Patrons Only

To become a patron, view this post, and contribute in this activity feed, click here.

September 17, 2015 22:46:57

Sketch of the day: return of the minor characters

September 17, 2015 11:39:18

None

Sketch of the day: return of the minor characters

A few characters who've shown up in bit roles in the past have larger roles in chapter V. This guy appeared a few times in chapter II. Now it's a question of how to draw an old character in the current style; and, when working from a portrait of a famous person or even modelling a face on an ancient portrait of an unknown person, avoiding getting too caught up in being super-realistic, finding the basic lines that will make a character recognisable from panel to panel, etc.

In working on facial expressions, I learned that I move my eyes in the opposite way from how people are "supposed" to (rather, tend to) shift their gazes when remembering something they've seen as opposed to imagining something. Hmmm...I wonder if this makes me look shifty-eyed?

September 17, 2015 11:39:18

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XVII-1/2

September 17, 2015 10:52:11

None

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XVII-1/2

The Not-Sunday colour comic with some slightly adjusted dialogue in panel 3, which might get adjusted again. Felix is having a hard time choosing the right words.

September 17, 2015 10:52:11

Not-Sunday colour comic

September 16, 2015 07:28:57

None

For Patrons Only

To become a patron, view this post, and contribute in this activity feed, click here.

September 16, 2015 07:28:57

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XVII

September 15, 2015 12:56:08

None

4

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XVII

Wednesday's comic.

Maybe he'll just case the joint, then.

If you find they're speaking too softly, here's a link directly to the image (full size).

September 15, 2015 12:56:08

View all 4 comments

Kyleen Valleaux What mischief is Felix going to get that boy into?

September 15, 2015 14:20:07 · Reply

klio Oh, just a little skulking and sneaking.

September 16, 2015 07:31:18 · Reply

Iagoba Ferreira People form Madrid (city, not province) still have the nickname "gatos" (cats, or felix) as a legend says that when the city was besieged by the christians, a boy climbed the wall like a cat to change a muslim flag for a christian one. Damon has earned that nickname by itself...

September 15, 2015 15:38:17 · Reply

klio I'm not sure Damon would have climbed a wall to raise his people's flag...maybe if you paid him to do it!

September 16, 2015 07:23:50 · Reply

Sliding the goalposts a li'l bit

September 14, 2015 21:28:30

None

Sliding the goalposts a li'l bit

I've been taking on as much freelance work as I can scrape up these days so I can stay, oh, about three feet underwater (I can just about see the sparkly surface, and I know there's sun and air up there somewhere! And the sharks mostly leave me alone ever since I learned how to chase them off from that one Mythbusters episode that didn't have Kari, Grant, and Tory in it anymore, which is such a downer, but I'm digressing, aren't I...). So, I can't yet justify the milestone goal of getting a drawing table, as fabbo as that would be. I figure the table I've been eyeing will still be available later, or at least one like it, plus I have to negotiate a spot to set it up anyway, so I'm going to put that goal off a little while and focus for now on keeping bills paid. Hence, I raised the milestones a bit.

In other news: I owe you a few Sunday colour comics.I have a couple of (kinda weird) ones sketched out. Maybe I can finish one this Friday at Carmine Street. Break out the watercolours! :)

September 14, 2015 21:28:30

Jaren Provo Do what you need to do, Klio! We're behind you 100%.

September 14, 2015 22:12:15 · Reply

XVII - row 1: Work in progress

September 14, 2015 20:04:41

None

For Patrons Only

To become a patron, view this post, and contribute in this activity feed, click here.

September 14, 2015 20:04:41

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XVI

September 13, 2015 16:01:03

None

3

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XVI

Monday's comic.

I think the story loses its urgency when the updates run late. I'm going to spend this afternoon working on next week's comics so they can post regularly, on time, and keep that pacing going.

September 13, 2015 16:01:03

Jaren Provo Hey, that's great news! I think you're right -- a bit more regularity would probably help, from a reader's perspective. But at the same time, don't let it tire you out! I think most of us would rather that you take a bit more time than have rushed art and rigid storylines. Deadlines and structure can be helpful to promote focus and to justify creative "indulgences" ("I _have_ to work on my novel today because I have a benchmark to meet!"), but too much of it and the work becomes mechanical. It's a tough balance to strike -- at least it has been for me. I'm all for more predictability in access and more of your work! And if a pace focused on regular updates helps you creatively, go for it! But don't let a sense of obligation kill your spirit or the spirit of your work. Also, we really like you, and would prefer that you stay healthy and sort of sane. :)

September 13, 2015 18:25:50 · Reply

klio Hi - Thank you for the supportive and encouraging comment! A little occasional cheerleading really helps me stay sort-of-sane :D

September 14, 2015 20:02:39 · Reply

Jaren Provo I really marvel at the quality of your work, and wonder how you manage to do it so well every week, on top of your "real job" (in quotation marks here not to devalue your freelance work, but to avoid devaluing your work here on SPQR Blues). You have a lot to be proud of. I guess I consider this more pointing out the truth than cheerleading -- but maybe you don't hear that as much as you deserve to. I find a lot of value in what you do, and I know I'm not the only one. So hang in there! I always look forward to seeing your work. (Even if you _did_ shave off our hero's manly stubble. :) )

September 14, 2015 22:24:26 · Reply

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XV

September 12, 2015 22:29:10

None

SPQR Blues Chapter V: XV

And now with all the greys in place.

Felix is liking that tunic a lot less than Damon and Persephone are enjoying the toga.

September 12, 2015 22:29:10

XV - Work continues

September 12, 2015 21:38:14

None

4

XV - Work continues

Closer to finished now...

September 12, 2015 21:38:14

View all 4 comments

Iagoba Ferreira I spy with my little eye something beginning with "C"...

September 12, 2015 21:45:42 · Reply

klio Oh! Oh! ...cat? Did I win? :)

September 12, 2015 22:50:57 · Reply

Kyleen Valleaux So much frown. oh dear

September 12, 2015 22:24:03 · Reply

klio I find it harder to draw his frowny face without the face hair....

September 12, 2015 22:52:07 · Reply

XV - Work in progress

September 12, 2015 06:24:07

None

XV - Work in progress

Let's see if I can get the rest of row 1 done and row 2 inked before I inevitably fall asleep on the couch with Community reruns playing in the background....