Hey there, cool kid,
First off, thank you all for your awesome support for my latest painting, Allegory for the Separation of Church and State. It’s the biggest painting I’ve ever done and came from my heart. Plus, I’ve been working really hard on my watercolor painting skills this year. I’ve really fell in love with the medium, and I think with this painting I’m getting to a spot I’m really happy with.
My Latest Painting: Where I Get Mad About the Corruption of Religion in the Government and Make the Argument For the Separation of Church and State:
I’ve been slammed at my day job, plus very busy with real life happenings, but I’m still chipping away at things here and there.
Prelaunch for The Alchemist of Aurillia Vol. 1
Coming this September — welcome to a world of lost history, vengeful witches, and mysterious djinn, inspired by the art and architecture of the Ottoman Empire! A young wizard journeys in hopes that an old legend is true so she can save her home and all she holds dear! The Alchemist of Aurillia Volume 1 collects over 180 pages of Turkish fantasy adventure! Being there on Day 1 will help us get the best start, so make sure you’re there by following our prelaunch page!
Battle Panda Progress
The writing on Issue 5 is moving along, though slower than I would like. Being the last issue, the stake are very high at this part of the story, and so we want to make sure we’re building things up and wrapping up the story satisfactorily across the board. With such bombastic scenes, it takes a little longer to get through to make sure I’m doing Farhan’s vision justice. But I know it’s going to get there and become awesome!
Part of my approach was going back to the roots of the story that initially inspired Farhan to create Battle Panda - 80’s adventure and action movies, like The Karate Kid, Big Trouble in Little China, and more in that vein. Part of the unique voice of these movies is the over the top action, that’s almost frantic in its pacing as one action happens after another. So how can I channel that into the action scenes to keep them fun, engaging, and tense for the heroes? How might I use the setting or the conditions around the characters to build the stakes? Instead of my usual approach for fight scenes (characters doing cool things makes comic go brrrrrr), I want to expand out and think of action more comprehensively. It’s hard, but it’s good! Going through the hard stuff it what makes me a better writer.
Battle Panda Issue 4 will be launching soon, and you can check out the prelaunch page for it.
Break Out the Sweet Sweet Progress Tracker!
It’s back! The sweet sweet progress tracker shows I’ve been working on comics again! As you can see, there’s been a bit of a gap as I worked on painting projects, travelled, and was doing the less fun back end stuff to put the Kickstarter campaign together for The Alchemist of Aurillia volume 1. I got the last page of “The Art of Magic” short for the book pencilled, so now it just needs inks and tones to get it across the line.
Check Out This Kickstarter!
Legends of the Realm 1-6: Wind on the Watchtower by Jack Holder
Marcus Cairn is a new king. Put into power by the accident of his birth after a brutal assassination of his family line. Desiring stability and protection, he shocks the kingdom by appointing a stranger as the first ever Court Mage to Dannisfire.
Camriddeon is given a simple task. Go, explore the kingdom, know what you are now caring for. He in turn has promised King Cairn a new miracle. Build a watchtower in the middle of nowhere, and Camriddeon will show him wonders long thought impossible.
King Cairn has built this tower. And now, Camriddeon is coming. He has learned much, suffered much, and his magic will be put to one final test.
Parting Note
In a couple weeks, I start up with SmArt School again! I’m ready to get my butt kicked and level up my art! Let’s gooooooo!
‘Till the next time
Melissa J
