Decided to try something new with the art on this one. I ultimately decided to keep the black outlines, but this strip and the one after it for Monday both have this faux-Illustrator no-outline look. If you don’t like the no-outline style, fret not because next Thursday the outlines will return. If you DO like the no-outline style, sorry.
Today's edition of the Secret Commentary is empty, because Dave failed to come up with something for it.
Discussion (49) ¬
Yeah, I personally prefer the outlined style. Still, it’s good to experiment. 🙂
I agree, but with a mustache.
This style doesn’t really do it for me, although I like that you’re trying new things.
I find the no-outline hard to look at. I don’t know if that’s because that’s the way it is or if you’re bad at it. However, I too applaud your willingness to try new things. Some will work, some won’t. I love the strip — I was an adoptee myself.
I’ll join the liking the outlined style camp. I really love this story, thank you for sharing it!!!
Try a combination of both. Outline in a slightly darker shade of the color you’re outlining.
I like the outline style, but I like this style a lot.
I agree with the other replies about the outline. Everything runs together into a single giant blob without it.
the colors are nice but without the outlines its hard to follow
WTF HAPPENE…. *reads Dave’s comments. Oh. Well not a fan of this temporary style in the mean time. I must say though, I love Selkie’s frownie face in panel 3.
I like the new style, pity it has to go again…
But I like the sales clerk even more! Talk about common sense and sincere geniality. Is she going to be a recurring character?
I like Kojo’s suggestion of possibly using outlines that are a darker shade of the color they’re outlining… like Todd’s hair is #FCFFA8, so maybe the outline could be something like #7E8054 ?
Unfortunately, my eyes are having a hard time distinguishing between the different light colored objects, so they all kinda run together… so while the new art is nice… I’ll be happy to see it go back to the regular outlines on Thurs. ^_^
Yeah, have to say I don’t really like this style. Everything blurs, and it just… ah, how do I say this?
It doesn’t carry the same FEEL to it like the earlier strips.
No-border style: Works pretty well in animation. Not so much on a comic strip.
What? Special order shoes? Hell yeah!
I wonder what going to happen now, and I went back to look at the anatomical drawing and noticed you didnt mention her feet. So are the toes more flexable so she can fan them out to get more thrust when swimming or are they limited in how far they can spread?
Also I think you should try doing limited outlining. I can see you not doing it for the hair and maybe clothes with darker colors like others mentioned but should use black for the eyes and maybe skin since its hard to destinguish the human eyes in this comic and tends to cause exess strain.
I just stumbled upon this comic today, and I love it so far! I’m looking forward to the next update! 🙂
Another vote for the earlier outlined style. When I first saw the cartoon I thought you were having a guest artist draw today!
Enjoying the storyline!
I do like the original style better but there’s no harm in experimenting! I’d love for people to give me feedback on mine and tell me if they like or don’t like that every character has a different font type. At least for now they do. Shards will be going through some renovations as far as the site’s appearance, and soon. Just lost my job so I have more time for my comic I guess LOL. Time to put up a donate button!
The thing is, if you either used colored outlines or you changed the contrast of the colors themselves a bit, it’d be perfect.
Yep … definitely like the outlines better. I like the definition it gives. The experimental style is okay, but the characters have an … hmmm … I guess I’d say they have an unfinished look to them this way. With the sharp outlines they look complete – this way they’re like a sentence without a period.
I agree with Zorland, is a good style for animation, but doesn’t work for me here. Kinda looks like South Park.
And I’m sorry about typoes n such, but my job has me out away from civilization so I only get to read Selkie from my BlackBerry. And for those who know about these things, is a Storm 1.
Aw, poor kid. I love her comment, “Can we burns the thing?” At least our new clerk friend is trying to help. Where’s Amishtown exactly? hm.
As I have been saying, CUSTOM SHOES!! Maybe moccasins, that’d be sweet.
Special order shoes are an excellent idea. Have them made to her specs, then they won’t pinch or rub.
And I agree with the person who said the no-outline makes all the colors run together. For a minute, I thought this was a guest strip. Looking forward to the return of the outline.
It makes the art look a lot cleaner! This style, but with thin outlines, would be PERFECT.
I think the no black outline will work but you do need some kind of defining outlines, so definitely darker colour outline would look good I think. You have it with the fingers and stuff that needs detail just do that all over and see how it goes.
Oh wow. That looks awesome. Deff keeps.
I definitely like the outline better. This is hard on my tired eyes. I seriously thought there was a veil around the Woolmart employee’s head for a second.
In the last panel, I meant. Sorry, I’ve been working my tail off all week.
No borders kinda makes it hard to read. I admit though, I like the pastel-style of it, makes it feel different from other webcomics. Way too many use hard colors, and it was nice to see somewhat softer tones here. Maybe you could add borders of various thickness? That would be nice.
I’ve gotta say that I like the no-outline style, FOR THE BACKGROUND. Might try making a no outline background with outlined characters for one comic, just sayin’.
I’d like to add my congratulations on trying new things and add that the outlines seem to give it a more comic feel while the lack of outline style does seem to make it look sort of like some of the comics that are just screenshots from games etc.
The faces don’t work well like this, everything else is good though.
Though I like the softer edges the shading provides, in general the sharper outlining works better. But keep experimenting; it’s the only way to figure out how to improve in ways that seem good to you, the creator.
The clerk (Jesse?) is definitely a sweetheart; one of the rare types who genuinely does her best. It’s a difficult attitude to keep. The really nasty customers are rare but leave long-lasting impressions, and the casually dismissive ones are, alas, very common and leave similar impressions that over time erode courtesy and politeness.
I think you should stick with the outlining. I personally liked it better that way.
I would keep the outlining. Everything feels so…blobby…without it. Hope the comic goes on long enough for poor dad to have to deal with a teenage Selkie!
I must admit, I found this comic during it’s first few pages and did not like it. The art was not to my liking and I didn’t feel compelled visually at all. However, I kept reading, because I get bored like everyone else.
While I still don’t think the art is superb or professional, it is improving, and this comic shows that you really are striving to get better dude! I don’t personally like the new outline look, as it is hard on the eyes and blobby, however with some experimentation you will find your style and run with it, I am sure. Though I believe you have a long way to go, I am compelled to return and watch you grow as an artist and a writer…in sum; I enjoy Selkie and will be returning!
I like outlines >_> black outlines and I have a love affair.
as for shoes, why not sandles???
This is a good style, well done, but it’ll take some serious getting used to before I can actually like it, sadly.
It’s cool to see you experimenting. But, this style doesn’t work. Without lines, it’s hard to distinguish what’s what. Also, I think the faces lose some of their personality.
I like the story. I found it today 12/11, and i think its pretty good so far. What’s with all the art.c.fartsy critics? I didnt see where the artist asked for anyone’s opinion on the subject. Im happy to find a good story regardless of artwork and styling any day 🙂
You know, if you combined elements of the two art styles, you might end up with something somewhat interesting. I’d wait until you’re ready to try experimenting again, though, since nobody here, I assume, knows exactly how it would turn out. Perhaps some shading…
Trust me, I totally understand the expeirmental thing ^^
I actually think this looks better! Its really neat!
So, I know this is very late — I love the comic so I hadn’t been analyzing it at first — but if her feet are basically long and skinny, where do shoes pinch?
They scrunch up her toes.