And now we introduce Mrs. Mina Afkhami’s student assistant: Ms. Jessie Flower.
Jessie's re-emergence requires a little bit of a retcon to her backstory; Wool Mart shoe clerk is now her job she works during summers and between classes while working towards her elementary education degree. When I created her way back when, I turned out to like her as a character more than I thought I would, and many readers grew attached to her very quickly. So I decided on "student teacher" as a means of giving her a more stable supporting cast position.
In lieu of Director Commentary, I thought I’d share the pencil sketch version of the final panel of today’s strip. I wanted a bigger shot of the classroom kids, but cramming so many kids in the panel made the desks[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Today's edition of the Secret Commentary is empty, because Dave failed to come up with something for it.
I may have to make a seating chart to keep track of all these background characters. O_o
The previous comic's reader comments brought up a lot of questions about what sort of teaching techniques Selkie's school uses that I must admit, I did not think about. :x After doing some reading, I decided that the classroom uses a whiteboard instead of a chalkboard (easier on potential asthma issues) and uses light colors on the walls and floors to encourage a "bright" atmosphere (the background shadows are also a little paler than the "outdoors" scenes because of this. I left the character's shadows regular so they stand out more), and has some potted plants at the front (not visible in this strip) for color and a sense of life. I read a few articles about computers and even iPads in modern classrooms, but decided that equipment that runs $300-$500 per unit would not be a good investment for excitable and inattentive elementary students, so the kids will use books and paperback journals. The desks have cubbyholes instead of flip tops to reduce accidental finger-slams. GAWD that is a lot of commentary. XD
There haven't been background kids in this strip or the last one because I was afraid background comedy would detract from the mood. I don't follow the Harold Zoid method of drama.
I have had this scene running in my head for months now, but now that it’s finally out, I feel a bit sad watching it unfold. So, I’d like to lighten the mood with some cute fan art sent to[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Sometimes drawing Selkie is a fine balance between "adorable" and "horrifying". Too much realism or detail and she becomes alien and, visually speaking, difficult to relate to. This is why I usually only draw her top row of teeth when speaking. I want her fangs to remain visible on a "day to day" basis so they don't become jarring or unnerving when they DO appear (in the visual language of comics and animation suddenly-appearing fangs tends to signify malicious intent, a trope I try to subvert with Selkie's design); but when both rows of teeth become visible it can create a "baring her fangs" look. I mention this because I personally find the close up of Selkie's mouth here a bit unnerving. She's a sweet stubborn and smart kid, but she also has a mouth filled with razor sharp fangs. She can't help it but it's unavoidable that, to a human perspective, her mouth is a bit scary if you look too closely.
To my fellow American readers, happy Labor Day! 😀 Sorry to make the holiday post one with kids being mean. I wanna share the latest fan art update while I am here! Courtesy of FlanFlanShazam, two Selkie inspired drawings: Thank[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I think "psychic devil orphan" sounds like something that might come out of Georges mouth.
Oh man you guys, I thought this one was gonna be delayed, but I pulled it off! This semester I have night classes on Mondays and Wednesdays, and I was a bit worried about the Thursday updates. Hopefully, you’ll never[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
Marla B. Sanderson is a former mayor of Calumet City (where the comic takes place) who had a strong presence in the education system.
Soon Selkie’s palate will expand to birdses, cowses, maybe even kangarooses. (A friend of mine told me over the weekend about how he had tried kangaroo steak in Iowa and he thought it was really good. I’m a bit curious[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I decided to add a few touches to the apartment that I didn't fully think about previously (appliances, functional handles on the stove and refrigerator, etc). I have learned that I can not draw can openers.
I have been getting SLAMMED with spam comments over the past two days. Woke up to 50 comments queued for moderation that all said generic things like “This makes everything so completely panliess.” (actual quote), and link to Bing or[…]↓ Read the rest of this entry…
I try not to do the "talking with a closed mouth" thing a lot of comics seem to do (even the professional ones!), but I enjoy Selkie's pursed lips face in panel 2 too much. :D
