Welcome!
It's still the collected thoughts of JRTDB. From personal review articles, because I'm fond of writing my thoughts about anything, to chronicles of my art activities and what transpired during the course of my struggle. If there ever was any struggled to begin with.
To my reviews I am welcome to criticism on what ever kind just for the heck of progress, and so does my art.
If you intend to read, have fun!
The next stop, side character introductions. There were only a few side characters used for the story, besides the faceless random citizens.
This guy, well he doesn't really show up much in the first issue but soon you'll see him being everywhere in Dave's life.
Chief Pat Wilson. I based him on the first image of an elderly "healthy" man with a 'stache.
That's right, it's written on the top "Stephen Colbert 101" cause Tom Swanson, the reporter, was fairly based to Stephen Colbert.
Tom Swanson, paired up with a camera man! You'll never really see how he looks like, but just in case, put a face. Why not!
Lastly, news anchor John Reynolds. Originally, I tried to look for the original one, but it seems like he really doesn't exist.
Searching for a good fit reference for characters that wouldn't even have that long exposure and presence in a story sometimes takes time, specially if you're going for a semi-realism feel and style for majority of the art. I personally enjoyed looking for a good Stephen Colbert reference since I'm a fan, but that didn't mean I didn't enjoy making for the others.
Bearing in mind about all the elements you need to keep when it comes to designing a character, the aesthetic of their facial personality and how you see them stating and expressing their dialogues is a necessary thing. If you can't imagine them being what they should be in the story sometimes feels mechanical. Something I learned almost in the middle of this progress.
Good day! In celebration for the release of Bound in Blood's (facebook) kickstarter here are some raw artworks posted online by the artist, yours truly!
Preview of the two important characters in Dave Ugarte's life. You'll have to read the comics to figure which of the two is his romance and rock.
Study for Dave Ugarte's character design
Dave Ugarte's final design
So far the basis for the three characters are really diverse, Allison was originally based from a different actress but not someone that looks like Jennifer Lawrence. Although the feel could have passed as Kate Beckinsale or the likes. Having her look soft and pleasing to the eyes was the ultimate aim in contrast to Claire who is peppy and quite the character with a robust personality.
It was also a challenge for me to produce a specific look for Dave since the first chapter had little personality to show for him but only to his loyalty to the justice, and his loved ones, after the events of his past. So I depicted him somewhat borderline with an unsure expression but stern, that would soon be covered by a beard later on in the story.
Conversing with creator Patrick Goforth about the fruition of the characters was quite a thrill, specially crossing the lines of the character descriptions to pencil and paper.
To know further about them and their roles in the story pass by our kickstater and support our cause!
This will be a short article related to one of the projects I am involved, it's a comics I helped come alive entitled "Bound in Blood" and it's Kickstarter.
"His name is Dave Ugarte, formerly a soldier, now known as Sergeant Ugarte of Chicago Police department. His first official case as one of Chicago's finest takes his new life for whirl wind."
Please do check it out and support the project!
This is the first for publish work of writer Patrick Goforth and his colleague artist JR De Borja.
There are times when you just can't stop yourself but spend time online, for better or worse, and for half a year now of my freelancing life I've spent my entertainment quality watching days of this freelancing life blood soaked in the world of Youtube channels. Luckily, for me, I've got friends with good taste for channels in comparison to my simple self who just bases it's own personal preference of decisions with sometimes shallow reasons, a.k.a. looks and probably day to day articles of life, except for pranks, my current self doesn't really enjoy those prank videos in it's entirety. Maybe in a different part of my life I might, either grow or just suddenly learn how to like prank videos. Any case, I've stumbled upon my better in current relationship half a video from one of it's plurk feed. This better half's video was from TedEd.
I've yet to discover the origins of TedEd but I do know that the videos in the channel are, true to their slogan, worth sharing into this world of ours. Preferably a general knowledge type of channel. The videos are all animated by different types of groups / animators in accordance to the topic being read at hand. However, I am not here to further promote their well made life lesson sharing videos but focus on one video that got me tugging into a topic I would probably state afterwards.
Hedonism is one word I've completely forgotten what the meaning was, although there is this niggling thought in my head that it had something to do with something selfish.
The video focuses on the idea "what if you we're given the choice to choose only experiencing the ups of life". It further exemplifies and theorizes scenarios basing from the choices in ones life depending on the situation. Examples like the one on the video, which is common in everyday life scenes, it's a sort of probability thought until proven (unless you haven't watched the video, the scenario stated was: a woman is deeply in love with a man, but the man was secretly wooing the woman's sister; is it better for the woman to discover the truth and delve in the pain or dismiss it and indulge in the fantasy that they are the perfect couple).
This got me thinking about my life recently. That pertaining to my choice path of career. I've been freelancing for one year now taking on various graphic design jobs, like being a Shirt Art Designer, Graphic Artist, Caricature Artist, Book Layout Artist, and others related to Illustration and Publishing. However, I've been in a rise and fall slump, having more reasons where I have minimal profit although I have a lot of work. The freedom of choosing and developing my profession as an artist however is part of this life, although it's slow and quite unproductive, sad to say, most of the time.
Recently a relative of mine has begun to make it their mission to help me in finding a work career as it seems that my current one is too pitiful to watch. Even having hear them describe it as I was "the type of person that sleeps all day and needed other people to open up their choices in career to be able to move on from their current slump" (not exactly the words said since they we're spoken in our language, plus the words might be twisted because I don't really know how to translate it nicely in english, lol). Although the end thought is, the current one I have isn't working out well. That in itself my growth is considerably slow to nil. Probably, for their eyes.
After hearing such and watching the video attached, was my choice of work path something akin to a level of hedonism? Stating, I enjoy my current freedom in freelancing and, although slow, happy even to the point of proud that I can have time doing jobs that my skill set can offer for specific clients.
Although this doesn't prove anything hedonistic, speaking. Since for a part I have not mentioned anything that states I have neither experienced nor have any painful things to feel, which in reality isn't true.
This has now become a list of rant and things about the pains I see in my life, the ones I've clearly known but push away in hopes to give me self-esteem, confidence and even the driving force to move into the direction of the path I am currently "courageously" weaving. Presently a clear proof that I lack any qualifications to be hedonistic in nature.
A mighty conclusion for this is something that I should decide for myself. The video isn't something that gave me some providence like way of clearing the clouds, but it sure did add another batch of wild flowers on the half barren pasture I'm positive is a good field to spend time being happy with given enough time and good sources of care and growing.
I've gotten myself acquainted well into Jacksfilms, a youtuber that I encountered during my time watching a marathon of all of Onisions videos that I found interesting. (so Jack; basically, me getting to your channel is kinda thanks to Greg; LOL)
His channel is a barrage of sketches borderline comedic satire to just plain sarcasm (did I just separate one term into two terms that are actually the same in essence, well who cares). Stating the reason, due to his popular sketches YIAY (Yesterday I Asked You) and YGS (Your Grammar Sucks), which majority of his viewers appreciate the most. Guessing they have the same mocking humour as the maker himself, not that I'm any different, ho-ho-homies.
During my time as his viewer, I encountered a recurring comment about a movie he's making that would celebrate the 100th episode of YGS. That every episode of YIAY, which was the only active content he seems to be doing, commenters mentions the movie all the time. Of course, not missing a note to follow the rules, or something, in answering his question for the day. It's actually amazing how diversely creative his subscribers are.
Personally I didn't expect much from YGS, cause the content sometimes just gives me excruciating headaches. Meaning that somehow my mind can't run normally because of comprehensive reasons. The grammar or satire replies posted in the videos of YGS.
I don't really like every how horrible the replies featured in each episode, but the quality of how Jack delivered the content was one of the top reasons why the segments became tolerable. That in itself says much about what kind of entertainer and creative person he is.
Watching YGS 100 movie, almost an hour long or more, was the first YGS that I actually watched TILL THE END. This fact, plus how I tried listening to the content, which was A-grade "imho"; is a first. The first time I actually focus in a YGS and it's an hour long, almost, movie. Insert "lol" icon.
The diversity of the youtubers who participated plus all the content juice that must've taken Jack, like, tons of several (redundant) of sweat, blood and tears to edit the whole of it was amazing. Why, I'm singing praises for the video. Yet, my only critic is that he could've just not made the whole movie, and every segment of the movie be something of a daily or twice a day post. Really, just that he compiled the whole thing was my only nitpick. Insert "lol" icon here.
Over all, I would recommend it, only if it's already broken down to the every segment tiny pieces before anyone should watch it. But, it is entertaining. That won't be taken from Jacksfilms content.
...I just realized I didn't say anything about why grammar is important to me, personally (redundant). Well, that can be for the future something, cause YGS 100 itself expressed the very sentiment of why it's important. (even though I'm effin imperfect myself about grammar, at least I'd want a tried your best badge)
For the record, it's one of my moments that I feel hyped, but fearful, when I'm going to do something for the first time, again.
This year I'm going to participate in so many events related to making comics, like contests, and client search for comics and such. It's kind of new to me that instead of just indulging myself in making my own comics, I'm taking in clients and stuff and making comics for them. No doubt that it's one of the few jobs I want to gain experience, plus book formatting after enjoying my days in learning it.
Anyway update on my stories, I'm releasing two new prints. A re-print version of "Fish Princess", in high definition colour (just a coloured version actually), done by the ever wonderful Briks Benigno! (she is one of the best artist I've seen when it comes to mixing colours back in college, yes we've been comrads since 2005-06).
And the other title "Llama sa Umaga" (tentatively titled in english as "Llamas Breakfast"), which is a comics about thinking positive in life OR the bliss of being ignorant.
To explain, Komikon is the tagalized version of the ever popular Comicon. This event is one of the only best things in my life, so far, besides food. Being able to attend it as a participant, instead of a regular comer only, is a life changer for me. Since I used to be only a regular comer back in it's first stages :)
My plan is to release it in print first before submitting the online version in my devaintArt or Smackjeeves. Not one of the wisest things to do but I want to test the waters locally first. Compared to other who explore their online potential, mind you I'm not that confident about any of the whatever choices potential.
Cat cafes are growing in number here in the Philippines. More in the direct Manila area, to my slight distress. This however do not deter me from coming to them, like a cat attracted to tasty treats.
I've gone to two out of the three cat cafes that is currently trying to snag the scene from the lovely and outgoing realm of Barkin Blends (been there two times already, and probably will make an article of my experience to it some day or maybe I've done it before...*re-checking*). The list of cafes are: Miao Cat Cafe, Cat Cafe Manila and Bengal Brews, the list in order of who came first.
I've never been to Miao Cat Cafe, which was the first cat themed cafe in the Philippines. But I remember getting so hyped about it but never got to come there due to a friend of ours who can't go because of her allergies towards our lovely felines.
Therefore I will only state my experiences from Cat Cafe Manila and Bengal Brews, the latter I just recently visited.
Cat Cafe Manila
Source: My older siblings facebook, sadly cannot disclose her details XD.
This cafe is just a small little sweetie in a nice building along Maginhawa street.
My mother wanted to tour us along Maginhawa street, where the night before, she and her office mates, and her sister which is our aunt (yes, duh), had decided to have some bonding time. Opting to visit the famous eating street somewhere near the premise of UP. Eating in a steak restaurant, which I remember named White Elephant (please don't sue me for forgetting, somewhat). Then visiting the cat cafe on the second floor of the same building as the steak resto.
The next week, our mother invited me and my older sibling to visit the said place, just for experiences and at least we would add the information of knowing how to go and where the place is.
Skipping all the other laughable details, like getting lost. Stating while we're lost that our mother was sorry and couldn't remember exactly, using the "the place looks different at night" excuse. Eventually we got to the place well and good.
Entering we we're welcomed by sweet napping cats that looks like our common mongrel cats walking all around. Except the ones in the cafe are in good health. The ambience was fairly good, the space isn't that inviting though since it's small, but who am I to complain when they're just starting, hey! Food, I guess is typical but buying them is for a good cause, for the cats.
The cafes aim isn't just to establish a cat cafe just for ambience and relaxation, it's also a means for others to be exposed to the mongrel cats in their care to be adopted. I heard while my mother and sister were talking to the people in the cashier, assuming they're the owners, that some of the cats in the roster for that day are already new since the others have been adopted in a previous month or so. Hearing about it made me feel warm all inside, even if I wasn't directly the one conversing with the owner. Since I felt shy (yeah, right).
The latest animal themed cafe escapade is in Cubao, Manila. A specific kind of cat breed themed cafe named Bengal Brews. Literally all the cats in the cafe is Bengal, which is really a breed, wow! (yea, I know of the breed, never seen an actual one before though, ka-shin)
Source: potato halfs' picture archives XD
I was invited by my potato half since it was near the place he's currently living in and it, again, is one of the most calming experience I've encountered. My system is always a dramatic hype, even though I don't really show it out but my mind is plagued of it, of sorts! And this is another recommended place to hang out. The interior and space is perfect for the cute lovelies, and seems to be suited for a handful of people staying in.
Source: potato halfs' picture archives, again XD
I personally can't say I like having a lot of people in a cafe, but of course it's nice to have a crowd giving attention to the cute bengals. Although I prefer they keep the volume of noise to a low. Like my cat, Winmi (one of these days I'm going to tell a story about her), it seems like this breed isn't that friendly with noise as they often avoid loud sounds. However, I might be wrong, and that somehow they're just wary of people.
Con-close-sion
In the end I'm a fan of the concept and WOULD LOVE to spend my days almost every week in the presence of the cafe, that totally defeats the purpose of my cat at home (cue laugh-out-loud). Sadly, my horrible truth is, I won't be able to spend that much time to go the distance and spend money to stay in a gorgeously interior designed cat cafe.
Instead I will be spending it as often with my friends when we get the time. Especially in spending it in a well maintained cafes with animal themes.
Kudos to these cafes and hope they get the attention they deserve, especially the aim of Cat Cafe Manila.
