Comments on: NDA makes Ray a dull boy.

By: nate

nate — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:45:16 +0000

I really enjoy your thoughtful and in depth process explanations. I appreciate the time you take to create valuable posts. Please keep ‘em coming!

By: Eric Carl

Eric Carl — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:06:18 +0000

I think this is one of my favorite pieces you’ve done. Have to say I liked it better pre-title text, but I what can you do? Clients!

By: Ameeee

Ameeee — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 01:37:20 +0000

I’d love to hear more about the concepts behind the art.

By: Ray Frenden

Ray Frenden — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:41:30 +0000

Chris’ style is a bit like mine. I talk with him from time to time on Flickr and iChat. Nice chap.

By: betterthanhuman

betterthanhuman — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:38:10 +0000

Ray,

You know I always love your stuff and coincidentally I also love FF5. I’m sure you’ve seen Chris Rushing’s work for them. You two seem to have similar style.
Great work. I can’t wait to see the next one.
Peace,
T

By: Kiel West

Kiel West — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:35:41 +0000

To answer your question:

I like the narrative style bloggery. It’s a nice insight into what’s happening with you and your current mental state.

By: Ray Frenden

Ray Frenden — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:30:33 +0000

That same stipple/texture effect was put to use in Medusa (A Threadless Select submission) ages ago. I can make that texture in Manga Studio, Painter, or Photoshop; it’s harder to pull off in Manga Studio, though.

By: Ray Frenden

Ray Frenden — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:27:03 +0000

Thanks for the advice, InLikeALion. I will try to be as forthcoming as possible about my setup.

I’ve been experimenting heaps with different pieces of software and have to admit – I get very similar results regardless of what I am using. It does have less to do with the app and more to do with your own sensibilities.

Bear in mind, I’m saying that less for your benefit than that of someone who might be stumbling upon this conversation.

I had specific settings for the Windows version of Potrace, but I tend to use CocoaPotrace at its defaults. As long as the canvas size is around 10,000 pixels, it does a fine job. Any smaller and I start to see details dropped out.

I found some settings via tinkering that worked even better, but I failed to take a screen grab (not realizing the app would totally nuke them and return to defaults on the next use).

Jon, I hear ya!

By: InLikeALion

InLikeALion — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:23:54 +0000

Also, I really like the dithering you got on the hair/underside of the lettering. Did you photoshop that coloring aspect?

The sketch for the new design is also very fun.

By: InLikeALion

InLikeALion — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:21:06 +0000

Ray, I’ve been following along with you since that GoMediaZine post a while back. I appreciate you helping out illustrators.

I like the long, detailed posts, so please don’t give up on them. But those times you feel yourself not posting because you feel you don’t have enough, go ahead and post the “smaller” stuff. A healthy mix between more frequency and the more complete content would be great.

I also think it would be great if you added a page to your blog about your setup. It seems that you get a lot of repeated questions about that.

Or maybe state in bullet points what software/hardware you used under the pictures of your work per post? That way we could see if you were still using Manga Studio in Parallels, or your new Painter X techniques, or your new Cintiq vs the Intuos3, and what dpi.

Personally, I’d love a quick post with your general setting for CocoaPotrace. I’ve searched the net for people’s suggestions, but so far found nada.

Thanks a lot.

By: Jon

Jon — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:19:48 +0000

NDAs are the bane of my existence as well. Damn them!!!

By: Ray Frenden

Ray Frenden — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:40:12 +0000

Here’s to hoping, Mike! The quicker they release it for PC, the sooner I can get it Mac!

GC, I have days where I create a crapload of work and others where I am dead in my tracks. Energy levels have a way of normalizing!

By: Mike Rhodes

Mike Rhodes — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:00:35 +0000

What GC: TMP said. Tidbits or full blown posts, all are treats from you. I appreciate your posts and are inspired by them.

BTW, it seems that Smith Micro has a booth at ComicCon this year. And it seems that SM and Celsys has an announcment of some MANGAtude to reveal…hmm… july 24 may be a very nice date…

By: GC: The Motion Picture

GC: The Motion Picture — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:17:08 +0000

Post when you want Ray (in response to your query…), speaking for myself, I don’t know how you manage to keep up with all of this stuff. You are headed for early burnout or the insane asylum at your current rate. Live a little longer and post a little less.

By: Ray Frenden

Ray Frenden — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:44:47 +0000

I intend to turn you vegan through proximity alone! Heh.

By: Tony Mora

Tony Mora — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:43:46 +0000

Your wife’s blog is great. My wife is vegetarian as well. I’m only part vegetarian. Now you know.