Hello, Seafolk! This is a quick note to let you know I’m putting updates on hold for a while — the reason being that I had a major brainstorm about the plot and need to do an extensive re-write of the next scene, which will affect the whole outline down the road.

A bit about my process: the whole story arc is loosely outlined to the end; I have left it that way because webcomics have a way of developing as they go, getting thicker and richer. I script the pages, down to the least bit of dialogue and exchange of glances, about two or three scenes in advance, before I set pencil, pen and brush to paper. I want to know pretty much what I’m going to be drawing, as that is the really labour-intensive part, and I don’t want to be doing any of that over! But even that mutates between thumbnail sketches and the full-sized page as ideas to make it better flow.

You’ve no doubt noticed we’re heading in to a new scene — in my script I had only allowed for a brief meeting with just Annabelle; but some other characters are clamouring to get into the act, and as I think this will substantially improve what is to come, as well as move the story along nicely, I’m giving them their heads. However, it’s not just this one scene that will be altered; the changes I have in mind will reverberate clear down to the end of the outline.

In the meantime, I have been doing quite a bit of character and location sketching (and will obviously be doing some more!) and I’ll make a few posts here on the blog to talk a bit about my process. Wish me luck in not getting lost in the plot (if you don’t hear from me soon, send out the dolphins)!

Preliminary sketch for Hunter Island Guesthouse.