Keeping the head above water
Sometimes that's all you can do
Hello from Castrum Lusitania, my fortress in northern Portugal. Welcome to another edition of our weekly newsletter.
The last couple of weeks were NOT what was in the plans. At all!
A planned trip cancelled. And with it, important work meeting gone too.
Lots of delayed work that should have been done by now
One week off gym because I could barely drag myself between the office and the couch
And why? A stupid flu. After years dodging the bullet, three sick kids proved too much even for my Matrix-style-sickness-evading-abilities. One entire week with barely any work done and no gym visits (insanity) and another one trying to recover as much as possible (but still not 100%).
So it has been very much about keeping my head above water, but things seem to finally be getting better (in all senses). Trip and meeting have been rescheduled, work is getting done.
Inking!
Feeling much better, I managed to ink quite a lot of pages this week - hoping to wrap my current batch tomorrow. I did some brush work while I was ill and that, as little as it was, meant that part of the work was done. Do not underestimate how much you can get done just by adding little bits - you might not do as much as you’d wanted, but some is always better than none. In some cases, that’s the only way you can move things forward. So chip away - and stuff will start to pile.
I’m now adding details to the last few pages, with everything else already in place. Here are some sneak peeks of finished panels:
You might also be interested in an inking reel I added to my Instagram account:
I’d say at this point I’m head and shoulders above water and everything is getting in place - including an acceptable workout regime, despite the persistent cough.
To help shake off the disease, I’ve been working with the company of Larry David’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, Larry (I’ve originally seen the show when it came out, years and years ago). If you haven’t watched it, imagine a show about George Constanza from Seinfeld (a character inspired by the real life persona of Larry David) with all the awkwardness turned up to 11. The most ridiculous situations with the most insane reactions. Hilarious and delicious.
Back to work it is for now.
See you soon,
André