RealmOfAtland.com Blog

Atland #324 - 'Scuse Me

2012-02-22T13:55:00.000-08:00

One of the things I've enjoyed most about ATLAND is that I get to come up with a lot of character designs. Early designs for Alanna Torgen were too plain. So I spiffed up her outfit a bit. She is, after all, one of the legendary Seven Swordsmen. They're like the super heroes of the realms. So Alanna takes the opportunity to dress a little eccentrically.

Originally she was just supposed to be leading a horse when we first see her, but at the last minute, I thought it would add something fun to her character if she rode a unicorn. I made this one a little more shaggy, and gave him a head shape with a hint of fox-like features. He's a little more fantastical than the previous unicorns we've seen.

Alanna's family crest is mauve wheat on a gold field, as seen on the unicorn's cloth breastplate.

See you in 2.

~N

Atland #323 - A Room For The Week

2012-02-08T14:01:00.000-08:00

I love character design. So when I write a script that says, "Bartender" -- I start getting creative when it comes time to draw. I think this guy is the offspring of a mermaid and a human. And the tattoos were a last second addition.

And if you're keeping score, I think this is the first time I've ever drawn a pewter flagon in a tavern. I almost always opt for the wooden ones.

See you in 2!

~N

Atland #322 - Haster's Falls

2012-01-25T12:25:00.000-08:00

I like coming up with a new look for a new place. While I'm drawing I try to come up with little background stories for things. In this case, you'll notice that half the city has blue rooftops, and half the city has purple rooftops. Haster's Falls was originally two cities on either side of the falls. They combined for their mutual benefit, but still maintain a friendly rivalry, as shown by the colors of the rooftops.

In two weeks, Alanna Torgen.

~N

Atland #321 - Wild Goose Chase

2012-01-11T14:26:00.000-08:00

Our heroes finally get a lead! Leaving a cripple hanging in a tree probably isn't the kindest thing to do, but even though Cheese Guy was a patsy, he's still partially responsible for quite a few deaths.

Looking forward to drawing Haster's Falls. Whenever I make plot decisions that involve cities on my map, I always have fun trying to come up with designs to make that place unique.

We'll see in two weeks!

~N

Atland #320 - Drop The Act

2011-12-28T12:40:00.000-08:00

Even I forget that Inky can cover a lot more distance than his pals because he can fly. It must be frustrating to have to go as slow as "walkers".

But it gave me the perfect opportunity to use Inky to scout ahead and use his old spy-skills to do some recon. (You'll remember that he WAS a professional spy. There was that whole story arc with Nodd...)

In two weeks, will our heroes finally have the jump on VonStadt? Stay tuned.

Happy New Year!

~N

Atland #319 - That Leaves Three

2011-12-14T12:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the delay. Thanksgiving totally screwed me up, and then I got an avalanche of lettering work right after. Back on track now.

I've discovered that I like digitally coloring smouldering fires. Too bad I really hate coloring in general.

In 2 weeks, we rejoin our heroes, who have...questions.

In other news, I've released the first piece of concept art from the upcoming THE BERSERKER'S DAUGHTER project. You can see it on the TBD blog here: http://berserkersdaughter.blogspot.com/

~N

Schedule Update

2011-12-08T05:47:00.000-08:00

Looks like the next episode of ATLAND will be next week (Dec. 15th). Not sure how many of you follow me on Twitter, but I do more comprehensive schedule updates there.

The plan is to get to a reasonable point to end the current story arc, and then go on the hiatus. Probably in about 4 episodes or so. During that break I will be building my backlog for THE BERSERKER'S DAUGHTER .

The plan with TBD is to have 22 episodes done before launch so I can make sure we've got WEEKLY! episodes again, and I can have the first print book ready to go right when I launch.

~N

Atland #318 - None for You

2011-11-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

Another of the Seven Swordsmen revealed! (And killed!) Cortez's lush mane clearly inspired a young Barry to appreciate large hair.

Crazy Cheese guy did say that he could lead our heroes to VonStadt. Now you know why.

Had fun drawing fire in this one. I haven't done that very often. And you can't beat drawing someone being cut clean through the middle!

In 2 weeks, we rejoin our heroes.

In other news, THE BERSERKER'S DAUGHTER now has a working website: http://www.berserkersdaughter.com, and a working blog, where I hope to post concept art soon.

~N

Atland #317 - Some Magics Wane

2011-11-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I was a little heartbroken to be returning to full color. I had so much fun working in markers and paint.

When I wrapped up the flashback, I realized I had to explain why the Chimera has possessed Nessa's father. Of the whole group, no one would know more about magic than Clarke -- an enchanted creature himself.

In two weeks, we discover where Crazy Cheese Guy went...

I'm taking this opportunity to announce a hiatus from ATLAND in about four episodes or so. This will be enough episodes to print book #12.

I need a break from ATLAND to work on something else for a while. To refresh my creative mojo. I want to step back from epic stories, and get back to funny, self-contained little stories. Like what ATLAND was at the beginning.

So instead of telling you all about this new project, I'm going to show you. I give you the teaser for... THE BERSERKER'S DAUGHTER.

http://www.berserkersdaughter.com

THE BERSERKER'S DAUGHTER will be my return to updating EVERY week.I'm going to build a backlog of at least 22 episodes before launch, and TBD will be in black and white, which cuts my work time almost in half. I've already previewed the first episode to some ATLAND fans, and they seem to dig it. I hope you will, too.

~N

Atland #316 - Where the Legend Ends

2011-10-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

So sick right now. Had a blast at NYCC, but I came back from the con with the dreaded, "Con Crud" -- a wicked pissah of a head cold. (As we say in New England.)

Anyway, here ends our grayscale flashback. I had a blast working traditionally, instead of all Photoshop. I'm going to miss it.

In two weeks, we return to regular continuity!

I'm going to go collapse now.

~N

NYCC Signing!

2011-10-13T11:02:00.001-07:00

I'll be signing at New York Comic Con tomorrow, Friday the 14th, at 12:30 at the Dark Horse booth with the DETHKLOK crew! Stop by and say hi!

~Nate

Atland #315 - The Bell

2011-10-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

This was another episode that I drew backwards. I do that sometimes. I start with the last panel and draw everything in reverse. Not sure why.

I couldn't wait to reach this episode so I could draw the Prophet again. I love drawing his conjoined twin. He's also got a third leg, which was only apparent in his first appearance.

In two weeks, the last black & white episode of the flashback. Then we return to Photoshop coloring. :( Kinda bummed I had MUCH more fun using markers and paint on these.

Also, I will be at New York Comic Con on Oct. 13-16. And I will be doing a signing at the Dark Horse booth at 12:30 on Friday the 14th. I'll be with the guys from DETHKLOK. Should be fun.

~N

Atland #314 - Prediction Fulfilled

2011-09-21T12:35:00.000-07:00

And we're back!

Why doesn't the map look like anywhere on the maps found on the website? Because this takes place hundreds of year ago. The modern Atland map is drastically different.

Or, maybe a wizard did it. Whichever you prefer.

Panel 3 is one of those cases where this whole marker thing comes in handy. Once Oanna and Throd were all inked and colored, I could go into the background with some super light gray markers and freehand in all the combatants behind them. Then build up the figures with darker grays. Saved so much time.

In 2 weeks, the Chimera falls into the hands of another...

~N

Atland Resumes this Week

2011-09-19T05:24:00.001-07:00

We get back on schedule this week, now that I've recovered from the trip to DragonCon. New episode on Thursday!

~N

Getting Back on Schedule

2011-09-13T09:12:00.001-07:00

I'm pretty much caught up on all the paying work since my return from DRAGON CON. Right after I got back, I got a wicked head cold. Feeling better now, and this week I'll be getting back on schedule with ATLAND. Next episode will be next week.

Thanks!

~N

NYCC

2011-09-13T06:00:00.001-07:00

My next con will be NYCC, Oct. 13-16. I'll be walking around. Possibly doing a Dark Horse project signing. Who else is going?

Atland #313 - Mother of Battle

2011-08-24T15:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes finding reference photos for the comic is as much fun as drawing it. I spent a good half hour collecting pictures of warthogs from all angles. I had an idea for a different, more primitive version of the orcs we've seen previously, and I thought diminutive warthogs would be a good base for inspiration.

I will be attending Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia the weekend of Sept. 3 and 4. In fact, I'm taking a little extra time so I can see Atlanta since I've never been. I'm not exhibiting at the con, just walking around with friends for fun. Anyone else going?

I'm fairly certain that Atland #314 will be delayed because of the trip, but I'll keep you updated.

~N

Batman reads Atland?

2011-08-16T12:45:00.000-07:00

Check out the browser windows that Bats closes at about 17 seconds in...

http://www.youtube.com/user/hungryzoo#p/u/0/fiw3H8L-5OI

~N

Atland #312 - More Than Anything

2011-08-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't guessed it by now, the theme of this fairy tale flashback is "two wrongs make an even bigger wrong...and lots of people are going to pay with their lives." It's a great lesson for the kids.

In retrospect, I'm not as happy with panel 2 as I should be. I think the composition is a little right-heavy. I was counting on the dialogue on the left to balance it out, but it didn't work out quite that way.

On the other hand, panel 3 is my favorite. Those bubbles and ripples in the slime were all done with a white colored pencil over a mix of black and gray Prismacolor maker underneath. I have to remember that for future bubbly ooziness.

In two weeks, the slave girl moves up in the world.

~N

Atland #311 - The Slime Bog

2011-07-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

I have to tell you, I was terrified of having to color in water (or in this case, a slime bog) by conventional means. I've always done it in photoshop for the full color episodes. If you screw up there, you just "undo". With ink, markers and paint, you have to get it right the first time.

I drew this page backwards. I started with the big splash panel at the bottom and worked counter clockwise. I colored the slime bog once, but it came out too light. It looked less like slime and more like cloudy water. So I just attacked it with dark grays, then more blacks, then white colored pencil and finally white acrylic paint. I beat it into submission. I'm pretty happy with the result.

In two weeks, the Chimera speaks!

~N

Atland #310 - The Concubine

2011-07-13T13:40:00.000-07:00

This is the episode that almost wasn't. I had the most bizarre weekend of injury and illness ever. I live on the coast and I like to go to the beach when there are no crowds. Last Saturday night, I went for an evening swim, and got caught in the undertow and dragged along the bottom. Lost one of my surfing boots. My forearms, right leg, right foot, and my back got chewed up pretty bad. I was convinced that a toe on my right foot was broken. I stumbled back to shore and collapsed on my towel, bleeding all over. My wife said I was laughing. I don't remember that at all.

I limped around for two days. Turns out my foot wasn't broken. But I'm covered in scabs and bruises.

Then the universe decided it was a good time to give me a stomach virus and accompanying 101.5 degree fever on Monday.

I'm on the mend now. Somehow I managed to finish this episode yesterday.

I guess this is one of those times where the story behind the episode is more interesting than the episode!

In two weeks (barring any other plans the universe has for me...) Throd's concubine lost in the primordeal jungle...

~N

Atland #309 - Throd

2011-06-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

And so begins the first page of Nessa's flashback sequence. This is my first time ever using gray markers, white pencil and white acrylic paint on an episode. I decided to photograph the creation of the episode. So without further ado...

Unfortunately, the photos I took between here and the final page came out blurry. :( But here's the end result:

In 2 weeks, Throd scours the realms to make sure NOTHING can defeat him.

Special Treat Next Week!

2011-06-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

Next week's ATLAND episode marks a first for the series -- a flashback toned entirely by conventional means (no photoshop). I've decided to photograph the entire process from pencils to finished and you'll see dozens of photos of the episode's creation.

And just because I'm cool like that, here's a preview!

Welcome to the New Blog!

2011-06-20T06:53:00.000-07:00

This will be the place for ATLAND news, preview artwork and episode commentary. Subscribe for the latest updates!

~N