ECTOPIARY. Page 34

A NEW ECTOPIARY PAGE IS NOW READY FOR READING HERE

The story of the book moves on, as does life for most of us.
Since moving to these rural climes, news often takes awhile to reach me. I learned only yesterday that a most unusual individual who I was proud to call a friend passed away on June 11. Hugo Baratta, as I remember him, was a slender, soft-spoken gentleman who would ride his bike into Leavitt & Pierce in Harvard Square (where I worked 2001 - 2006) and peddle his peculiar watercolor paintings; sometimes in exchange for a pack of smokes. His conversation was sometimes stilted and non-sequitorial, but always friendly, good-spirited and enjoyable. Those who've seen the video of me on YouTube will remember that I had quite amassed quite a collection (about 1/3 of which is visible in that particular document.) His paintings are pure, unpretentious, sometimes containing confounding symbolism. Some of the best examples are hidden away in storage at the moment, but I hope to locate them soon. I shall remember him dearly as kind-hearted soul with a beautiful smile, gentle manner and spirit. His obituary can be read here.

ECTOPIARY, Page 33

LATEST ECTOPIARY PAGE READY TO READ HERE

Page 33 is an excellent metaphor for my ability to charm the ladies. You'd think I'd have learned by now.

Speaking of slow learning curves, here's pictorial essay titled WHY IT TAKES ME A WEEK TO DRAW A SINGLE COMIC PAGE:
A single panel can become a prolonged ordeal. An example is the one that follows. An ostensibly simple image: Dale and her uncle walking in single file down a hallway with some expository dialogue. This is the first penciled attempt. The figures are awkward, poorly balanced and out of proportion. They also seem to be floating above the floor that they're supposed to be walking on; that is, if I drew one.
Attempt number two: Dale's uncle looks okay. However, Dale looks more like a misshapen midget instead of a little girl. Also, I don't like the background.
I decide to draw each element separately. Here's a drawing of Dale that, although not stunning, is acceptable.
Then I proceed to pencil a new backdrop:
Here it is, in ink:
Next, I begin lavishing it with details that are inevitably going to be obstructed by characters and word balloons.
Having fun with scissors, glue, white-out and neurotic texturing. Here is the result. (Dialogue removed for this post.)

ECTOPIARY, Page 32

NEW ECTOPIARY PAGE CAN BE READ HERE!

Fluctuous internet connectivity delayed this week's post by a day. I'm hoping all enjoying Ectopiary's development. Please, if you will, click on the advertisements, if only to help support my own site.
Unfortunately, I have no penis drawings to post this week. Perhaps a forgotten Cochlea & Eustachia drawing from my archives will suffice as a remedial substitute?

ECTOPIARY, Page 31

LATEST ECTOPIARY PAGE VIEWABLE HERE.

I have now disrupted the harmonious layout of my website with Project Wonderful advertising. Nonetheless, I urge people to click on them and lend support to those who would support me!
This post was delayed a few hours due to my inability to locate a convenient public establishment with a WiFi connection. It seems they all closed today due to some kind of holiday. I'm not sure which one, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with me.
To continue the theme of last week's blog, I am now posting Further Adventures With My Penis. (Originally printed in TRUE PORN #1)