Another Birthmark?! (A practice run mini comic)

Last post until I leave for vacation! <3 I probably should've worked on TLLT panels, but this was such a short work week for me-- only two days-- that my brain is already kinda in vacation mode. I didn't want to start working on a scene and then leave it for a week and have to pick it back up where I left off... SO! I decided to do this instead.

I've been really observing and researching popular webcomics lately, to try and elevate my "style" for this next story. TLLT has been a wonderful lesson in storytelling for me (and I have ZERO regrets about it) but I'll admit, there are things stylistically that I think probably prevent it from gaining the popularity that I always hoped it would. And... that's okay. I have to remind myself that making comics isn't just about following what's "popular". I'm not trying to be a cookie cutter anyway...

But there's a number of things I want to change/improve on for the next story :) I'm trying to create an atmosphere that's a little more light and airy/more open feeling. Less chunky black borders, more dynamic borders and angles... More space in general. Bigger speech bubbles. Bigger images. Maybe LESS focus on backgrounds? (Backgrounds in TLLT are meant to tell A LOT about the setting/vibe and be recognizable. Backgrounds in my next story wont need as much impact).

One thing I'm also considering is the difference between doing linework with my next comic, or just keeping it sketchy and full color? This ^^^ example I did is sketchy and I think it looks plenty good enough as is (the linework wouldn't make that much difference imo? But let me know what you think!) I didn't do any shading in this example either, and that was simply because I was lazy.

ANYWAY. You guys always get the most of me when it comes to my thoughts, so I apologize lol. As for the content of this little comic... Just... Keplan being a shithead y'know? lol.  I can't give away too much of their personalities yet, but I can assure you that Keplan will find any excuse to embarrass Harver in public. That's how he combats his horny feelings... lol.

Oh and Harver has a second birthmark on his back in the vague shape of a heart. How INFURIATINGLY CUTE.