cashmeresky

Caught in a Storm

I had a sudden surge of inspiration last week with a character piece of Arlo standing in the city at night looking somber / melancholy / etc. I wanted to try more experimentation with composition, framing, story, etc... so I got to work. 

As I kept going, I thought maybe I could give him a cigarette for the piece, but Arlo doesn't smoke (maybe cigars for fun). Then I decided to put him in a more youthful / punk aesthetic, perhaps something mimicking a biker's or letter jacket from ...

Not the real dialogue

I apologize for the lack of updates over the last 1-2 weeks, as I've been making preparations for an upcoming announcement regarding the comic. I've had to make some very important decisions after talking with a trusted friend / advisor, and I'm hoping the next steps I take will be the right decision.

Don't worry, the comic isn't going anywhere, but I just don't want to say too much yet as I need to organize how it'll be handled.

Anyway, if you've ever seen the parody GI Joe PSA v...

She's got a plan

Another part of a page I sketched out. I think I'm starting to get the hang of drawing Daphne. Hopefully I can hold that pattern and keep doing it! The grey toned Daphne above is pretty darn close to how she's always looked in my head. Then again, I'll probably say that 2 years from now drawing her again lol.

Oh, and backgrounds are a pain in the ass. XD

Back at it!

After a long last week, I'm back at it and Daphne is um.... her nerves are getting shot. Can you guess why? Let's just say she's used to winning. XD Here's some new cleaned up sketches from tonight.

A birthday surprise :3

A few weeks ago, my 8 year old niece texted me (yes she has a phone... for reasons) asking me to draw her and her brother (5 years old) as a cat. She's aware I make a lot of art and has asked me this many times over the last few months. So as me trying to be her cool uncle, I told her "I'll see what I can do." 

This took me about 4 days of planning, producing, and tweaking, but then I realized I wanted to get this framed, but then I I was like.... shit.... that takes 1-2 weeks. So,...

Before and Afters

Since posting the dirty sketches, I wanted to show what it looks like in cleanup. I will admit, sometimes a bit of the gesture (even expression) is lost in the cleanups. This can be due to constraints in the models being used, where a desk is taller or wider, suddenly restricting the pose. Even as I post this and looking at them, I'm getting the urge to tweak them further.

The left side sketches were just plopped down quickly eyeballing it. The right side actually used the 3D models and...

MOAR SCRIBBLES!

As a slight contrast to my last post, I'm still uh... giving you a page, but a bit sloppier! I hammered this out last night and will be grinding away doing the more polished illustrations. I will admit though, there are some "dirty sketches" that come across more charismatic than the finals! So that's something I'm definitely trying to work on and not lose.

Can you figure out what's happening here? XD

The work continues

I know it's a little rare for me to upload a full page at this level of finish, but I felt I owed my patrons that. I must be careful not to reveal anything big cause I want it to be a surprise! However, this page shows you how the 3D models and background are being used with character placement, also with Professor Watts making his debut! This is ALSO the scene where Daphne and Enzo meet! I've been waiting for this a LONG time. I can't wait! XD

The 3d models used aren't 100% followed as...

Part of this balanced breakfast!

This was a patron commission for someone wanting to see Enzo on a sugar high. I sort of took this further than expected based on the subject matter because I found it hilarious lol. What better way than to get psyched eating delicious cereal with the breakfast mascot that is technically not appropriate for children. Helix commands you have MOAR SUGAR!

Enzo has experienced liftoff. XD

A bit of experimentation

Professor Watts will be making his debut in the next big scene of Volume 2! (finally). He's not just an eccentric zany teacher, but also Enzo's mentor too. Smart guy, dorky as hell, but with a heart of gold. This is a half-tone style sketch I did the other night. He's more orange in the final coloring (look at the website hehe).

Though science can't wait. MORE SCIENCE MUST BE DONE!

Cashmere Sky Project Update #10

After many months, I've released my first update well into Volume 2! There's a lot to talk about and some new surprises! (maybe hehe) This video is unlisted and exclusive for patrons for the next few days. Thanks again for your support!

Let's get the science done!

As another update, I've finally reached a scene in the comic that I've been thinking about for years! I hope I can land the scene the way I've thought of it! Yes, I've finally gone 3D (for some things). These scenes were beautifully created and rendered by the talented Zachary Nall, a good friend of mine. He was also the lead 3D modeler on the new Lackadaisy film that has yet to be released! Check out some of his work at https://newt.work...

Cashmere Sky.....after dark......?

It's time to back away from the computer... very slowly. When I get tired or bogged down... my hand starts doing terrible things to my characters. I don't know what happened. This scene turned from normal.... to David Lynch or something. Anyway, thought it would be good for a laugh.

Note: The characters do NOT look like this in the actual scene.

Teen Girl Squad!

So aside from the Homestar Runner joke in the title, Daphne's debut has started! From left to right (first image), we have Karen, Daphne, and Amber. This trio is a bit of the popular bunch in school, which is a far cry opposite from Enzo. Lots of shenanigans are about to ensue as this story unfolds. :P

These are the cleaned up sketches, pre-line art, but I usually do even more fixes and details during those stages.

P.S. How much does Karen look like "Karen"? LOL

A fresh year, a fresh website (and more)

Hello again! I know the events of 2021 are a bit crazy so far and hope everyone is staying safe during the pandemic, but at least I can present you all an upgraded and fresher website! I just realized it's been around 4-5 years since I touched the main site other than artwork! I've learned a lot in web design over the years, so this is a great way to flex my muscles (succeeding I hope hehe).

I had earlier posted the revamp of the comic section, but the main site had not been done yet. I...

School is in session

Welp.... as I've tried to dedicate myself in Volume 2 to making more establishing shots and expanding the world, I thought it would be important to show Enzo's school (and previously Arlo's since his graduation).  I originally planned to make it a city school, but thought maybe I should keep in the the suburbs of Ohmsdale. I wanted a somewhat classic looking school with a campus, as it covers large populations of Ohmsdale. Enzo still has to take the train to get there though hehe.

...

Expression Time

I probably should've waited until I did more design work with her, but I went and added 9 expression and played with some small design cues. I may change her hairstyle a bit, along with the eyes. The goal was um.... "cute" hehehe.

Here's the pill known as Daphne.

Making her introductions

As I wrap up another section of the story, a new character is FINALLY getting introduced.... Daphne Goodwin. She was actually one of the first characters I ever drew, way back in 2014. If you noticed, she DID have a cameo at the very end of Volume 1 in a single panel, but that was it.

I'm excited for the next few months, if not years, as Enzo and Daphne's story is a lot of fun for me. They're an unlikely duo that starts for all the wrong reasons, but all hilarious at the same time.

Kitty City :3

What you're seeing is the VERY early stages of this shot. Establishing shots are critically important in story telling, and while I've been trying to build my characters, building the world can be equally as important. I've had a lot of hints and minor shots of Hybolt City, including an aerial view of the city on the website, but I've been really wanting to get down on the streets and give a good showcase of it. 

I'll occasionally have scenes with a few more characters than just on...

Late for school?

Following up from my last post, I thought I'd share some of the latest renders. I'm trying new experiments with lighting, color, and values to see if I can capture that "early morning" vibe to the house.  Anyway, here's Enzo in Volume 2 in his rendered glory! You're going to see a lot more of him in the upcoming story! :D

Flats to renders

I just wanted to give a quick update! This particular scene is only 2 pages, but even flats... like a simple coloring book can be time consuming and quite a doozy. When you add more detail... the crayons wear down faster (and me also lol). When this gets rendered, expect reflective wood floors, sunlight through windows, misty morning atmosphere, art on the walls, rug details... and uh... other things. It's hard to plan for it. I just sort of wing it as I go! :P

A sketch collage

Just wanted to throw up a batch of sketches again. Some are older (you might have seen), and a few new. I do this sometimes to get a perspective of the design language of the book so far, and if my skills are improving. It's always a rough ride, but still exciting! :P

I have about 6-8 pages left before I get to a part of the story I've been waiting to do for years. Some Enzo and Daphne anyone? (and a lot of them) :D

The differences in planning shots

As another post for my patrons, I wanted to outline something that I've been trying hard to work on in visual storytelling. The shots above are from a new page in the early rough processes. The character script is exactly the same, but depending on how you break it up, it can give off a different vibe.

I've been trying to get away from "flat" feeling panels and pages, as depth really brings a lot of visual reward and vivid realizations of the world. The top panel is 1 point perspective,...

Stages of production

I just wanted to share some stages of production while I've been chugging away on Volume 2. From above, we have

Rough
Sketch
Lines / Flats
Render

There's many more steps in between this, but these outline the production as a whole. Yeah, Arlo isn't having a great day hehe. 

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Some Holly and Enzo sketches

As I've finished the last scene, I'm entering a new one. This is the first attempt at Enzo and Holly's new Volume 2 designs. I feel these are still rough, but as with anything, I should get better at drawing them through repetition. It's fun, yet frustrating in parts hehe. Anyway, here's a few to start.

EDIT: Did some fixes and added a leg! (version 1.0 for now)

Let the rendering begin!

Pages are drawn, lined, and colored... but now rendering. Here's the first peak of renders of the next 8 pages. I wanted to go for a colder themed pallet for the jail cell. Colors can tell a story as much as the words and drawings. Lots more to go. :D

Just look at that mug....... shot.

Welp, to give you a bit more insight to how Volume 2 is kicking off.... I'll just come clean. Here's a little mugshot for you. I think it explains itself lol.

Some backend web updates

As some may or may not know, web design is sort of my trade. I recently ran an all new (and much more modern) backend on the comic section of the website since it has its own sub-domain. I kept everything roughly looking the same, but trimmed the fat, cleaned up the code, added more animations, more cross mobile / browser friendly, better security, faster, snappier, yadda yadda.

I plan to revamp the main Cashmere Sky website, but that will take a lot more time since I have much bigger i...

The sketch process

I've been trying to get back into a habit that has seriously helped me in the past. Maybe it was due to laziness or the fear of a bad drawing, but I forced myself anyway.

I've found that doing the "quick and dirty" level of sketching gives a base to work off of which has much more focus. Normally I'd just try to jump into the main sketch, but I've discovered that should be "Phase 2".

This piece is half of a new page I am currently working on. The super sloppy sketches at the top w...

Selfie 2020

It's been a few years before I made one of these. A lot has changed (mainly new kitties coming and going... :( ) but here's Kepler and Luna together in their first post! This is also my first one without glasses! Normally I try to do a different style than I normally do, but I went after the more traditionally formula, though with much more emphasis on line weight and how I chose to shade it.

I was asked to try the "Cal Arts" style on this... so I took a couple minutes and laughed. Gee ...