Work

 

Vacation

 Working on the secret issue, the notes, issue 55, whatever you like to call it. Should be a bit over 32 pages with some surprises and some light funny stuff. After finishing the exhausting issue 54 this one feels like vacation. Now rules can be bent as much as I want, no need to stick to any previous strategy. Still the same characters and (looks like) the same overall technique (marker on scraperboard). But some storytelling ways might take a somewhat different route. All and all it feels more relaxed.

Without the pandemic I might also take same time off, seeing friends, going to bookstores, restaurants, opers, but since things stand as they do I mostly continue the way I've done for most of 2020. All classes are remote and they will stay remote for most of 2021 too. Daily ride to the studio will be done with a bike as has been the case since February. Some day the pandemic will be over, though. Maybe then some celebration.

Ain't over yet

 But not long to go. Main book is now finished with issue 54 drawn. The additions and corrections will take til January/February. It's the end stretch no matter how you look at it.

One

 One panel short of finishing the 54 issue run. There is still the "secret" issue but I don't know if it's even going to be an issue or just 40 pages extra in the book version. So.

Took 9 years. Approximately 150 pages a year. Pretty ok, but could've been faster too, I guess. 

Next week I'll cut  the "secret" issue pages and will probably start with the ones that then feel most pleasant. A soft landing from Läskimooses. And must not forget editing, whatever that means, some additional pages to improve the overall rhythm, some grammar corrections... Estimating that it'll be over in February, maybe March. 

But the "secret" issue feels different. Most of the stories only one or two pages. Longest would be 10 or maybe bit more. Easy to change and skip between them. Feels less like work than 53 and 54. Feels, yes. 

Then 2021 spring and some new direction. Unless someone wants Suomaan kansan muinaisusko in some place. That would mean getting back to Läskimooses related stuff.