Color?
This is a topic I’ve been toying around with for several years, now…. the idea of producing the comic strip in full color, as opposed to the current black & white format. Actually, when the strip first premiered in late 1998, it was in color. I hadn’t planned it, but when Genre magazine offered to run the first few episodes as a showcase of the strip, they asked if I could provide it in color. I was glad to oblige, though conflicted. As I said, I hadn’t planned for the strip to be in color, and I wasn’t sure how those “made to be black & white” episodes would translate into color. They ended up looking fine, but there was something about the black & white I preferred. Perhaps it was the gloriously-produced romance comic strips of old, which made an artform of black & white, that I was shooting for with the comic strip, that I didn’t want to let go of. Or maybe the fact that all of my comic strip work up to that point, (Manic Music, Angel’s Story, and all of my high school & college comic strips), had been done in black & white, and it was a format I was used to. (My comic book work, though, was mainly in color). More recently, certain fans of the strip have made me pledge to always do it in black & white, as they feel it is the hallmark of the strip, and to go to color would take away from the overall look, feel, and moodiness of the strip, much as the glamour of many 1930s & 40s films is enhanced by their black & white beauty. So, reader, what do you think? How about leaving a comment here, (click on the comments link below), and share your input on this? I’d love to hear what you think!
Color comics are the style of the day, and oddly enough, they homogenize the comics world–Sunday comics, comic books, etc. But you are right. B & W is a hallmark of your B&B world, and it works fine. Have you thought of the impact on bi-racial story lines, like Brad’s current introduction?
Comment by Ron Mershart — January 17, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
I can be really clueless at times - I have been a fan of Kyle’s B&B for the longest time and never even knew you had a blog! And now you want an OPINION. Well, here goes:
I LOVE the black and white format. But having a history of B&W should not be the determining reason to continue it this way. What you have to figure out is which format will present the strip better. The B&W allows you to include many fine details in a small frame. Would adding color mean a loss of detail? I would not worry so much about color taking away from the mood because, as you know, artists manage too create any mood they want with the right color combination. The question is more are you comfortable enough with color and do you feel you can manipulate color the way you manipulate your pen? My opinion is that one way of doing things will never address all needs. You have options, use them all. As an artist you get to play god with your creation - you get to decide if the world, or an episode, or a frame, should be in color or in black and white. Why not mix and match? For example, the final photo op on the beach with all the characters could have been in color while the rest of the frames could remain in black and white. You can also use color to convey additional information. For example, start with a black and white frame, and add color one shade at a time, so when the final important frame comes it is in full color.
I am an artist wannabe and color to me was never just an accessory, more of an important character in the story.
Michelle
Comment by Michelle — January 18, 2007 @ 7:37 am
Michelle & Ron, thank you both for your magnificent comments! You gave me a lot to think about. Something I forgot to mention in my original post on this subject is this: most of the publications that publish the comic strip would not be able to publish it in color, anyway. So, the color option would be primarily for folks who read the strip online. Which, certainly, is a large chunk of my audience, and worth making the change in format for. Another consideration IS the time factor; coloring the strip would add one more full day’s work onto the production of each episode of the strip…in other words, 26 extra days a year. Certainly not insurmountable, but I already feel under the gun at times with deadlines, so is is something to consider. As far as me working with color…yes, I do feel comfortable and proficient with it, although I probably have not done enough to know all the “tricks of the trade” that might make me a top-notch comics colorist. So, as with all things I’ve done in comics since my work began being published when I was 14 years old, I’d be learning in public while everyone watches. Which is not always a bad way to learn; you do tend to learn faster that way, probably because you’re being thrown into the deep end, and it’s sink or swim. But I like a lot of what you said about experimenting with color, Michelle, and I have considered some of those very things you mentioned. I do hope to have a special one-shot, “try-out” episode in color at some point soon, so stay tuned. And thank you, again, for your kind, intelligent, thoughtful words!
Greg
Comment by Administrator — January 19, 2007 @ 1:31 am
I would say once a quarter do a color strip. If this was a weekly strip then I would say once a week, on Sunday, do a color strip.
Comment by Choc — January 22, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
I prefer the classic black and white format.
Comment by Bill — January 23, 2007 @ 11:29 am
While I really enjoy the black and white layout, sometimes there are panels or episodes that I think could use some color. My suggestion is use your best judgement — if, when you are drawing the strip, you really see something better in color, then go for it. Also, if there’s something important or meaningful that you think should stand out, do so (a la Schindler’s List, the girl in the red jacket).
Just my thoughts. And no matter what you do, some fans will be cranky about change. ignore ‘em — the strip is great!
Comment by Ben — January 27, 2007 @ 5:32 pm
i feel that u keep it black and white…i have followed ur comic for now years and i enjoy it in black and white…but if u want to do several in color to do something different that would be grand too…keep up the good work and ill keep reading…thanks again
Comment by robb — January 28, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Hi Greg, first of all let me say that I really enjoy your comics. I’m from Germany (so sorry about the mistakes I probably make) and I bought the “Kyle’s B&B” book when I went to NYC last summer. I have been dropping by on your website for new episodes ever since. I admire your work - the drawings, the characters you develop, the stories you write… It’s fun to read and it’s important, and I thought I’d just say ‘thank you’ for a the effort you put into it.
I think you should stick to black and white for several reasons, the most important one being that I believe drawing comics is a work of art. And since a substantial part of that specific work of art called “Kyle’s B&B” is its being drawn in black and white, I would not change it.
This is not to say that an artist should not experiment or work with different kinds of material, but its b&w character is an important part of this particular piece of art. Being b&w (among other factors) is what makes it special.
Also, on a more ‘pragmatic’ level, I think that the use of color generally means less room for imagination and a higher risk of diversion from both the story and the drawings, let alone the fact that it takes a lot of extra time (as you mentioned), which i think you could make better use of by creating new storylines for “Kyle’s B&B”.
Anyway, just what I think about this. I hope I managed to get my point across. Keep up the great work!
Comment by Finn — January 31, 2007 @ 9:55 am
I vote for B&W. One of my favorite aspects of your strip is the rich detail you use to illustrate shadows, backgrounds, and other subtleties. That is, as you mention, a romantic art form from long ago, which wouldn’t translate in a color strip. I suppose a color strip once in awhile would be okay, especially for folks that don’t appreciate the classic style. But I’d hate to see all of that B&W detail disappear. You do a GREAT job with it, Greg. Keep it up!
Tim
Comment by Tim — February 1, 2007 @ 12:26 am
To everyone who responded so far…thank you! What magnificent, insightful comments; I am incredibly touched by every one of your thoughful words here. I’m also happy to see that virtually everyone seems to be leaning towards B&W, so far, at least. A note to Finn, from Germany…no need to apologize for any mistakes…your English is impeccable! Thank you for the kind words. Thank you everyone!
Comment by Administrator — February 1, 2007 @ 1:07 am