Time to Go was my first proper political webcomic. I drew it the night of the brexit vote being counted as an illustration of what I feared would happen, though I didn’t actually think it would, I shared it on the Scotland subreddit and headed off to bed. I woke up in the morning to find that not only had what I depicted come true, but I also had 10,000 hits on the website overnight.
At the time I’d been creating a webcomic called Evil Dr. Eye for about three months. It featured a main character of a guy with a massive eye for a head, a character I’d actually been drawing in doodles since high school. I was still learning to draw (still am!) and hadn’t really got any kind of audience yet, but after the success of this political comic I decided to head straight into political cartooning from there on. This allowed me to continue doodling these things but also to share my wish for Scotland to be an independent country. Evil Dr. Eye became Evil Dr. Aye.
The original version of this comic featured Evil Dr. Eye playing the part of Scotland. Remember this was just meant to be a one-off thing, I hadn’t considered that I would actually get into political cartoons at this point. The result of this was that the number one comment I saw as the comic quickly went viral, and is still being shared nearly three years later, was “what’s with the creepy eye?!” Well later I switched to watercolours and stopped selling the original digital prints on my stands at comic cons and marches, which meant Time To Go went off sale. I’ve wanted to redraw it in watercolour for a long while now, so here it is, and in doing so I was able to fix the biggest source of confusion, I’ve ditched the Eye and we now have Scotland being represented by this lassy who I feel portrays the role so much better.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me with the last three years of political cartoons, especially those at the Scotland subreddit, while I’m working on other projects these days, I plan to keep putting out political stuff for the foreseeable future. Sometimes I worry that I’ll have nothing to draw for Evil Dr. Aye if we do actually get independence though! We’ll see in time I suppose 🙂
Well, as of typing this, the What a Naughty Unicorn book is sent to the printers for review. I’m supposed to hear feedback within 24 hours, it’s been 23, so they’re sure cutting it close (I type this stuff before I go to bed, so you’re in the future right now, hello from yesterday night!). Hopefully, I’ll be able to order a proof of the book tomorrow, and if that’s all good, I’ll be able to order a few to take with me to Dunfermline Comic Con in March 🙂
This cartoon is another sneak peek from the book and shows one of the main themes of the story line.
Feliç Dia Nacional de Catalunya!
(“Happy National Day of Catalonia!” if Google translate knows what it’s on about;)
Cartoon translation assistance thanks to @CatalansForYes on Twitter.
So the other day I had a yearning to visit Hobbycraft and buy some water colours… mainly due to a nice watercolour set being advertised in a Hobbycraft marketing email. It was a nifty little thing with a brush pen that you just fill up with water and use with the little watercolour pans. Seeing as I ink my drawings using a Pentel Brush Pen, I figured the transition wouldn’t be so difficult and I’ve been really admiring other artists who use watercolours lately such as Neil Slorance.
I’m really pleased with how this one came out and will be making it available as a print so check the prints page for those on Common Market 🙂
This is probably my third or fourth attempt drawing a Scottish wildcat. Still not particularly pleased with it, but at least I’ve managed to keep that bad tempered expression that is such a part of our wildcats 🙂
I’ve heard it suggested a few times now that everyone should just start keeping a list of the little things they see changing around them, keeping note of all the freedoms and rights we enjoy right now that drip by drip get taken away, because with each tiny drip we just don’t see it as all that much, but in a wee while, when you put it all together, you’re going to wish you said something sooner 🙁
This past week we’ve seen the first minister of our country be told that she will no longer be allowed to meet face to face with the prime minister of the “United” Kingdom. It says it all about the whole wanting Scotland to lead as part of an equal partnership.
I’m constantly surprised by the people I meet who have no idea there’s an election happening tomorrow. Come on folks, friends don’t let friends not vote! 🙂
Also, this is my 100th comic!
Well, while we may have been hoping for a little rest after this council election, don’t you worry, Scotland is always ready for another vote, we’ll always fight. Always.
Nice to see the press always telling us what’s best for it and its profits.
Also, yesterday marked the end of my very first Comic Con in Edinburgh! It was utterly brilliant experience and I hope to bring Evil Dr. Eye (or Yes?) to more cons real soon! Thank you to everyone who came over and especially to those who bought prints and other stuff 🙂
Today is the second day of Edinburgh Comic Con, to celebrate a successful first day, I’ve put together this quicky 🙂 Really looking forward to seeing you all today for day two!
