The makings of a comic...

To begin drawing even just a three frame strip is very hard. It begins through thinking of themes even before imagining it on paper.

To start a good idea is brainstorming what it could be, according to: what is happening in the local news; seasonal ideas; what holidays are nearby... but then there's thinking of the joke!

This is my foundation to every comic, which I build up through George and Brian's tiny faces. This is quite difficult in terms of finding the right emotional and humour balance, especially as The Burngreave Messenger has such a wide group of recipricants and readers.

After a search through books, the internet, or my brain, I can settle on a joke or one-liner. Then it's down to sketching the characters and any other objects needed to bring it to life, I tend to keep it to a maximum of four frames (another challenge).

After adding colour, text, and going over fine details, I send it to the messenger's 'HQ'. They scan it into the computer and transform it into a suitable format for print. There is something so amazing about seeing your work fully published and on paper.

Thanks for reading
Edgar Lowman

Evolution

George and Brian started through inspiration from a Christmas 'Beano' magazine in 2010, which was filled with tiny characters getting up to a myriad of activities at the edge of the page. I tried sketching them, putting some of my own inspiration into them.

Since then they've evolved:

At the start they were roughly drawn, but over three years they've become cuter, more colourful, and a bit chubby. And although they usually wear the same outfits...

...they often change to suit the occasion: like George's winter or Valentine's gear, or Brian's autumnal or Birthday accessories:

And there are even new characters arriving into the comic strips like Father Christmas:

There's always more to come

Edgar Lowman

Originals

These are two of the very first strips that were published to the Messenger's website. Just by scanning in, not with any computer wizardry.

Hope you enjoy these, more to come soonish.

Welcome

Hello,

My name is Edgar Lowman, I am a cartoonist for Sheffield's 'The Burngreave Messenger' and have set up this blog to showcase the newest comic strips and news connected to the antics of  George and Brian. You can see the comics from the newspaper here: http://www.burngreavemessenger.org/community/george-brian/

 I will also be uploading the original sketches as they're made, the version before they've been computerised but after the paper's printed, and possibly some nice miniature illustrations that won't go to print. But we'll see.
Here's the original sketch from the January/February issue; many thanks to the team at the Burngreave Messenger for supporting me and publishing my comics, it's much appreciated

Feedback is always welcome: ELowman235@gmail.com






I'm looking forward to it
Edgar Lowman