Heart of the City by Steenz for April 09, 2009

I don’t know if you guys noticed this, but I switched pen styles in HEART. I’m still finding my way as it relates to this strip, but the going is easier with these pens. Any thoughts?

Hmm…the lines do look a bit smoother. What are you using for the grey effect? It looks like one of those cel-type sticker ones (originally used for typesetting)

Mark It’s good that some artists still care about the art. These strips have always had the look of being hand drawn. Ones that are done strictly on a computer, don’t always have that. The humor and sentiment are just as important. Keep up the good work.

Amen

Nice work IMHO, Dean’s hair I think looks more detailed, and the little things like the reflection on the puddles, the rain and the grass look great too.

On screen, the lines look thinner than previous strips, which is a good thing for detail. The question will be how it looks in print. The Philadelphia Inquirer keeps reducing the size of comics and the new format of comics in the TV listing section on Sunday is just depressing. Depressingly small. I hope it looks as good there as it does here. PS: Love your work here and with Lio. I want Lio in the Inky! PPS: My wife suggests a crossover series with Heart and Lio’s single parents having a date. You could run it in both strips in their own style. That would be epic.

It’s a great strip.

It’s a great strip.

they are made for each other

Constructive criticism? Since I’ve got nothing better to do right now, you’re welcome: Now that you mention it, yes one can see that the lines are thinner. 1st and 2nd panels look right at this scale. Good use of details.

3rd panel, the interrupted lines on the door simply don’t look right. Far as I remember, most of this comic’s lines have always been continuous. New pen, okay, but this was much too timid. Together with the fine shading of Heart’s hat, these little details change the style much more than you may be aware of.

Lio’s squiggly surrealism is bleeding over into here; I don’t think it suits this strip. This panel lacks the usual boldness that gives Heart its “little comic kid” charm. Careful, if you’re too realistic with the details, the “innocence” goes missing. (Not a problem for Lio, obviously.) Dean’s hair looks amazing, but almost too elaborate. It noticeably isn’t the same thick mess that we’re used to see.

4th panel, the thick lines of her hair, the unusually thin outlines of her face and hat that frame large empty areas, in contrast to the overdetailed umbrella folds - quite jarring differences there. All in all, it looks like you’re trying to fill a too large piece of paper.

On a story note, I love the punchline. That is just pure classic.

I like the contrasts. Good job, Mark. . Thanks, Heart. A woman’s efforts are always appreciated.

Dear Mr Tatulli, I have been reading & loving “Heart” for several years. You could use charcoal from a fireplace & I’d still love it. Any hope for another book? Thanks again from a 61 yo, Peter

Mr Tatulli, I agree with luket, as long as you continue to draw Heart and Lio’, I will continue to read your comic strips!! Your art work is wonderful and often times is the best part of my day. I think the new pen style you are using for Heart is giving it more defintion, I think you are headed in the right direction!!

I agree with Desultourist’s take on Dean’s new hairstyle, it reminds me of Einstein’s hair while the older style was more of a pure messiness (like Pigpen’s dirt). I can’t say which is more appropriate in deans case.

Mark, Pure love, that’s how I would describe the artwork. And the pen does make a difference, delicate and detailed.

And where were Dean’s parents?

AWWWWW !! Especially the second panel oozer cuteness.

3 years later…i wish i had someone to pull me out of my mud puddle. Heart is a good name for you…

Go to bed, dumb dumb.