Producing Mister Mask in color is something that I more or less stumbled into. The story was losely scripted, 1/4 sketched out, with only its first few strips inked when I found a very helpful book at my local B&N, that led to the decision the color the strip.

Hi-Fi Color for Comics is a must have for anyone contemplating a career as a digital colorist.

Honestly, I didn’t set out thinking about doing the strip in color. Although, 103 strips later, I’m glad I did. My anatomy and perspective were pretty awful. I like to think the color made the strip a bit easier on the eyes.

I also like to think my drawing has improved. Admittedly I have a ways to go, but I’m going to have to continue Mister Mask in less than the full-color splendor that it has had for its inaugural story arc.

The next few story-lines will be shaded in tones of of one or two colors, but will otherwise be black & white.

As it happens, I think this will suit the tone of the strip for the next couple of years, but it’s honest and truly a matter of time. Mister Mask doesn’t pay the bills (even his own) so I have to “hold it down” at a 9-to-5. There isn’t enough time to keep the strip updating on time, AND in full color. It’s hard enough to meet the 3-day a week schedule.

I’ll keep working on the writing, and my draftsmanship (in that order), and doing what I can with a limited color palette, until I can master time and space a little better. Hope you like the results. Peace. ~ h.