Hi Xyliacs!
Sorry for the delay on this update. I also want to apologize for the vast number of typos and errors on the previous page. I’m trying to get things done too fast apparently, so I’m slowing down a bit for today’s page.
This is a holiday weekend, and so I may be posting a sketch page on Monday. Fact is, there is one of me and mroe than one person’s amount of responsibility. I had considered doing this a couple months ago- I wasn’t sure it would be necessary-but I’ve decided to do this in July. I will post the sketch version on Monday and then the complete version the following week and then repeat the following weeks. Summer is always a tough time to get everything done that needs to get done and still maintain the quality that everyone expects. (obviously I didn’t do a very good job on Monday) Also, my father and my son both have minor surgeries coming up this month and they will require my time and assistance and that will make my schedule a little squirrely too. So the sketch/update month will help me through that too.
The thing is, I always want to maintain the same or better level of art quality with each update. If I can’t do that, then I really don’t want to post things. I know a lot of you are frustrated with delays on updates, but freelance jobs are coming in and I need to take them and they pay really well, whereas Xylia, alas does not. Another benefit of a slowdown is that I can get back into concepting and having ‘fun’ with Xylia again. I’m hoping that I may have some time for that, because lately I’ve had zero.
As always, I greatly appreciate the support and understanding of you Xyilacs!
——————————–NEWS———————
A few more days to enter the VOX CONTEST! Details are below here in the blog- go to the forum to submit your entry! We have some INCREDIBLE entries so far- please go have a listen if you’re too shy to enter yourself! Entries Thread
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Finally a new TWC update! The Xylia cast goes all Trekkie!
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We have donation incentives still available- click on the links below. For $5.00 donation incentives, I will be offering intallments of the ‘Xyliatales Sketchbook- this features behind the scenes notes and sketches about the making of Xyliatales from two years ago to the present. Click the link-it’s pretty cool, I must say- especially if you enjoy work in progress stuff. More pages to follow. This segment features the very first pics of Xylia, Livy and Claude!
Nakie Winter Adora is done (if you are 18+) Remember that all donations go towards the two update incentive!! Make sure to refresh the page to see how that’s going. AND REMEMBER: Please don’t hesitate to contact me right away if you have trouble downloading or receiving images. Xylia, Adora and Livy babies are still available as well as downloads of the first illustrated chapters of Nigel’s Opus unavailable ANYWHERE else. Click banner to see what’s available…
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Follow Barb’s Twittering! I try to announce Xylia things on Twitter as I get them done- hear about it first here!
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-Next Xyliatales On Air Talk Show: Wednesday, July 15 at 9:00PM CDT. I’m taking next week off. The last installment was frankly a bit boring on my part, so I’m going to take a week off to regroup. That said, from time to time, I will still do broadcast live while I work on pages. This happens sporatically- I will announce it with a tweet, and a forum announcement, so if you want to get in the loop, subscribe to my Tweets, or join the forum. Or you can watch right here on the site!
Thank you for reading, and as always thank you for your support and understanding.
Hugs & <3
~B
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:51 am
A beautifully done page, as always, Barb. Two small typos and an omitted word: “Only the greatest *sorcerers* ever learn to work with (a) *constant* flow of energy.”
Remember: Family always comes first, and that which pays you (freelance work) takes precedent over that which does not (sadly, that includes Xylia).
You, your son, and your father will be in my thoughts this month, with wishes for a speedy recovery for them, and abundance for you.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 am
I sense a power surge coming. I think Claudius is going to find that talent for sorcery after all.
Take care of you and the family. We’ll wait.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
HAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!! AWESOME INCENTIVE BARB! One of your best! (just behind the chicken suit
) Thank you for all you do to keep us entertained and enthralled in this amazingly captivating story! It is a highlight of my week that I look forward to all the time!
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:31 am
I love this page, all those images swirling together. I’m sorry to hear that your father and son need surgery. I hope they both make it through easily with a swift recovery.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
It was lots of fun chatting with you and everyone last night – even though I realized while trying to sign in that I’d spelled my name wrong??? What’s up with that. LOL!
The preview we got last night did not do the page justice. It’s gorgeous!! I never get tired of how you do eyes.. the colors, the expressiveness. Love it! And take your time with Xylia, we’d rather you be a happy Barb than stressed out about it and putting up artwork you’re not happy with. If anyone complains we Xyliacs will set them straight, preferably with something sharp and pointy. LOL!
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I like it!
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Lovely page, Barb. I’m glad I managed to see at least some of its creation last night, even if I missed the start.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Sorry to point this out, but you missed the w key when you spelled where in the 4 text box. Love the update! Can’t wait for what happens next!
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Absolutely beautiful page, Barb! I love the montage style here. Take it easy, and I wish your son and your father well.
I’m so glad you’ve been getting more free-lance projects lately! A great artist like you deserves the work.
And OMG the latest vote incentive is my new desktop background! Yay Star Trek! Yay Xylia!
Happy 4th of July!
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
take all the time you need this summer! I love looking at rough sketches anyway! Family is first, always! I’ve been a Xylia fan from the start and will be till the end.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Typo. In the fourth box (Tychia/Deimos RED panel) Yhere instead of There. And a missing quotation mark at the end. Actually didn’t bother me until I read the page a second or third time.
July 3rd, 2009 at 2:18 am
Hey, no problem. Take as long as you need–you SHOULD have fun with Xylia, or else it just becomes another job. ^_~
(i.e. I’ll wait as long as I need to for updates.)
Take some time off, be with your family–I wish your father and son well!
Also; congrats on getting some work! ^o^
July 3rd, 2009 at 5:21 am
WOW! I can’t seem to letter a page without a WHOLE bunch of typos! Sorry about that. I’ve been getting these done right down to the wire and haven’t had a chance to get someone to look them over before I go live with the pages. Thanks for catching those, everyone- I will go through and fix these pages as soon as I can.
Thank you for the well wishes for my dad and Jer. These are minor procedures they are having but there’s the time at the doctor/dentist offices, and there’s the post op care too- so I won’t be in full art mode for a couple days both weeks. Not a big deal in terms of worry, just a time crunch thing. Thank you for the understanding! ^_^
Hugs,
~B
~B
July 4th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
No worries on the typos. really. I actually had not noticed them on the previous page.
I for one certainly don’t mind the delays and think the sketch/finish schedule sounds like a good compromise especially if it means you enjoy yourself again with Xylia. Congratulations on the freelance jobs also.
As always, very nice artwork, you really do have a talent with eyes – love the red ones
July 6th, 2009 at 12:04 am
congrats Barb, I think you did a wonderful job here!
A+
July 18th, 2010 at 4:26 am
Hi! I’m one of the newer readers and am just popping in to say really Good Job on all of this!
Love the story, and It’s really good coming later on and reading them all in succession.
Plus there’s a typo that no one else has picked up yet … ‘learn to work with *costant* source of energy’ … constant?