So schedules sometimes break on you; found myself not getting this particular page finished until late last night. It may have suffered accordingly, but I hope not. In hindsight, the lighting is a tad strange – just a wee bit too bright I think. Though that’s very much a feature of where we are too, so it’s not too jarring. I hope.

I like experimenting with shots, expressions and visuals, trying to get something interesting out of the whole process. The one pane in black and white, the huge contrast between victim Te’len Nila and badass action girl Hani Foonmall.. the presence of a dumbfounded crowd. Beyond the Tree is ever a basis for expeirment and developing a style, seeing just what exactly I can get away with.

On a random note, I’ve been all but massively overhauling the coming plot, both near and far. Not that you’ll actually notice since I haven’t actually said what the previous plot is like (beyond a few subtle hints and implications that are still valid), but I’ve been streamlining it, including a few new developments I liked, cutting away a whole lot of extraeneous material.. Story Arc One is a tad shorter than it used to be. Not to worry however – I still look at my plans with dread, realizing that reaching some of it could very easilly take a whole year. Or two. And that’s not even counting Story Arc Two yet..

While I do think there’s a whole lot Beyond the Tree might run out of in the long run, story isn’t one of them ;)