CheeseroueApr 23, 2023
Zach Weinersmith

I've been mulling over why Kate Beaton's work, and especially her character art floors me so much, even though there are now lots of artists with similar styles. Here's what I think it is: what's astonishing in her work is that it somehow sneaks a massive amount of subtlety into characters who are ludicrous.

Consider this classic:

Apr 23, 2023 at 3:28pmWeb
Show threadZach WeinersmithApr 23, 2023
There are two tricks I really like here. One, notice Gatsby in the middle panel is made a little subdued. In comics there's always a temptation to go for big expressions. But, she reserves that. Then in the last panel almost every goddamned stroke of the pen is UP TO SOMETHING. Even the noses are slightly turned from the first panel to convey a feeling. Look how the chin reshapes and the hair flattens itself aggressively.
Show threadZach WeinersmithApr 23, 2023
The level of artistry has drastically improved since the old webcomics days, but I'm not sure I've seen anyone excel so thoroughly at this combination. What's amazing is that ability can take a pretty straightforward joke and really elevate it. It's like the visual equivalent of James Earl Jones' voice - everything is at least pretty good, and the great stuff is unmatchable.
Show threadšŸ’€ š“•airchild šŸ’€Apr 23, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith I also like the lean-in towards Gatsby in the first panel. It's very aggressive and also dismissive at the same time (bery 'let me tell you'). And the axial cut on the 3rd panel is *chef kiss*
Show threadDisco SexualApr 23, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith the focus on character expressions is exquisite. It's such a treat to look at.
Show threadDavid Hull čƒ”å¤§č”›Apr 23, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith The zoom in from panel 1 to 3 is also brilliant. It's dramatic, but not explosive. And the delicate frailty of Daisy's hand on Tom's chest is so very good.
Show threadDavid Hull čƒ”å¤§č”›Apr 23, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith And beyond the art, she really is getting at something critical in the novel. The Buchanans are just as emptily rich as Gatsby, but Tom has no way to explain the class of old money. He doesn't understand, but he knows it's true. And "Old as BALLS" is as fair a description as any. Except that it's hilarious.
Show threadthe last heronApr 23, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith man, I miss Hark! A Vagrant, it was so good
Show threadMiss HapApr 23, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith Well, now I need to go spend hours reading Hark! A Vagrant. Thanks for reminding me.
Show threadBrian KolmApr 23, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith Kate Beaton's work is so good. I wonder how informed their work was from animation?
Show threadTony CliffApr 25, 2023

@ZachWeinersmith agreed, and I think thereā€™s also something at work here which I can only chalk up to ā€œinstinct,ā€ or ā€œhaving a good eye.ā€

I like to believe that all arts skills are teachable, that ā€œtalentā€ is just an intangible term we use to blanket a lot of tangible ideas, but I canā€™t look at too much of her stuff without just thinking, ā€œahh, sheā€™s just got ā€œit.ā€ā€

Show threadTony CliffApr 25, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith I think itā€™s also *exactly* the right style for the tone, subject, and presentation medium of the work (I like it better on screen than in a book???). Thereā€™s a ā€œmore than the sum of its partsā€ quality to the way everything comes together.
Show threadTony CliffApr 25, 2023
@ZachWeinersmith oh yeah, what you said.
https://mastodon.social/@ZachWeinersmith/110248849744551673