#makingmona

[whoislauralee]

THANK YOU everyone for your support while I've been womanifesting the new book--especially my 26 Patreon patrons who have been supporting me the past 10 months! 🙏✨As a special treat I just posted the FIRST CHAPTER on my Patreon page so anyone can read it TODAY before I shut down the campaign!!! GO GO GO!👈🚨Between the financial support I received through the SOUP grant @newcityartsinitiative and individuals through @patreon my housing costs were covered during this production, which has made an incredible difference to my mental health & quality of life that I hope is reflected in the work. 💫After Will & Whit I was convinced I couldn't make another graphic novel in a sustainable untraumatic way, but now I've broken this cycle and my heart has been healed. It's amazing what can happen when we admit we need help. I just hope Mona can help others with their journey as she (and you all) have helped me with mine.❤️ . . . #makingmona #artnerangels #campaignsuccess #lauraleegulledge #patrons #patreon #patreonartist #patreonartist #workingclassartist #supported #sustainablecreativity #healthyartist #breakingcycles #gratefulheart https://www.instagram.com/p/ByIRSATl6Kl/?igshid=1wsnjwchn70bd

[whoislauralee]

YAY I've turned in my finished book pages to @abramsbooks !! 🎉 SURE I will still have copyediting to do and I need to design a cover and oh yeah figure out what the final title of this graphic novel is gonna be...but BASICALLY it's done. And for that I am so very grateful & relieved! 😆🙏💛 Also I can't believe I made it through this whole production process without ANY wrist pain this time around! ✍️⚡️There really is so much more to gush about and people to thank but for now I simply let out a big sigh of relief and say thank you to Mona for taking me on a journey I will never forget. 🌠 . . . #makingmona #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #lauraleegulledge #abramsbooks#graphicnovel #yalit #yagraphicnovels #comics #femalelead #bookbaby #drawingmarathon #bookdeadline #relief #gratitude #exhale #physicaltherapyworks #moregushinglater https://www.instagram.com/p/ByGwm0tloB8/?igshid=1pp5xva545mds

[whoislauralee]

So the final step I'm doing before turning this book in is adding in bits of spot yellow on a third of the pages.💫 This final step has been really hard for me to wrap my head around, so I have avoided talking about it. Partly because working digitally hurts my brain...probably partly because this is the last step so it all feels so final...but also because this yellow color represents the spirit, the mystery I don't fully understand. ✨I feel silly & unworthy to dare try depicting these invisible forces I see in my head, but somehow every morning in the studio I trick myself into trusting the visions. And desperately hoping it all makes sense when it's done. 🤞 . . . #wip #comics #graphicnovel #makingcomics #makingmona #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #lauraleegulledge #digital #photoshopelements #notadigitalartist #creativeprocess #behindthescenes #maketheinvisiblevisible #hopingthisworks #leapoffaith https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx0c04VFo47/?igshid=le7af3pylrr

[whoislauralee]

Friends I need your advice! 🤔I am drawing a blank on what simple design to put on the back of Mona's laptop as it is visible in many scenes. Any ideas?? My world-building brain is tired from making so many of these little decisions, so I'd appreciate fresh input. Thanks! 🙏 . . . #wip #comics #drawing #makingcomics #makingmona #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #lauraleegulledge #worldbuilding #styling #toomanydecisions #tiredbrain #seekingartnerangels #needinput https://www.instagram.com/p/BwVW7eqFvu3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4q7f3xw388o8

[whoislauralee]

Here's one of my newly shaded pages depicting when Mona's emotionally fallen down the well. 🕳I was having an emotional day while doing this one, having a cleansing cry, so she felt really on my wavelength. I wonder if it looks too disturbing? WELL it's still a work in progress, so we'll see how it evolves...PS--I'm up to 122 pages done, with 60 left to go! . . . #wip #workinprogress #comics #graphicnovel #drawing #ink #graphite #shading #makingcomics #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #makingmona #lauraleegulledge #yalit #downthewell #emotional #drawingmarathon #artimitatinglife #lifeimitatingart https://www.instagram.com/p/BtwnqS1lUK1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=5t3iktwy2l5r

[whoislauralee]

While putting the book in order I realized one page was missing: page #75! 😳Did I forget to pencil this doctor office scene or did I lose the drawing? Who knows. Either way today I remade it from scratch (despite my brain's protests) so NOW I'm happy to say that all the pages are finally inked & shaded. Phew! Sneaky pages. . . . #ispoketoosoon #wip #makingmona #graphicnovel #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #lauraleegulledge #yalit #comics #drawing #ink #watercolorgraphite #shading #lostdrawing #onward https://www.instagram.com/p/BvfMbYPlJxv/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11n6gepaaovtu

[whoislauralee]

Here's my studio set up at @mcguffeyartcenter for the next 6 weeks! 👀✍️You can find me in studio #14 on the first floor. Thanks @cvilleselfies for letting me occupy a desk in your sunny studio while shading the new book! I'm already loving the change of scenery and excited to better connect with this creative community. If you wanna come say hi during McGuffey's public hours the best time to catch me is 10am-4:30pm Tues-Sat. . . . #artstudio #studiolife #mcguffeyartcenter #arthappenshere #makingmona #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #lauraleegulledge #behindthescenes #drawingmarathon #stayingsane #changeofscenery (at McGuffey Art Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtecXMcFqsN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1e7zum1ohgr5l

[whoislauralee]

I'm up to 100 pages! 😆✍️Here's one from yesterday's inking & shading batch showing Mona having a flashback/ flashforward in the woods behind her house. 🌳🍃This moment stirs up a lot of personal memories for me so I'm proud that I was able to make them tangible yet still dreamy. And it reminds me that making comics based on your private moments is truly the most surreal, magical, satisfying, exposing, and INSANE job I never expected to be doing. . . . #wip #inking #shading #ink #graphite #comics #makingcomics #graphicnovel #yalit #workinprogress #behindthescenes #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #makingmona #lauraleegulledge #drawingmarathon #artistlife #playinginthewoods #drawingmemories #shareyourstory #dreamjob #luckyweirdo https://www.instagram.com/p/BtPEpNHFrkC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jrc2513fyfgs

[whoislauralee]

Here’s a peek at the opening scene of What’s the Matter with Mona Starr? which is my new book’s current working title. 👀✨Set in sprawly Northern Virginia, Mona is waving bye to her best friend Nash who is moving away leaving her alone to deal with her depression/Matter. She reacts of course by cutting her hair and getting a therapist. To be continued...✍️PS--Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! I swear I will stop hiding away and share more #wip from Mona in the months to come.💕 . . . #sneekpeek #makingmona #comics #graphite #drawing #graphicnovel #yalit #makingcomics #feelingvulnerable #lauraleegulledge #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #openingscene #workinprogress #ihatedrawingcars https://www.instagram.com/p/BsliUPylzAV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1w0nnkg3a3bhk

[whoislauralee]

I’ve been busy inking & shading Mona in the studio (now with over a third done) yet I have not mentioned it online for over 6 weeks....WHY do I feel so shy about documenting & sharing this work??! 🙈I suppose I’ve officially hit my halfway-thru-book-production wall of burnout. This is when the shoulder pain, isolation, fatigue, fear, and doubt become a constant nagging presence. It’s when all my stress warning signs start flaring up, ugh. So I’m sticking to my self care plan and hoping I can manage the next 4.5 months with grace, humor, a steady heart, and a steady hand. For Mona and I still have a ways to go...🤞✍️💕 . . . #comics #wip #graphicnovel #drawingmarathon #bookproduction #lauraleegulledge #makingmona #yalit #inthestudio #bookbaby #inking #shading #indiaink #graphite #studiolife #burnout #selfcare #smallsuccesses #artistproblems https://www.instagram.com/p/BseSWw-lnu4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s5tv4oepb2zv

[whoislauralee]

This holiday season I’m extra thankful for all the support I’ve received while drawing out this new book baby (which weighs 14 pounds BTW!) from my Patreon patrons, Artner Angels, and the SOUP grant through @newcityartsinitiative . Plus of course the loving everyday support of my sweet partner @e_vallery . Thank you all for helping keep me sane, healthy, and thriving during this busy time!🙏💕 . . . #makingmona #artnerangel #gratitude #bookbaby #graphicnovel #lauraleegulledge #drawingmarathon #charlottesvillesoup #soupgrant #patreonartist #authorlife #feelinggrateful #backtowork https://www.instagram.com/p/BrjCOX4lL-N/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2sn6ic4s6dm0

[whoislauralee]

I'm up to 95 pages inked & shaded--so that means I'm just over halfway done!😮Phew. High five self! High five Mona, Hailey, and Aisha for being great 2-D Artners! And high five YOU for joining our journey! 🙌 🙌🙌🌟🌟🌟 . . . #comics #makingcomics #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #makingmona #lauraleegulledge #inking #shading #graphite #yalit #drawingmarathon #graphicnovel #wip #workinprogress #patselfonback #goldstarsforeveryone https://www.instagram.com/p/BtEvZmkFDvq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8w1wpq1kslbb

[whoislauralee]

Here's a peek at my penciling process! I first start with a SUPER light sketch to block out my composition, especially when I need to get multiple figures in scale with eachother...then I'll start to bring it into focus. Foreground first, background second... ✍️👀I just posted many more examples of this progression along with a full breakdown of my penciling process on my Patreon page--which you can access for only $1! You know, in case you're curious.✏️💕 . . . #wip #comics #graphicnovel #yalit #penciling #bluepencils #makingcomics #makingmona #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #lauraleegulledge #crowdscene #cafeteriaanxiety #patreon #patreonartist https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsymmr_F3mV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j2rm5ocnppdy

[whoislauralee]

Another inking peek! ✍️✨As Mona studies her Matter she notices that large crowds, especially when it's people her own age, makes her anxiety & doubt flare up. 🗣🙈 . . . #wip #workinprogress #comics #makingcomics #makingmona #graphicnovel #yalit #lauraleegulledge #sneakpeek #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #mentalhealth #socialanxiety #lookingforpatterns https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsq_ZwIFUZw/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=90s89xfies1i

[whoislauralee]

Inking peek!👀I’m still working on finding my rhythm in the studio with so many other things afoot, but I’m very happy with the shading style that’s unfolding. I’m so pleased that I almost dropped my cracker, too! 🤞✍️✨ . . . #wip #inking #shading #comics #makingcomics #whatsthematterwithmonastarr #makingmona #graphicnovel #drawing #workinprogress #lauraleegulledge #yalit #artnerlove #drawing #drawingmarathon #optimistic #sofartogo https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqs3sbsFpS9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1tqdsoa7fggdx

[whoislauralee]

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A post shared by Laura Lee Gulledge (@lauraleegulledge)

I love playing with masking fluid to create starry textures! And I really love this particularly surreal page from the new book. 34 pages are now shaded and 148 left to go!✍️✨ . . . #wip #inking #shading #makingmona #graghicnovel #lauraleegulledge #maskingfluid #stars #celestial #surreal #yalit #drawing #comics #drawingmarathon https://www.instagram.com/p/BrgOhhRlG15/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=lc7r428d2raj