#production notes

This is the first time I made a background and since it was mostly practice because I was terrible at perspective, here are some things I learned. I also find it comforting you technically can't see all of it, idk lol

Research & Resources

Was doing some shopping, found out that the Framed Perspective books are free on the internet archive, which you can download here.

I also watched the following videos about perspective grids, backgrounds, and background painting. I think I did an okay job despite it not even being in full view. but I made it large, just in case.

Other things I learned, since I use Clip Studio Paint:

Setting a tone check layer to "color" with it full black color fill helps to switch it on and off for checking things like the tone/gray scale of the piece. So the yellow border of the score board is actually lighter than what you color pick from the sprite sheet.

To avoid repainting things, A. I had colors on different layers B. In clip studio, to do the hue/saturation/luminosity shift, is CTRL + U.

This is indeed one of the best and only perspective grid that you'll need. This is what I used for this particular background and will use a lot more for the next parts which...are going to be a challenge but I've always been a "throw me into the pool" to see if I'll sink or swim.

Originally, I really wanted a bitter and angry Takemichi lashing out at everyone but the more I wrote, the more I realized that the worst thing that could happen to the people who "wronged" him was to forgive them and becomes someone that they could not help but desperately want to. So not really out of malice or because he means to, but Takemichi is hurting them where it really hurts.

Honestly, Takemichi isn't the brightest, and I think that's what make him such a wonderful walking paradox. The constant mis-communication of him and everyone around them gives me such a case of the giggles. The internalization that his life doesn't have much, so he wants to make it mean something but he doesn't know what that means. Does he risk his life because he thinks it's meaningless? Does he risk his life because he thinks someone else's life means more? Does he risk his life because he thinks saving this person would give his life meaning? I think Takemichi is the type to react immediately to the situation at hand, forgetting about the details of the future. Sure, these are all Toman admin, but these are also the people that hang out with him, come running when he's getting his ass kicked, share meals with, and wait for him. What if 12 years are actually long? What if he could live his whole life in 12 years?

Then, the flip side of people looking at him, wondering. What did this guy see in me, at my worst, that he came running to see me? Is he just an adrenaline junkie? Is he so stupid he thinks he is immortal and invincible? Is he stupid and that's why he can reach out? And later, understanding that Takemichi is just like this, starting to see that he's alone so maybe that means that they have a place on Earth after all. Maybe Takemichi is alone because they haven't found their place next to him. Esp since they're still young and impressionable, I think a lot of them who say "I wanna grow up and be a good man" but don't know what that means, are starting to create a concrete image in their head of what that looks like.

Concerning where this story is going, I honestly have no idea. I have some vague ideas on where Takemichi wants to take this. When this story ends, I will have more detailed production notes. I just love stories that are bright and joyous as characters march headfirst into their supposed tragedy. My hope is that the story will feel complete when I'm done.

After I wrap up this part, there's gonna be 20-or so boring chapters of nothing but domestic fluff and then it'll probably wrap up. I'm split btw two possible endings. I'll leave it up to fate (or post both).