cosgestalt

[cosgestalt]

creator commentary

a bit like a director's cut for a film, I will be going over the first four pages of Gestalt. If I left out anything that you would like to know more about, do not be afraid of the askbox!

I wasn't sure whether to call this an artist's exploration or a peek into the writing or what, so I figured "creator" is broad enough :)

and now, some notes that aren't specific to one page:

I did a lot of things I've never done before already working on this comic. I've fully rendered linework, I drew pine trees (and got sick of drawing pine trees), and I worked in a limited color palette! Each color is taken from colors of the first page with the exception of the gold which shows up increasingly over the following pages. (There is also the exception of the faaaaaint reds underneath the fingerprints in the second page and in the well in the third.) They look very nice in the first full illustration, but quickly become dull to the senses. How very Barovian! These will not be the only colors used forever, so do not worry. The palette will change for each scene, and shift gradually for other situations.

What else to say? Every choice is intentional, so if it seems like there is a discrepancy between the module and Gestalt, know that it is on purpose. Most everything sticks very close to the module, so the differences that are there were very thought out and done for a reason that will become apparent later in the exploration of the abbot's story. The only choice that was made without a deep reason is the removal of the abbot's hat. I just didn't like it.

as a fun extra, here is what I would say the theme of the prologue is: How Long by Julia Holter

though I do like how the live version droops and drags. it feels even more like someone not fitting in quite right:

for those who have read this far, i have some secret extra news for you:

we are making the backend of the site compatible with gifs. i will keep quiet about specific plans, but now moving elements are a possibility within pages!

i am considering the possibility of letting people submit work to be displayed in the sidebars next to the news on the homepage. i would love to promote work by the curse of strahd community. there are so many amazing artists and writers! i need to think more on the logistics of this, but it could be fun.

i got a new monitor from my parents for the holidays, so recording my workflow is now a possibility. if i find myself with the extra time to edit videos together, i may do more commentary in those, but for the time being i will stick to just writing posts.

i have plans for other videos. keep an eye out for two treats in the future! one for me and one for you :)

that's all I can think of for now! there will be no more updates this year, so I will see you again in 2024!

#creator commentary

[cosgestalt]

UPDATE 1

✸ three pages of prologue, just for you! ✸

#update #the news is updated as well! #curse of strahd #webcomic #curse of strahd spoilers #i dont know what else to tag it as hahaa.. enjoy!

[cosgestalt]

✷

@nouveaumoon @cosgestalt

Um hello!! ;;👉🏻👈🏻

I REALLY like the way you draw the Abbot!! He's so amazing in your execution! my dm informed me that you are feeling ill now, so I decided to support you and send some sketches with the Sun! I hope this will cheer you up! ☀️🕊️✨

#on my break so i can put this here now #im still so in love!! the way you draw his hair especially is so beautiful #thank you 🕯🙏 i will be making them my desktop background #art #the abbot

[cosgestalt]

Here are all the teasers together! The conversation is between Mother Night and one of her servants. Can you guess who? The hidden message was in the file names. Together they said: "What happens when an angel falls and God isn't there to catch them?"

The rest of the prologue is coming very soon. For the update including this book's title page, I have something special planned. Stay tuned!

#teasers

[cosgestalt]

UPDATE 0.5

✸ the site is live ✸

#update #read the news post for some thoughts and feelings! sorry there couldnt be more. but there will be soon!