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Monday, March 20, 2006

Resurrection of the Napkin?


I'm amazed how much my drawings change over time.

Back in '97 my friend Nick Cross and myself came up with a cartoon series called "Angora Napkin". Back then we were pretty much newbies in animation with a background in illustration. Nick took to animation like a duck to water and put all to shame on a daily basis as he continues to do to this day.

Meanwhile I pursued a life in comics. The girls from Angora Napkin have had some continued life in the back pages of Chiaroscuro and last year I pitched the idea of a mini series/graphic novel to SLG and got some tentative interest.

So over the weekend I dug out all the binders full of work Nick and I did on the cartoon series and look them over. There was a point where Nick's style took off in what I thought at the time was WAY out there... I remember telling him that I thought he was deviating too much from the look we defined. Was I ever wrong! I look at his stuff now and wonder why I'm so slow to pick up on things.

Over time my natural drawing style has become much looser, thanks in part to mucking around with a brush pen and doing those odd little Mygrain comics. Having pretty much nailed down a script to the Angora Napkin comic, I'm pretty excited to play around with these characters in a fresh way. I'll post some sketches and plot the developments on this project as they happen.

In the meantime, enjoy this Peanuts strip.





16 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey Troy,
How much Angora Napukin artwork do you have? I have almost nothing anymore...I don't even know where all the storyboards that we drew are....I have all the scripts in a binder though. Anyway, interesting post. I was actually thinking lately that this idea would be even funnier if they were funny animals instead of humans. Maybe not...

Troy Little said...

I've got a photocopy of the "Go Fish" board, the bit you did on "The Trial" and "Three Coins". I don't have any of the board work I did anymore, no idea where that went. I caught Carol singing "Dolphin Boy" the other day, so there's a testament to that snappy tune.

I have a copy of the scripts and one of the colour booklets. A couple of the pitch packs I compiled are floating around here too. I can send you some stuff if you like.

Funny animals huh? I seem to find myself about 4 years behind your thinking, but I know better now than to tell you contrary! Can't wait to see more "Waif"!!!!

Jason C said...

Great stuff guys.. can't wait to see you develop this further troy..

Unknown said...

Heh, I really doubt that you are 4 years behind my thinking...I think I'm just insane. But that would be good if you could send me that stuff, even via email. I wonder where the original boards are?? I guess it's a mystery.

michael valiquette said...

Wow Nick, that's just about the most ass-holish way i've ever been asked a question.
I've got some colour copies of the Dolphin Boy board and a proof or two of the booklet, but that's about it. I can poke around over the next week or so but I doubt I'd turn up much else.
But tell me Nik, how do you really feel?
M

Troy Little said...

Harsh. So much for "gentle ribbing".

Unknown said...

geez mike, it was just a joke....Sorry.

michael valiquette said...

I apologize for my overeaction, I must be having a "sensitive day".
I think I'm retaining water too. I feel bloated.

I do still have a few things I've kept tucked safely away from those days guys. If you're ever looking for something, let me know and I'll go digging.
M

onemanpunkband said...

HEY CAN I PLAY TOO!?! i loved angora napukin... one of the two shows that made me want to work at dynomight cartoons. the other was untalkative bunny and then BLAMMO! (ashes to ashes, dust to dust...)
good times.

michael valiquette said...

I just want to make sure that my apology for my over-reaction is understood as genuine. For the record, the time I spent working with Nick, Troy and Tavis is, to this day, the highlight of my professional carreer. My time in animation seems to be done, and I do miss working with these guys. Back then, I played the role of "Producer" and even grew the requisite ponytail. I was happy to take my punches for it and I certainly took my share of "gentle ribbing" I've been on the outside of things for a good long time now and I guess my skin isn't so thick anymore. I apologize to Nick for going after him so harshly, and I apologize to Troy for doing all this in his comments section.
I also apologize to Tavis because I don't want him to feel left out.

warren said...

Just make the damn thing and shut it already. I want to see it. Bah humbug.

warren said...

me me me me ...

love you all. To bits. I even eat at vegan bistros for Nick's health & sanity.

Troy Little said...

Who knew Angora Napkin would be such a hot topic?

Ah, the good old days....

Unknown said...

"Who knew Angora Napkin would be such a hot topic"

I guess "they" were right all along...maybe we should change the name after all.

michael valiquette said...

Long live "Rock Candy"!

Rob A. said...

I loved Angora. I really loved the reactions to the name of some "unmentionable" producer types. This was always a fun idea and I can't wait to see what you come up with Troy!