Here's one of the latest Bare Necessities pages.

Quick couple of points about this picture: (1) I don't normally draw genitalia (male or female) in so "blatant" a fashion--the only other time I can recall was the exposure of Valerin's breasts on "Rats" Page20 [link] where such a point of view was in order given what was happening, (2) the presentation of female genitalia here was intended more as a function of body-positioning to draw the viewer's eye up her figure to her neck and face, which is where the "event" is happening, (3) I designed the details and shading of her pubic mound and her breasts to support point #2, including some slight lessening of contrast and detailing where it was most-needed, (4) I hoped to make the journey up her figure to her face an enjoyable one, (5) I used one of Natalie Paquette's stock photos for the face only, and (6) after putting a LOT of thought and work into this, I'm quite pleased with but sensitive about the results, and I hope that we can dispense with a lot of "easy-target" comments on this one. I don't want to discourage anyone too much, but I'd ask that people try and curb their tongue just a bit...

"Curb their tongue." Good hell. Try to be respectful, and look where it gets you... Alright, we'll do it this way: Please don't get offended if I hide your comments--there are a few slang terms that I find personally distasteful because of their seemingly attached meaning of "filthy," "disgraceful," "disgusting," and even "sub-human," and this image is likely to spark them. I'd rather the comments stayed on the more "respectful" side of things. I don't normally make such a request, but I'm going to with this one. Deal with it.

NOTE: Years ago in a conversation about nudity in art, I once told a very good friend that I would never draw this point of view. Although many situations in my life have changed since I made that statement, my reverence for life and respect for women and female anatomy have not changed. In fact, they've only become stronger and deeper, if anything. For me, going back on such a decision has not been done lightly, but it has been done, and the reasons for it are all powerful and positive. I hope that helps clear up any misunderstandings about this image. You know who you are.

Finally, assuming that DA leaves this one up, we're almost finished with the chapter. If someone has an issue with it, please note me with your concerns. If the deviation gets pulled, I'm not likely to edit it and put it back up.

Just a note to inform you folks that I have now officially planned out the remaining pages for "Bare Necessities." I've had a pretty good idea of what types of images needed to be drawn, and a rough number of them in my head, but it's been hard to pin myself down on it all (as some of you have realized in comments and notes and such). But at this point I've taped out the paper, arranged and printed the stock-photo references, and begun penciling them out. I don't want to give anything away regarding how the last few pages are going to pan out (I think many of you have some idea anyway), so I won't reveal exactly how many pages there are to go outside of a personally-requested note. However, I will say that it's going to be a LOT of fun. In fact, I literally can't wait to get ripping these suckers out.

However, I've got a couple of family events taking up today and tomorrow, so my drawing time will be limited for a day or two. But after that, it should be smooth sailing all the way to the end, and we should finish up the whole thing in the first week of March.

With that said, there's no real need to respond to this journal entry. If you feel a need, go ahead--I'll answer when I have a convenient moment, of course.

I've been cranking out these "Bare Necessities" pages pretty regularly, and I finished one right on time yesterday to post as well, but unfortunately it turned out to be Page86, while I haven't finished Page85. I'll explain more later, when I post both of them. In any case, my drawing time has been snatched up by other concerns yesterday and today, and it won't be until later Saturday that I can post both pages 85 and 86, and perhaps by that time I'll have Page87 ready to go as well. Health is great, Life is great, Family's great, so no worries. Just hang in there. Thanks!