brother to brother
hey everybody!my apologies for the delay in todays post. my ftp couldn’t connect to the server for the better part of today. all come back online a short while ago and, well, better late than never 
on a related note of updates, i know many of you have asked why we don’t update more. essentially it’s the workload of doing one strip, the collaboration process and my freelance career which pays the bills. i would love to bring butternut to you the readers more often, as more is always better and it would allow rob and i to tell more cohesive stories.
so i am toying with a couple ideas.
if we were to do 3 times per week, say, but in b&w would that be cool, or do you prefer the colour to stay?
another option would be akin to what danielle of GWS has done, by taking the initiative by actively soliciting donations to reach a particular monetary goal to help meet her financial needs in order to provide GWS daily. so, for all intents and purposes i could set a goal to cover BNS, in order to bring it to you the readers more often. would this be an option that seems viable?
lemme know what you all think
till next week,
cheers.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:33 am
3 times a week in B&W?
OH HELL YEAH!
Where do I sign you up for the Bacon of the Month club?
March 7th, 2008 at 1:42 am
Personally, I love the colour to stay. It’s what makes BNS and Kukuburi stand out.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:06 am
I say switch it up. Some weeks to once a week color, some weeks do 3 black and white. That way, the ones that deserve the time and effort of color can have them. And when you just want to churn out a story line, you don’t get hung up on the effort with coloring each strip. *braces self for the criticism*
March 7th, 2008 at 2:30 am
Don’t lose the colour! I’m willing to wait a little longer, after all, this isn’t paying your rent.
March 7th, 2008 at 4:00 am
I’m fine with whatever choice you make. If I had to choose, though, I’d prefer to see 3x a week in B&W with a color “Sunday” strip every couple of weeks. Readers can get out of the habit of following a strip if it comes out too seldom, so it would be to your own benefit to bump up the frequency.
That being said, I enjoy your work however often (or not) it shows up, and while I am waiting for BNS, there is always Kukuburi (which of course lacks Rob except in cameo appearances on posters, and then he’s only shown from the knees down, which of course is not as much square footage as it would be on a taller individual, but I digress) …
Thanks for all the wonderful artwork in your oh-so-many forums! Happy, happy, joy, joy.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:05 am
I’d rather wait a week for my full colour fix. Webcomics that mix B&W and C strips seem to, at times, be a bit schizophrenic.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:21 am
It’d seem a shame to put BNS in b&w – the art makes it really stand out and the colour is a big part of that. If the financial goal option is viable then that would sound the better of the two!
March 7th, 2008 at 6:42 am
I agree with Jackie up a few posts. Do 2 to 3 weeks of black and white posts, three times a week, and then once or twice a month, do a week of 1 post in full color – or whatever combination you come up with.
I love the art style either way, the color doesn’t honestly add much to it for me. For me, its the detail in the characters themselves, not the color you decide to give them.
I also agree – updates more often would retain current readers and possibly give you newer readers who would be willing to stay around for a while.
Just my thoughts…
Cheers,
Hans
March 7th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Color truly enhances the BNS experience. Going just B/W takes away that experience. I’ve read many webcomics, and there’s one that appears every other week, and it’s not even in color! I have been patient and enjoy the weekly comics. I’m surprised no one has complained that their favorite TV show only comes on once a week.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:10 am
You find the time to do this how? You Sir, are insane …
The coloring on this is beautiful, I say go the money way.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I’d be tempted to say that you do an absolutely sterling job as you do already; juggling BNS with your life & career makes you a bit of a hero, dude – I’m sure as shinola that I couldn’t manage it.
Personally, I’d hate to see the colour go; ok, I’m from England, the sky in my world is monochrome 96% of the time, but your framed one is bright and cheerful and alive. It wouldn’t stop me reading or enjoying, but it’d be like the donut I’m omnomnoming right now without sprinkles, y’know? Hey, I’m more than willing to stiff you guys a few bucks here and there for this gig
March 7th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I say stick in colour. I know in the past you guys have had work outside BNS mount up on you and missing 1 strip is fine, but when you end up missing 4 or 5 then it becomes much worse.
Having a donation goal would be good for you guys and wouldnt hurt at all.
One obvious thing would be to talk to other webcomic makers who do it full time (Ctrlaltdel is the only one I know, but there must be more) and see how they do it.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:48 am
I really like the colour, but I also understand why you’d be tempted to drop in in exchange of a 3x week schedule. It’s hard to tell how well the strip will translate to black in white, especially since we’ve gotten used to seing it this way. Maybe you could do a test run of black and white strips to see what people thought. In the end, you need to decide what you like best. I figure I’ll remain a fan of yours either way!
March 7th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I’m voting for once a week in color. You can also do “ransom weeks,” in which, if we donate a certain amount, we’ll get a three-pack in color.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:08 am
hmmm just evil!
March 7th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I love B&W strips, but your color work is outstanding. I can happily live with once a week.
March 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Awesome strip. xD
I like the colour and despite i know not everyone is like me, i don’t mind being once a week or whenever you can. The donation can be a way of helping everyone, and i’m pretty sure people wouldn’t mind chip in a bit.
Still awesome comic btw. Made my bookmarks the first strip i put my eyes on.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
I’d rather see Butternut Squash more often than worry about color. However, I’d second the idea of B&W three times a week with a color Sunday strip every coupla weeks.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I think you should definately keep the color. If that means waiting a week for the next one to come out then i’ll just have to sacrifice.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
One of the things i enjoy most about Butternutsquash is the coloring. I don’t mind waiting ’til Thursday for a new strip. To me, it’s worth it.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
While I love the color I love the charactrs even more a B & W 3 times a week would rock. Perhaps with color pages when a donation goal is met. What ever happens though I’ll keep reading!
March 7th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
As long as it keeps coming I’d be cool with it being put out by carrier pigeon.
March 7th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Can’t we come to some form of compromise?
What about BNS merch to make up the money to fund 3 color comics a week?
The coloring of this comics is definitely too good to just do b/w.
March 7th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I’m with Mondo Kane, keep the colour.
England is a bit grey most of the time and I really look forward to the weekly update.
Luckily Kukuburi keeps me satisfied for the rest of the week.
Maybe some merchandise would help to keep the moolah rolling in. I’d buy a t-shirt and trade paperback if they were available.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Oh wow, that’s a toughy!! I say keep on truckin’ the way you always have (I heart the color), but you know I’ll do what I can to help if you’re gonna go the donations route.
WE LOVE YOU GUYS EITHER WAY!! WOOO!! *enter flashing college girls*
March 7th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
It’d be a real shame to loose the colour, ’cause the colour looks awesome. On the other hand, I love the comic and more comic strips is never a bad thing – and I’d not stop reading it if it were in b/w.
I reckon the coloured comics are worth the wait., though. ^_^
March 7th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
The color is one of my favorite things about this strip, it’s very well done! I MUCH prefer slow comics of high quality over fast comics without color. It’s great that you keep BNS going at all, in my opinion.
But people who try and do 3 times a week and have jobs generally can’t meet the deadlines. There has been only one comic I’ve seen that can keep to this, and it’s Octopus Pie (it is in black and white, but consistently so; the linework is also pretty awesome), which as far as I know hasn’t missed a comic 3 times a week since it started.
There are GREAT comics that update once monthly, once weekly, once whenever-they-can…for instance, Lackadaisy (by Tracy Butler), and ICE (by Faith Erin Hicks)
In other words, please keep the quality color. It’s what sets you apart from the rest of the cruddy comics inundating the web.
March 7th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
I LOVE the color! But, I think I would love reading the strip more often more, so I say B&W!
March 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I have absolutely no problem with B&W strips. Your pieces for Palladiumbooks always looked great, whether coloured or black and white. P.S. I really liked your take on the CS motifs, especially the powered armour and dog-boys. It’s the reason I looked you up online all these years later (and was I ever glad to see you posting weekly cartoons!).
March 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I say stick with the color and solicit donations!
March 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Hey
COLOUR!! B&W would be good but to make the change after all this time would be a crime!! once a week works well.
merchandise is a good way to go! look at QC, he has made it his full time job. not that I’m saying for BNS to go daily (…or am I!?…) but merch would bring the greenbacks in for you guys.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I vote for keeping the colour. If not enough people donate to increase the frequency, then we’ll just have to be satisfied with once a week. I also agree with Mike that some BNS (and Kukuburi) merch might help the old revenue stream too. I know I’d be willing to donate/purchase to keep quality entertainment like this flourishing.
Besides, as a fellow Torontonian I just gotta support the local talent.
March 7th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
D’oh! After reading this whole thread I scroll back to the top and finally notice the big tip jar sat the top of the page. *Smacks head* The check’s in the mail guys. consider it my small way of saying thanks.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
3x week in B&W would be great! i love your comic but am annoyed at the production schedule.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
and to whoever said the color is well done, it’s not really. it’s solid coloring except for shadows where it’s a solid shadow color. there’s not gradients or anything. b&w could establish the same thing.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
hrm, who knew gradients could take my colouring to the next level!?
thank you all for the input. i’ll take what you all said into consideration. any changes that happen won’t for a while, as well there are too many things on mine and rob’s plate to begin with. i just wanted to take stock in what you, our readers, thought. so as the year goes on rob and i shall deliberate and see what we can come up with.
we are planning a store. so that’ll be happening within the next couple months. we’ll have t-shirts, original giclee prints, a giclee print option for all the comics in our archive and whatever else comes to mind.
we are planning a collection with original material, but this is something still being complied and worked on. we shall, obviously, keep you posted…
March 8th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
personally, i have no idea how you manage to produce such a quality strip on a regular schedule(mostly) and maintain a freelance career (which i must assume takes more diligence than a regular 9-5).
if it makes life easier, i say go with the donation method, or ask around, i know questionable content updates full color 5 days a week and Tatsuya Ishida over at sinfest updates every day in b/w with a color sunday strip (he is a robot i think). you might even drop a line to bear and kitten since they are both free lancers doing a comic twice a week. who knows, perhaps there is a secret way of sustaining an artist solely on webcomicry. i charge you to find that secret way and exploit the crap out of it!
March 8th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Keep the colour!
I have no problem waiting a week, totally worth it.
March 8th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
my vote, if you switch to 3x/week…..2 days B&W, 1 day color. or partial color
March 8th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Ah, I mentioned it was good color – this is because of color choice. Even cel-type shadowing of solids can be well done, you realize. It’s just a style that cen be poorly done like any other.
March 8th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Noob BNS reader here…well not anymore…StumbledUpon a Feb 08 comic…had to go to the archives and read from #1…
As a fellow GTArian, I love the early color image backgrounds of streetcars, recognizable storefronts etc…
While B&W is nice, a color shot of the Roundhouse would add some spice ! Booyaakashaaaa….
March 9th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I’m voting for color at all times, doesn’t matter to me if it’s 3 times a week, or once… your color has always been one of the best parts of this comic (story is obviously the first)… I think it wouldn’t come across as well in just a B/W format.
March 9th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Well im pathalogically cheap, so i dont know how often i would personally be able to donate. but there are generous human beings out there, so who knows?
I personally love the colouring of the strip and the same with Kukuburi. Its striking and bold and even nicer in print. its what sets you above most other comics online. But your line work is beautiful in itself too.
So my opinion is Quality over quantity, but if anything im sure everyone could live with black and white with the occasional coloured interval.
Either way i’ll be happy as a pig in shit to view whatever pops up on my screen, whenever it does.
March 10th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Man the colour is awesome! It just brings out everything in eye catching pizzaz!
And Michael? Gradient is easy compared to what they’re doing, they’re trying to draw in contours that are smooth and believable. with gradient you can fudge it because the lines and separation between highlight and shadow are fuzzed but they have to be more precise and exact. Gradient is like using the blur tool to correct mistakes.
Trust me I’ve tried mimicking their style and things just don’t look right. So bad in fact that I won’t embarrass myself by showing ANY examples.
March 10th, 2008 at 4:07 am
one question: which would be more fun for you?
for me: I am fine the way things are. I like thinking, “oh, have I checked in on bns this week?” while I am at work. And the color is cool. But, at the same time, I could learn to live without it…
March 10th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Go for colour. Quantity is good only if I can have colour too.
Or how about B&W for free… and colour for paying subscribers?
March 10th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I continually love this strip.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:45 am
I honestly don’t read any b&w comics. I know that sounds very closed-minded of me, but I just can’t keep my interest if it doesn’t have color. I have read every strip and am continually amused. I love the comic and hope the color stays so I can continue to love it. Thanks for all of your great work.
March 10th, 2008 at 11:44 am
please keep the colour! isn’t that also part of your whole tag line?!
‘What colour is the sky in your world?’
March 10th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I personally love the color. However, I would like to see a B&W just to see the comparison. Part of B&Ns personality comes from the quality of the art so I’d hate to see that get a backseat due to a few more updates than usual.
March 10th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I think that the colour does add something to the mix, but that it’s incredibly hard to judge what the comic would look like without colour without seeing it like that. I think maybe give us an example of how an uncoloured comic would look, next to the same one coloured normally (more work, I know!
)#
As for the cash incentives, sounds good to me!
I don’t really agree with the idea of doing 3 black and whites and 1 week colour, since that’s going to create a problem of when people expect updates. I know that it’ll be a relatively logical schedule, but people just get used to seeing certain comics come out as and when *shrugs* or maybe that’s just me!
March 11th, 2008 at 1:56 am
WOW…so many comments on this one. I haven’t even finished reading them all yet.
BUT, here’s my two cents…. Do what ever is easier for you guys, we’ll love it all the same. But I have to agree with the other peeps, that your COLOUR is part of what drew me into reading your comic in the first place. Your colour and drawing abilities combined made it stand out from the rest.
I am a Ramon and Rob junkie, so B&W or COLOUR, I’ll still be coming back for more.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:07 am
I’d say keep the colour, and if it only happens once a week, then it only happens once a week. Though I’d support this comic if there was an entreaty anyway.
March 11th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
This strip is in COLOUR?!?!?
DAMN!
Time for me to ditch this old monochrome monitor…
March 11th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I’d read it once a week in black and white. It’d still be worth it.
March 12th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Oh please keep the color. I’d rather look forward to a color strip once a week than a B&W one 3x a week.
As far as the donation drive goes – I say go for it! Randy of Something*Positive was the first to do it (so far as I know), and he’s been able to maintain a daily strip for quite a while. … which is a treat for his twisted little readers like me.
March 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am
color!
March 12th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
The color is lovely, Ramon, don’t get me wrong, and as a monochromatic artist myself I grovel at the feet of your fantastic coloring skills. Buuut … B+W is still pretty cool, especially the shades of grey that Danielle executes so well. Her donation system seems to work pretty well so far too. Although I feel like a jackass for reading the stuff since I haven’t actually donated yet … either way works for me, but I don’t think you need to worry about losing the color.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
As cool as the color is, the writing makes this comic pop. It’s got all the right kinds of crass that make me chuckle in the office despite myself.
I’d rather laugh more times per week than not.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Basically, I think the majority of your readers want color however long they have to wait, but there are also those who want more strips per week, even if it has to be in b/w. (I’m with the latter, but I know I’m in the minority.)
So, go with what will make you the most happy and the least crazy.
And, yes, the store idea is great. What better fashion statement could there be than a BNS tee shirt? Or messenger bag? Or thong?
March 13th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I think the color is too good to pass up. I’m happy with the schedule now, infrequent though it may be. I’m also a Kukuburi fan, and I loved your work in D20 Apocalypse.
That’s my 2 cents.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Stop stressing man! I read about a dozen online strips and BNS and Kukuburi are the most regular updaters BY FAR. Please just leave things as they are if that’s what makes you happy and the pissers and moaners can take a walk!
March 15th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Ooh I thought of a good reason to keep the colour. Your Redheads wont be Redheads anymore. Redheads are hot. Blackheads are not.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I say, keep the colour! I am also willing to wait between updates, each strip has that much more of an effect that way.
I love both Butternut Squash and Kukuburi! I’ll keep reading no matter what you decide to do.
March 17th, 2008 at 2:09 am
BNS should stay in colour, personally. It makes it what it is. What does it matter that it takes more time? It’s only that way so a higher quality product is produced.
March 17th, 2008 at 8:14 am
yah, I put my vote in for once a week in colour. I don’t mind waiting for a great product. And I will never be a whiner if your post is a day late. Do your thing, guy…
I will always be here to read and smile.
March 25th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I like the colour, but if you’ve just got too much story to tell, I guess it makes sense to switch it up. I like some of the suggestions for jumping back and forth week to week. Or maybe just colour all the female characters… that would work for me.