Heavy darkness, as the one who will never let us go, is also the one who will never abandon us. The “devil you know” is often the only one to whom we can turn for comfort, accepting us as we are — unlike the girl in the last panel who doesn’t understand.
and my response to this ass hat would be….. “your constant and fake over cheeriness makes my just trying to feel normal feel dark and bleak…. Now please, go away.”
Yup, watercolor on cheap copy paper. However, I use a kind of watercolor pen that I found that gives me some interesting textures and is totally portable.
Or, if you want to use normal water colour inks, this is a brush that’s loaded with water in the back so you can use it as a pen (easy to clean, too) https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01ESKHX66?psc=1
It is surprising how normal that darkness can become. I have spent most of my life in that darkness, I had no concept of what it is to not be trapped in it. I went through different phases of coping with it. When I was young I believed that everyone felt the same way I did, they were just better at hiding it. Later, cheerful, upbeat people made me angry. I saw their cheerfulness as taunting me, reminding me that I was irreparably broken; that my normal was not actually normal.
After decades of searching for an effective treatment including periods of self medicating, I have finally found the right doctor who has got me feeling better than I ever have in my life. I still have bad days, and it is a constant struggle, but I am starting to understand happy cheerful people without being angered by their cheerfulness. For me, the crushing darkness has become like a cloudy day with occasional sunlight peeking through. I never that I could feel that way.
This strip is a perfect way to show people what our normal is like. The artwork and the text together capture the feelings we have incredibly well. Thank you again Clay for so skillfully depicting something so difficult for some of us to describe. I wish that all the readers of depcom continue to go on without losing hope. May all of you keep up the fight against the dark and find a treatment that is right for you.
“Always look on the bright side of death!”
Heavy darkness, as the one who will never let us go, is also the one who will never abandon us. The “devil you know” is often the only one to whom we can turn for comfort, accepting us as we are — unlike the girl in the last panel who doesn’t understand.
and my response to this ass hat would be….. “your constant and fake over cheeriness makes my just trying to feel normal feel dark and bleak…. Now please, go away.”
Bit harsh just because she doesn’t perfectly understand your issue.
but the cheeriness isn’t fake in any way.
and thus communication between the happy and depressed is even worse than between cat and dog.
Love the cloud effect in the first three panels. Did you achieve that with watercolour?
Yup, watercolor on cheap copy paper. However, I use a kind of watercolor pen that I found that gives me some interesting textures and is totally portable.
There are watercolor pens??? I’ll have to look out for those here!
They’re made by Akashiya. You can use them like a regular marker but they’re water soluable so you can use them with water: https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%81%82%E3%81%8B%E3%81%97%E3%82%84-CA200-20V-%E6%B0%B4%E5%BD%A9%E6%AF%9B%E7%AD%86-20%E8%89%B2%E3%82%BB%E3%83%83%E3%83%88/dp/B000VZB51C
Or, if you want to use normal water colour inks, this is a brush that’s loaded with water in the back so you can use it as a pen (easy to clean, too) https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01ESKHX66?psc=1
Thanks, Clay! ???
I just want everyone to know I’ve been a regular reader for four years, and as of yesterday I’m on my first medication for my depression and anxiety!
It is surprising how normal that darkness can become. I have spent most of my life in that darkness, I had no concept of what it is to not be trapped in it. I went through different phases of coping with it. When I was young I believed that everyone felt the same way I did, they were just better at hiding it. Later, cheerful, upbeat people made me angry. I saw their cheerfulness as taunting me, reminding me that I was irreparably broken; that my normal was not actually normal.
After decades of searching for an effective treatment including periods of self medicating, I have finally found the right doctor who has got me feeling better than I ever have in my life. I still have bad days, and it is a constant struggle, but I am starting to understand happy cheerful people without being angered by their cheerfulness. For me, the crushing darkness has become like a cloudy day with occasional sunlight peeking through. I never that I could feel that way.
This strip is a perfect way to show people what our normal is like. The artwork and the text together capture the feelings we have incredibly well. Thank you again Clay for so skillfully depicting something so difficult for some of us to describe. I wish that all the readers of depcom continue to go on without losing hope. May all of you keep up the fight against the dark and find a treatment that is right for you.
Syed Rafi
Sahi hai yaar
Koi matter nahi
believe me if THEY saw OUR bright sides … they will disown knowing us ….