If you are in the northern, less temperate parts of this continent, you might be thinking to yourself, “there’s more than one kind of avocado?” Here in Chicago we get Haas avocados. It’s the most commercially available avocado, it can be grown year round in some places, and it travels well and has a long shelf life. So if you’re in the northern midwest or the northeast US, you’re probably seeing Haas at your supermarket. Occasionally, very occasionally, you can find one or two other varieties, maybe Gwen, maybe an unnamed “lower calorie” Florida variety. So it can come as a surprise to lifelong northerners that there are other kinds, much less dozens and dozens of varieties out there. The ones I’ve drawn here are mostly California and Florida varieties, but Mexico produces avocados, so does Hawaii, all over South America; even China and Indonesia grow avocados.
I really wanted to try to get my hands on a bunch of different kinds of avocado while we were in San Diego for Comic-Con, but there wasn’t much time for anything. So I think I’m going to have to mail-order a bunch and have an avocado tasting party. Who’s in?
In other news: SDCC is over, and I finally feel like I’ve caught up on sleep. I have two more cons this year – Chicago Wizard World and SPX – and I think next year I’m going to restrict myself to local conventions and take it easy for a while.
In other, other news: I am working on a new graphic novel that is mostly written and I want to get started drawing it, and I think it’s going to require taking a break from Sauceome to jumpstart that project. So! It’s time for another round of guest comics!! The last time I did this I got ten awesome comics from people (they start here, if you want to see them again). I haven’t quite come up with dates yet for when I’d want them to run, but it would be at least a month before they’d be due. If you’re interested in contributing a guest comic, email me!
Ha! I don’t think I have ever seen so much avocados in my life, and I live in Brazil! I could never guess there were so many kinds.
I love the way you colored this, btw. Is it watercolor or digital…? I’d love to see a video of you coloring your art someday.
Thanks, Giu!! It’s watercolor – the outlines are FC Pitt markers, but the color is watercolor paints. I love the infinitely editable nature of coloring comics in the computer, but I’m experimenting with some different techniques lately. I’ll think about doing a video or livestream or something, but instinctively I don’t feel qualified! I just mess around til things look nice, I don’t really know what I’m doing. :)
i <3 avocados. you should make a print of this one!
If you have an avocado party, I will fly in!
Also, if you make a print of this, I will have to buy one.
Get me one of dem bacon avocados!!
When I first saw this, it nearly blew my mind! Is it possible to find and buy such a wide variety of avocados where you live?
And by the way, I would also like to see a video or something of your coloring process. I’m very fascinated by watercolors and how nice they look, and I like your watercolored artwork.
@jostein: Oh gosh no. In Chicago we get Hass and maybe one other variety. All of my research on this was internet-based. :)
And you’re not the only person who’s asked for a video of me doing watercolors! I don’t know why the thought of doing one fills me with such anxiety, except that I haven’t had any real training and my philosophy is to just push colors around on the page until I’m happy with them. Let me try to get over my shyness and work up the courage to do a video, or a livestream or something.
@Sarah
I see! I was a tiny bit envious, but without reason =) And I’m even slightly allergic (or something) against avocados. A spoonful of tasty guacamole is fine, but if I eat any more, I risk getting very nauseous.
I think a watercoloring video will turn out just fine. Also, it doesn’t matter if the first video you make doesn’t look exactly like you want, it’ll still be interesting for fans of your work. In my humble opinion, at least… :)
I would also totally buy a print of this!!