hi all – just back from wondercon- it was a good show- more on that later… once i get settled in- Right now its the last day (meaning monday and part of tuesday  if you want to be a part of my new book- Tanner Jones and the Quest for the Monkey Stone.  Just click the picture to check it out.

Shop Talk- Scripting the Bean.

Let’s talk about my process, and mainly focus on scripting the bean. There are many ways to script and not everyone will have the luxury of being able to script their own work. Since I write and illustrate everything about “The Bean” I am able have a little more creative freedom when I script and I do not usually follow the industry standard for comic book scripts.

So what do I do?

The first thing I do is build or create a dummy book. Even though “Bean” is shown on the web, my final goal is to create a printed book. I know that book printers work in sets of 8. This is why comics are usually 24 or 32 pages. 24= 3 sets of 8 pages, 32 = 4 sets of pages. By building on this principal, you can build almost any size graphic novel. Bean is built to be a 152 pages of story with extras. So when I am scripting I know that I have to find some closure of the book in 152 pages. You can leave it on a cliff hanger, but the book needs to have some resolution. Books 1, 2 & 3 each have their own story arc, even though they are part of a much bigger and longer tale.

I used to build my dummy books with copy paper and staples. 20 sheets stapled equals a 40 page book (I work on front & back, but more on that in a minute). This method is fine, but you will find that you use the dummy book quite a lot and the staples start to fall out and then you end up fixing the book all the time. This frustrated me after 12 40 page comics like this. I was determined to not let that happen for book 4.

One day at a local office supply store, I found a compilation book for engineers. It is a 76 sheets of graph paper that is bound together, it is also 9 x11 in size so it is bigger than most notebooks. This is what I needed to help me in my scripting. Why graph paper you might ask, well as we talk about my work model further, you will see how important graph paper has become to the process.

I have chosen to draw my comic book landscape or widescreen. I do this because it translates perfectly for the web and looks fantastic in print. Just like a Calvin and Hobbes book. I also like the freedom landscape gives me as I work. The eye moves easier from left to right than from up to down. Plus no scrolling it’s a nice feel. (Only drawback is comic book stores cringe at this because they are set up for traditional style books . So a good portion of my sales come from online, which is better for me)

So back to scripting. When I am ready to start my next chapter I pull out my book and map out two pages. The graphing makes mapping and panel layout so much easier to block. You have instant guidelines. I also like how it works with perspective. Since I draw vertical I can fit two pages to a page. Which means with a compilation book of 76 pages I can map out 152 pages of story. That is 4 chapters of a 172 page book. See it fits perfect for the bean.

Now I gather my notes , scrap papers, sketch books, plug in my music and begin plotting. I work each page individually and at times with it’s opposite, drawing how I would envision them to be. This is a quick sketch as you notice from the pictures. The goal is so I understand. I try to use a pencil, so I can erase and move stuff around. I have used pen, but that gets messy at times. There are times though that I get a little more detailed in the sketch process, especially when I world build or need to see detail. The graph paper also helps me to change camera angles and figure out quick perspective for the pages. I do not write a description of the page I actually draw it. This is what I will use as a guide (key word here: GUIDE) when I start working on my actual page. I can change, add or take away at will.

I also try and limit my panels per page. I have found with this size that 4 or 5 panels should be the limit. Anymore than that and it becomes jumbled. Since Bean is an graphic novel I do not feel that I have to spell it all out either. Many pages are just one or two panels. Visual for me is just as strong as the written word.

It is here that I also lay the text out for the story. I treat this as a guide as well and there have been times that I have completely changed the text as I began to lay the book out in indesign.

I use my script as starting point. The visual aspect combined with only what the characters say create a very clear picture on what my comic is about and how it will end up. Sometimes I am detailed about it and sometimes I am not, because I get in a really powerful groove and need to just get out. I will return and flesh it out later if I must or as I am actually penciling a page. Sometimes I realize that the layout just doesn’t work on a page, since I script/draw in pencil, I can erase the page and re-sketch it out, until it looks right.

The most important thing was to make it easy for me. I need to see it visually and these thumbnails make it possible and the bound together, so i don’t have to worry about loosing pages. It also makes it fun, scripting should not be complicated and by drawing it out like this for artist/writer it allows you to see if something will work visually or not right at that moment.

So that’s it. Maybe next time we will approach more on how I tell the story. Today is a tech day, and that is good too. By seeing how others tackle their goals might give us an idea on how improve or maybe just push through a rough creative block. The most important thing is find what works for and keep going forward.

keep creating
trav-

Also if you have any questions or comments, please share.

So there has been rumblings, and they are true. I have a decided to put together a couple of artbooks. I have enough prints to do it, so it will not cut into the Bean, though Bean 4 should start this fall. Yet what kind of art book will be. Well for one, I want it to be fun. I don’t want it to be a standard sketch book, so I am going to take a different approach to it. The piece you see above is a sample page. My goal, was to a create a book that represents all my horizontal prints and at the same time use it to inspire others to dream, to create and in my opinion – just enjoy what life has to offer.

There is no way I can fund it myself, so I going to kickstart it as well. This should happen in Mar. I am looking at the book being about 68 to 72 pages. It will be full color, a very limited run, depending on the kickstarter pledge rewards,  and I will throw a bunch of sketches in the back of the book.  I am still working all the details out, especially the reward systems – though I think one of the tiers will involve custom pencil work.

Keep your eyes peeled and look for more info to come in the next few weeks. I’ll post a few pages here and there and another video or two. I can’t do it without you, your support makes all this happen and I thank you for that.

Keep creating

trav

The Lovers

11×14

I have found that many people that come to my site for the comic, do not realize that I also do fine art and fantasy art. It’s these pieces that give me a break from the world of the bean and allow me to play with color and tell a story in one panel instead of several. Each art piece is a little bit of my own imagination and the adventures that I see or have seen in life, sprinkled with a bit fantasy. I hope you stay for the magic and keep coming back. There is always something to see here.

trav-

This print could be yours. I am holding a very special contest over at my face book page. If you want a chance to win this unique inked piece come on over and sign up by clicking the image below.

And remember to keep creating! Trav- oh and this contest ends Oct 8th.

My mom tells me that my grandpa tanner loved to fish. He would fish all the time and take her with him. (grandma didn’t mind, but hated cleaning the fish and would make him do it)

Just thought i could see him as a little boy fishing and if his imagination was anything like mind… well you get the picture.

I will be coloring this soon, very soon and will be available as a print as well.

if you want to support my art- please do- visit  My Store

keep creating
trav

Living in your Imagination 9 : the Big One

It is really nice being able to get back into doing 18×24 sized prints, in fact I have to do one a week until the middle of sept, so this will be worth it. Also means I need to change some gears on a few things- I will be finishing up the commissions I have, but I am going to be swamped so some things might take a little time.

This one is called “the Big One”. Just click on it to see a much larger version of it.

Keep Creating and remember come support our kickstarter project….

Trav

Our kickstarter is in full gear now. Since making the initial goal I have set some stretch goals, which one will include the printing of a second book that will ship with book3. Your support makes this story possible and I appreciate that and know that you are the driving force behind my stories. So please throw your support behind the bean. With each pledge you get books, exclusive artwork and your name in the book. Some rewards will even include you as cameo in the book.

More ARTWORK POSTED

If you haven’t noticed I have been posting more artwork on non-comic days. Some of it is bean related and some of it deals with living in one’s imagination. I hope you take a moment and flip through.

I am working really hard at making sure there is constantly something new to see as I work on the story. Please enjoy and also feel free to voice your opinion. My goal is to make this place a community.

Thanks again for supporting my work – Please continue to spread the word about my kickstarter and remember if you can to help it along.

thanks and keep creating-

trav-

]]> https://www.beanleafpress.com/living-in-your-imagination-7/ Fri, 06 Jul 2012 07:00:58 +0000 http://www.beanleafpress.com/?p=4041  

“Tea with Sophia”

the Forest Walker
For every $250 raised with our kickstarter project I do a specialized piece for the bean and post it. We started this at the 4000 mark. I will post one at a time for people to enjoy. If you want in on book 3 visit me at My Kickstarter site!

The Forest Walker ($4250 promised piece) – (I have a bunch more to add- we will add one snapshot at a time. To get the books before anyone else and help us print a special book of snapshots come here

Please Share, the more support we get the better the rewards for everyone.

Keep creating-
trav