Sorry for the late update, I just got back from the Emerald City Comic Con – What a wonderful and incredible show. So grateful for all the help that came from some many people and spouses that made this show possible for our family.

It was a fantastic weekend and now it’s time to get back to work. Time to role up my sleeves and get this book done and jump into the next chapter.

I love the energizing feeling cons can bring. It makes really enjoy art and having the ability to mingle with some truly wonderful people . Thank you again for everyone that will be there.

Keep creating and dreaming big.

trav

Just got back from the festival of books. I am pretty worn out, but i still got the update up. It was a fantastic fun festival.

Working on finishing the edits this week and hopefully in two weeks i will have abook ready for print.

trav

The Bean in color – really?? Can it happen?

Yes I am going to color the Bean. Patreon.com is a way that can make it possible. It allows you to help fund the coloring and get some cool rewards in return for your support.  It’s new way to help fans become patrons of the arts and little costs, help creators finish projects and be part of the entire process.

“The Bean” (all 590+ pages and growing) has been published as a black and white comic since its beginning. It was nominated for an Eisner in 2011. I have published 3 volumes of the comics in black and white but have come to realize, that my readers would have a greater visual experience and the story could become more powerful if “The Bean” was to be produced in color, the way I originally envisioned it.

This has been a labor of love for many years. Unfortunately, it has been a hobby and I have not been able to focus on more than one page a week. There are bills to be paid and mouths to be fed. Yet I still believe in the dream and even in the tough times, I have always updated and given Bean’s story to the world for free.

I want to finish Bean’s story and have it be read and loved. I want people to be able to imagine themselves there with Bean in his adventures in full color, just how I first envisioned it. A full color epic story about the transformation of a young boy in to someone more than he ever imagined himself to be.

So why am I here on Patreon?
All through the ages, people with vision have supported the arts. These are people who know what it takes to produce excellent work and to help the artists be able to produce great works of lasting beauty that everyone can enjoy. These are people who want to make a difference in the lives of others, not just in the artists they support, but a difference in the whole world as they contribute what they can so that the artist has time and money to create works that will benefit and change the world for the better. I know that out there somewhere, there are extraordinary people with vision and means who would be willing to contribute a little each month to help see that “The Bean” gets finished in a timely manner in full color. I know that the story of Bean will change hearts and change what people think is possible, just as Bean changes with the help of those he comes into contact with throughout his journey into a greater individual.

The more money contributed to this campaign, the more this will allow me to finish this incredible package and offer you more in return. It will allow me to dedicate more time to finish “The Bean” books and go back and produce color versions that will inspire and delight the readers. Your part in this journey, starts with the first step to become involved with Patreon. You can help make a difference in the world with your generous support.

At this time of my life, I am committed to dedicating my time to making this world a better place for all to enjoy. I am committed to telling the stories of inspiration and hope, illustrating them with imaginative artwork, and helping people to find their own happiness and joy through service and imagination.

What and When are the updates?
With the help of flattener Darne Lang, we will update the color pages from the beginning of Book 1 twice a week. I will continue to add 1 new inked pages to Bean’s current story every week.  There will now be weekly comic updates 3 times a week. The more money that is contributed, the more pages will be completed. My ultimate goal would be to update Bean’s story with both color and b/w pages 5 times a week.

Bean will always be free to read online, but those special people who become a patrons, in addition to helping complete this project, will also have special access to the parteon blog where there will be original sketches you can print out to enjoy, preview art, special contests and opportunities to comment, chat and be the first to preview the story pages before everyone else get to see them. Your feedback, as a patron of the arts, is very important to me and many times the story has incorporated the ideas that you have shared with me. As you contribute, there will be opportunities for you to be able to receive a copy of each new book as it is printed, depending on your level of contribution.

Thank you so much for your support in Bean’s story over the years. I have appreciated that you have shared his story, contributed to the funding and strengthened me to keep moving forward. I am very excited to finally be able to see Bean move in such a positive and incredible direction. I could never have come this far without your help, your encouragement, your financial support, and your belief in the power of changing the world through following your dreams. I promise to continue to make this adventure of a humble dishwasher an incredible ride. Please commit your financial support today to keep this dream alive. As little as one dollar can get you started as a Patron of the Arts.

Keep creating, keep dreaming and keep believing.
Travis Hanson

Well hello, and what an incredible week it has been as I find my direction and follow the dream. As you can see I have joined Patreon and if you want to help support the coloring of the Bean comic, please do so. Patreon makes it easier for me to color and tell the story through your donations. Just a dollar a color update (which you can cap is all I am asking). It’s pretty cool as it is letting artist and creators tell their stories.

I will still upload for free- for anyone that wants to read this story. Yet it does costs me to produce it and if you want to help take a little of that burden off, please take a look at my patreon project. Supporting me through patreon will also help me bring it back to two or three days a week for updates.

The top pledge and is 30 min mentoring sessions on anything that has to do with kickstarter, artwork, story telling, layout, webcomic design, self-publishing you name it. I am here for you.

Thank you again for all your help, your love and your support.

trav-

So much going on. The Bean is in full gear right now as well as my other story which is kickstarting right now. Book 4 should be finished by the end of the year. I am excited with it’s direction as I start chapter 16 soon. Thanks again for all the incredible support.

keep creating

trav

Talking Shop: Webcomics…

Well “Bean” has officially hit the 4 year mark (568 pages, 3 graphic novels, and working on the 4th). I am pretty pleased with how it has evolved and the direction it continues to go in. Has it been easy? Honestly… Yes and No. Over the last two years of figuring out how to make this webcomic work, I have found a wide variety of things that have worked and some that do not, and still others that I am just trying to figure out.

I figured though that it was time to chat a little bit about it and hopefully add a little encouragement to those that are just contemplating starting out and/or are in the beginning stages.

1. Realizing it’s more than a hobby- Many webcomic artist start their projects for a variety of reasons. Most of the time, it is looked at as a hobby and then treated as such. This usually results in boredom after a few years or even a few months and the idea forgotten. Lack of deadlines and general lack of commitment can kill a webcomic pretty quick. There is huge potential for webcomics out there it’s just what are the creators willing to put into it. With the era of newspaper comics coming to a end, and yes it is ending, the value of webcomics will increase in a few years. Those that take the opportunity seriously will do very well, those that cannot commit will struggle and make excuses, that simple.

2. Keep your schedule- The worst thing that can happen to me in the world of webcomics, is to come across a fantastic comic with a strong story and art, and that it is on hiatus. This kills me, I know that I am not alone here. It also shows poor planning by the creator. I believe creators need time off, I take time off all the time, yet my readers will never know it, and this why….

the Buffer- Newspapers require 6 weeks of backlog. Even before they start pushing it, the artist must have a reserve for them to draw from. There is wisdom in this.  6 weeks of updates gives you cushion, it allows you to take breaks over the holidays, it allows for problems. I recommend you keep this reserve stocked. I have enough bean strips to last to 5 months at 3x a week updating schedule. If building the reserve means, holding off on launching the comic, then it is well worth the wait.

auto updates- I use easil for my comic platform. It allows me to automate my updating on the comic. I usually update 30 to 40 strips at a time in an afternoon. I love it. This allows me to take time off, without affecting the updating schedule for my fans. I recommend it. It comes back to your initial promise to them, that you would update on these dates regardless…once you start missing, your audience starts to falter. Not a lot, but over time it can be an issue and your rep can suffer.

3.Committing – this one is personal. I do not know how many artist tell me they just do not have the time. That usually means only one thing, you really don’t have the heart to do this. That’s a harsh statement, yet it is true. If you want it bad enough – show us… put the effort in. I have 5 kids, a good wife, a great art career that does not involve bean, and still I make time to make my story happen. It comes down to a few things-

Finding time- If you look at your day, you might wonder how do I find the time to create a great story. It really can be a unique balance and sometimes, there is a lot going on. Yet how much of that time is spent socializing, game playing and tv watching. There is a place for that, yet if you want to do a webcomic, you need to limit it. You will realize that time is there. Stay up a little later, draw during lunch in your car, or at the dr.office.  Make the time and you will be surprised how much you can get done.

4. Positive influences- Webcomics get flack, sometimes even telling someone you draw a webcomic, will get you a raised eyebrow of skepticism, due to the amount a low quality work out there. Yet, as more and more pros start to realize the incredible potential of webcomics to market their work, the stigma that the web is a place for 2nd rate illustrators who couldn’t make it in the real world is fading and beginning to fade rather quickly. There are some incredible webcomics out there, by a generation of incredible artist who get it. They are committed, they put the time in and they are open to helping one another out. They understand. You might not get the support at home or from your friends and peers, but there are places where you will get support- you just got to show up and ask. Don’t be pushy and be willing to give as you receive. The worst thing is for an artist to just take and take and never be willing to help another. A incredible forum is makinggrahicnovels.com. They have everything there, from design to cons. They get it and are willing to help out.

5. Getting Traffic- This one is unique. You have to find those that will be interested in your work.

the Audience- You need to know your audience, learn them and cater to them. If your story is all ages, then keep the art to all ages and the comments appropriately.  If people expect one thing and end up getting something else, they leave. Your art should match. Promoting a kids comic, and then plastering semi-naked cheese cake in your gallery, will prob slow your traffic way down. That’s because you don’t understand your audience.

tracking software- I prefer google analytics, but there are other programs out there. It allows me to see where traffic is coming from, how many unique hits, what pages are viewed and sooooo much more. There is power in this information, that will allow you to better build your site and make your comic more productive.

Top web sites- I have mixed feelings. I am not a fan of ranks based on traffic- That’s not important to me. I have a link, you can vote, but you want people to stay on your site and most of these links take people away from comic. So I have scaled the voting aspect way back. Yet these sites have huge advertising potential. Topwebcomics has a fantastic advertising system for webcomics. It’s low costs and it is effective. Sometimes if you want to grow you need to be willing to spend a little.

Power of invitation- Some of the best advertising comes from fellow creators or fans, be willing to reward them- more art, link exchanges even a review of their work. If people like your work, your story and your continuity they will promote you, but you have to be committed and if you miss updates and such, they talk.

There are many more ways to bring people to your worlds, these are just some aspects of it.

6. Good Art, Good Story, Good Presentation– Learn your craft- Learn from other successful webcomic designers and see what works. You gonna have a few trials along the way but roam a bit and find layouts you like and then adapt them. One thing I am working with is fixing the Art section and archives of my site. That is an area I have struggled with and now I think I have figured out how to fix the art section, I feel better about the direction of what is going on. This takes a little learning and it is trial and error, but there are many who have figured it out and you can learn from them. Using the layout of a successful site is fine, the building blocks, taking the art design is not cool SO DON’T DO IT!

Don’t be afraid to break the formula. There are a lot of how too books out there, with good information. Yet, every comic, and every dream is different. A lot of these books come from a print aspect of comic creation. The web opens doors for so much in design and layout.

7. Why constant updates are better than one-shot web graphic novels. The serial comic, which can be produced into a graphic novel later, allows the reader to keep coming back. The Web-Book Graphic novel, where the whole thing is put up at once, is old school print mentality. One book, one month etc. You want people to continue to visit your site. You want them to keep coming back. If you update a page or two or three a week, then they have a reason to come back. Fans become comfortable with you. A web-graphic novel kinda limits interaction and when on a monthly or bi-monthly updating schedule… it is easy to be forgotten. Your are always struggling. If you want your traffic to grow, give them a reason to stay, to hang out, to enjoy your creation, which in turn motivates you to continue.

A serial can always be converted to a graphic novel at a later date. These make for better reading in my opinion and is one reason why I chose to bean as a serial epic than a monthly graphic novel.

8. Failure is not bad – Failure happens. You can do two things – Quit or use it as a building block. I prefer the later. Bean went through 4 different variations before I finally found success. It was tough, tears were shed, and I wanted to quit. Yet there was a drive deep inside that would not let me. It was my baby, my dream and so I figured out a way. Be willing to adapt and make changes, just because traffic is low or no one comments, does not mean it’s time to throw in the towel. It means that it’s time to reevaluate and figure out how to fix it make it better. The cool thing about bean is I found way, it took 12 years to do it, but I found away.

The main thing is keep going, don’t tell me you want it show me, and pick yourself up when you fall. Because if you want it bad enough you will make it happen.

I know we talked about a different aspect of webcomics than the art part. Yet this is an extremely important part of the webcomic and making it successful. This is what I have found that works for me. Every situation is different, yet there is a key theme–– Show me you want it, don’t just tell me.

Well I have talked your ear off. I hope to see more creative storytelling there. Everyday I find something knew and I am encouraged by that. So if you thinking about joining the fun, then prep yourself to do it right and you will just fine.
Keep creating and let the magic flow.

trav

Shop Talk: The power of Webcomics and why stores, publishing companies, hobbyist and the old indy publishing model doesn’t get it yet.

This last year has been quite an eye opener for me. These last two years have really been a break out for indy/webcomics. Many of these creators have found how to make their stories a good income source and some cases a permanent income source. Being one of them I have found how vital it is for the print and web industries to work together. They need each other.

Creators of outstanding stories need to be paid for their efforts. Yet the distribution for independents is facing some uphill battles. Diamond is no longer friendly to them and most comic stores stock the top 4 or 5 publishers in this order Marvel/DC, Image, Dark horse, Archaia Entertainment (which i love), and then well known independents, minor independents (only about 3 to 5% on the list if that) and then well you get it. Indy’s are not high the list. Plus all the indy distributors are drying up. Does this mean that your books won’t get into a store- not always- but it is the biggest uphill battle you have to face. Plus the return on your work is low… So really what is the motivation for an indy publisher these days. Well it might surprise you.

Several indy creators have found a way to carve out a nitch in the industry. We have found a way to bring in income as well and we all for the most part have the same mind frame on how to make it work. Yet it goes against the grain and very slowly an industry that refuses to change in way of doing business is starting to take notice. Yet, I am not writing this for the industry, I am writing this for the indy’s, with hopes that you to can make your dreams of being a story creator become a reality.

So let’s talk shop.

As an artist, I need to make a living. It is what I do. There are peaks and valleys in my career. I have to constantly promote and many times listen to the negative feedback that seems to stalk artist about our goals being unrealistic. Yet it all boils down to 2 things.

First- Dont tell me how bad you want it, show me.

Second- This is a career not a hobby. For the most part webcomic-hobbyist disappear after a few years. Those that treat it like a job – stick around.

With that being said how do I make my comic into a webcomic that generates income, builds my artistic career, and fulfills the needs of my fans.

1. Give it away for free online. What? Give it a way for free are you nuts? How does one make money when you are giving it away for free online so everyone can read it? Simple…. You are building an audience. Most indy’s don’t have audiences, except their friends and families. Honest fact.  So if no one knows your story exists, how can they buy it when it comes out in print?

The power of giving your story away for free helps you on many fronts. The first is audience growth. You jump from being just a small local story teller to an international story teller. If the work is clean, the story good, and updates consistent people keep coming back. They become attached to your world and many want you to succeed that when you do print books and create digital books they support them.

Next it gives people a reason to remember you, especially in-between issues. The longer the wait in between books the quicker people forget you exist, no matter how good the story is. Regular updates help keep people invested in what you are creating and motivates you to keep producing-

The big companies are starting to offer online- but a lot of them charge. That’s fine. I will still offer my tale for free, because I want more and more people to become familiar with my story and my art.

2. The power of community. For the most part the webcomic community is pretty open. In fact several of the successful creators are always willing to give advice. Jason Brubaker of remind has created and entire site dedicated to making webcomics and comics. The web comic is also very supportive of one another. We plug each others comics, yet this is usually by taste. DONT BE PUSHY- if someone doesn’t plug you it might be because we are also picky. I plug webcomics I read, yet I am a stickler for story and good illustrations.

Be willing to plug others as well, without expecting anything in return. It’s get’s noticed. Those that expect things find out that people avoid them.

We also all are trying to tell our own stories. Each different and unique. This creates a common bond, as we all try to be successful in our story telling. Be respectful of this the web can be rather harsh at times as people push their own agendas.

There is also many creators who have created tutorials or blogs and how to make it work. You just have to find them and read them. I already linked to a great set of resources with Jason.

Stay away from comparing. Everyone is at their own spot in the game and sometimes the biggest killer of a webcomic is the creator itself. You got to focus on your own game not someone else. Let other creators inspire you to improve yourself and then apply what you learn, but keep it your own style and creation.

3. Patience- Your audience will show up. You just have to put the time in to make it happen. Like planting a garden, the fruit of the labor does not happen overnight. It takes time. Audiences start small. Yet there are many ways to plug your work. You need to be consistent with your updates and art. Don’t disappear or be unreliable, that kills the audience quick. Sometimes it can take several years before your audience grows and you start generating income. Stick it out.

4. Print still sells- Print books will never go away. In fact the web and print work very well together. Yet you can just throw in out on a whim – you need to build up your audience. Once your audience has grown, it might be time to print. The cool thing is many indy’s no longer use stores and distributors. We build our own stores and sell from there, we are cutting out distributors and sales are direct. It gives me a chance to offer a store a bigger cut, if they want to carry it, but as the web audience grows, you find that you dont have to be in a small comic shop. Plus there are other ways to get into bigger stores.

Just be careful about jumping the gun. Establish your comic and your audience first. Build up the page count and pull from there and add tidbits here and there.

Yet you still have to print the books. Hence the power of kickstarter. The key to success with kickstarter is the importance of building an audience and having a good looking product. (ok there is more but you have to read about it in my kickstarter topic here).

5. You still have to push your comic- Once you have to comics- you head to cons. Start small. Once again we see the importance of building up an audience. People find you though, especially fans. It is quite cool when people you have never met in a city come up to you and say they have been following you for year and want to support you. Just make sure when you come back the next year you have something new for them. The killer of most small press is they are a one book press… This is solved if you are doing a web comic and can keep producing books.

Is it fool proof…. no. It’s constantly evolving and changing. We need to adapt and honestly it is those creators that can adapt that survive. Patience, and the drive to figure things out. Yet that’s what makes webcomics a possible realistic source of income. You just got to put the effort into your own work.

Is it easy… no. Will you get frustrated… yes. Will you almost quit…possibly. Yet in the end, if you are willing to put the effort in and are willing to show people that you want it bad enough – you will make it happen. Things only look better for webcomics, especially with more and more support options out there to help with getting the word out. You will might be pleasantly surprised.

There is so much more to this. I plan to go into it as well because I want to see others succeed. I believe in the webcomic/kickstarter model. I am product of it working. I think now is the time for more great stories to get out there, just be true to work and your updating schedule. Treat it like a job and in time (no destination given cause we are all different) and it will eventually become one.

Are webcomics good for the industry- you bet they are… in fact they are breathing new life to a broken model already in place. They bring in new readers to comics and help reach audiences that normally would never know that your work exist.

So there is life for the indy’s. You can survive the comic industry and still make a dent as indy. You can still get your story out there and sell your books. You just get creative , go against the grain and not be afraid to offer your comic for free.

Keep creating-

trav

Well I now have 8 pages to add to book 3.  I am looking forward to it. I am really excited. Our next stretch goal will be a new book- though i am thinking of adding one at the 15,000 mark.

Thanks again for helping get the word out and supporting this tale. The more support means the more I can do with it.

Also It’s good to see bean again. I tell you the book format is soooo much better to enjoy. Updates dont seem as long.

Time is running out on the kickstarter project!

Added a new update at our kickstarter project. Big artwork update there as well just click the graphic to go check it out. Plus we are moving towards our 10000 mark. That means 8 extra pages for everyone. Tell your friends.

Ok now that that is out of the way I am also posting new print artwork as well. I am doing several new imagination prints that 18×24. I help you enjoy them- I have had fun doing them. Just click on the trav’s imagination category to see them all.

keep creating

trav

Added a new update at our kickstarter project. Big artwork update there as well just click the graphic to go check it out. Plus we are moving towards our 10000 mark. That means 8 extra pages for everyone. Tell your friends.

Ok on to other information and updates.

I have 33 pages left to finish all the art in Book 3. I am really enjoying working on this section. Also I if you haven’t noticed I am working on some new big prints.

PLUS!!!! This is #400, how cool is that. 400 strips of the bean.  I am amazed:) now onto the next 400.

Well keep creating.

trav

We are pushing forward with our stretch goals. I need your help as well. Please share, tell your friends. If we meet the 10000 mark I can add more pages to the book itself.

SAN DIEGO COMIC CON

Comic con starts this week – actually today and for the next 4 days I will be BOOTH E11 drawing FREE SKETCHES to anyone that wants one. Plus I will have new prints and Books 1 and 2. Come join the fun

thanks and keep creating-

trav-

Ravna’s Fury ($4750 promised piece) – Ravna dealing with a patron

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!

– (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