ILLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE / PROJECT 1 / TASK 4 / FINAL PROJECT

on

25/11/2024 - 29/12/2024 / Week 10 - Week 14

Aricia Man Yi Xuan / 0375026

Illustration and Visual Narrative

Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media

Final Project: Webcomic

Google Drive Link

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Lectures
2. Instruction
3. Task 4: Webcomic - Comic Cover
    3.1 Introduction, story analysis, scene breakdown, reference board
    3.2 References and Concept
    3.3 Sketches
    3.4 Progress
    3.5 Final Outcome    
4. Task 4: Webcomic - One-Page Comic
    4.1 References and Concept
    4.2 Sketches
    4.3 Progress
    4.4 Final Outcome   
5. Animated Webcomic 
    5.1 Progress
    5.2 Final Outcome
4. Feedback
5. Reflections

1. LECTURES

Week 11 (Online Lecture):

Today (5/12/2024), we have an online lecture with Mr. Hafiz, which is a briefing on our final project: Webcomic. Mr. Hafiz posted some references and examples to guide us on our project.

Fig.1.1.1 Transitions

Fig.1.1.2 Comics by Scott McCloud

Framed Ink by Marcos Mateu-Mestre: Link

Surrealistic Artwork by Dave McKean;s Sandman: Link


Week 12 (Online Lecture):

Today (12/12/2024), we have an online lecture with Mr. Hafiz, he taught us about the transitions of our webcomic and what to focus when drawing the panel.

Week 13 (Lecture 13):

Today (18/12/2024), we have face-to-face tutorials in class. Mr. Hafiz checks all of our artwork , giving feedback, and has a consultation for us if we have any questions. He also talked about the transitions and how we were going to express the surrealistic feel and its meaning.

2. INSTRUCTION

Fig.2.1.1 Instruction

3. WEBCOMIC - COMIC COVER

3.1 Introduction & Story Analysis

Link for the short story "The Monkey's Paw"


Introduction

This short story "The Monkey's Paw" is written by W.W. Jacobs, which is a classic horror short story. The story began with the White family, living in a quiet countryside, is visited by Sergeant-Major Morris, a soldier recently returned from India. He brings with him a magical monkey's paw that grants its owner three wishes but warns of the dire consequences that accompany them. In part 1 of the story, Morris tries to destroy the paw, but Mr. White keeps it and decides to try it out.

Later on, Mr. White has came for his first wish, he asks for 200 pounds and the wish is granted, but in a tragic way. Their son, Herbert, dies in a workplace accident, which he was caught in the machinery, and the family receives 200 pounds in compensation. They were devastated by grief, Mrs. White then pressures her husband to use the second wish to bring Herbert back to life. That night, there is a knock at the door, and they realizes with growing horror that the resurrected Herbert may not be as they remember him. Mr. White was terrified so he uses the third wish to undo the second wish. Finally, the knocking stops, and when they open the door, no one is there.

The story ends with the Whites grieving and regretting their attempt to interfere with fate, leaving a chilling reminder of the dangers of greed and tampering with destiny.

Story Analysis

Fig.3.1.1 Selected Part / (Week 12, 9/12/2024)

For the one-paged comic, I chose the scene occurs after the death of the Whites' son, Herbert, which resulted from their careless wish for "two hundred pounds." It begins with a tense visit from a stranger, a representative of Maw and Meggins, Herbert's employer. The visitor delivers the devastating news of Herbert's death. The moment escalates when the visitor states that Maw and Meggins " disclaim all responsibility" but are offering the exact amount of two hundred pounds, which is the sum the Whites had unknowingly wished for.

I chose this scene because it represents the emotional climax of the story, where the true consequences of the Whites' wish are revealed. This part combines grief, irony, suspense, and horror. Through visuals, I aimed to convey their pain and disbelief, making it the central focus of my comic.

Scene Breakdown

Panel 1

Scene Description: A close-up of Mr. White's face, hands covering his eyes as tears fall.

Dialogue: "He was the only left to us."

Panel 2

Scene Description: Mr. White turning gently to the visitor.

Dialogue: "It is hard."

Panel 3

Scene Description: The visitor walked slowly to the window.

Panel 4

Scene Description: The visitor's face is expressionless, while Mr. and Mrs. White are sitting on a bench.

Panel 5

Scene Description: The visitor standing beside the window and look at the moon.

Dialogue: "The firm wishes me to covey their sincere sympathy with you in your great loss."

Panel 6

Scene Description: A focus on the visitor's mouth and hat brim as he speaks calmly but without compassion.

Dialogue: "I beg that you will understand I am only their servant and merely obeying orders."

Panel 7 (Background)

Scene Description: A shot of Mrs. White's shaking hands with red splatters to symbolize emotional pain and the loss of their son.

Dialogue (Narration Box): "I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility."

Panel 8

Scene Description: Close-up of Mrs. White's widened, horrified eye, tears brimming, with bloodshot red eye emphasizes her shock and agony.

Dialogue (Narration Box): "They admit no liability at all, but in consideration of your son's services, they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation."

Panel 9

Scene Description: Mrs. White breath inaudible, her hands tightly clutching her chest.

Panel 10

Scene Description: Mr. White gazed with a look of horror at his visitor.

Panel 11

Scene Description: Close-up to Mr. White's horrified face, mouth open in shock, asking the visitor with weak voice.

Dialogue: "How much?."

Panel 12 (Background)

Scene Description: A large shot of bloodied and crumpled money scattered on the table as the background.

Dialogue: "Two hundred pounds."


REFERENCE BOARD

Fig.3.1.2 Reference Board (Week 13, 18/12/2024)


3.2 Reference and Concept

Fig.3.2.1 Reference of comic cover / (Week 11, 6/12/2024)

Here are some references I found at Pinterest for my webcomic cover. It seems that this story is kind of a horror story, so I wanted to design an eerie atmosphere cover design, with the main object, which is the monkey's paw, and the colour is mostly black and white.

Fig.3.2.2 References of monkey's paw & skeleton / (Week 11, 6/12/2024)

I also wanted to draw minor elements related to the story in my cover, which are the locket with the image of their son, who had died, and the skeleton to present the story. 

3.3 SKETCHES

Fig.3.3.1 Sketches of comic cover / (Week 12, 9/12/2024)

Description

For the cover design, I wanted to create a mysterious and horrific design with a dark background. The skeletal monkey paw is the central element, symbolizing the cursed object. There's a locket hanging from the paw, containing an image of the family's son, representing the tragic consequences of their wishes. The shadow of a skull appears in the light and shadow effect, with a black background to amplify the eerie atmosphere. Lastly, the book title "The Monkey's Paw" is designed with a shadow-like effect to create a ghostly feel.

3.4 PROGRESS

In Illustrator

Fig.3.4.1 Progression #1 - Draw the paw / (Week 12, 11/12/2024)

To begin, I insert the reference image of the skeleton hand and skull into Illustrator. Create a new layer to trace the outline of the paw, skull, and the locket.

Tools: Pen Tool

Fig.3.4.2 Progression #2 - Apply effect and strokes / (Week 12, 11/12/2024)

Next, I apply effects to strokes.

Steps: Effect > Stylize > Scribble, Effect > Brush Strokes > Angled Strokes

Fig.3.4.3 Progression #3 - Colouring & Effect (locket) / (Week 12, 11/12/2024)

Later on, I draw the locket and fill in the colour, adding outer and inner glow, applying texture to it.

Tools: Ellipse Tool, Effect > Stylize > Outer & Inner Glow, Artistic > Plastic Wrap

Fig.3.4.4 Progression #4 - Colouring & Effect (skull) / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)

Then, I followed the reference skull image and traced out the outline, fill in the colour, and applied effects.

Effect: Artistic > Watercolour

Fig.3.4.5 Progression #5 - Light and Text / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)

Next, I draw the light and apply texture to it and insert the cover title.

Tool: Effects > Texture > Mosaic Tiles, Type > Insert text > Object > Envelope Distort > Make it warp > Arc

In Photoshop

Fig.3.4.6 Progression #6 - Create a hair brush / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)

Moving on to Photoshop, I create hair brushes for the paw hair following tutorials I found.

Steps: Curvature Pen Tool > Adjust the brush settings > Draw the paw hair

Fig.3.4.7 Progression #7 - Liquify / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)
Next, to sharpen the claws, I liquify the nails to the desired pointed shape.

Tools: Filter > Liquify

Fig.3.4.8 Progression #8 - Draw rope & effect / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)

Then, I draw the locket's rope that wraps around the paw and applying texture to it.

Steps: Brush Tool (draw the line) > Filter > Blur Gallery > Path Blur (Adjust the motion) > Change the shape to Dissolve

Fig.3.4.9 Progression #9 - Image in locket / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)

Later on, I imported the image from Pinterest and place it above the locket layer, using clipping mask to fit the image into the locket shape.

Effect: Brush Strokes > Crosshatch

Fig.3.4.10 Progression #10 - Insert a background / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)

For the background, my initial idea was to draw a blood splatter to it, but I found out it looks very weird and empty. Hence, I added a background from Pinterest and adjusted the colour balance. I also added gradient to it so it looks more harmonious.

Fig.3.4.11 Progression #11 - Adjust the placement / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)
Finally, I decided to rearrange the composition of the cover name, as I think it was too empty on right side. Thus, I enlarged the text and put it on the right side and enlarged the skull to emphasized the death of their son. Overall, it looks more cohesive and satisfied.

3.5 FINAL OUTCOME

Fig.3.5.1 Final Outcome - Comic Cover / (Week 13, 18/12/2024)

4. WEBCOMIC - ONE-PAGE COMIC

4.1 Reference and Concept

Fig.4.1.1 References of webcomic / (Week 11, 6/12/2024)

Fig.4.1.2 References images of old man / (Week 11, 6/12/2024)

Fig.4.1.3 References images of old woman / (Week 11, 6/12/2024)

Fig.4.1.4 References images of surrealistic face / (Week 11, 6/12/2024)
Here are some reference images I found from Pinterest and Google. Since I have no experience in webcomics, and I'm actually bad at drawing human bodies, I find a lot of different comics, looking for styles that related with the mood I wanted to convey. Plus, we have to create a surrealistic feeling on it and focus on panel-to-panel transitions such as moment-to-moment, action-to-action, subject-to-subject and so on.

4.2 SKETCHES

Fig.4.2.1 Rough sketch of one-page comic / (Week 12, 9/12/2024)

I came out with a rough sketch on paper, with the placement and composition. I added shadowing details and skin texture around the characters to further enhance their emotional state and realistic feel.

4.3 PROGRESS

In Adobe Illustrator:

Fig.4.3.1 Progression #1 - Panel / (Week 12, 11/12/2024)

After receiving feedback from Mr. Hafiz, I moved on to digitalizing in Adobe Illustrator. I first sketch out the basic layout of the comic page, using the rectangle tool to create panel borders.

Tools: Rectangle Tool
Fig.4.3.2 Progression #2 - Line Silhouette / (Week 12, 11/12/2024)
Next, I sketch a rough outline for characters and backgrounds, starting from the character, Mr. White.

Tool: Pen Tool

Fig.4.3.3 Progression #3 / (Week 12, 12/12/2024)


Fig.4.3.4 Progression #4 - rough colouring / (Week 12, 12/12/2024)

Later on, I applied flat colours to them. I used layers to separate the elements to make it easier to refine later.

Tool: Live Bucket Tool, Shape Tool

Fig.4.3.5 Progression #5 - detail colouring with shadow/ (Week 12, 13/12/2024)

Once the flat colour are in place, I start adding shadows and highlights, like the face, body, and clothing, to add depth and dimension. There's actually has a small detail when you zoom in closely, the shadow of the shaking hand palm forms the word "PAW". It's just a hidden nod to the central theme of the story — the monkey's paw.

Tool: Pen Tool, Pencil Tool

Fig.4.3.6 Progression #6 - Strip Background / (Week 12, 13/12/2024)

Steps: Ellipse Tool (Draw a circle) > Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen > Adjust > Place a rectangle and put behind > create mask 


Fig.4.3.7 Progression #7 / (Week 12, 13/12/2024)
After that, I added a texture feel to the table and inserted the dialogue.

Fig.4.3.8 Progression #8 - table / (Week 12, 14/12/2024)

Steps: Object > Rasterize

In Photoshop:

Fig.4.3.9 Images from Pinterest / (Week 12, 13/12/2024)

Then, I moved on to Photoshop and continued to add a surrealistic feel. Here are images I found from Pinterest that I wanted to put into my comic.

Fig.4.3.10 Progression #10 - adding background image/ (Week 12, 14/12/2024)

I place the background image into the composition and adjust the colour balance.

Tool: Curves, Hue/Saturation, Levels, Contrast, Brightness.
Fig.4.3.11 Progression #11 - draw shadows / (Week 12, 14/12/2024)

I used the brush tool (soft round brushes with low opacity) to paint the shadows on characters and objects. For the blood splatter effects, I use a splatter brush to draw it out. Plus, I import the money image and place it on the table, adjusting the size, position, and colour tone to fit within the comic's scene.

Tool: Brush Tool, Warp, Black & White

Fig.4.3.12 Progression #12 - layers / (Week 12, 14/12/2024)

I think there's not enough surrealistic feel; I decided to add more adjustment and elements.

Fig.4.3.13 Progression #13 - Add elements / (Week 13, 16/12/2024)

I added an image from Pinterest that looks very weird and horrific; it looks like a bloodshot.
I select and mask and refine the edge.

Fig.4.3.14 Progression #14 - Adjustment / (Week 13, 16/12/2024)

I adjusted the image to the "color burn" effect; it looks better and adds a more surrealistic feeling. 

Fig.4.1.15 Progression #15 - Liquify / (Week 13, 16/12/2024)

Plus, I want the visitor's face to be more surrealistic; I found a reference from Pinterest which gave me inspiration that I can liquify and duplicate his face.

Tool: Liquify, Duplicate

4.4 FINAL OUTCOME

Fig.4.4.1 Final Outcome - One-Paged Comic / (Week 13, 19/12/2024)

5. ANIMATED WEBCOMIC

5.1 Progress in Photoshop Frame Animation

After finishing Cover & One-Paged comic, I moved on to create an animated GIF using the Timeline Frame Animation in Photoshop.

Cover

Fig.5.1.1 Progression #1 - skull's shadow / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)


For the cover, I animated the skull's shadow to become longer. Plus, I animated the wind by flipping it up-and-down.

Fig.5.1.2 Progression #2 - timeline / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)

I created 6 frames and set it to 0.5 seconds.

One-Paged Comic

For one-paged comic, I followed Mr. Hafiz tutorial steps to do the animation.

Steps: 
1. Duplicate each panel in Adobe Illustrator, export as JPEG
2. Import to Photoshop
3. Make Frame Timeline Animation
4. Export > Save For Web

Each animated panel:

Fig.5.1.3 Progression #3- tears / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)

For One-Paged Comic, I animated elements of the tears. I edit the tears in Adobe Illustrator and paste it into Photoshop. I used warp modes to adjust the shapes and movement.

Fig.5.1.4 Progression #4 - moon / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)

Next, I animated the moon by adjusting the position from left to right and up-and-down motion.

Fig.5.1.5 Progression #5 - shadow / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)

I also adjusted the shadow of the people. I used the Clone Stamp Tool to remove the shadow of the original image, then copy and paste the shadow from Adobe Illustrator and adjust the length using warp modes.

Fig.5.1.6 Progression #6 - Ellipsis  / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)

I make the movement of the ellipsis symbol as well.
Fig.5.1.7 Progression #7 - tears / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)
For this panel, I used the Clone Stamp Tool to remove the original tears, and paste the tears and adjusted it.
Fig.5.1.8 Progression #8 - blood / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)
Lastly, I adjust the opacity of the blood in her hand.

5.2 FINAL OUTCOME

Fig.5.2.1 Final Outcome - Cover - GIF / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)


Fig.5.2.2 Final Outcome - One-Paged Comic - GIF / (Week 13, 22/12/2024)


4. FEEDBACK

Week 12 (11/12/2024):

Specific Feedback: These are some very good sketches. The references are also spot on, they have that surrealistic vibe to them. Now you have to work on turning those sketches to Adobe Illustrator artwork with this surrealistic feel to it.

Week 13 (18/12/2024):

Specific Feedback: I think your artwork has no problem, but that's a bit weird of the panel, which the flow doesn't have at our eye level; you may have to adjust it. But it still can understand what you are going to express. And also the angle of the eyes usually should be to look down.

REFLECTIONS

Experience:

Finally, this is my final project in my first semester. It was my first time drawing a webcomic, it was such a multi-process and complex compared to the previous artwork. However, this project allowed me to integrate everything I've learned, from designing my own webcomic layout and style in Adobe Illustrator to enhancing textures and imagery in Photoshop and creating animated GIFs using the timeline frame animation tool. From the start, I had to choose a part of the story provided to illustrate; I spent a lot of time choosing which part of the scene I wanted to illustrate, as I needed to imagine how I could visually translate it into the comic. Once I finally decided the scene, I began my sketches. As I'm struggling with drawing characters, especially heads and hands, I had difficulty getting the proportions and angles right. Many of my early sketches felt unnatural, like panel 2 with the side face, resulting in awkward angles. Once I finished the sketching stage, working in Illustrator went much smoother as I was familiar with the program. Photoshop was also relatively smooth, with not many issues. However, I met a problem while animating the frames. When I duplicated the frame and tried to edit it, the first frame would automatically change to match the new one. Fortunately, I solved the problem by asking Chatgpt how to solve it and I just need to uncheck the "new layers visible in all frame". Overall, it was a rewarding and challenging journey working on this project.

Observation:

Through this project, I observed the importance of planning and iteration. In the early stages, I spent more time researching and gathering references than expected, which helped me understand the basics of character design. Besides, when I was writing the dialogue, it looked weird and didn't have a comic feel. Hence, I look at comics on Pinterest to help me decide. I noticed that most comics used all capital letters with handwritten-style fonts, so I decided to imitate this style for my own comic; it looks much better than the initial one. Apart from that, I found that the style of the lines and strokes could impact the texture of the image. As I used basic strokes in the beginning; it looked too stiff and unnatural, so I changed it to the strokes that have sharp edges on both sides, which made the lines look much smoother. It gave them a more organic, skin-like texture, and that's what I wanted. Lastly, I realized that when drawing a comic, it is crucial to ensure the eye level of the characters transitions remains consistent. Mr. Hafiz pointed out that my comic lacked this consistency in my initial sketches, so I adjusted it after that, and it really looked better.

Findings:

Overall, I realized that adding textures and images added depth and richness to the artwork. It helped to make the webcomic feel more vibrant and lively, which enhanced the overall aesthetic, and I was satisfied with it. This project taught me a lot and also helped me become more confident in drawing characters and tackling angles, and I now feel more capable of creating more dynamic illustrations. I hope in my future semester I will learn more and become a better designer.











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