Making Time for Comics

How have you guys been scheduling time for comics?

Well I guess I should mention that I work by stages or phases. I do story/script, thumbnails, blue pencils, ink, bubbles, then tone all separately. I don't finish page at a time and post it online since that doesn't seem to work easily for me. I like to do everything at once so I can get a feel of the flow and fix things as I go instead of realizing I made a mistake and go back to fix it after I already finished a page.

One of my biggest problems is that I have the hardest time starting. However, once I get started it's smooth sailing from there. XD I think I've lost that "Get it done" mentality that I had in high school. Well lately I've been getting better at controlling myself and have the "Stop thinking and just do it" mentality. I've been slowly working and getting the things I want done, not as fast as I would like but it's getting done nonetheless. :D

Do you have a ritual that you go through before you start? I do. I fill my cup up with a drink, go to the bathroom, check my feeds, then pull up some music. Once I'm settled I get that "get it done" mentality and I just get up and pull up the files/pages and get working. Then try to take a break every once in awhile. Get up and stretch, get a snack, or check up with the family. I just keep at it until it gets late and I'm ready to go to bed.

Review: Moleskine Pocket Storyboard

This is the Moleskine Pocket Storyboard notebook. 3 1/2" by 5 1/2" with 80 sheets of thick card stock-like paper. I bought this when I started getting into name brand notebooks and naively thought Moleskine was a high end brand. Well I guess it is, but as you all know the quality isn't what it used to be but I didn't know this when I bought it until afterwards.

I fell for the expert brand marketing that these notebooks were used by "Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin." It looks like they updated their site information that the brand was created in 1997 and clarified that they were bringing back the legendary notebook. Still there are a bunch of articles floating around that still say they were used by the famous artists and thinkers.

Importance of Support Groups

This is unfortunately a subject where I'm lacking. I'm kind of used to doing things solo, I mean, I can work in a group too but I always thought of comic-making as a solo thing. That is, unless you're collaborating with a partner or building a comic in an assembly line(pencils, ink, color, lettering etc). There isn't a wrong or right way to do it, but during those moments of despair or frustration, a support group would be great to turn to in those times of need.

Support groups are those who help give honest critique of your work and are there when you need them. They don't necessarily have to be your friends (but it sure does help! ^_~) so be open to the possibilities! They also can help you brainstorm for ideas if you get stuck. They can be great motivations if you like to slack or procrastinate (like me). They can give you fresh eyes or perspective that you may not have noticed or thought of while creating.

Unfortunately, I have driven some people away due to my anti-social behavior and reluctance to share my stories with others on the basis that I'm not very verbally articulate and think my stories are still raw. It may also be that I don't talk about it much so they don't even know that I draw comics. Not something I take outside, when I go out because I tend to go hang out with friends so drawing comics don't really cross my mind. I've been better trying to bring a small sketchbook/notebook to jot ideas or brainstorm during any dead time.

Choosing a Comic Project GP @Nattosoup Blog

Check out my guest post at Nattosoup's blog. While you're there be sure to explore her blog. Very useful and interesting comic-related information! :D

The topic is "Choosing a Comic Project" and was written based on my experiences.

Feel free to comment your opinion and ideas.

(was posted last month but I forgot and I didn't have time to post about it until now, sorry)

Aisazia @ Storenvy

Opened a new online store at aisazia.storenvy.com. Please stop by and check out my store. :) If you feel ever so inclined, feel free to pick up something. If you feel like shipping is too much, don't hesitate to contact me (etherealvoices AT gmail.com) and we can work out the shipping.

I can print anything in my drgnspirit.deviantart.com/gallery so let me know if you have an image you'd like me to print that's not available in my store.

Also please let me know what type of merchandise you'd like to see. So far I I have prints but am looking into keychains, stickers, and buttons. In the distant future, I plan to put up my comics, mini-comics, and sketchbooks. Let me know if you guys have any questions, comments, or concerns! :)

Game Plan Progress...

The image is the concept/brainstorm I did when I did my 24 Hour Comic (which I still am in the process of finishing). Here's a preview, if you can even decipher it. lol The two main characters, there's another character I added spontaneously who isn't in there. Sorry it's not much but I still hope you enjoy!

Ugh, have not been following my game plan at all...Can't believe it's December already. I'm not going to do something crazy like try to get a comic project done this month. Although, if I can that would be good but I'm going to extend it to January. I still have some art trades and secret santa gifts to finish before the year ends anyways.

I have revised my GTD Game Plan. Now I'm trying to break things up into daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Hopefully I'll attempt to get more serious about my comics and illustration work. :)

Sorry haven't been too active lately. Real life things have been dragging me down a little. Trying to be a little more productive. I opened my new online store selling prints at aisazia.storenvy.com if you are interested. I already have the prints ready, just need an address to ship them to. ^_~ 

JCP Mission and Script/Sketch Update

Heh, yep I'm still sketching once in awhile. ^_~ The image above is a previous scene for a JCP Mission that I thought of after I already had the line art of the other image done. Click here to see the finished image of their reaction. It is basically Eilam whistling while Felix on the left is hollering at some girls while poor Duorick (middle) is stuck appalled. The guys are just cat-calling some girls showing Duorick how to pick up some girls. lol It was fun to do.

Mini-Comic Day

OMG I totally didn't mean to drop off the face of the earth. Turns out that a few weeks after SPACE was finals for me. So of course I spent most of my time doing h/w and studying. After next week I'll be completely done!!! Oh man, I've got plans on what I'm going to do with my free time. Mostly comics/drawing, learning more coding/languages(computer and speaking), and enjoying a social life. ^^;

Just finished one big test yesterday which I'm iffy about whether or not I did decently or not....Eh, oh well I know I'm going to pass and graduate....Got another take-home-exam which I'm happy about not having to study, but I won't officially be done until next week but I'm squeezing in this journal and attempting to do Mini-Comic day. http://www.minicomics.org Let me know if you're going to do it too! This comic is most likely going to be super spontaneous and will most likely be my first completed comic with probably horrible story and art but I need to finish something. XD

Manga Contest + Birthday

Okie dokie, here is Eilam with Magdelene(belongs to Hatchii), he is serenading her. XD It's a collaboration between Hatchii and me, this was my sketch idea. I had the idea and she loved it so you can view the finished piece here @ dA. I think it turned out nice. Hatchii did the line art and I colored. :D

Here is Citlali and Marcus(belongs to Hapa-Haole), this was my sketch idea. She liked how Citlali looked but changed Marcus's pose which was fine. Hers suited him better. :D You can view the finished piece here @ dA. I liked this piece a lot too, they made a good team. We even wrote a little blurb of the story that led up to that situation. lol It was fun. She is a really good writer. 

Resurrected!

It's been over 2 years since I've updated this?! Holy crap!! I've been busy as heck! If you want to know what I've been doing you can check out my deviantart or my livejournal. I TRY to update when I can.

For now I've decided to make this blog dedicated to my comics. All of them, not just Ethereal Voices. Anyways, I'll make this blog pretty when I have time, I want to find a good one. lol

Project List
Manga:
-Ethereal Voices
-Perfectly Imperfect
-Cryptic Treasures
-WYDM
-Rescue Me(Title pending)
-2Reflections
-Project Swan
-Blindfolded Love

Other:
-Memory Quilt(for mom)
-Build site designs for Mangas