Badin and the Secret of the Saami Progress 2015-09-10

I'm getting used to drawing 18th century clothing

It seems I get a sudden boost of energy whenever I work on Badin and the Secret of the Saami. This is good, but not so healthy, as it is keeping me up very late. 

Finishing the rough color sketches for the model sheets is all I can think about. Staying in the lines, keeping line weights consistent, working in high resolution and building depth through shading is no longer a concern. As long as I have a guide of which colors and swatches belong to who, I will feel more secure about going forward.

The abstract above is from a minor character's model sheet created with Manga Studio 5EX. That basket is an important prop for him. Are you getting excited about Badin and the Secret of the Saami? I know I am!

Badin and the Secret of the Saami Progress 2015-09-09

Her Majesty, Queen Lovisa Ulrika

I spent much of my graphic novel time today creating color swatch sets for the characters' model sheets. I'm glad I kept shading out and colors flat so far. No need for gradations for basic colors.

This is another important step to help me keep to a deadline when illustrating Badin and the Secret of the Saami. It is too much for me to take time, trying to sample or remember a character's skin tone, hair color or clothing colors. Also, I want a consistent look throughout the book.

It should be no surprise that this character, the Queen of Sweden, and adopted mother of Badin, will need quite a few color palettes for her wardrobe.

Model Sheets Concept for 2015-09-08 Badin and the Secret of the Saami

Fancy sword

I have set a goal to have Badin and the Secret of the Saami finished by February 2016. Now that my Kickstarter project to translate Badin's diary is complete, I can put more time into the graphic novel. My intention is to have the regular edition on hand for a very popular convention called C2E2 in March 2016.

Will it really happen? The convention will surely happen. However, will I have a supply of this graphic novel ready for March? I really do not know. I do know that I need to keep myself motivated and the pre-visualization of seeing myself at an exhibition booth or sharing a copy with an agent is important at this stage.

As you can see at left, I am starting to color the model sheets. This is an abstract of a minor character in the story. In the ink layers of the Manga Studio files, I've learned from some mistakes with painting white—as opposed to erasing or painting in transparent mode. Using white makes it very difficult to color underneath the ink layer.

With this new deadline, the pressure—and excitement—is ascending to new heights.

Model Sheets Concept for 2015-09-05 Badin and the Secret of the Saami

A shave maybe?

Guess what I am?

Tonight I completed a few more model sheet sketches using Manga Studio 5EX. Three minor characters remain and I'll be done with a total of 24 model sheets! Creating these model sheets is helping me get to know the characters better. Memorizing their facial features will make the job much easier.

I am getting a little excited about the coloring stage.

I hope you enjoy these abstracts. I plan to include all of the full frame model sheets in the Special Edition of Badin and the Secret of Saami.

Model Sheets Concept for 2015-09-05 Badin and the Secret of the Saami

One of my wigged minor characters

I often wonder if—like the real Badin's diary—that this graphic novel Badin and the Secret of the Saami will become an antique on the shelf of some university library in Sweden a few hundred years from now. What good will it do? What purpose does such a story—moreover a historical fiction story—do for the evolution of humanity—or myself?

As I finished this model sheet at 2 in the morning, I felt the usual urge to give up hope as I face this steep climb of a creative mountain: A story about Swedish boy that resembles a young LeVar Burton for an American audience confounds the imagination. Of all the ideas of a monster-sized project I could do, why do I insist on making it a reality?

Simply put, my soul died after my journey to Sweden. It happened when I was assaulted by the vile words of racist and ignorant individuals, along with the pain of non-white Swedes who shared with me their struggle to achieve equality in a land which my great-great grandfather emigrated from many years ago.

A deep depression overcame my typically optimistic mind for many months. Then I learned more about Badin and connected with him. No he did not "look" Swedish. But he was, in many ways, more Swedish than those who appear as such. So I wrote this story called Badin and the Secret of the Saami to resurrect my soul—and hopefully heal others who share a similar experience.

Model Sheets Concept for 2015-09-04 Badin and the Secret of the Saami

18th century antique

The most difficult part of drawing model sheets is the temptation to create a composition with the character. I learn something new every time I draw something for this graphic novel. I truly want to experiment.

However, I might be a bit obsessed with making model sheets for too many characters. I go back and forth. Maybe I should just do a B&W model sheet and leave color for the minor and supporting characters (I haven't done any color yet, unfortunately). Some of them are so minor, yet I want to give them a unique appearance.

I need to spend more time on this project. The finger is on the trigger and I'm working frantically.

Model Sheets Concept for 2015-09-02 Badin and the Secret of the Saami

You had better tell your friends about this or else!

Research for this graphic novel has lead me to believe that one can never be satisfied with a few results. This is especially so when using the internet. I am finding that the greater my general understanding of northern European history during the 18th century is, the easier it is to confirm certain aspects in my character's clothing and environment in Sweden.

Simply put, fashion and style was almost universal throughout that part of the continent.

Stay sharp!

It looks like I am going to be finished with the model sheets within the next 2 weeks—if I try to finish at least one a day. This pace is unacceptable for illustrating the graphic novel before next year arrives. However, part of my slowness is the training involved for illustration and the tools I'm using. I will probably complete a vignette that I wrote to further tease the story for you loyal readers. That will be my test of how many pages I can expect to complete in a day.

I hope you like these abstracts from the model sheets (They were created using Manga Studio 5EX). Spread the word to your friends and family about this blog. Word-of-mouth advertising is all I can afford at this time (smile).