Cover
This chapter is taking a different approach, as it takes so long to make progress, and there is a lot of story to tell. I am creating it all in Sketchbook Pro on my iPad Pro, instead of using Adobe Illustrator to make the clean lines first. The style will be more direct, and more varied, as I am trying out different illustration styles. I hope also to finish this chapter in record time!
Detour Tales is all about Zendu and Trambite, after they jumped out of the crashing glider. This is their adventure, so Uendyr is in a pit somewhere far beneath, and they learn to go ahead without him. However, they continue to reveal a story that is all connected, as you will see. The creative experience continues, no matter who is picking it up.
I will make less comments about these drawings, as I hope now that the story speaks its meaning without many further words from me.
The first 15 pages I have made in 4 months, and so my goal of creating faster, but still good quality illustrations, is hopefully being met. I love this story, and these characters. I want to complete this chapter in 9 months, which would be September. We'll see. Enjoy the experiments.
Update - I finished this book, in November 2022, so it took almost a year. However, I ended up adding a few pages here and there to the sketches, and this is my longest book to date, at 52 spreads! It was worth the extra time. It is now February 2023, and I printed a prototype copy of the book. Very pleased how it turned out, other than a few small mistakes.
Title Page Detour Tales with Zendu and Trambite
This is a habit. Each chapter is it's own book. So I include a title page that looks forward, even though a standard chapter book wouldn't have a title page for each chapter. Hopefully they're getting better.
In this book I am trying out many variations on my style, making the story continue, but develop symbolically, without needing ceaseless fights to provide the action - My action is more exploratory and creative - It's not so easy, but when it finishes, much wonder and growth can be seen and measured. Yes, there will be some battle in this one, but I hope you see that the real value is in the discoveries and development.
Watch out for bugs - They move fast!
Page 1 Power Struggle
Fresh off the glider, Zendu the red cat warrior, and Trambite the mysterious Kazoon are bouncing around. Maybe they're not the best friends that they seemed. These two characters were based on my sons, who became teens about the time I started sketching this insert story. They used to be confused for twins, but they're differences at this point are polarizing. If you are looking for conflict in the creative process, you don't need to look far. Enough said.
Page 2 Get to the Point
Look around and find some agreement. Listen. Pay attention. Notice what is surrounding you. Good advice, even if you don't see eye to eye. It's an unfamiliar place. Find common ground and move forward.
Page 3 Realization
And so it comes out. They are each looking for something different in their goals. They have different skills and views.
The challenges don't turn out as predicted, and viewpoints change.
Page 4 Conflict and Escape
This may seem creepy. The idea was instigated by dreams of spiders and ants crawling on me. Nightmares. Yet, there is something amazing and beautiful and alien about bugs, seen on a wall of collected insects in a museum or in a nature documentary. Such diversity, and colors! Not sure what their goal is, but I'm not sticking around to find out!
I managed to go through 4 previous chapters with very little violence. I don't want this story to be about violence, but there is a recognition that you sometimes fight for what you care about, because you must. The fight can bring out the most heroic and caring, if your focus is right. It reveals your passion. It changes you.
Page 5 Try Again
Getting away from the conflict and trying a different direction, where you can go forward with your goals, can be a great strategy, that buys some time to get a better position. There will always be more bugs, and you may get nowhere, always in conflict with their mindless trouble.
Page 6 A Tight Corner and a Soaking
A new friend may reveal a new direction that is just at the opportune moment. Creativity isn't going to happen in a vacuum - It's going to be inspired and led by new people, new places and change. Grab the opportunity, even it if gets you wet.
When I left Junior High School, I lost a friend who moved away, and was welcomed into a new group of friends in High School. The moment was a turning point toward good things for me. My development needs some fresh and optimistic friends and they popped up and took me under their wings. This is a grateful acknowledgement of that idea.
Get ready for more changes. I'm having fun with these style variations.
Page 7 Gauntlet and Sanctuary
The Cogs are revealed. What are they? Partially finished ideas, weird objects given personality, little things like action figures and toys that get infused with life through some story. Behind the scenes or invisible workers who ready the story to move forward. These are especially small and we had a glimpse of them in previous chapters, but here they reveal themselves, ready to help.
Page 8 Introducing Trambite
Finally some emphasis on that mysterious Trambite - so now he can tell his (short) story. This explains his circular scar, and his funny eyes, and his interest in clouds.
My son, who inspires this character, is also a bit mysterious, keeping to himself a lot, but constantly amazing me with his knowledge of words and subjects as wide ranging as Astronomy and Mythology. When I thought up this character, over 35 years ago, he was pretty flat - a green reptile man. When my son became the model for him, he took on much more importance and value. Trambite is a shadow of my son, who often surprises me. He has high functioning Autism, and he's approaching manhood with some fear, but also with hidden talents and surprising practical wisdom.
The Cog Prophet reveals that he has seen these guys before, and wants to know more. Zendu may be stuck in the moment with his wet shirt, but Trambite is persuaded to reveal deeper info.
Page 9 Prophesy from Closeup
This book is constantly informed by my own life and creative efforts. It is a long term commitment that has contiued to bring me great wonder and growth, despite not being known, bringing me any fame or riches or obvious progress. It challenges me with every page. It stretches me to engage, and to pickup the challenge of telling a story through pictures
There is reason behind things. There are prophecies in my own life, small ones, played out in the history of this story. Some of the ideas have been in my head in some form. for over 35 years, and I am finally expressing them in this small way. This is a satisfying process all by itself, and gives me something to show and to learn. And there are many more ideas to come, revealing bit by bit as the story unfolds.
Page 10 Arming the Warrior
Its okay if it's too big - put on the armor, take up the effort that may seem heavy, or daunting or scary. I took on an epic story, and just keep going one page at a time, making it live. This effort will bring growth, and learning and progress, readying you for greater things - Making you into a warrior or an artist, or simply a creative and open person. Take the alternate route.
Page 11 Sudden Arrival
Surprise, there's a giant in the closet. And he doesn't have his pants on. And he has a top hat and coat and old fashioned clothing.
What's more, he's apparently the famous professor that the Cogs were just telling you about. Speak of the teacher and he comes.
Even without his pants, he's obviously an authority. With lots to say. And he brought more mysteries with him.
This is Juleander, from an Academy they've heard of, that floats in the sky. Yes, he's been secretly in the story from the beginning.
Juleander was added to this moment just a few weeks ago, though I was trying to find a place for him for years. He's like an historic figure come to life for me. He has represented many things.
Page 12 Quest Business
More references to things that happened in earlier chapters.
He's just arrived and is already leaving. What info can we get from his monologue, before he is inaccessible? He plays a role of getting everyone up to speed on the situation, and his information is quite surprising.
Page 13 Magic Closet Physics
If you can explain it, it is physics. Juleander doesn't bother to explain it, so it seems like magic.
Trambite is very curious about physics. Zendu is wondering how to carry that sword.
Think about your creative challenges. Is it physics, and you can work out how to make it work? Is it a magic challenge, where you rely on the unseen or elements you don't have a handle on?
Not sure what to say about this page. . . I guess you are going to have to simply go to sleep with questions, and maybe wake up with answers?
Page 14 Cosmic Awakening
So now we look out of their closet, and see them wake as they go to sleep.
Transition to the old style for a moment. Coming out of the Sea of Consciousness.
This room looks similar to my son's bedroom, seen from two angles.
I enjoyed this transition immensely.
Page 15 Parade Detour
Just finished this page. Excited to get into the final climax of this story, and reveal a few changes and some more style progress.
I am enjoying this story so much, it practically writes itself! Keeping the city consistent sure is complicated though.
Page 16 Captain Elephant
Zendu has some nerve, taking on that giant!
Guess who the "Sultan" is . . .?
I drew that pose of Zendu several years ago, without a conception that it would end up in this new page. It was drawn on real paper, and stuffed into my book of ideas. Perfect place for it!
Page 17 Rush to Nowhere
I drew the sketches for these several months ago, and find that the story gets further away from the sketches as I progress. Many changes were made to made this layout work, and it's great to keep me visually flexible. I enjoy changing each view to give a good sense where our characters are, but find the city background challenging to continue making sense. Still, I feel some pacing comes out awkward, but on with the story!
Page 18 Genre Brigade
Of course, there is a reason these characters are put together. Science Fiction, Mystery, Fantasy, Comedy, Horror, Steampunk . . . somewhat represented. You choose your genre, if you are crafting your own story. Here they collide and each have an influence.
Page 19 Mystery Key Revealed
Count on Trambite to reveal something no-one else expected.
I find the best angles and fits are the larger images, especially with the thicker, rough line strokes. Some pages early in this experiment were too small, and text was hard to read. Live and change to smooth out the rough spots.
Page 20 Fight or Flight
So they split up and Trambite is left with the Elephant and the psycho "king", and some questionable bugs. Lucky him.
This was a less satisfying design to me, but the page felt necessary so I keep moving forward. When it was mostly done, I realized there had to be bugs, discovering the group and attacking them. That helped give it reason. Maybe I will find a more elegant solution here later.
Page 21 Revealing Corridor
Change of pace, change of place, revealing of this mysterious girl. Nice purple corridor.
A new kind of humor, too. Hopefully it isn't too much.
Page 22 Terrace Evaluation
Things have changed. This story is largely about change, and discovery, and I find it so fun to make, that I don't really care if it ever gets finished. As I post these images, I see so many things needing some editing, so I will be updating these later. . .
Page 23 Further
I enjoyed making this diversion from the standard panels with backgrounds, and give them a chance to have a conversation, while revealing the identity of our other mysterious companion. Did you expect a space cow?
Page 24 Infestation Plan
Creative efforts take a plan, and a preparation to go forward with some successful goal in mind. You're not going to get there by accident. Careful measured effort works sometimes . . .
Page 25 At the Doors of Danger
I like this one - I asked many friends how I could give some dimension to the Witch when she appears, and I didn't like the design I had, so she was modified immensely to make a suitable, scary and surprising new character. She has been in the planned story for years, but now she gets to show up with better purpose and an apparent hording problem. She was meant to be strange . . . But the spider steed really took it over the edge. She deserves the full page status, as the main antagonist. Like finger nails on a chalkboard.
Page 26: Stay Calm, You're Surrounded
Surrounded by challenges and threats, not sure what to do next? How about a cliffhanger? Take a moment to look around, see if any other options or stories are out there.
Page 27 Monocle Mania
Trambite is left to his own devices, with this pushy elephant. But Trambite isn't one to look straight at anything, or to let some competitive, driven pachyderm get his way.
I simplified the style for this page, but don't expect it to last.
Page 28 Steampunk Escapism
Time to head for water, and a bit of tight mystery. Leave the city and the busy behind, and take a break in your element. Enjoy some time with the fish and frogs.
Page 29 Pool Party
Change is to be welcomed, and sometimes happens without your notice. Be true to yourself, and express your needs to people who care and understand.
Page 30 Hidden Entrance
Time to look back into history, and find things that have been forgotten or abandoned. Maybe old creative things you did, or someone else left for you to build upon.
Page 31 Massacre Mystery at the Doors
Time to head for water, and a bit of tight mystery. Leave the city and the busy behind, and take a break in your element. Enjoy some time with the fish and frogs.
Page 32 Friendly Efforts
We've seen these guys before - But not together. Lots of questions, and a possible fit for that stolen monocle.
Page 33 Bigger Door
The key fits the lock, and you better be ready for what's coming in when you open it.
Who eats bugs? The inspiration for Trambite, of course.
Get your things together and get going through that doorway.
Page 34 Imaginary Beasts
These are all real kinds of animals, though some are extinct now. But you won't find ones that look like these. . . So take some inspiration from nature, which is rich with creativity. Then you give them the twist. Yes, they are jarring in their departure from style, but watch them as they go by, and you won't get trampled - They're ghosts anyway.
Page 35 Machine
Yes, that machine, mentioned on the cover. Or, maybe not. Remember, this "Creativity" Machine is not really capable of doing anything, unless someone mans that machine with a purpose. Is your creativity machine abandoned? Is it working? Do you know where it is?
Page 36 Fairy Odd Monster
Get this creativity thing going. Get help from everyone, even imaginary friends. See what this sucker can do!
Page 37 Birds Call a Hero
We have the machine, we have space, we have help, now we stand up with a purpose. Trambite to the rescue . . . ?
My son, who inspired Trambite, loves Root Beer. Maybe that is incentive enough.
Page 38 Creativity Boost
Waves of euphoria, flows of epiphany, light of illumination, a little song and dance, and a little bit of seasick tummy. When I get a creative thought, and draw it out, I feel life inside of me, a creative spark giving my brain some pleasure. It isn't quite drugs, it's natural, empowering and inspiring, but it is fleeting. This page was inspired by looking at other favorite artist's style, and try some of their tricks with my own twists. Back down the hose and out into the world.
This Chapter is especially long. Yes, detours are powerful creative fuel, and even without the main character, there is much to do, much to distract the eyes and mind.
Page 39 Shuffle City
You may have noticed that the city is not very organized, but actually, it's just very flexible. And changes according to your point of view. And this Professor person has a nice little hut on top, but he's not here very often.
This piece is inspired from some favorite artists, who don't draw very realistically, but symbolically, and I love it.
Page 40 Perspective Game
Lay out what you know in front of you, as a map, or a game, or a simple sketch. Sometimes it makes more sense visually, to see relationships, and get an overall view. No, it isn't accurate. Little in this city is.
Page 41 King for a Day
Looking back at the history of this building, and seeing how different it was, not so long ago. The Sultan thinks he's in power, wealthy, popular, and his end is coming.
Page 42 The Missing Tower
Changing point of view again, we get back to Zendu's story.
These are also back a step in style, and there are many in the clutches of the Witch. Her eye of scrutiny and greed is upon them.
The scene is grim indeed.
Page 43 Prison Perspectives
Sorry if the speech of the bugs is hard to read or understand. Not sure how to give personality or intelligence to these huge insects, especially when I don't want them to be the focus, or to be appealing. Of course, they do represent the struggle that you face expressing your creativity. They are the mistakes, the challenges and the things you miss, but they are also opportunities. Take the challenge. There may be blessings in disguise.
Page 44 Breakout
I've been waiting for years for this page. Some may not like it, that cute Zendu is suddenly much bigger, and actually suits the warrior persona. He was always going to have this werecat moment. My teenage son that this character is based on is 18, and has grown a lot in the last 4 years, and it went by fast. Also, he has a temper that suddenly surprises me.
But Zendu was designed before my son was born, and he always had this moment planned. And there is future reason for this, as many other events will show the progress of these characters.
Page 45 Tower Battle
I'm not one for violence in my story, and yet Zendu is shown with armor and sword throughout as a warrior cat, and he's been proud of it. But he doesn't have armor or sword now, he is powered by his simple anger and honor. It's not about violence, and creativity doesn't require any . . . but sometimes it shows your determination and courage, to face your fears and move ahead.
This book represents that effort for me.
Page 46 Secrets between Friends
They do not think alike, or understand each other much, and they choose to face things very differently. It may not be apparent, but they care about each other, and their purposes can be met together. It may be a struggle, but these separate ideas help to flesh out what is possible, when you're creative.
Page 47 Into the Tower
Trambite has some new found purpose, and it is great to see what he can accomplish when he cares.
The doll in the cage, that looks just like the lost princess. Uendyr is nowhere to be seen. The beauty is hidden among the old, boxed up mess of the witch . . .
I say too much.
Page 48 Sweeping the Witch
Just a few pages left. I plan to print this book for my kids, who at this point are all adults and a single teen daughter, when I complete the last few pages. I had a goal to finish this book in a year, and it's more pages, and taken an extra 4 months, but I can't move on unless I am comfortable that the pace of the story works.
The professor has some challenges picking pants that are appropriate. Or maybe not . . .
Page 49 Kindness Battle
Count on a master of weather to turn things around quickly. Did you expect a fist fight? Juleander is too civilized for that, despite the unconventional scuba pants.
Persuasion is a hard thing, but a worthy goal, when someone has objectives that are a completely wrong direction.
Page 50 Setting Things Back
Overwhelming her with how connected and powerful he is, and how he knows the whole backstory. But also showing that he cares about her confusion, and will help her.
Collecting things can be great educational experience, like in a well ordered and engaging museum, or it can be a disasterous and overwhelming effort, like in a hoarder's home. They encourage bugs too.
Page 51 Elevate Yourself
It's time to move on, get things into place, to send the Protostyler Tower where it belongs. Prepare for winter weather, contact your resources, put your memories away, but ready to bring out later. Look at everything from above, and get safely down below . . . whatever your way of finishing and starting again, in a new way.
Page 52 The Different Way
So where did the rest of our new friends go? It's not wrapped up until they are all in place, resolved somewhat. And they are going out in a big, mysterious way, leaving some indication that you will meet them again.
The painting is a jarring style choice, I know. Maybe this is Rascible's point of view. . . As every artist does things differently, and ends up in a different creative place.
I chose to create this chapter in a different, more flexible and faster method, and this last painting is actually a collage made from art taken from several ai paintings, a recent development that I am impressed, intimidated, intrigued, and shamed by. I'm not a painter, and my characters and story aren't at that level, but there is possible potential.
The flying mountain has been hiding in many of my cloud shots . . . See if you can find them all.
End of Chapter 5
I hope someday that this story will go somewhere, but it is so satisfying simply to make it, that I am already very pleased with it. I looked for an editor to help me fix things with it, but so far, no one is interested, or available. It has a nice home here on the internet, and that will do for now.
