Book Cover
Chapter One
The Creativity Machine
Chapter 1 Cover
I made this cover after thinking of where the robot came from, and the symbolic nature of the story. It is possibly too mysterious. I wanted mystery, but not total confusion. The covers to each chapter have a similar structure, so maybe this should be distinguished as a chapter, instead of the whole book. Any opinion is welcome.
Some background as to why I am joining the huge crowd of very talented people doing graphic novels:
I was not into comics as a kid, though I did have an interesting set of two Star Trek (original) comics. Graphic novels didn’t exist then, and all I knew about comics were that professional artists did them. For some reason, I didn’t open my eyes and seek out good comics. I never liked the look of heroes in tights, I guess.
So, fast forward to 2011. I had been trying to organize a possible novel for 20+ years, but without much focus, since I’m not a writer for a living, and I’m frankly awful at dialog. A friend I met on the bus was working on a personal project, about the history of the automobile in Utah. I was impressed that he made little 16 page books, with hand printed linocuts on the cover, and that he was getting to express his interest in it in such nice bite sized portions. Inspiring! Also, I had seen a few great graphic novels, including those of Mike Mignola and Charles Vess. I was drawn into their worlds and shown the potential of sequential art.
Then, a brother-in-law challenged me to join his group of guys making a comic for “Free Comic Book Day”. All I had to do was make a little 12-16 page story, in about 2 months. My idea was to make a comic out of the very beginning of my novel, since I already had a developed story. And I had just acquired an iPad, allowing me to use my bus time to and from work to develop the art.
My first 12 page comic was not too great, because I didn’t understand pacing (I’m still trying to learn how to do it), or really anything else about making a comic. It was black and white, and I stuffed the action together in a confusing manner. But I saw that I loved expressing my story in that way, and I was actually finally making progress. I am a visual thinker, and most of my novel was descriptions of people, places and objects interacting. The writing was tedious and not very satisfying, since my words couldn’t give the pictures in my head real breathing room. I am slow to learn, late to bloom.
So here I had a start. I didn’t submit it to Free Comic Book Day, since the rest of the group didn’t finish anything either. I started again on my first 12 pages, expanding them to 16 and adding color. Then I started looking at as many graphic novels as I could to see what was possible. I already had a story, with a plot that I had modified slightly to teach about creativity. This became my central theme, and motivates me to do more than just make a fun adventure. Creativity is magic to me, and I am easily stuck in boring ruts by my fears of failure and trouble, so I have to fight hard to be truly meaningful and progressive. But the fight is Exhilarating!
I also saw that these “secrets” of creativity are not commonly known, but they are accessible to anyone who can realize them. My story in graphic novel form gives me a way to express them and share them. I use my creativity to show how creativity works, one step and one page at a time. As I learn them.
Some background as to why I am joining the huge crowd of very talented people doing graphic novels:
I was not into comics as a kid, though I did have an interesting set of two Star Trek (original) comics. Graphic novels didn’t exist then, and all I knew about comics were that professional artists did them. For some reason, I didn’t open my eyes and seek out good comics. I never liked the look of heroes in tights, I guess.
So, fast forward to 2011. I had been trying to organize a possible novel for 20+ years, but without much focus, since I’m not a writer for a living, and I’m frankly awful at dialog. A friend I met on the bus was working on a personal project, about the history of the automobile in Utah. I was impressed that he made little 16 page books, with hand printed linocuts on the cover, and that he was getting to express his interest in it in such nice bite sized portions. Inspiring! Also, I had seen a few great graphic novels, including those of Mike Mignola and Charles Vess. I was drawn into their worlds and shown the potential of sequential art.
Then, a brother-in-law challenged me to join his group of guys making a comic for “Free Comic Book Day”. All I had to do was make a little 12-16 page story, in about 2 months. My idea was to make a comic out of the very beginning of my novel, since I already had a developed story. And I had just acquired an iPad, allowing me to use my bus time to and from work to develop the art.
My first 12 page comic was not too great, because I didn’t understand pacing (I’m still trying to learn how to do it), or really anything else about making a comic. It was black and white, and I stuffed the action together in a confusing manner. But I saw that I loved expressing my story in that way, and I was actually finally making progress. I am a visual thinker, and most of my novel was descriptions of people, places and objects interacting. The writing was tedious and not very satisfying, since my words couldn’t give the pictures in my head real breathing room. I am slow to learn, late to bloom.
So here I had a start. I didn’t submit it to Free Comic Book Day, since the rest of the group didn’t finish anything either. I started again on my first 12 pages, expanding them to 16 and adding color. Then I started looking at as many graphic novels as I could to see what was possible. I already had a story, with a plot that I had modified slightly to teach about creativity. This became my central theme, and motivates me to do more than just make a fun adventure. Creativity is magic to me, and I am easily stuck in boring ruts by my fears of failure and trouble, so I have to fight hard to be truly meaningful and progressive. But the fight is Exhilarating!
I also saw that these “secrets” of creativity are not commonly known, but they are accessible to anyone who can realize them. My story in graphic novel form gives me a way to express them and share them. I use my creativity to show how creativity works, one step and one page at a time. As I learn them.
Title Page
The book begins with a single boy's struggle. The beginnings of my story were about escaping and saving myself from anxieties, and relieving boredom. Whatever the reason, if you have an idea start inside you, take the next step. Decide to develop something of your own. My experiment started with awful pencil sketches . . . over 35 years ago, and it looks nothing now like it did then. Its a fun experiment . . .
A gift box, at the orphan boy’s door. He will soon be home to try it out. To the viewer, this is an invitation to start an adventure.
As I mentioned in my first comment, on the poster page, the major theme of this story is creativity. There are also several other statements I will make. They are not entirely known to even me, since I record the complex emotions that go with living, working, creating, and dreaming in a spontaneous (sometimes) rhythm. There is friendship, trust, adventure, discovery, and learning, as well as the challenges of addiction, greed, destruction, fear, laziness and apathy.
The actual order of the creative process is flexible. I ordered it in a way that fit my story, and there are some elements that come before others. For an X-ray view of the bones, the general high-level order is:
As I mentioned in my first comment, on the poster page, the major theme of this story is creativity. There are also several other statements I will make. They are not entirely known to even me, since I record the complex emotions that go with living, working, creating, and dreaming in a spontaneous (sometimes) rhythm. There is friendship, trust, adventure, discovery, and learning, as well as the challenges of addiction, greed, destruction, fear, laziness and apathy.
The actual order of the creative process is flexible. I ordered it in a way that fit my story, and there are some elements that come before others. For an X-ray view of the bones, the general high-level order is:
Initial decision to create
Resource Gathering
Information Gathering
Playing and Mixing
Testing and Judging
Producing and Building
Putting your creation out there
Evaluation
Starting Over
I sought a workable plot for a long time. Then I discovered a book about creativity, and the epiphany hit. I actually made only one order change, but I was then focused on a plot that started to determine the story naturally, giving disjointed characters and events a purpose.
That was about 18 years ago. It took another 16 years for me to determine that I could not write a novel, so I switched to a graphic novel. Crazy. Yes, I am a late bloomer.
That was about 18 years ago. It took another 16 years for me to determine that I could not write a novel, so I switched to a graphic novel. Crazy. Yes, I am a late bloomer.
2019 note: It's been over 26 years now since I had a plot. Time flies!
Creativity cannot be a machine:
You may have noticed the subtitle to this book: The Creativity Machine. You may already know a lot about the process, and you may have said, “Creativity can’t be made in a machine!”
But you continue reading, so you must have been snagged by the idea. Can creativity be easier than you think?
There are many myths about creativity. One is that it is exclusive, that some have it and some don’t. This is one of the things I am making this book to reject. Uendyr doesn’t even seem to be acting creatively in the beginning, and a robot is certainly not a new idea. Neither is virtual reality, or an island of dreams, or crabs, ships, ghosts or cats. The point isn’t that every detail is new, it is the way you mix it. Creativity is a lifestyle, a way of thinking, including gathering what you already have and know, then deliberately changing it.
So, it’s not that the machine is creative, it is that within the mind of the operator processing details with the machine, there is a determination to find new things in the mix. Take out that part of the activity, and you have a simple production process, used to take raw materials and follow a process to make it into something. Any robot can strictly follow a process. This robot isn’t just a robot though.
To use the art and wonder of choice in a process is the heart of creativity. Sometimes we humans act like robots, stuck in a box. There is an opportunity to break out, and be more.
So pick up the Robot’s gauntlet, as it were, take up a project and put it through the machine of your human mind, eyes, hands, and any tool that suits it! Then make choices to deliberately make something new and uniquely your own.
Orphanage
I started this story when I was twelve, and it was simply a group of scientists entering a hole in the ground.
A fun hobby, writing a story. Except I didn't really like writing. I liked drawing more.
Then in 2011, I decided to take all of my ideas, and make a graphic novel. Instead of some massive, complicated story, I would split it up into little pieces, and tackle each one on it's own-
Blogpost 2011: The first page finally made today! And the actual story begins. I have anguished over the beginning more than any other part, largely because I didn’t feel like I knew how to portray Wender’s real waking life. I debated taking photos for this part, since I wanted a strong contrast with what happens later. I decided to express the change in colors and textures and darkness instead.
A word about my methods. I’ve storyboarded 5 “chapters” of around 24-36 pages each on my iPad. I color on the iPad as well, with my finger. I have scanned many old designs and use them to build the upcoming ideas. When I finish each storyboarded page, I take it into Illustrator to do the inking lines. I take those back into a clean page in Sketchbook Pro for the iPad for coloring, while I am on the bus to work. I get it as far as I can, then export it to psd format, and make the final changes, textures, and fixes in Photoshop. That is generally the quickest part.
So that is how I make the art.
A word about my methods. I’ve storyboarded 5 “chapters” of around 24-36 pages each on my iPad. I color on the iPad as well, with my finger. I have scanned many old designs and use them to build the upcoming ideas. When I finish each storyboarded page, I take it into Illustrator to do the inking lines. I take those back into a clean page in Sketchbook Pro for the iPad for coloring, while I am on the bus to work. I get it as far as I can, then export it to psd format, and make the final changes, textures, and fixes in Photoshop. That is generally the quickest part.
So that is how I make the art.
2019: This process has morphed into drawing with an apple pencil - A much better, more controlled method, than drawing with my finger. I also don't stick very closely to those first sketches. Change is best early on.
January, 2020. I replaced the main character with drawings of a real boy. Feels so much better. I found that these two pages were smaller, and therefore less resolution and quality. So this is a much needed upgrade, toward possible publishing. . .
The Helmet
A day early. I finished this on Wednesday, so I can’t wait to publish it. Since I haven’t noticed that anyone reads this yet, I’m sure no one will notice. Anyway, here it is.
Hopefully it is revealing just enough, such as that Wender lives with other kids, who are friendlier with him. He lives in an old, rundown city, dirty and broken.
Creativity starts slowly, with small progress in single steps.
Hopefully it is revealing just enough, such as that Wender lives with other kids, who are friendlier with him. He lives in an old, rundown city, dirty and broken.
Creativity starts slowly, with small progress in single steps.
2019 note: This is looking really awkward, so I have been considering redrawing the main character. He isn't a teenager, but he looks like one here. I may rework it. Or maybe just leave it as it started, and move on.
A Long Trip
I used to be afraid of heights, so this is a way to face that fear, and show a kind of blessing behind it. Good thing he’s already transformed into a robot!
So far no one has found my graphic novel . . . I wonder how long I can keep it secret. Who will put in my first comment?
We haven’t met the narrator yet, so maybe I should mention at this point; many pieces of my plot, and many events, especially strange ones, have been plucked from my own sleeping dreams. That is a great method for creativity, since my mind is doing the work without my conscious effort. Too bad some of my best dreams have been forgotten, or couldn’t fit into Uendyr’s story.
Of course, part of the process is the “accidents”, stuff that just occurs for inexplicable reasons. You can’t completely force it. Go with the flow, and let it take you at this point. Now is not the time for limits and making judgments. In fact, that doesn’t come for a long time yet! Don’t be afraid to leap. Believe this timid author . . . The fear to create is unfounded. It’s the criticism later that I worry about.
So far no one has found my graphic novel . . . I wonder how long I can keep it secret. Who will put in my first comment?
We haven’t met the narrator yet, so maybe I should mention at this point; many pieces of my plot, and many events, especially strange ones, have been plucked from my own sleeping dreams. That is a great method for creativity, since my mind is doing the work without my conscious effort. Too bad some of my best dreams have been forgotten, or couldn’t fit into Uendyr’s story.
Of course, part of the process is the “accidents”, stuff that just occurs for inexplicable reasons. You can’t completely force it. Go with the flow, and let it take you at this point. Now is not the time for limits and making judgments. In fact, that doesn’t come for a long time yet! Don’t be afraid to leap. Believe this timid author . . . The fear to create is unfounded. It’s the criticism later that I worry about.
The Dreams Basement
Okay, we’re back in the seat, on the last day of 2013. This was a tough page to get the right details obscured by shadows!
I had many dreams of a space like this in my basement, more than 30 years ago, when I first started the story. There were hidden staircases, which got weirder as they led down. I’m just scratching the surface of possible things to express here, but I only have one page, and I have many more dreams to express. Also, I wanted to introduce perceived danger, just as my real dark basement used to have.
In the process of creativity, you bring a lot of raw materials with you, even the used stuff from previously built ideas, long before you are ready to use it all. This is also a big theme for me, since I was raised to be a hoarder and obsess about waste. It’s a struggle, but I try to declutter, so there is room to appreciate true value.
I had many dreams of a space like this in my basement, more than 30 years ago, when I first started the story. There were hidden staircases, which got weirder as they led down. I’m just scratching the surface of possible things to express here, but I only have one page, and I have many more dreams to express. Also, I wanted to introduce perceived danger, just as my real dark basement used to have.
In the process of creativity, you bring a lot of raw materials with you, even the used stuff from previously built ideas, long before you are ready to use it all. This is also a big theme for me, since I was raised to be a hoarder and obsess about waste. It’s a struggle, but I try to declutter, so there is room to appreciate true value.
Ghostly Visions
Finally ready to bring the latest spread to the light of day. Haven’t had time to completely scrutinize it, so I may need to fix and update it later.
The idea here is that Radalus represents getting a creative vision in your head. He is intangible, and is often forgotten, living in the dust in your head, but he has some amazing powers! Hence the complex imagery, the antique mummy ribbons, and the slightly biblical language. And of course there are strange symbols, such as typography, far off places, a unicorn horn, and a wishing well bucket. That last one plays an important role soon. The color heavy collage was chosen over sketches to kind of look into the future.
Coming soon, Wender leaps into the well and becomes Uendyr. A rude kind of rebirth.
The idea here is that Radalus represents getting a creative vision in your head. He is intangible, and is often forgotten, living in the dust in your head, but he has some amazing powers! Hence the complex imagery, the antique mummy ribbons, and the slightly biblical language. And of course there are strange symbols, such as typography, far off places, a unicorn horn, and a wishing well bucket. That last one plays an important role soon. The color heavy collage was chosen over sketches to kind of look into the future.
Coming soon, Wender leaps into the well and becomes Uendyr. A rude kind of rebirth.
Choosing to Leap
This one was particularly challenging, but then I find that I challenge myself on every page, to force more meaning and development into each spread.
The style is a little loose, and I’m trying to use a quick style that feels natural on an iPad, so detail is lacking, and faces don’t match like they should . . .
You can tell that my internal critic doesn’t want to shut up, and he’s not even in the story yet. He should be grateful to finally get this spread online.
So, what is this spread about? Why does it matter what Radalus says, if Uendyr won’t remember? This is about making the decision to take the leap, even if you do it for the wrong reason. Radalus is just pointing out what a wonderful place the Isle is, and giving Uendyr confidence that he’ll be able to handle it. I realize your imagination doesn’t usually talk to you like a ghost, but vivid visions in your head are what starts your belief that there is potential ahead for something great. I started this online graphic novel because my imagination woke up every time I saw something cool. Then I made a leap by putting it on paper, and my “island” began to appear!
Okay, you might be holding your breath. You may want to hold it a while longer after this page. A bigger fall is coming. And Uendyr’s gonna get wet.
The style is a little loose, and I’m trying to use a quick style that feels natural on an iPad, so detail is lacking, and faces don’t match like they should . . .
You can tell that my internal critic doesn’t want to shut up, and he’s not even in the story yet. He should be grateful to finally get this spread online.
So, what is this spread about? Why does it matter what Radalus says, if Uendyr won’t remember? This is about making the decision to take the leap, even if you do it for the wrong reason. Radalus is just pointing out what a wonderful place the Isle is, and giving Uendyr confidence that he’ll be able to handle it. I realize your imagination doesn’t usually talk to you like a ghost, but vivid visions in your head are what starts your belief that there is potential ahead for something great. I started this online graphic novel because my imagination woke up every time I saw something cool. Then I made a leap by putting it on paper, and my “island” began to appear!
Okay, you might be holding your breath. You may want to hold it a while longer after this page. A bigger fall is coming. And Uendyr’s gonna get wet.
2019 Addition: I updated a few small things about this awkward page, and noticed many things, especially the gradients and shadows, that I despise now - but onward and forward always!
Make a Wish
Now that you’re holding your breath, you can go for a bag of popcorn, some chocolate, and a drink of water . . . actually, hold the water.
The narrator has entered the story, and now he can give direct hints about creativity right in the story. Radalus didn’t give Uendyr much warning, but happily, physics and logic don’t always apply in the world you make in your mind. It’s time for Uendyr to get busy. This fall is just the beginning, just as Radalus said.
As you can tell, I am not quick to get to each creative point. I guess the story is more than just about creativity. The journey has to be fluid and unforced. There are better, faster ways to look at creativity, but it doesn’t work in a vacuum. So you can call the first 9 spreads the setup. (Including one cover, one title page, and a bonus cover).
The narrator has entered the story, and now he can give direct hints about creativity right in the story. Radalus didn’t give Uendyr much warning, but happily, physics and logic don’t always apply in the world you make in your mind. It’s time for Uendyr to get busy. This fall is just the beginning, just as Radalus said.
As you can tell, I am not quick to get to each creative point. I guess the story is more than just about creativity. The journey has to be fluid and unforced. There are better, faster ways to look at creativity, but it doesn’t work in a vacuum. So you can call the first 9 spreads the setup. (Including one cover, one title page, and a bonus cover).
2019 note: Radalus is a bit annoying, and happily didn't end up intruding quite so much as I planned.
Updated right panel, with icons, textures, new pose of Radalus, January 2023
Memory Loss
Poor Uendyr, with memory loss, falling from the sky, and those extra arms! Most creative journeys do not include memory loss, but I have many times dreamed myself into situations, and not realized who I was, or where I was, and I’ve met people that don’t exist, yet I dream that I know them. Dreams are amazing that way!
As I have said before, my most frightening dreams were falling dreams. Distances are completely irrelevant when you’re dreaming, so falling can be wonderful, or awful, depending on what you expect. Time itself passes in a strange way in dreams.
Who is this voice, giving him help in his head? I guess you have ideas, since he was mentioned on the first page, and his picture is on the cover. I’ll get further information about him in later posts.
The first view which Uendyr has of the Isle Obscura is of a few small mountains in a sea of water. Not a lot can be guessed about how large the island is. Or if it is actually an archipelago.
The left of the page is actually older than what came before it, because I knew what I wanted to happen here. This used to be page two! But I am so glad I was finally able to pull the earlier events together. I did have to edit this panel considerably, improving the lines, colors and contrast. It never looked so good until today!
The right of the page is completely new, and helps the story/page rhythm immensely.
I sure hope that future readers will agree. I am very critical of my work, and I know I am impatient to get these uploaded in full color story. I also have played this story out so many times that I don’t know how a fresh view judges it.
Thanks to anyone who views my “novel” in the future!
As I have said before, my most frightening dreams were falling dreams. Distances are completely irrelevant when you’re dreaming, so falling can be wonderful, or awful, depending on what you expect. Time itself passes in a strange way in dreams.
Who is this voice, giving him help in his head? I guess you have ideas, since he was mentioned on the first page, and his picture is on the cover. I’ll get further information about him in later posts.
The first view which Uendyr has of the Isle Obscura is of a few small mountains in a sea of water. Not a lot can be guessed about how large the island is. Or if it is actually an archipelago.
The left of the page is actually older than what came before it, because I knew what I wanted to happen here. This used to be page two! But I am so glad I was finally able to pull the earlier events together. I did have to edit this panel considerably, improving the lines, colors and contrast. It never looked so good until today!
The right of the page is completely new, and helps the story/page rhythm immensely.
I sure hope that future readers will agree. I am very critical of my work, and I know I am impatient to get these uploaded in full color story. I also have played this story out so many times that I don’t know how a fresh view judges it.
Thanks to anyone who views my “novel” in the future!
Updated shadows and colors and a typo, January 2023
Wet
I used to have an aquarium, when I was a kid. I would dream about it, being full of strange plastic toy creatures and strange floating fish with extra arms or fins. I have never been scuba diving, and my real fish were pretty plain, but those were strange dreams, that inspired this panel (drug-free, of course). These dreams made me see things differently, like changing reality for a moment and giving me a different point of view. So alien, and so unexpected, yet my brain made it from the experience of having an aquarium. I had one small shark, and a plecostamus, and a large snail.
I love the way you can learn from getting in unfamilliar circumstances, like seeing an independent movie, reading a book from a different genre than usual, or going to a foreign country. It can be a small thing, like trying a foreign dish, or it can be big, like the way a dream can be like an alien planet.
So, if you are looking to be creative, get out of your usual circumstances. Buy some colorful fish, and watch them for a while.
I love the way you can learn from getting in unfamilliar circumstances, like seeing an independent movie, reading a book from a different genre than usual, or going to a foreign country. It can be a small thing, like trying a foreign dish, or it can be big, like the way a dream can be like an alien planet.
So, if you are looking to be creative, get out of your usual circumstances. Buy some colorful fish, and watch them for a while.
2019 addition: I loved making this one so much!
Fished Out
Since I only have one long story, I first tried this as a 12 page comic, to give away free. It was too rushed to really work, but contained the bones of the beginning of the story, when Uendyr gets picked up by a huge cyborgish crab. Saved from the clutches of a dreaded octopus-thingy, which I admit is a very common sci-fi-steampunk antagonist, and therefore not very creative. The monsters do get better from here on, though.
The right panel is newer, made to preview a few of the strange adventurers, and fix the pace and rhythm. It was quite a challenge to arrange the figures together, and I had to resize and move them independently several times.
From the beginning I loved the idea of having a bunch of odd adventurers gather on the deck of a ship, and introduce themselves to a huge gold crab. The next page continues on this vein, if you are wondering. I have danced around lately, without landing on plot or characterization, but now it begins. Hope I can improve their communication skills though.
The ship is, of course, the well bucket, and the sails are sheets of half baked sketches and plans. The sea is initial consciousness and desire for action. The red cat is my youngest son, and he loves cats and red and karate and swords. Sounds like a dream for a kid, huh?
The right panel is newer, made to preview a few of the strange adventurers, and fix the pace and rhythm. It was quite a challenge to arrange the figures together, and I had to resize and move them independently several times.
From the beginning I loved the idea of having a bunch of odd adventurers gather on the deck of a ship, and introduce themselves to a huge gold crab. The next page continues on this vein, if you are wondering. I have danced around lately, without landing on plot or characterization, but now it begins. Hope I can improve their communication skills though.
The ship is, of course, the well bucket, and the sails are sheets of half baked sketches and plans. The sea is initial consciousness and desire for action. The red cat is my youngest son, and he loves cats and red and karate and swords. Sounds like a dream for a kid, huh?
2019: Poor, ignorant gradients!
Welcome Aboard
I am posting this page, and possibly future pages, when I get them done. I simply haven’t had time or resources to post last Friday, and this one is, again, complicated. Anyway, it appears that I have avoided any regular readers thus far, so I am free to give myself a break. I do still hope and work to get each page within a week, approximately.
To the point, this is the introductions on deck. We analyze our motivations, just enough to see we’re headed in the right direction. We go with intuition, and we start looking for supportive friends. The captain with the long name asks us questions, and we answer the best we can. We get feedback on our initial idea, and ask ourselves what we want.
Ideas can get stuck at this point for a long time, lacking clarity, or motivation, or courage, or training. We move on when we are ready.
Another important detail to remember: Withhold judgement and be flexible. You’re just starting, so you are free to learn, make mistakes, and change your mind. This first step is about getting something going. It took me thirty years to get off the ship and on the beach. Now, of course, I am running fast through the underbrush.
To the point, this is the introductions on deck. We analyze our motivations, just enough to see we’re headed in the right direction. We go with intuition, and we start looking for supportive friends. The captain with the long name asks us questions, and we answer the best we can. We get feedback on our initial idea, and ask ourselves what we want.
Ideas can get stuck at this point for a long time, lacking clarity, or motivation, or courage, or training. We move on when we are ready.
Another important detail to remember: Withhold judgement and be flexible. You’re just starting, so you are free to learn, make mistakes, and change your mind. This first step is about getting something going. It took me thirty years to get off the ship and on the beach. Now, of course, I am running fast through the underbrush.
2019: Pages take me at least a month now. Downside to becoming such a perfectionist with this! Plus, I don't ride the bus to work anymore.
Radio Contact
One of my favorite characters, but one that I couldn’t find a place for, Captain Q was envisioned as mysterious, powerful and legendary, a little grouchy and controlling. And made out of gold. When he went steampunk, I dropped the gold part.
He welcomes the various adventurers with questions, because they need questions before they can understand the answers. Use your questions to help you press ahead. Focused effort towards a creative goal requires deliberation and determination, otherwise you flounder like a fish.
Uendyr is forgetful. Didn’t he just hear from Dr. Fundergast? If this conversation seems to have spiritual undertones, it is meant to. I believe there is much under the surface of activities and interaction, much that is misunderstood or invisible. But it seems obvious that we are alive for reasons, and they are worth trying to discover. Especially knowledge of our maker. The source of creativity is the inspiration behind much of my story, and my life. More on that later.
Captain Queroclutesor was huge from the beginning, with a name to match. I have always been a questioner, and incessant questions can perturb the impatient. Especially when many questions are unanswerable, or require more research or trial and error. But the thirst for understanding, for discovery, puts the creative mind in the right spot for learning, so I keep that habit.
I hope you like this one. Please be patient with Uendyr’s questions.
He welcomes the various adventurers with questions, because they need questions before they can understand the answers. Use your questions to help you press ahead. Focused effort towards a creative goal requires deliberation and determination, otherwise you flounder like a fish.
Uendyr is forgetful. Didn’t he just hear from Dr. Fundergast? If this conversation seems to have spiritual undertones, it is meant to. I believe there is much under the surface of activities and interaction, much that is misunderstood or invisible. But it seems obvious that we are alive for reasons, and they are worth trying to discover. Especially knowledge of our maker. The source of creativity is the inspiration behind much of my story, and my life. More on that later.
Captain Queroclutesor was huge from the beginning, with a name to match. I have always been a questioner, and incessant questions can perturb the impatient. Especially when many questions are unanswerable, or require more research or trial and error. But the thirst for understanding, for discovery, puts the creative mind in the right spot for learning, so I keep that habit.
I hope you like this one. Please be patient with Uendyr’s questions.
Further Introductions
I am back from Sweden, let the story proceed! It’s been almost a month since I posted, but nobody seemed to notice. I did miss working on the story a little, but I hadn’t been on a plane for over 17 years, and I had plenty to do. I went to a real ruined castle, walked through the Royal palace in Stockholm, and viewed a recovered sunken ship. Other than being tired and allergies to Birch pollen, I had a complete blast!
As for the story, the introductions conclude, with some cleverly averted violence from Xerko, a familiar figure. How did they get in here? You can’t choose how people use their creative options. Don’t ask why he chose to be a dog.
Not a lot on the process of creativity, except be ready for surprises. I didn’t like the old right panel, so I did a new and distorted drawing to get more dynamic action here. The hint is that the view focuses on their different responses to sudden danger. Can creativity be sudden or dangerous? Of course! My prerogative.
As for the story, the introductions conclude, with some cleverly averted violence from Xerko, a familiar figure. How did they get in here? You can’t choose how people use their creative options. Don’t ask why he chose to be a dog.
Not a lot on the process of creativity, except be ready for surprises. I didn’t like the old right panel, so I did a new and distorted drawing to get more dynamic action here. The hint is that the view focuses on their different responses to sudden danger. Can creativity be sudden or dangerous? Of course! My prerogative.
Caught in a Trap
Caught in the trap. A moment to think, while the sun sets on a first day near the Isle Obscura.
How do you connect what you want, and who you are, to what you do? I came up with a goal to write this book, but until I was clear on what I wanted it to be, and what my skills could be, I made only grinding, jerky progress. Books and pages of half finished drawings and notes. As I discovered myself, and a passionate direction, it became clear that my book had to not have a ton of writing. It had to be pictures, and it had to have a focused plot with symbolic meanings. A tall order for a novice.
Jules the dog was strategically placed, you might have noticed, to separate the somewhat reasonable goals from the dangerous. I’ve known people who thought like Ondi and Xerko. Have you?
Not to say that their goals won’t change. They have quite a variety of motivations, and even Uendyr has several, which he isn’t sure about. I have been driven toward this story, even when it didn’t make sense and others laughed. I knew there was something in me, waiting to be expressed, until I knew how.
I never really had another story. I am a one track man. I love variety, and visual interest, but I need it all to come together for a grand purpose. Another tall order. We’ll see if it works.
How do you connect what you want, and who you are, to what you do? I came up with a goal to write this book, but until I was clear on what I wanted it to be, and what my skills could be, I made only grinding, jerky progress. Books and pages of half finished drawings and notes. As I discovered myself, and a passionate direction, it became clear that my book had to not have a ton of writing. It had to be pictures, and it had to have a focused plot with symbolic meanings. A tall order for a novice.
Jules the dog was strategically placed, you might have noticed, to separate the somewhat reasonable goals from the dangerous. I’ve known people who thought like Ondi and Xerko. Have you?
Not to say that their goals won’t change. They have quite a variety of motivations, and even Uendyr has several, which he isn’t sure about. I have been driven toward this story, even when it didn’t make sense and others laughed. I knew there was something in me, waiting to be expressed, until I knew how.
I never really had another story. I am a one track man. I love variety, and visual interest, but I need it all to come together for a grand purpose. Another tall order. We’ll see if it works.
Awoken
It has taken extra time to make this page, because I started from one panel of Wender, asleep, and decided he should wake up and do something, and take a whole page to do it. I also decided to use a completely different style, to set this page apart in feeling and treatment. This comes from many experiences I have had, waking up from amazingly believable, yet easily forgettable dreams, finding my room too small and boring. I believe in writing dreams down, if you can, because they form a backbone for personal meaning, and stories with a kind of magic. Much of this story is built from ideas found in exactly this way. My sketchpad was my world of wonder, my bedroom was just a room full of junk and a bed. And an aquarium full of algae and half seen fish. . . nevermind. That was a LONG time ago.
Wender’s room is pretty bare, and the colors are mostly muted and dirty. I didn’t even really bother to finish or polish this page, because I want to get back to the fun dreams, and because I don’t want to ruminate on why it isn’t working as well. I think it is important to try different styles, and absorb new possibilities by going in a completely different direction. I am open to adding details later, like what the blank poster on the wall will have on it. Also, creatively speaking, not much has happened yet. Uendyr hasn’t actually created anything, right?
The lesson? Take notes and record what you’re creating, dreaming, trying . . . so you can have material to work from, practice and contrast. Also, allow some things time to sit and wait for more complete ideas.
By the way, this kind of break occurs all the time in creating. You can’t create constantly. You must also sleep, record, eat and live. Did I really need to say that?
Back to sleep, and on with the story!
Wender’s room is pretty bare, and the colors are mostly muted and dirty. I didn’t even really bother to finish or polish this page, because I want to get back to the fun dreams, and because I don’t want to ruminate on why it isn’t working as well. I think it is important to try different styles, and absorb new possibilities by going in a completely different direction. I am open to adding details later, like what the blank poster on the wall will have on it. Also, creatively speaking, not much has happened yet. Uendyr hasn’t actually created anything, right?
The lesson? Take notes and record what you’re creating, dreaming, trying . . . so you can have material to work from, practice and contrast. Also, allow some things time to sit and wait for more complete ideas.
By the way, this kind of break occurs all the time in creating. You can’t create constantly. You must also sleep, record, eat and live. Did I really need to say that?
Back to sleep, and on with the story!
Breakfast and Launch
It’s been more than two weeks, but I redid this spread almost completely, and I was able to add an enormous statue, which I always felt was needed here. She is a nice welcome to the mysterious Isle. She apparently used to have a spoon. Now she has cool goggles and no hands. Go ahead and guess what she represents . . . I won’t give this one away.
I also added the little parade of breakfast carriers. As soon as it occurred to me, it felt right. Parade your old, unfinished or undeveloped ideas out and put them to work – You might find a use for one of them in the next adventure, or you might just start fresh.
One last word from good old Captain Q. Pay attention to those who have been here before- they may have some great ideas. I have said before to be game for constant change, and it will soon be revealed why that is so important. I actually find change a hard thing to handle, but flexibility has proven its value every time. (Not that I am any better at it in real life.)
I also added the little parade of breakfast carriers. As soon as it occurred to me, it felt right. Parade your old, unfinished or undeveloped ideas out and put them to work – You might find a use for one of them in the next adventure, or you might just start fresh.
One last word from good old Captain Q. Pay attention to those who have been here before- they may have some great ideas. I have said before to be game for constant change, and it will soon be revealed why that is so important. I actually find change a hard thing to handle, but flexibility has proven its value every time. (Not that I am any better at it in real life.)
Busted
I liked the right panel, but the line work was sloppy, so I had to redraw it anyway. The left panel was taken from an old page 16, and blown up. Literally, and figuratively. I wanted an obvious head impact, because our little buddy Uendyr gets damaged.
Is there a creative message here? I’ve managed to insert one for every page so far. Be careful when starting a new creative direction? Learn how to land? How about that people who don’t understand where you’re coming from may criticize everything about you? Get up, dust yourself off, and get going again!
Choose your friends well. Surprise!
Is there a creative message here? I’ve managed to insert one for every page so far. Be careful when starting a new creative direction? Learn how to land? How about that people who don’t understand where you’re coming from may criticize everything about you? Get up, dust yourself off, and get going again!
Choose your friends well. Surprise!
Noisy Bird
This bird is annoying. Does he make you feel rushed? He is a time bird, and he makes quite the racket. Who’s heard of a bird with teeth?!
Sometimes, someone else is the reason you have to be creative, and you’re feeling the pressure. Maybe you don’t know where to go, your friends have split, and now the rain comes pouring down . . . Could it get any worse? It feels impossible to be creative at all.
On top of that we have the threats of bullies, the taunts of know-it-alls, and the fear and danger of monsters. It’s a good thing if you can get a head start and make a friend of a warrior, even if he’s a little one.
Obviously, this page shows how when you first decide to forge ahead, that’s when the most challenges come at you. Other competitors may seem to have it easy, and to be far ahead of you. The fact is, other artists ARE much better, and I know it. I just have to keep going, and I will get better too.
Some good things to remember; You have to keep your own pace, and not compare where you are or what you’ve done with someone else. You have to see your personal progress, independent of distractions and outside pressures.
I make my own pressure with this comic, but I m also a graphic designer all day, and it is quite restrictive, creatively speaking.
When you’re surrounded by jungle, it helps to look for your inner strength, that timeless potential, that passion and reason within.
What’s that supposed to mean?!
You don’t have to listen to me, I’m just a guy who draws.
Sometimes, someone else is the reason you have to be creative, and you’re feeling the pressure. Maybe you don’t know where to go, your friends have split, and now the rain comes pouring down . . . Could it get any worse? It feels impossible to be creative at all.
On top of that we have the threats of bullies, the taunts of know-it-alls, and the fear and danger of monsters. It’s a good thing if you can get a head start and make a friend of a warrior, even if he’s a little one.
Obviously, this page shows how when you first decide to forge ahead, that’s when the most challenges come at you. Other competitors may seem to have it easy, and to be far ahead of you. The fact is, other artists ARE much better, and I know it. I just have to keep going, and I will get better too.
Some good things to remember; You have to keep your own pace, and not compare where you are or what you’ve done with someone else. You have to see your personal progress, independent of distractions and outside pressures.
I make my own pressure with this comic, but I m also a graphic designer all day, and it is quite restrictive, creatively speaking.
When you’re surrounded by jungle, it helps to look for your inner strength, that timeless potential, that passion and reason within.
What’s that supposed to mean?!
You don’t have to listen to me, I’m just a guy who draws.
A World with a View
Okay, I was looking for drama here. Uendyr is alone in the rain, asking the Doctor for help, while he tries to catch up with Zendu, who is far ahead, leaving red marks for him to follow. Its kinda like when your teacher marks up your paper with a red pencil, but you can’t decifer all of their scratches. Left to your own devices, you use what you know to keep going, and hope for the best.
He briefly remembers that he awoke in a bed, as a boy, but now believes that was the dream. You can really believe just about anything in a dream.
This is an almost completely new page, with Uendyr’s first panel being taken from the bottom of the last page, which was crowded.
I wanted to do a map-like drawing, a full spread image, at some point, and this is as close as I will get, in this chapter. I cannot actually map the Isle, since it changes all of the time. But you may recognize landmarks later, as the rest of the story unfolds.
As with any creative project I have had, the view looks simpler and closer than the real experience of working the project turns out to be. Also, even if you can’t see it, the opportunities are out there, waiting for you to be ready to arrive. Hope and Faith and Trust are necessary tools, along with seeing goals in your head, until they become real.
Plus, that annoying bird and his ticking have been left behind. . . . or have they?
He briefly remembers that he awoke in a bed, as a boy, but now believes that was the dream. You can really believe just about anything in a dream.
This is an almost completely new page, with Uendyr’s first panel being taken from the bottom of the last page, which was crowded.
I wanted to do a map-like drawing, a full spread image, at some point, and this is as close as I will get, in this chapter. I cannot actually map the Isle, since it changes all of the time. But you may recognize landmarks later, as the rest of the story unfolds.
As with any creative project I have had, the view looks simpler and closer than the real experience of working the project turns out to be. Also, even if you can’t see it, the opportunities are out there, waiting for you to be ready to arrive. Hope and Faith and Trust are necessary tools, along with seeing goals in your head, until they become real.
Plus, that annoying bird and his ticking have been left behind. . . . or have they?
Meeting
So, now a break for some old and new faces, before the next chapter. Uendyr is lost in the rain, and the people in the know are getting on the same page, following the tracks of Zendu's monster. Real, mysterious monsters are on their way into the story, while we wonder what is going to happen next.
Several lessons can be found on this beach. There are people behind the scenes, keeping track of the action, and where creative people are going. They are masterful at something, or wise, or old, or very large. They may be invisible, or just unnoticed, and they just may have some supernatural skills - Who knows? We're alone in the rain, in an unfamiliar jungle, just trying to keep up with someone we just met.
The dangerous monsters are coming, and we don't even know it yet. Maybe Radalus will give us a hint, in a dream or something. Too much suspense for you?
Keep going anyway. Find a direction, and trust yourself, that you'll find your way, you'll get up when you fall down.
What progress have you made on your own creative project? What wise old sage, or scrappy young woman, or angel, or ghost, or giant can you turn to for advice, or help, or different perspective on what you're trying to do?
How about a big hairy dog?
How about finding some tools in a magic battle cabinet?
Several lessons can be found on this beach. There are people behind the scenes, keeping track of the action, and where creative people are going. They are masterful at something, or wise, or old, or very large. They may be invisible, or just unnoticed, and they just may have some supernatural skills - Who knows? We're alone in the rain, in an unfamiliar jungle, just trying to keep up with someone we just met.
The dangerous monsters are coming, and we don't even know it yet. Maybe Radalus will give us a hint, in a dream or something. Too much suspense for you?
Keep going anyway. Find a direction, and trust yourself, that you'll find your way, you'll get up when you fall down.
What progress have you made on your own creative project? What wise old sage, or scrappy young woman, or angel, or ghost, or giant can you turn to for advice, or help, or different perspective on what you're trying to do?
How about a big hairy dog?
How about finding some tools in a magic battle cabinet?
By the way, jungle is hard to fake. Lots of complex plants, vines, huge leaves and trunks. I'll have to do more sketching and research, to see how to draw jungle! Just in time for it all to get submerged in a flood.
What is a "Viscient?" More suspense.
Choose to Press Ahead
Another full width spread! I had to get one more in, to finish. Uendyr sees a way he wants to go, and makes a choice. He doesn't know if a princess lies in that direction, but he sees places that look interesting, and he will inevitably run into some danger, or beauty, so this is a good way to go. Some supernatural beings are on the trail, some to help and some not so helpful. This is a good time to take a break, then on to Chapter Two! Can you say "Cliffhanger"?
I wanted to wrap at least some of the ideas up nicely, reiterating what motivated some of the adventurers to press ahead: Treasure, Destruction, Learning, Monster hunting, Fun, Ego, and even confusion and mystery. The important thing for Uendyr is the theme of this first book: Decide to start. Be involved and interested, and press ahead.
I think that's part of what it means to be alive. There are a lot of storms to weather, a lot of challenges to face, a lot of events to live and friends to make. Obviously this isn't just at the center of creativity, it is part of any success, any accomplishment. It's about keeping a positive attitude in the face of obscurity and confusion. Being determined to endure.
In addition, Uendyr may have noticed that the land is changing, expanding as he heads forward. Distances on the Isle Obscura are deceiving. Until you can clearly see what you want, you may just be dealing with it one step at a time. You may be going the long way around, like I did making this book. It was slow going, since I didn't see exactly what I wanted it to be until I changed my direction to a graphic novel.
That doesn't mean that the previous twenty plus years, and notebooks full of written story and sketches were wasted. They gave me plenty of raw material to reference for how the story would, and would not go. They gave me practice, and they honed my sense of reason and interest and pacing, my skills at writing and drawing. They helped me learn the process that creativity follows, though it is very flexible and pretty much unique to every project. And they helped me define for myself who I am and what I want to express.
We're answering the simple questions at this point: where did we come from, what do we want to get out of this, and where are we going to go. We're not making definite judgements, or applying limitations to ourselves. There is room for error, because it helps us learn, and is pretty much unavoidable to a point. Uendyr is pretty pleased he has even survived, as he has fallen several times, been slung into a tree and shot at (kind of).
We're also making a connection to the people, and the world, around us. Interacting with new ideas expands our repertoire, and our understanding. So the creative process is an interactive learning process, and a production process too. Another great reason for me to make this graphic novel!
So what is ahead? I'm not into spoiling the mystery, but some has been revealed. We'll find out who the bouncing monster is, and we'll see what that strange building with the face turned to the sky is, as well as that strange shape of lines in the distant dunes. You can guess that many mysteries I have started in this chapter will get answered in successive chapters. Strange is just another word for new and creative.
My artistic style might change a few times, some characters will reappear, and we'll find out who the "Viscients" are, and what they represent. If you know the creative process, you may see some of it coming. We'll all stay on our toes, as I begin Chapter Two!
I wanted to wrap at least some of the ideas up nicely, reiterating what motivated some of the adventurers to press ahead: Treasure, Destruction, Learning, Monster hunting, Fun, Ego, and even confusion and mystery. The important thing for Uendyr is the theme of this first book: Decide to start. Be involved and interested, and press ahead.
I think that's part of what it means to be alive. There are a lot of storms to weather, a lot of challenges to face, a lot of events to live and friends to make. Obviously this isn't just at the center of creativity, it is part of any success, any accomplishment. It's about keeping a positive attitude in the face of obscurity and confusion. Being determined to endure.
In addition, Uendyr may have noticed that the land is changing, expanding as he heads forward. Distances on the Isle Obscura are deceiving. Until you can clearly see what you want, you may just be dealing with it one step at a time. You may be going the long way around, like I did making this book. It was slow going, since I didn't see exactly what I wanted it to be until I changed my direction to a graphic novel.
That doesn't mean that the previous twenty plus years, and notebooks full of written story and sketches were wasted. They gave me plenty of raw material to reference for how the story would, and would not go. They gave me practice, and they honed my sense of reason and interest and pacing, my skills at writing and drawing. They helped me learn the process that creativity follows, though it is very flexible and pretty much unique to every project. And they helped me define for myself who I am and what I want to express.
We're answering the simple questions at this point: where did we come from, what do we want to get out of this, and where are we going to go. We're not making definite judgements, or applying limitations to ourselves. There is room for error, because it helps us learn, and is pretty much unavoidable to a point. Uendyr is pretty pleased he has even survived, as he has fallen several times, been slung into a tree and shot at (kind of).
We're also making a connection to the people, and the world, around us. Interacting with new ideas expands our repertoire, and our understanding. So the creative process is an interactive learning process, and a production process too. Another great reason for me to make this graphic novel!
So what is ahead? I'm not into spoiling the mystery, but some has been revealed. We'll find out who the bouncing monster is, and we'll see what that strange building with the face turned to the sky is, as well as that strange shape of lines in the distant dunes. You can guess that many mysteries I have started in this chapter will get answered in successive chapters. Strange is just another word for new and creative.
My artistic style might change a few times, some characters will reappear, and we'll find out who the "Viscients" are, and what they represent. If you know the creative process, you may see some of it coming. We'll all stay on our toes, as I begin Chapter Two!
Thank you!