ILLUSTRATION & VISUAL NARRATIVE FINAL TASK: WEBCOMIC

 

ILLUSTRATION & VISUAL NARRATIVE FINAL TASK: WEBCOMIC

|  09/23/2024 – 10/28/2024(WEEK 10 – WEEK 14) 

||  GU QIANKUAN/0369385

||  ILLUSTRATION AND VISUAL NARRATIVE /BACHELOR OF DESIGN(HONOURS) IN CREATIVE MEDA

LECTURES

Mr. Hafiz is providing an overview of the forthcoming final project, which involves creating a ‘Webcomic’.

1.  Comic Cover Design:

•  Use Illustrator for the masthead.

•  Apply Photoshop for surreal textures.

•  Add subtle animations for a haunting atmosphere.

2.  One-Page Webcomic:

•  Translate a story part into a single-page comic.

•  Create at least 3 animated panels with GIFs in Google Slides.

•  Focus on panel transitions for suspense and continuity.

3.  Format:

•  Portrait orientation for mobile devices.

•  Assemble all elements in Google Slides.

4.  References and Inspiration:

•  “Understanding Comics” for narrative techniques.

•  “Framed Ink” for composition and depth.

•  Surreal vector art or Sandman covers for visual style.

1 Continuity: See continuous and smooth-flowing lines rather than broken or jagged ones.

Fig. 1.5 Gestalt Law - Continuity.

Scott McLoud’s Transitions

1. Moment-to-Moment 

Fig. 1.6 Scott McLoud’s Transitions - Moment to Moment.

2. Action-to-Action 

Fig. 1.7 Scott McLoud’s Transitions - Action to Action.

3. Subject-to-Subject 

Fig. 1.8 Scott McLoud’s Transitions - Subject to Subject

4. Scene-to-Scene 

Fig. 1.9 Scott McLoud’s Transitions - Scene to Scene.

5. Aspect-to-Aspect 

Fig. 1.10 Scott McLoud’s Transitions - Aspect to Aspect.

6. Non-Sequitur

Fig. 1.11 Scott McLoud’s Transitions - N

Introduction to Scoot McCloud's Theory on Transition (Summary)

Fig. 3.1.1 Scoot McCloud's Theory on Transition.

McCloud's theory on transitions in comics highlights the gutter as a crucial space for reader imagination, allowing creators to control pacing, rhythm, and emotional impact, forming a foundational aspect of comic theory.

Introduction to Digital Triptych

A digital triptych is a creative composition consisting of three distinct panels or images, derived from the traditional triptych format in art history. It uses digital tools and platforms to explore storytelling, convey themes, or present a cohesive visual narrative. Key elements include visual continuity, narrative potential, creative expression, and digital mediums. Digital triptychs can be used for sequential art narratives, thematic exploration, visual juxtaposition, and interactive elements. They can be used for storytelling, comic formats, and to explore complex ideas. The flexibility of digital tools allows artists to experiment with various styles and techniques, bringing their ideas to life in a visually engaging manner.

3.2 IDEA & SKETCHES  

Since I usually prefer reading comics, and American comics, I'm more inclined to this style I'm just looking for references.

I see that good comics don't confine the characters to a box, they are more about integrating the characters into the background, so I also choose to use this format

Sketch
Comic Cover Page：

I wanted to create that atmosphere of suspense.
Digitisation (Comic Cover Page)

Cover analysis and introduction：

This illustration is a powerful visual representation of the story 'Monkey Claw', combining dynamic elements and symbolic depth to evoke its core

The central focus is the dark twisted monkey paw, ominously enveloping the composition. Its oversized claw shape symbolizes the destructive power and peculiar nature of tampering with fate. The blazing flames emanating from the base of the claws suggest chaos, danger, and irreversible consequences that the claws wish for. At the center of the flames stood a lonely figure, likely representing Herbert's son, whose fate was intertwined

The claws are surrounded by blurry portraits of family members. White, Mrs. White, and Herbert - presented in soft and unsaturated tones. Their repressed existence contrasts sharply with the fiery center, symbolizing their emotional confusion and helplessness towards supernatural forces

The title "Monkey's Claw" is written in bold Gothic font, arched at the top of the illustration. The slightly irregular curves of the letters add a sense of unease, echoing the strange emotions of the work. The color scheme is dominated by soft blue and gray, juxtaposed with fiery orange, creating a striking visual tension between secular and Su

This illustration cleverly captures themes such as unintended consequences, losses, and the dangers of tampering with the unknown. The use of dramatic elements such as flames, elusive claws, and distinct contours creates a sense of unease and foreboding, drawing viewers to the television

Animated One Page Intro：

Determine layout

The clip I chose from monkey's paw: the wishing moment: the image of the father picking up the monkey's paw to make a wish, the paw begins to distort and the background takes on an ominous suggestion.

Bad news arrives: a visitor knocks on the door bringing news of their son's death, the parents' emotions go from hope to despair.

The Final Wish and the Knock at the Door: the mother tries to open the door to greet her son, the father makes a last minute wish to stop everything.

Because I wanted the painting style to be uniform with the cover, I copied Mr and Mrs White from the cover

Production process Colored protagonist

Production process Background coloring

Comic analysis and introduction：

In the centre of the painting is a father's hand holding a monkey's paw, which begins to twist and distort unnaturally as he makes a wish. The background presents a swirling abstract pattern that suggests chaos and an ominous disturbance of the natural order. The glitter around the monkey's paw contrasts with the dark shadows that invade the edges of the scene, emphasising the duality of hope and danger. The topmost segment is about the customer knocking on the door bringing news of a dead son, while continuing back to the middle segment is the climactic moment of the story, where the faint light coming through the doorway on the right illuminates the mother, who is very hopeful that it is her husband's wish that has been successful, believing that her son has come back, while a short segment below it shows that the door opens without her son because her husband has terminated his wish, and the final segment shows the person in the mists, and who is it? This is the atmosphere of suspense that I want to create!

Final cover

Final comic

Final comic（GIF）

slide 

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/175WGFNWqiYGpcZn7qcUNK2Px1ByeIcXXx_zNxdJpqeE/edit?usp=sharing

Reflection

The semester has come to an end, and I have learned a lot of design knowledge in Mr.Hafiz's class. Every time, I would struggle for a long time in the subject matter given by the teacher, because everything from the Pokemon card to the album cover to the cartoon at the end is very interesting, and I always do my homework to the best. Each assignment is a novel subject, and I hope to learn more from Mr.Hafiz in the future. Thanks to the teacher for pointing out my problems and giving me suggestions every week, I will continue to use the software and tools learned in class in the future study.