Action Plan Journal #1

Journal #1

I've been thinking about this idea to create and publish a manga since 9th grade. I wasn't able to pursue that idea until the middle of 10th grade. I wanted to get my drawing skills to a certain level so that I will be able to  complete the manga. Since I was a self-taught artist, I felt compelled to do a little research on ways to approach making a manga. The first step in making a manga is brainstorming an idea. 9th-10th grade I spent my time reading graphic novels, books, and watching tutorials. Looking at other peoples' work wasn't enough, I wanted to develop my own style so that I could express it in my manga. I eventually developed my own style and started to make a working script. Once I was able to organize my thoughts on the script, I drew rough sketches in a notebook. In the same notebook, I drew panels for the sequential art layout.

I decide to call the manga, Glass Hearts. I'm not positive that is going to be the final title but...yeah.

In the next couple journals I will post pictures of the manga pages in various stages and the different materials that I use.

Main ideas of research

• different types of manga
• issues in manga
• materials used to create manga
• types of manga publishing
• manga publishers
• steps to create manga
• manga scanlations

What's happening?

Let's see.....

I am very close to finishing my notes. I incorporated my notes from my interview but I am still having trouble finding quotes. I am stuck on answering one of my foundation questions, ""What are the different materials used to make manga?" Most of my sources say the same materials: pen, ink, pencil, paper.....(pretty basic shtuff).

Action plan shtuff....

Umm....still waiting for my ink. It's suppose to be coming on friday...I hope. The process of making this manga is really hard. I started to ink the third page but it didn't turn out well so, I threw it away. I don't think that page fancied me either so I'm glad I threw it away. I made two new friends over the weekend: G-pen and spoon pen (pen nibs). They decided to be cooperative with my drawing. The maru pen nib decided to break on me. I bought a new one though. (objects are easily replaceable, unfortunately people are not)
I've been reading on the interwebs (internet/web) about drawing with a pen.

Interweb: Drawing with a dip pen isn't like drawing with a pencil. You have to practice at least once a day to get used to using it. Even professionals get a little shaky at times if they don't practice once a day.

Me: Ugh.....that's a lot work......

Interweb: You are a lot of work!!!! Don't be lazy....

Me: Now I know!

G.I. Joe: The more you know!

What's happening?

Let's see.....

I finally did my interview with Mr.Wilk. (I don't really call him that. Joseph) I was surprised that he knew a lot about my topic. I didn't expect a librarian to know a lot about a book genre that is often cast off. We discussed the library's process of importing new manga. Joseph is an assistant librarian in the teen section but, he pays attention to the anime and manga hype. We also had a discussion on the difference between American and Japanese comics.

Vocab: Hand sell - a librarian's personal recommendation to read a book by their experience in reading the book

Action plan stuff.....

I bought a new Non-photo blue pencil. It was on sale for 30% off.(dealz...) I started to ink the first page of the manga. Using a brush tip Copic Ciao Marker, I filled in the large areas with black ink. For the smaller details, I would use the dip ink(which I still don't have.....I just ordered it yesterday) and pen nibs. (there many kinds of pen nibs but my main four are the: G-pen, Maru, Quill, Spoon) The different types of pen nibs gives you a variety of line thickness to pick from. G-pens are the most popular because the tip of the nib bends to how much pressure you put on the pen. It's really great for inking faces, hair, and clothes.

What's happening?

Let's see.....

I am a bit behind in my annotations. I think I only completed about 13 of them. I can finish them when I get the time since I have the INTERWEBS again. (so long) I finally picked up my books from the library. I've only skimmed through but only two out of the three seem helpful. I am still waiting on the black and white ink for making the manga. It has been about 8-9 days, it said it would come in 8-9 days. (y u lie ebay?) I seemed to have lost my non-photo blue colored pencil. It's special because whenever you scan something that has been marked with the non-photo blue pencil, it doesn't show.

12 most interesting facts

What's happening?

What's happening?......derp*
Grad Project:
I am up-to-date on all of my assignments. I was able to find 15 sources for my bibliography. The only thing I need right now is a book from the library. I requested three books from the library but they are still in transit. They are taking forever......

I can't seem to find a lot of book publishing companies around downtown so, I decided I was going to hold a online interview. I want to contact either Yen Press which specifically publishes American-made manga or Square Enix of America which handle a combination of things. Square Enix will probably be hard to contact since they are game design industry and at the same time a publishing company. 


Action Plan: Creating a graphic novel (for anyone that cares)

I pretty much have all the materials to make the manga. I have the storyboard in a sketchbook and the story and plot in a journal. I started to do the thumbnail sketches on the actual manuscript paper. It is recommended that you completely ink a page before you start the next one but someone doesn't have Japanese drawing ink. (cough*s*h*a*n*e)
I bought 16 deleter tones on ebay over the break for $30 instead of an alternative set for $15 . (outbid at the last second on Ebay)