Final task: Webcomic

05/12/2024 to  05/01/2025 / Week 11 - Week 14

Raida Abdoul Kader / 0353038

Illustration & Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Mass Communication / School of Media and Communication

Final task: Webcomic

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Animated Webcomic Cover and One-Page Comic for "The Monkey's Paw"

For this task we were asked to create an animated, web-ready comic cover and a minimum 3 panel comic page based on the short story "The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs. 

References:

fig 1 reference

fig 1.1 reference

Sketches:

We had to chose one part of the story to illustrate. I chose this part of the story: "He sat alone in the darkness, gazing at the dying fire, and seeing faces in it. The last was so horrible and so simian that he gazed at it in amazement. It got so vivid that, with a little uneasy laugh, he felt on the table for a glass containing a little water to throw over it. His hand grasped the monkey's paw, and with a little shiver he wiped his hand on his coat and went up to bed."

Fig 2. Sketch

Feedback: The framing and composition can be improved - The shot angle and composition. You would be best to get an art direction for it first

Sketch 2:

Fig 3. sketch

Fig 3.1 sketch

Feedback: The sketches need to be improved. you can do that by making references to framed ink

References: 

I tried to get some more references form the framed ink and others for the overall visual and color palette. I also used AI-generated references to help with drawing the monkey's paw.

Fig 4. reference

Fig 4.1 reference

Fig 4.2 reference

Fig 4.3 reference

Fig 4.4 reference

Fig 4.5 AI generated reference

Fig 4.6 AI generated reference

Sketch 3:

I revised some parts of the earlier sketches to add more details. Next, I'll combine all of  them to create the final artwork.

Fig 5. panel 1

Fig 5.1 panel 3

Fig 5.2 panel 5

Fig 5.3 panel 6

Fig 5.4 panel 7

Fig 5.5 panel 8

Fig 5.6 panel 9

Adobe Illustrator process:

I added all the sketches in illustrator and traced them using the pen tool.

Fig 6. AI process

Fig 6.1 Color palette

I added colors using the chosen color palette, and for some parts, I used the paintbrush tool.

Fig 6.2 AI process

I then arranged everything in order and adjusted the positions of some panels to improve the flow and make it easier to understand.

Fig 6.3 AI process

Fig 6.4 Color adjustment

I decided to add light from the fire for a better effect. I used the circle tool and applied the Gaussian blur effect to create the illusion.

Fig 6.5 AI process

Animation process

For the animation, I chose to animate the fire and the monkey's paw in the 7th and 9th panels. I created different variations of the fire to show its movement and then brought everything together in Photoshop. For the rest, I mostly followed the same process.

Fig 7 Animation process in AI

Fig 7.1 Animation process in PS

Fig 7.2 Animation

For this animation, I wanted to show the character shaking as he try to reach out the glass of water but instead grabbed the hand.

Fig 7.3 Animation

Fig 7.4 Animation

Comic cover reference and sketch:

For my comic cover I took reference on Dave McKean’s Sandman covers.

Fig 8 reference

Fig 8.1 cover sketch

For the cover, I want to show how the paw looks harmless at first but turns out to be a curse. In this sketch, I tried to show the paw as something that gives when asked, while the man looks scared and helpless in front of it.

Fig 8.1 texture paper

I used this texture to enhance the cover and match the style of Dave McKean’s Sandman covers. Then, I decided to add claw marks for a more horror-like feel, using the pen tool.

Fig 8.2 reference

Fig 8.3 claw marks AI process

Fig 8.4 claw marks AI process

Fig 8.5 AI process

Comic panels:

After some reflection, I used the same texture on a few panels to create a more surreal feel. I also reworked the animations to improve them..

Fig 9 adjustment 

Fig 9.1 adjustment 

Uptated animation:

Fig 10

Fig 10.1

Final Web Comic and Cover

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Reflection:

It was quite challenging for me to figure out how to create a surreal feel in the artwork and clearly illustrate the story. I had to try different ideas and techniques to get the look I wanted. On top of that, I struggled with time management because I was also working on my final year project, which took up a lot of my time and energy. Even with these challenges, I stayed managed to finish everything on time. This experience taught me a lot about staying determined and planning better.