Illustration & Visual Narrative / FINAL PROJECT: Webcomic
Daphne Lai Yu Cheng / 0366380
COM 61304 / Illustration & Visual Narrative / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylors' University
Final Project / Webcomic LECTURES
Week 11 (5/12/2024)
Mr Hafiz briefed us on the final project and showed examples of the webcomic then talked about Scott McCloud's transitions and Dave Mckean's surrealism artworks. We were to choose a part from a short horror story 'The Monkey's Paw' and assigned to create illustrations using surrealism artstyle.
Figure 1.1 Transitions
Figure 1.2 Scott McCloud's Transitions
Figure 1.3 Dave Mckean's Artworks
We had an online lecture by Mr Hafiz. In this lecture, he talked about the 6 types of transitions by Scott McCloud. We are required to use and identify the transitions we want to use, also referring to Framed Ink for compositions. He also stated that progress are always important because he will grade based on our progress throughout this final project.
6 types of transitions:
2) Action to Action
3) Subject to Subject
4) Scene to Scene
5) Aspect to Aspect
6) Non Sequitur
Figure 1.4 Scott McCloud's Transitions
Week 13 (27/11/2024)
Mr Hafiz had a consultation session with us to provide feedbacks and ask questions. He also showed a mood board example and explained the importance of transitions and compositions in our webcomic.
Week 14 (27/11/2024)
It was holiday week so there were no classes but we continued on refining and working on our webcomic according to the feedbacks provided.
Final Project: Webcomic
In this final assignment, students will 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. This assignment brings together storytelling, composition, and animation to capture the eerie atmosphere of the narrative, formatted for a mobile-friendly, portrait display.
Assignment Breakdown
Illustration and Visual Narrative (IVN): Design an illustrated
masthead for the comic cover in Adobe Illustrator. Apply Scott
McCloud’s comic transition types (from Understanding Comics) to tell
a part of the story visually, emphasizing animated transitions that
enhance the storytelling.
You may use photoshop Photoshop to manipulate images, adding
textures and effects inspired by Dave McKean’s Sandman covers to
achieve a surreal, atmospheric style. This will be key for creating
a suspenseful, eerie mood that aligns with The Monkey’s Paw. Search
for “surrealistic adobe illustrator artwork”
Using Google Slides, students will create a portrait-oriented comic cover and a one-page comic with animated GIFs. They must animate at least three panels of the comic, and may also animate parts of the cover to draw viewers’ attention.
Duration: week 10 - week 14
- Week 11: Introduction, story analysis, and animation basics in Google Slides
- Week 12 - 13: Focused tutorials, animation techniques, panel composition, feedback sessions, and work time.
- Week 14: Final critique, presentation, and submission.
Assignment Requirements
- Comic Cover: Design a cover that represents your interpretation of The Monkey’s Paw, including an illustrated masthead created in Illustrator. You may use Photoshop to manipulate textures and images for a surreal effect inspired by Sandman covers or refer to “surrealistic adobe illustrator artwork”. Include subtle animations if desired to create a haunting atmosphere.
- One-Page Comic: Translate a selected part of the story into a single-page, animated webcomic with at least 3 panels animated using GIFs in Google Slides. Focus on panel-to-panel transitions (e.g., moment-to-moment, action-to-action, subject-to-subject) to maintain suspense and continuity.
- Format: Portrait orientation for phone or tablet display. Assemble all elements in Google Slides for presentation.
References and Inspiration
- Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud for narrative transition techniques.
- Framed Ink by Marcos Mateu-Mestre for composition and depth principles.
- Dave McKean’s Sandman covers for visual style and mood inspiration or vector based surrealistic artwork.
Figure 2.1 Chosen Text (8/12/2024)
After the project briefing, we were given the story and chosen the texts we want to create for the webcomic. I read through the story and chose the sentences above to visualise in my webcomic.
1) "And has anybody else wished?"
- In the parlour, Sergeant Major Morris introduced the monkey's paw to the White family. Mrs. White asked about the history of the monkey's paw out of curiosity if anyone had wished using the paw.
2) "The first man had his three wishes. Yes,"
- Sergeant Major Morris answered that the first man who had the paw had 3 wishes, but the tones of his answer sounded very hesitant.
3) "I don't know what the first two were, but the third was for death."
- Sergeant Major Morris's hesitant tone led to him saying the horrifying last wish of the first man, depicting the horror of burning in hell.
4) "That's how I got the paw."
- Having telling the White family, the horrifying story of the first man traumatised him. a close up of his eyes showing the trauma.
5) His tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group.
- After hearing the story, the atmosphere in the parlour was in a dead silence and a sense of uneasiness arose from the shock of the story.
Figure 2.2 Sketches and Transitions (Scott McCloud) used
Figure 2.3 Dave Mckean and Framed Ink Composition References used
Other than Dave Mckean's art style, I also researched about other art styles that depict surrealism such as:
1) Junji Ito
Figure 2.4 Fashion Model, No Longer Human and Fragments of Horror by Junji Ito
- Surrealism horror.
- Distorted faces.
- Body Horror & Grotesque Transformations.
Figure 2.5 Mr Midnight by James Lee
- Distorted realities and surrealism horror.
- Colour palette: Greens, Blues and Purples.
Figure 2.6 Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama
- Detailed facial expressions that depicts trauma, terrified and suspense.
Figure 2.7 Character Design References
- I was mostly inspired by the Adventure Time's art style and decided to search more similar art styles which are Nyota by KAKA and Yoshimoto Nara's artworks.
- I wanted to combine surrealism and a little bit of horror into the art style so I did further searches for artworks such as The Scream by Edvard Munch, Ibitsu by Haruto Ryo and etc...
5) Masthead Art Style References
Figure 2.8 Haunted Horror and Haunted Thrills
Based on my masthead sketch, it is similar to the above images, I decided to create something like the images above:
- Vibrant
- Slightly crooked
- Bloody vibes
- Pointy and sharp
- Looks like melted candle wax
Mood Board
Figure 2.9 Mood Board (PDF)
Sketches
Figure 3.1 Masthead Sketch (18/12/2024)
- Vibrant
- Slightly crooked
- Bloody vibes
- Pointy and sharp
- Looks like melted candle wax
Figure 3.2 Initial Sketches (18/12/2024)
Above were my initial sketches for the comic cover. I wanted my cover to look like the monkey's paw is sucking out the soul of an individual or another holding a skull to represent the horrors and consequences of the monkey's paw. I've gotten the feedback for the one with the skull that I could incorporate a surrealistic feel to the cover so I decided to sketch a different ideation.
Figure 3.3 Comic Cover Sketch (26/12/2024)
I used this manga cover of Attack On Titan as a reference, the titan appear to be way larger than the human so I thought of playing around on scale and having the monkey's paw to appear larger than the terrified individual floating on the skulls, foreshadowing death.
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Figure 3.4 Initial Sketches (18/12/2024)
While sketching on the one page webcomic, I came up with these 2 sketches but they still did not look good for me so I decided to sketch a 3rd one.
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Figure 3.5 One Page Webcomic (19/12/2024)
Panel Breakdown:
1) The White family and Sergeant Major Morris were talking about the monkey's paw. Mrs White then asked about the wishes of the first man out of curiosity.
2) Switches to Sergeant Major Morris's POV where he stated with 3 fingers that the first man had 3 wishes.
3) This panel showed the monkey's paw in close up where Sergeant Major Morris said he didn't know what were the first 2 wishes.
4) This panel then showed a horrifying scene of my interpretation of burning in hell to support the sentence "but the third was for death."
5) A close up of Sergeant Major Morris's eyes that showed the terror and trauma about how he got the monkey's paw after the first man died.
6) After hearing his story, the parlour was in dead silence by adding '...' to convey that the story shocked both the White family and Sergeant Major Morris.
Digitalisation
1) Masthead
Figure 4.1 Masthead Process (2/1/2025)
#1: I started by using Pen Tool to trace out the masthead from my sketch.
#2: After tracing, I selected some of the anchors and refine the letters.
#3: Next, I use Shape Builder to create shapes then erase the counter in O, P and A.
#4: I proceeded on applying effects on the letters in Adobe Photoshop. Effect > Distort and Transform > Roughen to create the similar effect like my reference in the mood board.
#5: Additionally, I also added texture onto the letters in Adobe Photoshop. Effect > Sketch > Water Paper.
#6: After completing the masthead, I repeated the same process on the author's name.
Figure 4.2 Masthead Outcome (2/1/2025)
Figure 4.3 Gradient and Effect for Background (2/1/2025)
I started my comic cover by setting the colour of my background and also adding gradients to it. Next, I applied Effect > Texture > Grain > Soft Grain because the one without grain was a little too bright.
Figure 4.4 Monkey's Paw Process (2/1/2025)
#1: I used a hand reference to trace out the monkey's paw.
#2: After tracing, I used Smooth to refine some of the slightly messy and sharp anchors.
#3: I applied colour onto the paw.
#4: For the nails, I applied colours and gradient in Illustrator then Colour Halftone in Photoshop.
#5 Lastly, I applied Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow to the monkey's paw to make it look like it's a magical artifact.
Figure 4.5 Skull and The Scream Process (2/1/2025)
#1: I used a skull reference to trace out the skulls.
#2: I used Shape Builder to create shapes for the shadow of the skulls.
#3: Next, I added Effect > Artistic > Rough Pastels to the skulls.
#4: I also added Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur to the skulls with different percentages to make them look like they're in the back.
#5: I placed the sharp teeth onto the skulls.
#6: I traced the human using the artwork, The Scream as reference then added colours and shadows to it.
#7: After tracing and colouring, I applied Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow to the human to create a floating like effect.
#8: At last, I selected the entire artwork and applied Effect > Texture > Grain > Soft Grain.
Figure 4.6 Final Comic Cover (3/1/2025)
Figure 4.7 Creating Panels (27/12/2024)
I started my one page webcomic a little earlier compared to the cover and created panels according to my sketch.
Figure 4.8 Panel 1 Reference
Figure 4.9 Panel 1 Process (27/12/2024)
#1: Firstly, I used Eclipse Tool to create 3 semi circles. The semi circles were then blurred using Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur to create a glowing like effect.
#2: I started tracing out the characters using Pen Tool.
#3: Then, I used Shape Builder to create shapes for the shadows.
#4: Next, I used another reference picture to trace out the monkey's paw.
#5: I added the colour and applied Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow to make it look like it's a magical artifact.
Figure 4.10 Panel 2 Reference
Figure 4.11 Panel 2 Process (27/12/2024)
#1: I used a hand reference picture and started tracing it, adding colours and using Shape Builder to create shapes for the shadows. Then, I refine some of the anchors and smoothen them.
#2: Next, I illustrated the characters and placed them in the back of the background.
#3: After placing them in the background, I applied Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur to make the hand stand out more because it is the POV.
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Figure 4.12 Panel 3 Process (30/12/2024)
For panel 3, I used the monkey's paw I previously traced and applied Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow.
Figure 4.13 Panel 4 References
Figure 4.14 Panel 4 Process (30/12/2024)
#1: I started by tracing using a reference picture.
#2: After tracing and adding colours, I applied Effect > Blur > Radial Blur.
#3: I continued working on the background by tracing out the fire and then added Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur.
#4: Lastly, I inserted a picture of blood splatter in the background to emphasise on the word 'death.
Figure 4.15 Panel 5 Reference
Figure 4.16 Panel 5 Process (31/12/2024)
#1: Started off by choosing dark colours then applying gradient on the background.
#2: After tracing the close up illustration, I worked on the details of the eyes by applying Effect > Brush Strokes > Spatter to create a scared look onto the pupils.
#3: I continued on colouring and working on the details using Shape Builder.
#4: Lastly, I adjusted the placement of the illustrations and added a border.
Figure 4.17 Panel 6 References
Figure 4.18 Panel 6 Process (3/1/2025)
#1: Started off by choosing dark colours then applying gradient on the background based on my references.
#2: Next, I traced the textures in the background, I did slightly wavy on the left side where Sergeant Major Morris is seated compared to the right to show that the uneasiness and suspense is slowly building up and creeping onto the White family on the right.
#3: I came across a post on How to Convey Silence in a Comic and added '...' in this panel to convey the dead silence. I also used Effect > Stylize > Scribble to make the '...' look chaotic.
#4: I continued on the tentacle like lines and added Effect > Artistic > Rough Pastels to create textures.
#5: After the textures, I also added Effect > Blur > Radial Blur to the tentacle like lines to enhance the atmosphere of dead silence.
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Figure 4.19 Fonts Used (3/1/2025)
After the illustrations, I typed in the texts. For the texts, I used 3 fonts downloaded from dafont:
#1 Ki Comic
#2 Horror
#3 Horror_2
Figure 4.20 Final One Page Webcomic (3/1/2025)
Animation
*some timeline pictures are slightly pixelated due to the cropping*
1) Webcomic Cover
Figure 5.1 Webcomic Cover Animation Frames and Timeline (4/1/2025)
Figure 5.2 Webcomic Cover Animation (4/1/2025)
In this animation, I created 3 frames in total to show that the monkey's paw is glowing using Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow then duplicated and repeated all of them once which are:
1) without Outer Glow.
2) Outer Glow of 30% opacity and 5mm blur.
3) Outer Glow of 50% opacity and 5mm blur.
Figure 5.3 4th Panel Animation Frames and Timeline (4/1/2025)
Figure 5.4 4th Panel Animation (4/1/2025)
In this animation, I created 10 frames in total to show that the creepy faces distorting by using Effects > Distort and Transform > Twist, the distortion starts from 0° to 90°.
3) 5th Panel
Figure 5.5 5th Panel Animation Frames and Timeline (4/1/2025)
Figure 5.6 5th Panel Animation (4/1/2025)
Figure 5.7 Eyes Transition
4) 6th Panel
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Figure 5.8 6th Panel Animation Frames and Timeline (4/1/2025)
Figure 5.9 6th Panel Animation (4/1/2025)
In this animation, I created 4 frames in total to show the dead silence and uneasiness in the parlour after Sergeant Major Morris's story by animating the chaotic and scribbled looking "..." appearing one by one to convey the uncanny silence.
Final Webcomic
Figure 6.1 Webcomic Cover and One Page Comic (PNG) (5/1/2025)
Figure 6.2 Webcomic Cover and One Page Comic Animation (GIF) (5/1/2025)
Week 13
18/12/2024
- Sketch composition is too isometric.
- Firstly, choose the text you want to create for the webcomic and then make sure to do research on composition n transition first before proceeding to sketches.
2) framed ink composition
3) decide on transitions
4) colour palette
5) art styles (surrealism)
Week 14
23/12/2024
After refining the sketch and completing my research board according to Mr Hafiz's feedback on week 13: For the composition it looks competent. Please continue on by developing it further in Adobe Illustrator.
26/12/2024
I showed a sketch of my webcomic cover and Mr Hafiz said that the illustrated masthead looks like a good idea, I could also think of how to inject a surrealistic feel to the cover by finding a reference to surrealism.
This final project has been the most challenging one of the semester. I struggled to convey the story through my illustrations, as my drawing skills are not very strong. Despite these difficulties, I found the project both interesting and beneficial because it helped me improve my compositions and learn about transitions, similar to those seen in movies or comics.
I also noticed that many of us faced a common challenge which was incorporating a surrealistic art style into our webcomic. However, after completing this project, I found surrealism fascinating as it expresses the unconscious mind through dreamlike and illogical imagery. This art style also offers a wide range of creative possibilities.
I realised the importance of progress, as observing my development over time helped me refine my illustrations. Additionally, as someone who frequently reads comics and watches shows, I now appreciate how essential transitions are in effectively conveying a storyline.
Overall, this project has been a valuable and humbling experience, filled with both challenges and growth.
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