I am new to ccas but hoped I would have an opportunity to collaborate with a like minded brother or sister on a project that would glorify God and spread the gospel. I have some ideas of my own but am open to anything. I like to write, pencil, ink, digital color and illustration. I enjoy cartoons and animated style but am willing to try anything. If you are looking for someone to create with give me a yell. You can see samples at www.kevinterryart.weebly.com Thanks and God bless.
You need to be a member of CCAS - Christian Comic Arts Society to add comments!
Replies
After reading your overview and then looking at your characters Glooma and the Gloomtroopers, I think you have a very strong concept and are certainly heading in the right direction with creating an allegory that can be both entertaining and thought provoking.
It's hard to give any detailed critiques without knowing the target audience, but after looking things over I'm going to assume you have a childrens show audience in mind. I see this project as being for the whole family but being geared towards kids and tweens. It feels like a cross between Angel Wars and Teen Titans Go! which, depending on the writing, could also attract a strong teen following, especially if humor is a big part of the action.
Given the art style and general concept I think going for that action meets quirky humor with thought provoking moments and narrative would work great. I think another example of this style is Ben 10 or more recently Steve Universe, even Adverture Time. The last two have a very kid friendly art style but attract older audiences with their humor and thought provoking depth admist action and adventure.
One thing I would be careful of is falling into the stereotypical cheese category of Christian media. Its easy for any of our works to generalize too much and try to cover the Bible in broad strokes. C.S. Lewis is a tough act to follow but I love how you reference him and his work. You've got a well thought out and believable world, easy to follow references, and cool visuals to represent good and evil and those caught in between. What will really set this apart is the writing style and the action. Seeing a sample of your writing would help me give you a more detailed critique.
With the coloring, if I use my previous cartoon references I think you're doing a fine job. The shading highlights look right and the colors pop. The Gloomtrooper is my fav of the two as he has more areas that pop, like his claws, teeth, eyes - my attention is drawn to these and I quickly understand who and what he is. Glooma herself could use a little of these areas to make her pop. Her arms are great, love the tech look and think the Gloomtroopers need more tech to keep the two more unified as they are technically the same creature, she's just a higher level. But I feel her claws and hands get lots, and her shirt/armor needs to pop more as it also gets lots in the general coloring of her tech lines. Her skirt looks like its part of her skin, if this is correct then it looks great, but if its the same material then it would need to better match the shirt/armor top.
lol okay my two cents suggestions, Gloomtrooper needs tech, otherwise he's very strong. Glooma's tech lines are awesome! Her wings and shirt and claws need to pop. Shadows and Highlights can do this, the wings need more shadows to define the depth in the, these would exists heaviest in the upper corners and in the ridges as the light is shinning down on her. Her shirt and skirt (even the same layer of clothing) needs to pop and unify more, as if this gown is the last bits of who she was before the fall. Something glorious she hangs on to because it feeds her vanity and gives her a touch of genuin beauty.
Those are my thoughts at least. Hope they help lol. I tend to get wordy. :)
Kevin Terry said:
Hey again Chris,
I'll give it a try and get back to you. Thanks for the opportunity!
In the meantime, I recently posted 2 new character designs and would love to know what you think? Color is a big deal to me too, wonder what you think about the colors I used.
Here is a synopsis of the story I am working on. Any feedback here is helpful.
The other characters so far include the King of light-- this is to be like God the Father-- a being of pure energy-- The King of light creates a race of part energy/cyborg creatures called Lumens-- the greatest and most beautiful of which is a character named Gloria--
Gloria desires the throne, leads some of the lumens in a revolt, and is defeated--her light is removed and she becomes known as Glooma. Being cast out of the Kingdom of light she and the lumens with her-- which become known as her Gloomtroopers-- seek to spread darkness over the King of Light's creation. These of course represent Satan and demons.
They deceive/corrupt/and enslave a race of yet unnamed robot people who carry light within them. Their light becomes darkened and they become enemies to the King of Light. These characters represent fallen humanity.
The King of Light takes on the form of these people in order to be their hero/liberator/savior but he does so in the weakest of their forms, what would be like our infant or child stage. Unlike the corrupted robots, he still carries the light within himself and it is his power. This is O-boy. The O can stand for many things-- original-- since he is the creator-- or it can be a zero-- meaning he humbled himself to the lowest state-- or omnipotent-- his power-- or omega-- since all things were made for him. This is God the Son, God in the flesh, Jesus.
He has a helper/power source in the form of a sentient sattellite orbiting the robots planet. This is God the Holy Spirit which so far I gave the anachronym of D.O.V.E-- Device in Orbit providing Vital Energy. (if you have a better one please let me know). If you've ever read Jack Kirby's OMAC, think Brother Eye.
He will gain 4 robot "disciples" which will later become a team of heros with powers from the light within. These characters will be good guys but flawed and will carry on adventures of their own. These are the disciples or the church.
There are also Boss/General type villains working with Glooma such as Distortion who with his powerful vocals shouts falsehoods that manipulate the hearers.
I planned on this being an 8 panel strip format. Each strip is a chapter in a larger book. There are 4 books-- 1. Original Boy-- like Genesis where we learn the origins of the story. 2. Omnipotent Boy-- O-boy's regular fights with Glooma where his power is on display. 3. Zero Boy-- he will amass followers and will be more teaching and here we see him willingly be defeated by Glooma-- think Aslan dying at the hands of the white witch. and 4. Omega Boy-- O-boy is resurrected, his followers sent out on some adventures of their own and ultimately he restores the creation to the King of light.
I actually have the first three or four chapters plotted out panel by panel. The first shows O-boy in action! The next few give the origin of O-boy.
I will also have a page that explains the allegory follwing each book.
So what do you think? Any feedback or ideas are welcome.
Christopher Rosario said:
Hey Kevin,
I'm certainly interested in lending an eye to your work and giving you my two cents with story and coloring.
When it comes to character design, how comfortable are you with matching the style we already have presented? If you'd like to take one of the existing characters and recreate them as a test I'd be intersted in seeing what you come up with.
Kevin Terry said:
Just a general message to all. I have experience with lettering, having taken some classes and lettered several published books, including my own series Team SLUG (www.slugsforall.com).
I would be happy to work with people on lettering their things. Let me know!
Brien,
I am a little familiar with Catholicism, though they don't have as much a presence in my region as they probably would in Ca. I do have Catholic friends who are very dear to me and knew a little about this tradition. I thought, however, your saint would turn out to be Christ, I got a clue when Abalon said the wind and wave obey Him. Very clever story! Honestly at face value your comic is a little out of my area of interest since I mostly like the super hero genre. But I am being equally honest when I say the story and very fine artwork has pulled me in. I am excited to read more of ch. 2! I am also amazed at the amount of work you have produced, where do you find the time?
If I could somehow get some hi res copies of your pages I will try my hand at coloring. Let me know what file format you like to work in and what your basic technique is and I will try and replicate your style. Also I don't have photoshop I use GIMP but I think a basic xcf file or png or jpeg should still be compatible. I will be honest if I get into it and am not up to your quality. And of course you have to know it may take a while since I actually have 2 paying jobs and a family.
As far as O-boy goes, it is aimed at a younger audience so it is not as complex as what you are doing. But if you don't care I will run down the basic story for you in the next few days or so. I have some gaps that I really need help filling as far as story goes and my scripting is cliche and clumsy so I would love help on that too. Your story telling sense in your panels is very good as well. Mine is kind of plain and too straight on, so any advice there would be greatly appreciated.
I noticed in some of your posts you asked for critiques. I would like to start an honest critique group. Everyone here is so nice and I appreciate that. But a nice honest critique helps us get better. Maybe we can get a group like that started if there isn't one already.
Thanks Brien, your work and fellowship is a breath of fresh air. I look forward to more of it in the days ahead.
Kevin
Brien Sparling said:
Hey Chris! Thanks so much for the kind words and the invite! I have already checked out your site and read every page. I like the concept work you already have very much. I noticed your color work on some of the designs, very nice! The music also is great! Like I said I read through the list of things you were looking for and didn't know if I fit very well. My interests lie mainly in character design, and you seem to have that well taken care of. I don't know how well my style would mesh with that of your talented artists either. I am not as comfortable with environments or prop design so I am not sure I could help and that's the reason why I didn't fill out your application. However, I think the reason we both came to this site is because we want to be a part of a community of creative people who love the Lord and seek to help and encourage one another. So of course any help I could give will be my pleasure as you indicated was your heart as well. So if you have any need of character designs or the meager advice of a life time comic/animation geek I'm your man. I am also a pastor in the evangelical slant, so if you have need any help in the theological aspect of your project I would love to help there too.
I also wholeheartedly agree with your statement about producing the highest quality work possible. Our God is excellent in all He does. He does all things well and His way is perfect. We want to image that as much as we can with His help. Of course nothing we do will be perfect this side of eternity, but I feel we must esteem Him so much we strive to give Him our best. After all He gave us His best, His One and Only Son.
As far as my personal project, I have been blessed to find some help. And that's why I came here because I really needed help! Would you mind if I ran my story idea by you, possibly in the next few days? I would love to get some feedback from a writer like yourself and on the color as well.
With all this being said I would like to start an honest critique group. Something I have been trying to find for a while now. Everyone here is so nice! But a nice and honest critique helps us get better. Anyway, thanks Chris for your kind words and for being a part of this community. Thanks also for your great work on your project and your heart to glorify God and reach people. May God richly bless you as you serve Him.
Hi Kevin, I just joined ccas recently and I saw your post and looked up your website. You have some really great work and a wide range of art styles, very cool. I saw that you were intertested in working on projects and collaboration and I have no doubt you've been approached by a few people as you've got some great work. Just wanted to throw my two cents in the hat.
I'm currenlty producing an animated project called Redemption the Series (www.redemptiontheseries.com) and I'm looking to build a team of concept arists who are interested in bringing to life a super hero drama that can compete with the best of Marvel and DC for reaching teens and young adults with smart writing, mature subject matters, and really cool action. I firmly believe that the best way to attract people to God's Word is to give them a "wow factor" something that hooks them and encourages them to listen to the message being presented. Currently the website has some early concept art and information about what I'm looking for as well as the concept music for the series. If intertested please check it out and give me your thoughts. I'm always willing to further discuss the project.
If you need help on your own projects I'm certainly willing to do what I can. My skills in this forum lie in writing predominately.
In any case, it was a pleasure looking at your work and I hope and pray that your ministry reaps a large harvest. :) God bless
1) Where are you at on your O-boy story? Are you looking for any coop on that?
2) The mission system in California was initiated by the Jesuits then carried forward by the Franciscans, both Catholic. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the Catholic faith but traditionally, it is believed that the virtuous Christian dead in general and Church-recognized Saints in particular can advocate for you and your prayers before the throne of God. Catholics believe they are Christian, some because they were born/baptized Catholic, some because they went through Catechism and then became members, or some believe in salvation through a personal faith in Jesus Christ. In my story, the main character, Abalon, through a series of interactions with a mysterious un-named saint, is moved toward a more personal faith with God. Abalon is going to give this saint a series of names as their relationship progresses; Abalon's final discovery is the divine being he has come to love is the Lord Jesus himself.
3) The Patron system in mission California was similar to the indenture system in Medieval Europe. You soul was secured by God and his established Church, your everyday life was secured by your Patron. Your parents could do an initial indenture, but formal indenture had to be done by personal commitment. Once linked, the indenture could only be broken by formal agreement of both parties. Every male had a “Patron” or was a Patron, it was a recognized system in which people cared for each other with a minimum of regulation.
4) Where to go from here? Well…I have the next two pages(21 & 22) inked and scripted. You want to try your hand at coloring one of them proBono? The color schemes will need to be in line with the Chapter 2 art( that are on my CCAS gallery).
Or…we can have a fruitful discussion of your O-boy storyline, although if your script is as polished as your character schetches then I can’t offer much more than editing. Where do want to go from here?
Kevin Terry said:
Hey Brien,
I just read through ch. 1 of Abalon and have looked through all your photos here on ccas. I might be able to help you with some coloring which from your notes seems to be real time consuming for you. I must say though your story telling abilities are excellent and if I did help I hope I can maintain your artistic quality. The story so far reminds me of the parable of the vineyard, you recall when the owner of the vineyard sent his son to the husbandmen they said something like this is the heir let us kill him and all will be ours. Makes me want to read that story again. Anyway I would love to help however I can, even if it only saves you a few hours.
Also, I am not familiar with patrons or praying to saints, can you tell me more about it? Thanks and God bless.
This is addressed to both talented Kevins, and anyone else too:
I work full time as a science teacher, so my in-development comic (chapter 1 is at abalonofcalifornia, and my almost complete chapter 2 is here) is a ministry in the making. I don't ever anticipate making income out of the strip, so I guess I am a hobbyist as well. I've rough scripted out 2 more chapters, and have an even rougher direction of the story out to sixteen chapters.
I have some nervousness about attaining a regular level of output, say 2-3 strips a week for a the four year period this story could pan out to. So, before I seriously go about advertising my strip, I've been praying for the Lord either send collaborators and/or show me ways to increase my production and quality level. God is gracious and I've been enjoying the learning curve as I wait on the Lord.
I'm also interested in sticking my artistic nose into other peoples projects at the slightest invitation. I suppose my special interest is in story development.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next