This first adventure “The Poem” a Ze and Zo Adventure is finished. 82 pages and in the end Maizie performs the poem she and Glo have been working on. I hope you enjoy the ending.
I’ve printed the book, should you be interested in holding Ze and Zo in your hands you can find it here.
I have some ideas for a second and maybe third adventure that have been foreshadowed. But for the time being, I’m creating some shorter pieces and they are in color!
On the night before the big performance, the relationship of Mazie’s mother Del and her Aunt Gloria heats up.
This is the second to last chapter.
I used the same process as for Chapter 7 (drawn and colored in Procreate, with text and balloons in Clip Studio Paint) and kept musical company with Sara Watkins and other modern bluegrass groups.
The school situation is still difficult for Maizie. The teacher and the other children continue to pick on her. Aunt Gloria steps in.
This chapter was drawn and colored in Procreate. I did the text and speech bubbles in Clip Studio Paint.
I worked on this chapter during the Graphic Novel Intensive in the Sequential Artist’s Workshop. I am grateful for helpful feedback received by the instructors and my fellow students.
I listened to Annie Lennox and Joan Armatrading while drawing this chapter.
The heat is turning up on Maizie and getting prepared for her performance of a poem at the Mother Daughter Tea. More Klaus, more Glo and plenty of more Del. Or ‘mo Klaus, ‘mo Glo and lot ‘mo.
In this chapter, I moved my process back 80% into Procreate. I’m using Clip Studio Paint (CSP) for the panels, page layout and words/balloons. But then I bring these into Procreate. Why? I just really enjoy the experience of drawing and creating in the really clean interface-it feels to me like I’m working in a sketchbook. CSP is really powerful and yet feels “work-y” to me. And I’m in this for the fun first, challenge second.
I’m also enrolled in the Sequential Artists Workshop (SAW) and their Graphic Novel Intensive. This community is absolutely amazing me: welcoming, guidance, inspiration. With what I’m learning there, I’m directing my drawing style back “to the beginning”-and hoping all of the studying and practicing I’ve done in the past year will help my comics be “me” and yet more readable.
Music track for this chapter: Keb Mo and his friends. Perfect for a hot summer in California.
What’s the alternative to the “stupid, spider poem”? And will Maizie’s efforts help her stay out of trouble at school?
Factoids:
I published this Chapter 5 in July 2021.
I move the creation of this from Procreate into Clip Studio Paint (CSP)-and mostly on my IPad. CSP has a desktop application so some of the work, notably the panels, and word balloons were done on the desktop. I’m still on the fence as to which program I prefer. I want the best of each of them!
I also switched to 6 square panels/page-maybe I’ll want to really launch this as a web-comic, viewable on mobile.
And I put up this website! With the help of the Toochecke Plug-in and its creator Brian Mukulu.
Chapter 5 was drawn to music by 10,000 Maniacs and friends.
Saturday is Chore Day at the Jackson’s. And what about this poem?
Factoids:
I published this Chapter 4 in March 2021.
This was all created in Procreate, on my IPad Pro.
Chapter 4 was drawn to music by The Wailing Jennies and other contemporary mostly female bluegrass.
After the therapy session, there’s lot to sort out around Maizie’s dinner table. Gloria cooked dinner! Learn about who Gloria is, and other family complications.
Factoids:
I published Chapter 3 in September 2020.
This was all created in Procreate, on my IPad Pro.
Chapter 3 was drawn to music by Joan Armatrading (and friends).
Maizie’s about to meet the therapist “required” by the principal in the last chapter. He’s cute-and he’s got an adorable dog. What’s not to love?
Factoids:
I published this Chapter 2 in June 2020.
This was all created in Procreate, on my IPad Pro.
Chapter 2 was drawn to music by Florence and The Machine.
Hello friends!
I’m so excited to share Ze and Zo with you on the web.
Maizie’s in trouble, again. Check out how her mother feels about this and who is waiting for them at home.
Factoids:
Chapter 1 was published in May 2020.
