Creating a Graphic Novel : Art – Food – Photography

Project Tabby‘s roughs of Page 15, 16 & 17. (Check here for previous roughs.) This completes the roughs for Act 1.

The Fish Market Family (from out of town) have now regrouped under the clock tower. Each of them of sharing what they have learnt about the new neighborhood. This ending to Act 1 is meant to foreshadow what they are planning with the action to commence in Act 2 and climax in Act 3!

Page 15 roughs :

Page 16 roughs :

Page 17 roughs :

Project Tabby‘s roughs of Page 14. (Check here for previous roughs.) This is the continuation of the B Story. It’s meant to be sweet but a very innocent meeting. The shape of the centre panel is more than enough to explain to the reader what is happening without words!

Page 14 roughs :

Project Tabby‘s roughs of Page 13. (Check here for previous roughs.) I’m particularly fond of this page. It’s the start of the B-Story where the male kitten from Tabby’s family meets the female kitten from the other family of cats.

It’s really a chance meeting where the 2 kittens bump into each other. It’s a lot of fun in Act 2 to expand on this storyline! Won’t spoil how this B-Story ends but I think it’s a nice conclusion.

Page 13 roughs :

Project Tabby is progressing well with only 2 more pages from Act 2 to be pencilled and inked. I’m currently in a position when I’m starting to get ready for the project to be put onto kickstarter (it’s a crowd sourcing website).

The initial rewards are pretty straightforward e.g. PDF copy of the work, published copy of the work, thank you credits. Where it gets interesting are the higher ranged rewards which are listed below! I’m very excited about these and hopefully when I get this project kickstarted, the backers will think so too. (All include a published copy of Tabby.)

Bronze :
A piece of original Tabby sketch by the artist P. R. Dedelis. This is a definite one of a kind item as all sketches will be individual.

Silver :
Similar to the Bronze reward, however this sketch will be a lot more detailed with background included!

Gold :
This is where is gets great! You can submit a photo and the artist will include it as part of your Tabby sketch. A piece of original artwork which includes your likeness.

Platinum :
You get the choice of Bronze, Silver or Gold AS WELL as being included as a background character in the comic itself. Your likeness will be part of Tabby universe.

More roughs from Project Tabby. I like these 2 pages, they show Tabby and his family enjoying some fishy treats. One of the kittens is missing though! (The next few pages were cover where he is!). Act 1 is to set the scene and establish the central conflict. Wait for Act 2 for the fur to fly.

If you missed the previous roughs you can click for Page 8 & 9 roughs.

Page 11 roughs :

Page 12 roughs :

A couple of sketch covers done by Frank Kadar! This is an opportunity to get some amazing original artwork on eBay. Remember to bid high and bid often!

Ghost Rider :

Venom :

Project Tabby is progressing well. Act 1 is now inked and Act 2 has started! I’ll continue to provide artwork updates and in this post are the roughs for Page 8 and Page 9. The second family of cats (a.k.a. Fish Market Family) after being chased up from their arrive decide to move into Tabby’s neighborhood and explore their new surroundings!

Page 8 roughs :

Page 9 roughs :

In the last post, I did a call out to anyone interested in been a background character in my current project.

So :
“What is this project?”

I’m calling it Project Tabby until I finalise the name. The basic premise is Tabby’s (the protaginist cat) idyllic lifestyle is turned upside down when another family of cats enter the neighborhood. The story is split into 3 Acts with a short epilogue.

Writing this has been difficult as one of the challenges was to be able to tell the story without any of the cats “speaking“. The concept would the artwork and sequential panels would be enough to convey the story without the main characters talking. (Think the montage at the beginning of Up!)

So :
“How can you tell a story without talking?”

Most of it will have to do with facial expressions. (This is made harder when the characters aren’t human!) I have included the rough sketches done by P. R. Dedelis. This is the other family of cats being chased out from their neighborhood before deciding to move into Tabby’s area.

I’ll continue to post updates on the creation of this graphic novel! Keep checking back to this site for updates.

I will be writing a post with a lot more of details but my current project is really taking shape now! The script has now been written and edited. (There’s 3 Acts and an epilogue.) Currently working with an artist (more details to come of the artist, P. R. Dedelis!) and making great progress through Act 1.

So :
“Want to be part of a graphic novel?”

I’m looking for people who would like to be included as a background character for some of the scenes. (I haven’t planned what you will be doing yet.)

So :
“What’s the catch?”

Of course there’s a catch, (It’s not much a catch!) when the graphic novel is completed you’ll be under a obligation to buy a copy. It’s a great story and great artwork AND your likeness in one of the pages! More details on the story will be coming up soon.

There is a limited opportunity so please let me know early via the comments or email info [at] sigmatestudio.com to let me know. I can’t guarantee if you be slotted in but I will do my best.

A once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Stan Lee! ‘Nuff Said.