Some sketches and designs I did when I was in pre-production phase of Clair de Lune.
I found the page where I originally wrote down the first plot diagram, some of the influences and even drew bits of scenes I had in mind. For this comic I really wanted to do a proper pre-production and have everything mostly clear from the start, so that when I got to drawing, I could just keep going without stuff left to figure out later.
I also put together a playlist around this time, because the music was so vital to this project. I wanted to have a clear vibe in mind, and to choose some pieces that would appear in the story.
I’ll share some more insights on the process soon. Meanwhile, a reminder that you can grab Clair de Lune at @shortboxcomicsfair only until the end of October!
Onto the actual process of the pages! First, I tried to estimate the amount of pages based on the outline I had written. There were a few pages in doubt, but it finally stuck more or less like this. From the beginning I tried to find a length I could handle and finish in time.
I knew the story would take more pages than I would be able to colour, a technicality that conjoined with the creative decision to tie the colour to the music scenes and keep the rest in B&W. This was reflected on the estimated graphic.
I then did a very messy first draft of the storyboard, trying stuff, crossing out, marking what works.
With that, I wrote down the final dialogues. Once I had those, I made an effort to draw a very clear version of the storyboard. I don’t always do this, but this time I wanted to trace my pencils over these in order to work faster.
I traced the pencils with red lead and then drew the final lines with a regular mechanical pencil. I made the onomatopoeias aside, same process.
Then it’s computer time! Scanned, edited, added grey texture and colours… And done!
As a plus, let me show some of the ideas and variations I sketched for the cover. Drafting ideas, choosing and designing the cover is always an extra struggle for me.
And that’s a wrap on process insights, I believe! Hope you enjoyed these. Remember Shortbox Comics Fair is only up until 31st October, just a few days left to pick up Clair de Lune!
Thanks a lot for reading!
I wanted to finish this month on a high note, sooo as @shortboxcomicsfair wraps up, thought I could try a little stream playing some tunes on my clarinet and waving goodbye to Clair de Lune era 👉👈 How does that sound?
Don’t expect anything other than an amateur clarinetist doing videogame soundtacks and babbling in poor English, but this month has truly been a special experience and wanted to thank you all for your support and for putting up with all my promo posts 🙏
Join me on insta, @/takoxuls, 27th Oct at 6 p.m. GMT +2 ✨
Little round of @shortboxcomicsfair very casual doodles an recommendations. There are a lot of reads I’m enjoying a lot this year, and wanted to share appreciation for at least some of them.
Ahhh thank you so much!! I was afraid at times that I might be doing something a bit too niche with like the daydreams and such, but to see it’s finding people out there that enjoy it and find it inspiring is so rewarding! Thanks a lot for reading 🧡
The inspiration for it was a huge mixture of stuff, but primarily, a lot of it comes from my own 10 years as a clarinet student, first at a local school and then at the conservatory. For proof, check this lil’ gremlin out:
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I’ve wanted to make a story about a conservatory for so long because, with perspective, it always felt like such a curious place. All the weirdos of high school were here, yet they were replicating the same social structure as high school. It turned an art/passion into something potentially competitive, but also collaborative. You could come out of a class crying, or improvise a fun fanfare with your orchestra pals. So a lot of the anecdotes, details, music pieces and such come directly from here.
I would also imagine stories and adventures in my mind while I was playing in orchestra or band, listening to the music, which is a very present element in the comic as well.
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But the actual story has more to do with my experience drawing, instead of playing music. Caring for what your mentor says, comparing yourself to others, being a perfectionist, trying to make something meaningful, finding the fun in the process again… those were the themes I was trying to reflect on.
As per inspiration from other media, there was a lot of stuff in my mind… To name a few: Whisper of the heart, Kids on the slope, Gundam - Witch from Mercury and Bloodborne are maybe the more obvious ones, but there was also some Utena, Evangelion or Blue Drop.
I also put together a playlist quite soon, since the music was so important in this project and I wanted to have a clear vibe in mind.
Lastly, I’ll leave some snippets of my pinterest board, since the visual aspects of the whole thing were a bit difficult to grasp for me at first, and putting these together always helps a lot:
Hope you like this little inspo board! Still feels like making Clair de Lune happened in a fever dream tbh.
Alba plays the clarinet; Mera is a pianist. They are NOT friends. But it seems, via their music, they both may be seeing the same vision of a giant, mysterious creature… What exactly is it, and can the girls get along long enough to find out? ‘Clair de Lune’ is a new comic from the ace @takitakos, releasing at SB Fair this October!
Excited to share a bit more of my upcoming comic. Here are the first 7 pages for you to get a little taste!
It’s a music school story where two teens, a clarinet player and a pianist that don’t exactly get along, will try to play a duet in order to summon a mysterious creature together.
Clair de Lune will be available digitally throughout October at @shortboxcomicsfair along with tons of other amazing comics.
68 pages! Part colour, part B&W! Music! Kaijus! Enemies to lovers!? Please look forward to it!
One month left until @shortboxcomicsfair, one month left until Clair de Lune releases!
A music school story where two teens, a clarinet player and a pianist that don’t exactly get along, will try to play a duet in order to summon a mysterious creature together.
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