The Legend of Harapan

Today began the journey to complete the newest issue of The Legend of Harapan. You can follow my progress on my YouTube Channel @MisterHen.

Kayden is a young teenage courier on the island of San Sebastian. He dreams that one day he will be the greatest professional Ringo Player, ever to play the game. Will his dreams lead to the place he envisions, or will the tides of Harapan carry him to place he could've never imagined?

Check out the Origin story for FREE.

Review - "The art looked a lot like a storybook. It had a strong European influence, which made it stand out and be memorable. The line work is all very clean with only a few lines of excess for detail, but otherwise it’s outlined perfectly. The coloring is also a thing of beauty as there is very little shadowing. You don’t realize how many comics are drowned in darkness until you see a comic that’s expertly colored." Dustin Cabeal, Comic Bastards

Review - "It takes a lot of skill to give so much expression and life to simple creatures, and there is no lack of detail here. There is a great use of dynamic posing here, and the way they use panels is top-notch." - Scotty G, Indie Comic Review

As I embark on the journey of creating my graphic novel with the guidance of Jake Parker's and Shawn Crystal's Graphic Novel Pro through The School for Visual Storytelling, I came to a realization: I haven't created a comic since 2013! The absence has led me to forget that a tablet is essential for the later stages of my workflow. Back in 2013, I used a Wacom tablet that was budget-friendly compared to some premium options available then, specifically the Cintiq. While it served its purpose, I always found it to be somewhat bulky and sluggish.

Fast forward to now, and the market is brimming with excellent tablet options. However, I quickly found that juggling my NC Teaching License workload affected my ability to stay on track with my GNPro class. Without my trusty Wacom tablet, I sought recommendations for alternatives. The XP Pen came highly recommended, prompting me to delve into reviews and comparisons across various models. Ultimately, I decided on the Artist 22R Pro, a 22-inch tablet noted for its impressive sensitivity and strong 4.7-star rating at the time. It was a significant investment, but the discounts made it appealing. I acknowledged there would be an adjustment period since I cherish the tactile feel of pencil on paper. Nonetheless, I recognized the efficiency gains that digital tools can offer. To my delight, I’ve been genuinely impressed with this tablet! Its user-friendly interface, customizable hotkeys, and rotating wheel for zooming or rotating are particularly impressive. This device truly is a game changer.

After several practice sessions, I have successfully navigated the learning curve and can finally see the potential ahead. I'm thrilled with some of my recent artworks that I just had to share. The initial two in my series were created the traditional way, while the last piece includes three quick sketches of Kayden Crowe holding a Ringo ball, all done in Photoshop using the XP Pen. My excitement for my creative process is reignited. It feels rejuvenating, especially after a period of feeling overwhelmed with all the learning and making little progress. I'm immensely grateful for this small victory!

If you find yourself struggling to accomplish a task, don't lose hope. Keep moving forward, one step at a time. There is something rewarding at the end of your journey. Trust the process. I hope my experiences offer some encouragement, and as always, have a wonderful day.