Dance of Heart

Depends where they would be hotlinked to, of course. XD

just make sure the image itself is a link to the archive page :) that way they don't get out of date

like this:

@jim

That's totally fine. I would like people to visit the site though. So maybe once in a while I'll hotlink an issue over here.

@maria

Glad you're already interested!

@jim @maria

I'm not just the writer, but directed Murat (my illustrator) in the steps to produce the comic. Production has already become more digital since the first issues were drawn, but the breakdown of probably the first dozen or so issues goes something like this:

• Murat receives my script + panel direction, and does a mini rough draft of how he interprets my direction
• Murat shows me his draft and I approve it or ask him to take a different direction to ensure that my vision is accurately portrayed
• After it is approved, Murat draws everything (i.e. art and panel lines) on an 8.5"x11" paper, drawing everything to size within the confines of the paneling
• The issue is scanned in at 300 or so DPI and saved as a JPG.
• The issue is imported into Manga Studio Debut 4, size-adjusted to MSD4's canvas confines, and word/thought bubbles and text are added
• The issue is exported as a JPG, then imported into a Photoshop template that I made that already has the title, credits, and page number in it.
• The full issue is then exported as a JPG and uploaded to my server for my retrieval and quality checking.
• I either approve it, or ask Murat to make corrections.
• Once Murat's work is done, I make final touches to the issue in Photoshop to give the issue a softer tone and heavier lines.
• Finally, I downsize the image accordingly, export as a JPG, and post it to the site.

This may seem like a lot, but it's what works to get the job done after much trial, error, and research in scanning and print quality. The only difference that will be shown in later issues is that now he first draws everything digitally with the new tablet I bought him for his birthday, creates the panels digitally within MSD4 on a 8.5"x11" 300DPI canvas, and fits his individual drawings into each panel accordingly. We are happy that we can now completely eliminate the scanning step which caused us the most headache.

Hope that makes sense. =]

@maria

It's not downloadable. We bought it from the Apple store. Then again, you may find it around the net.

Issue #003 has been posted!

Dance of Heart - Issue #003: Liftoff

@Nina haha fanservice :)

@jim - Yes, fanservice of a character I adore. I like to appeal across the board, you know? ^^;

Issue #004 is UP!

Dance of Heart - Issue #004: A Good Look

Issues #005 + #006 APPU desu.

Dance of Heart - Issue #005 - Always On My Mind

Dance of Heart - Issue #006 - A Fun Day

@jim

Yes, but I don't post them because it will overflow off the layout. I tried to choose a resolution that would compensate, but there are times when the text does get too small, I know. I can make larger ones available though...

Sent a quick note to Kou about this and only Issue 06 was difficult for text. I got a bit crazy with my direction, so it's my fault that there's so much going on with little space for text. That was a fluke and won't happen again.

We're also restricted to the pre-made layout I chose at this time. I have every intention of making it a bit larger when I am able to design a custom layout of DoH.

Very sorry that size is taking away from the enjoyment. I'll be exploring solutions this weekend.

For those who have been wanting larger versions of our issues, my latest delay update has info on that:

Issues #007 & #008 Delay Update

very cool! can't wait for next week :)

PS - would you be cool with hotlinking the images? I hear it helps pagerank ;)

It looks pretty interesting! I wish I could draw manga like that!! Anyone know how the illustrator got all the images and text on a page so it became a manga?

@maria I think he just drew the lines in between cells.

He probably drew each cell separately first and then redrew them all on the page...

You could use photoshop or similar software (I like inkscape) to organize them, but I don't know for sure how murat did it.

@Nina Maybe you could get murat to do a little write up on his process for us?

Awesome! Thanks for the extensive description of this process. It is very helpful and interesting to know. I think I'll try and download that program...