Improving Webcomic Images II

It's said that change is the only constant in the universe.  This certainly applies to any creative endeavors.  The published authors I know often talk about how their writing style improves over the course of their careers.

I've been working on my Star Wars webcomic, Breakout from Bongolaan, for over a year now and I hope my writing has improved during this process.  Although after doing a complete review of the chapters so far, 1 through 6, I've already spotted one typo!  And I'm sure there's more...

...anyway, a comic is more than just words.  It's also a visual medium and I continually look for ways to improve on this aspect of it too.  Since I'm no good at drawing, I've relied on taking photographs of my miniatures and model terrain to tell my story.  (I'm not all that great at painting my figures, but that's another issue).  Thanks to a graphic novel workshop during a PNWA (Pacific Northwest Writers Association) Conference a few years ago, I learned this technique is a valid art form known as Fumetti.  

But valid or not, there's definitely room for improvement on my part.  Despite having figures and terrain on-hand I eventually realized I needed some background to give readers a sense of place.  The picture above is my initial depiction of the Bongolaanian Presidential Palace again, as seen in my YouTube book trailer.  

A couple months ago, I stumbled across the site Wallpaper Up and I'm now in the throes of shooting new & improved images, like this...

...which I discussed at length on my Redshift Chronicles Blog a few weeks back.  

One of the programs I've been using is Paint.Net, described as a "poor man's Photoshop," to add various special effects to the photos.  However, while I enjoy taking pictures, and I know photography is an art form in and of itself, I feel my images aren't...well..."artsy" enough.  

Also, despite the size of my Star Wars Miniatures collection, I don't have the variety of models and figures needed to create all the necessary scenes.  So I've turned to real-life photography to fill in these gaps.  But in order to make these images "blend in" with the ones of miniatures, I've used the oil painting function under Paint.Net's artistic effects.  The result is somewhat "Impressionistic", like this image here...

...of the New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball at Roberson Mansion, which helps soften the starkness of a photograph.

And speaking of stark images:  It seems like the imperfections in every picture I've used jump out at me.  Maybe because I'm the director's chair, so to speak; or because I'm a closet perfectionist.  Either way, since I want to create the best possible content for my readers, I've been playing around with the oil painting function a bit more.  

This softens the image and helps hide the imperfections, as in this oil painting version of the Presidential Palace...

...but I also think it blurs the areas I want to draw the readers attention to.  Which is why I haven't used this function on any scenes involving miniatures.

Then, just a few days ago while compiling images for Chapter 7, I found myself idly playing around with Paint.Net's ink sketch function.  I applied it to the Presidential Palace photo and...

...WOW!  

I don't know about you folks, but I really like this style.  It hides the imperfections I'm worried concerned about, and yet the "ink" brings all the objects into a sharp focus.  I just have to fiddle with the black-to-color ratios for the best result.

Best of all:  It makes it look like I actually drew this stuff.

Part of me wanted to hold-off using this technique until I begin work on Book Two of the Redshift Chronicles, but I'm too excited about this to wait any longer.  

So starting with this upcoming chapter (#7), Breakout from Bongolaan, along with the subsequent Redshift Chronicles books, will have a whole new look.

Unless, of course, I find something better...

Improving Webcomic Images

For those of you who've seen my Breakout from Bongolaan book trailer, you may recognize the image above as the Bongolaanian Presidential Palace. 

One of the issues I'm having about posting material on-line, via blogging or writing a web comic, is that as I gain (hopefully) more experience, my old stuff looks--well--old.

For the past several days, intermittently I admit, I've been shooting and assembling pictures for Chapter 7.  Some of the photos I took actually fall under the category of "re shooting," since I've made several backdrops that I'll incorporate into the story.

Here's a glimpse of the final-ish version of the Presidential Palace:

The black & white image I use as the backdrop is of a large storm sweeping over a city.  I'd love to use color, but for large images such as this, it's prohibitively expensive:  $35-$70 a piece versus several dollars/each for b&w.

Another justification for using b&w images for backdrops is the action will be unfolding at night.

Although I do need color backgrounds, for now these will be limited to something I can run off my printer.

One more reason to keep playing the lottery...

Your Name in the Galaxy Far, Far Away...

 

The "Star Wars" name game floated around Facebook last week. 

 

Mine is:  Henkte Rosom.

 

Some of  my friends include:  Deena Otbad, Hosjo Lokon, Leako Sheug, Houni Shnew and Arkpi Kekan. 

 

The one that has been getting the most laughs is Botwi Wiwie.

 

Amazingly enough the names do sound Star Wars-ish, even poor Botwi's name.

 

I have several books and booklets on names and name meanings that I use to create characters.  Now I'm considering using this gimmick to conjure-up character names.

 

One problem, though, will be coming-up with appropriate city names.  Or in the case of the city/planet capital, everyone from Coruscant will have "cor" at the end of their names.

 

Talk about coming from an extended family.

The Stage is Set

 

I really like my new desk.

However, earlier this week I started working on new backdrops to use in Breakout from Bongolaan, when I discovered I needed more space to do such project. At first I used the dining room table, but I was constantly worried I'd stain it, or scratch it--like I did to my old kitchen table.

After completing the first three backdrops, I brought up one of my small banquet/gaming tables from the shed.

It's the cleanest of the two.

This arrangement worked well for the past couple days as I assembled several more backdrops.

The process involved:

Taking downloaded images to the local printshop and having copies made.

Pasting the copies to foam white boards and trimming as necessary.

Once that project was done and out of the way, I planned on shooting some pictures, but realized this arrangement wouldn't work. I needed to place the table next to a wall somewhere in order to prop-up backdrops and build scenes for each photo shoot.

So, I came up with this:

I had to move one of my foot lockers, but had enough room under the table to keep the second one, especially since I don't plan on doing much sitting at the table.

This arrangement may not be in tune with Feng shui, but it is functional. I can replace the floor lamp with one of my studio lights, or at least remove the shade to provide better illumination.

Now that the "stage is set" so to speak, I'm ready to resume my photo work, which I plan to start next week.

Situation Report (Sitrep) #1: Possible Moves by 7/599 & 8/599 DIL on Zenya

Stardate: Fiday, 104-130 ABY/TAg Market Island Security Forces

Subsector: Shannekam

Planet: Zenya

Region: The Tau-Tau Autonomous District

Situation Report:  Defending the Tarsan Evacuation Zone from Battledroid Attack

Early Evening, Local Time

Evacuation of Tarsan citizens is about to commence.  A thin defensive perimeter is currently held by the Vianda and Ooverton Constabulary Battalions (shown above).  These units are really nothing more than reinforced police companies, with only a few crew-served weapons and no artillery.  Their current orders are to conduct a holding, or at least a delaying action, until all Tarsan non-combatants have been evacuated.

How the constabulary conduct this mission will depend on what course of action the 7th Cohort/599th Droid Infantry Legion (7/599DIL) and the 8/599DIL will take.

In open combat each droid cohort is strong enough to defeat both constabulary battalions.  So the droid task force commander may execute separate attacks, in order overwhelm both constabulary units simultaneously and quickly seize the evacuation beachhead.

However, neither of the constabulary battalions are in the open.  The Vianda Battalion is currently in hasty-fortified positions around it's namesake city.  Ooverton has been abandoned and it's constabulary have entrenched and are in the process of setting-up ambush sites in the woods surrounding the beachhead. 

The droid task force commander probably knows this and will therefore concentrate is attack against one constabulary unit.  Such an attack may unfold in one of three ways--

1. A combined attack against Vianda.

This has the advantage of bringing enough force to bear against a unit in a built-up-area (BUA) and the droid will be able to keep their rear areas secure.  However, if the objective is to disrupt the evacuation, such a methodical operation will most likely allow the evacuation to proceed unmolested.

2.a. A combined attack directed against the evacuation zone's defensive perimeter.

Such an attack will by-pass the Vianda Strongpoint, but unless sufficient security forces are left behind, the droid task force's rear area could be vulnerable to a sally from the Vianda Constabulary.

The 7/599DIL will have to choose one of two routes to circumvent Vianda.  Either over the mountains, as shown above or...

2.b ...around the Vandalla Range and through the woods. 

While battledroids don't suffer from fatigue the way living beings do, they can succumb to mechanical breakdowns.  A force-march through the woods, or over the mountains may cause an extensive delay in such an attack.

The enemy plans discussed so far are based on the premise the droid task force commander's goal is to capture Tarsan citizens. 

3. If on the otherhand, he (or she?) is more interested in seizing Tarsan property, then the 7/599 and 8/599 could simply advance against Vianda and Ooverton, respectively. 

Both constabulary battalion commanders have been advised of these assessments. 

A battledroid attack--in any form--is expected to occur within the next 12 hours, or sometime before local dawn tomorrow.

The Kul'kva Constabulary Battalion is to remain on Kulovaan Island, (part of which is seen on the southern edge of the above image), until Tarsan non-combatants are evacuation to Pierson Station on Milquoor Island. 

All evacuaees and constabulary forces are to make their way to Pierson Station for final debarkation to Tarsus once Task Force 627-1 and 627-2 have arrived.

However, based on the latest position reports, TF 627-1/2's ETA are still two to four days from now. 

Website for Backdrops

(Image from WallpaperUp)

Yesterday I spent nearly four hours looking at pictures on Wallpaper Up.  It's certainly easy for any writer to get distracted while "doing research" on the internet.

But I swear this wasn't the case--for the most part.

I've been on a quest for exotic miniature backdrops to add to my meagre collection, which can be seen here and here.  Most of the stuff I found, like Ez Scenes are more suited for model railroading, depicting 1950s American and Europe than the "...galaxy far, far away." 

After a couple of hours of fruitless trolling, I was about to give up in despair.  Then I stumbled across Wallpaper Up.  The site is actually designed to provide desktop wallpaper for computer screens.  But that didn't stop me from spending an additional two hours downloading and printing various images to use as backdrops for upcoming chapters of Breakout from Bongolaan. 

I focused my search on:  Planets in Science Fiction, Futuristic Cityscapes, Futuristic Landscapes and was just taking my first peek at Battle Scenes and Star Wars, before calling it a night.

Of the 50 images I downloaded, I printed nine pieces of wallpaper art on standard 8" x 11" cardstock, that I felt would be large enough for close-up shots.  There's at least two dozen photos and on-line artwork I'd like to enlarge and paste on 20" x 30" poster boards. 

"I'd like to..." being the operative phrase.  To accomplish this, I'll have to take these to a print or photography shop.  I may trim this list down, once I get over the sticker shock of the cost per page. 

In the meantime, it's back to trolling through Wallpaper Up for more images, like this...

"Almost There..."

A couple weekends ago, my wife and I finished assembling my new corner desk, from Office Depot's Magellan Collection. We both like the style and size is appropriate for my new studio. The only problem we had was one of the shelves and the back of the drawer, each had a chunk gouged-out of them. This was most likely caused by how the desk was packaged and then shipped. When my wife called our local Office Depot, they knew right away what the problem was and ordered us replacements.

By the end of last week, I was able to do the final floor and shelf/storage arrangement. It took me nearly all day to complete, but I can honestly say I'm done.

Almost.

 

I've been feeling like Han Solo in a stalled Millenium Falcon.

 

I just have a few of the finishing touches I alluded to in the title.

This includes installing the un-gouged drawer back, which arrived just as I was loading the desk. While I have my PC up and running, it's not connected to the internet yet. So we'll either run a cable to the router or get a wireless device installed in my PC. Finally, I'll take a good look at some of my boxes-of-odds-and-ends and determine if any of the items are worth keeping.

Afterwards, I hope to re-animate the campaign on this blog and resume work on Breakout from Bongolaan. 

Some Assembly Required

 

The hiatus for this blog and the Breakout from Bongolaan webcomic continues, but there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

 

Folks often say that it takes a long time to completely move and settle into a new place. My home consolidation with Janet has proven to be no exception. Even though the Big Moving Day was almost two months ago, my studio is still in a partial state of disarray.

The primary reason for the delay in re-establishing the studio is because my large, L-shaped desk didn't quite survive the trip...

 

 ...it was the only item to suffer major damage during the move. The good news is, only have the desk is broken. The sturdier half is still intact and we may use it for a workbench. It's already being put to use as a storage shelf in the garage...

 

While I really liked the desk, a gift from my ex-wife, I had serious doubts about maneuvering it up the stairs, through the narrow hallway and into its new home.

So the only option was to embark on a quest for a new desk.

On Labor Day Monday, our labors were rewarded. We found a nice, corner desk at Office Depot. The store didn't have any in stock, so we had to get one delivered.

My new desk arrived a few days ago...

 

...now all we have to do is put it together.

 

Once this project is complete and the studio straightened out, I plan on resuming both the Redshift Chronicles Campaign and start work on Chapter 7 of Breakout from Bongolaan.

 

Thank you for your patience these past few months.

Redshift Faction Development

 

My home consolidation project my wife and I are undergoing has been moving along at glacial speed.  In the meantime, one of my friends is about to start a Stars Without Number RPG (role playing game) campaign. 

 

After rolling-up a PC (player character), I skimmed through the rest of the rules.  I became intrigued by the section on factions (Chapter 8, pages 113-128) and after further reading, I decided I'll import this into the Redshift Campaign.

 

"A faction is any group that you intend to use as an important actor in the sector. In theory, any organization could qualify as a faction; every planetary government, business, religion, or club could be described with the rules given here" (SWoN, page 113).

According to SWoN, each faction has the following characteristics:  Hit points (which I'll rename to something like, Disruption Level); along with the following ratings in Force, Cunning and Wealth (in terms of FedCreds).  During any given turn (about a month in duration), a faction can conduct one of the several actions, or counteractions listed in the rules.  Once a faction's Disruption Level reaches zero, that faction has been neutralized. 

 

So while I'm waiting for the home consolidation process to be completed, hopefully before the end of summer, my "cunning plan" is to set up all the subsector's leading factions. Since this is a pen & paper exercise, I won't have to rummage through stuff that's being primed to move. 

 

 

 

There are 16 major star systems within the Shannekam Subsector. Each one will have a planetary government and at least one megacorporation, not to mention a possible criminal organization.  I'll go through the faction set up and assign values to each one.  Then I'll probably run through a dozen turns or so, to represent the previous year.  Most likely the actions taken by each faction will be in the form of building up their resources, so they'll be more robust by the current campaign date (ABY 104-130).

 

 

Mongoose Publishing has produced a series of Traveller books under license, including a Hammers Slammers supplement.  Chapter 10 Conflict, deals with planetary wars (pgs 175-189).  Since SWoN seems to be a blending of D&D and Traveller, I should be able to use this system to play out open warfare at the strategic level.

 

Like I said, this is my "cunning plan" so far.  I figure this would be a quick and simple way to cover the grand strategic aspects of the campaign and gloss over activities happening on the fringes.

 

We'll see how this pans out...

After Action Review #4: The Evacuation of Vianda and Ooverton

 

Stardate: Fiday, 104-130 ABY/TAg Market Island Security Forces

 

Subsector: Shannekam

 

Planet: Zenya

 

Region: The Tau-Tau Autonomous District

 

After Action Review:  Evacuation of Vianda and Ooverton;

Early Morning, Local Time

 

 

Shortly before midnight, local time, the Ooverton Constabulary Battalion (OCB) secretly advanced into the Vandalla Jungle.  The battalion's mission was to establish an evacuation site near the southern shore of the island.

  

 

Once the site was established, the citizens of Vianda (population:  3,260) and Ooverton (population: 2,325) began to quietly evacuate their homes, via hiking trails through the jungle. 

 

 

Everyone was asked to turn off, or preferably abandon, electronic devices to avoid detection from the sensors of the 599DILTF (Task Force--consisting of the 7th and 8th Cohorts/599th Droid Infantry Legion).

 

 

At two hours before dawn, a task force of grav barges and grav boats, escorted by Grav Patrol Boat (GPV) 253 and GPV-254, began their approach to Vandalla's southern shore. 

 

 

Despite the slowness of the operation, due to the need for stealth, 3,463 civilians have reached the evacuation assembly area. 

 

Scouts from the Vianda Constabulary Battalion (VCB) and OCB reported no unusual activity among the two battle droid cohorts, beyond patroling their respective perimeters. 

 

 

 

Current Tactical Assessment:

 

2,122 civilians are still attempting to make it to the assembly area.

 

It is unknown at this time, how long the battle droids will maintain their defensive posture. 

 

The 599DIL-TF may launch an attack once approaching grav boats are detected, or when the civilian evacuation gets under way.

 

GM Notes:

 

The pictures used for this blog have been done over with an "oil painting" effect available on Paint.Net, a free picture-enhancing download.  The photos, from top to bottom are:  Burmese Refugees, Vietnam Refugees and U.S. Marines on Patrol.

 

Redshiftus Interruptus?

Last weekend, my fiance and I got married.  We've consolidated our lives--now we have to consolidate our households.  So I'll be involved in the process of moving.

I have no intention of abandoning this blog, or halting the current campaign, or the webcomic storyline.  However, by necessity, I will be much slower at providing content until I'm resettled again.

There are currently six chapters available for Breakout from Bongolaan.  Right now, our heroes are relaxing in the Presidential Palace, while an Imperial-sponsored coup attempt is about to unfold. 

This situation is based on a role playing game session I ran a couple of years ago. In game terms, this occurred on the Galactic New Year.

The situation is based on a Star Wars Role Playing Game session I ran a couple of years ago.  I took a slew of photos during and after the game and even added special effects to many of the pictures.

There's just one problem:  I don't like most of them. 

I intend to conduct re-shoots when I get the chance.

 Meanwhile, it is between the 103rd and 104th day of the campaign and the situation on Zenya will continue to unfold.  Posting invasion updates should be quicker for me--the operative word being "should." 

I also have a few non-Redshift projects that have been laying dormant that I may be able to complete during this semi-hiatus.

Thank you for your support--and please don't go away--I'll try to provide timely content as best I can!

Webcomic Chapter 6 Posted

Breakout from Bongolaan's Chapter 6 (pages 147-182) is now available.  The Soundtrack Interlude for this chapter and overall Theme Song for entire graphic novel is, Red Skies by The Fixx.  I had this song in mind when I was developing The Redshift Chronicles.  I thought the lyrics' apocalyptic feel was a near-perfect image of the "...galaxy far, far away..." sliding back into the Dark Side.  (I mentally substituted "stars" for the word "skies").

Chapter 6 is a transition point from the preliminary introductions to the main storyline:  An impending attack and the people caught-up in the chaos. 

The initial Star Wars RPG adventure I ran a couple years ago, was based on Traveller's Night of Conquest.  But instead of two warring factions on one planet, I expanded the scope to include a resurgent Galactic Empire in which the players found themselves on the new front lines.

Webcomic Chapter 5 Posted

After attending the Emerald City Comicon (ECCC) last weekend, I was inspired to resume work on my current webcomic, Breakout from Bongolaan.  Chapter 5 has now been posted (pages 124-146). 

The Soundtrack Interlude I chose for this chapter was Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day.  This was the closest song I could think of with a despairing "footsteps theme."

I plan on posting Chapter 6 next week after doing some final editing. 

Intelligence Summary #16: Bongolaan's Brute Battalion

 

Stardate: Fiday, 104-130 ABY/Tarsan Intelligence Service (TIS)

Subsector: Shannekam

 

Since his Imperial-sponsored New Year's Eve Coup, President Bunda Akhtar has rapidly consolidated power through legislation and executive directives.  However, Bongolaan's new leader has also employed more ruthless--and less legal--methods of tightening his control over the planet.

 

One scheme to circumvent the Imperial limitations on autonomous planetary militias within the Empire, Bunda Akhtar has raised several "civic organizations," for the supposed benefit of the populace.  One such group is the Citizens Against Counter-Revolutionary Activities (CACA).  However, the beings of Bongolaan have another name for this band of thugs:  The Brute Battalion.

 

CACA/The Brute Battalion is a paramilitary force that serves as President Akhtar's private group of bounty hunters.  So far the group has not yet been sanctioned by the Galactic Bounty Hunter's Guild and none of it's members get an official salary.  Instead, members receive payment upon job completion from various "concerned citizens," who've posted bounties against anyone on the Enemies of the State List--which continues to grow almost daily.

More than likely, the source of the bounty payments originate from Bunda Akhtar, or from his inner circle of planetary ministers.

 

 

The Brute Batallion is led by Roten Lardas, the tubby Trandoshan seen in the center of the above image.  While often refered to as "Rotten Lard Ass" by the Bongolaanian citizenry, no one laughs at this play on words. 

 

Those who are charged with committing minor infractions can expect to be sentenced to one year of forced labor on one of the planet's gabaki plantations.  They are discharged automatically upon completion of their sentence--provided they survived this stint of "community service."

 

Rumors have also spread throughout the subsector that indentured servitude is not the only punishment inflicted upon those who've earned Akhtar's displeasure.  There are unsubstantiated reports of victims being fed into gabaki shredders, similar to the one pictured below...

 

 

 ...or tossed into the Bongodile Pit, which was recently built within the Presidential Palace compound.

 

 

Those who perceive such a grisly fate is in store for them, put up a desperate fight and even commit suicide, rather than be captured by henchmen such as Lardas and his brutes.  Due to such firefights, it is said that the life expectancy of a Brute Battalion trooper is short.

 

While the members of the Brute Battalion have considerable combat skills, the group as a whole is not a cohesive fighting unit.  Garrisoned in maniple (company)-sized units throughout the major cities, the Brute Battalion is said to be comprised of malcontents ranging from those who supported former President Zeveg Bharzi, to anyone merely harboring anti-Imperial sentiments.  Whatever the reason, such individuals have probably been deemed a security risk and are unable to find work until they prove their loyalty to the People's Democratic Republic of Bongolaan and the Empire.  In addition to being a band of government contracted bounty hunters, the Brute Battalion also doubles as a penal unit.

 

So far, the Brute Battalion has limited its activities to the Bongolaan System.  This may change in the near future as the unit and its members gain more operational experience.  If this occurs, TIS operatives may be contacted by battalion members wanting to defect.  However, be aware of the possibility that such an individual may be a double agent posing as a deserter. 

 

GM's Note:

 

Roten Lardas is represented by the figure of Gha Nachkt in the Star Wars Miniatures collection.

 



After Action Review #3: Invasion of Vandalla Island

 

 

 

Stardate: Forday, 103-130 ABY/TAg Market Island Security Forces

Subsector: Shannekam

Planet: Zenya

Region: The Tau-Tau Autonomous District

After Action Review:  Bongolaanian Invasion of Vandalla Island;

Evening, Local Time

 

In the late afternoon, the TAg Market Island Security Satellite (Secsat) detected two task forces of grav barges putting to sea from Donmils and Havran Islands.  About an hour before local sunset, the task forces reached the northern shoreline of Vandalla Island.

 

 

According to the invasion plans, discovered by Diplomatic Security Team-Three (DST-3), this attack was not suppose to commence for another 18-36 hours.  The Bongolaanian ground force commander may have realized the plans were compromised and decided to launch the attack early.

 

The TAg Market Island Grav Patrol Boat Squadron, however, had a surprise of its own. 

 

 

 

Shortly after sunset, both naval task forces were attacked by GPVs 255 and 256. 

 

 

 Several guard vessels and grav barges were damaged and/or destroyed in the attack. 

 

 

 Unfortunately, GPV-255 was sunk with all hands. 

 

(Image derived from the album cover of Fast Attack Boats)

 

 

GPV-256, didn't fare any better.  The boat sustained heavy damage and over half the crew were injured, some seriously.  Lieutenant Commander Katzir managed to beach the shattered hulk near Ooverton and evacuate his surviving crew. 

 

(Image derived from the Movieland Wax Museum Exhibit of PT-109)

 

 While neither of the Bongolaanian landing forces sustained serious casualties, it appeared to have delayed the advances on Vianda and Ooverton. 

 

 

 By midnight local time, the battledroids of the 7th and 8th Cohorts of the 599th Droid Infantry Legion (599 DIL) appeared to have assumed a defensive posture against another possible counter attack. 

 

 

 

This respite allowed the Vianda and Ooverton Constabulary Battalions to muster up to full strength, while initiating the evacuation of non-combatants in both cities. 

 

 GM's Notes

 

The ship counters in the map pictures were borrowed from Command at Sea, while the infantry units are from Star Viking--which is a free download!