Renae De Liz's Blog, page 3

30 Minutes Left!

Hello everyone! :) This is a quick post to ask for anyone interested to give one last post for this Kickstarter! We have a bout 30 minutes left, and any tweets, Facebook posts, or anything else is EXTREMELY appreciated! :)

LINK TO KICKSTARTER! 

We're hoping to get closer to $70,000 so I can include more content in the Kickstarter copies copies. In this case it would be a Preview from Volume Two, depicting scenes from Hook's past! I'll do my best to include this preview anyway, but the closer to $70,000, the easier that will be. ALSO here is a black and white preview of the Christmas Peter Pan artwork that will be available IN COLOR for you backers to print and give to those who pre-ordered the book for Christmas gifts (there will be text on the final version to let them know). The recipient will also have a link to a site where they can see the same art/story updates you will receive!


If you're a current backer and you'd like to add a second copy (or third, etc) of the book to your reward, you can either: 

-Add $35 to your total and message us to let us know about your add-on
- Select the "IT'S A GIFT..." Reward, which includes 2 copies of everything. 

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO SUPPORTED US AND MADE THIS PROJECT A REALITY! HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON! :)-Renae

Peter Pan Art Giveaway

Just for fun, and for celebration of hitting the 50% funding mark ON THE PETER PAN KICKSTARTER, I would like to have a little art giveaway to show my thanks. All you have to do to enter is A) be a backer of this project; and B) comment in the first update on the Kickstarter page, and tell me who your favorite character in Peter Pan is and why! I will then randomly choose one of you as the winner! Contest will run through tomorrow and I will pick the winner on Thursday, November 29th.Here is the piece of art up to win:PETER IN KENSINGTON GARDENS (marker artwork) Click here to see biggerDid you know Peter had a goat? He did. Before Neverland, he would ride and explore Kensington Gardens in the night, searching for young children who were accidentally left behind at lock-out time. He would take them to a safe house built by fairies, where they would be safe from the cold, as well from the bad fairies who roam the Gardens in the dark.Sometimes, however, he was too late to save them. In those cases Peter would construct sweet little gravestones, and carve simple inscriptions. Thanks everyone! :)~Renae

Neverland Image

Hello all! :)

Well, we're about 4 days into the Kickstarter campaign and about to cross the 38% funded mark at $18,000! :) Needless to say I'm incredibly happy and beyond thankful for the support everyone has shown so far.  I have some neato things planned for the campaign, and once this Holiday Weekend is over, I'll be certain to post about them.

(click for larger view)

NEVERLAND
(My interpretation of Neverland: There is a Neverland for each child, whose mind and fantasies dictates what the island contains. Then there is THE Neverland. The one that is at the center and connects all other islands. This is the one Peter Pan rules.)
For anyone who desires to help the campaign succeed, any tweets, posts, or even interviews would highly be appreciated. :) I cannot thank you enough for those who do this, because getting the word out is the life-blood of any Kickstarter Campaign and dictates whether they succeed or fail!
Thanks again everyone!!! :) 

~Renae

PETER PAN KICKSTARTER IS LIVE!

I am so excited.... and stressed!!! :D

Watch the video for LOTS of new artwork, and see more information HERE



Also here is a 2 page preview from the graphic novel (unlettered). This section is from The Little White Bird (prequel to Peter and Wendy)

(click image to see larger)


This campaign is so much different than it was with Womanthology, and personally much more is at stake. My (and Ray's) life right now is primarily freelance consisting of many little projects and playing catch-up with commissions. It's an unsteady existence and some months we are unsure if we'll have enough money to keep up basic living costs. After I almost passed way this last June due to Sepsis, things got even more difficult. I couldn't work for a few months, then once I was able to, I've felt like all I've done is play catch-up, and not moved forward like our family needs to.

This campaign becoming successful would mean that we can be SURE we'll be okay for 5 months, and we can count on that security, even for a little bit. Less stress,  which is what I need for my health, and above all, TIME. Time to not only get past any catch-up left, but I get to take time and care creating a story I'm entirely passionate about, and really make it really special.

So keep your fingers crossed for us! And if you feel feel like helping, any retweets and posts would be the very best thing you can do!

Thanks everyone!! :) More updates and art to come!

~Renae

Get Ready... Get Set...

The Kickstarter is a'coming! We're aiming for TUESDAY afternoonto launch! We're knee deep in final prep, but here are some pirates for your enjoyment! :)

(click image for larger view)

More art coming tomorrow!! :) Back to worksies I go!

~Renae

Tinker Bell: Colored

It's been awhile! Been super busy working on my various projects, trying to keep my head above the water. Peter Pan is flying right along and we should be ready to launch on Kickstarter before Thanksgiving!! :)  I cannot show all the artwork we're making (will be in the video though!) but here's a pic of Tinker Bell in all her fully finished glory (pencils: Me - inks/colors: Ray Dillon)

(click image to view larger)

We all know Tinker Bell well from the Disney version, but she's actually quite a bit more devilish in the novel. My version she'll be clothed in a variety of styles (as she's a bit on the vain side, she would probably change up her look) all of which are made of Skeleton Leaf, which is more true to the novel.

I'll have a lot lot more coming very quickly as we get amped up to launch the Peter Pan: Graphic Novel on Kickstarter. It would mean A LOT to me if you would follow this project on twitter @PeterPanComic . During the campaign I'll be giving away Peter Pan sketches and whatnot to followers and random backers of the project ;) So hope to see you all on there!

I'd also like to mention the news that IDW Publishing (who Ray and I have previously worked with on with The Last Unicorn, Servant of the Bones, and Womanthology) has agreed to publish Peter Pan!!  We are very happy about this. Not only do we enjoy working with everyone there, but we also really are impressed with their quality of books. We are, however, still following through with the Kickstarter for various reasons, including being able to work on our own schedule ( a MUST when you're a comic artist/mom combo) and make the Peter Pan series exactly how I invision it. I'll yap more about this whole thing as things develop, but needless to say I'm very excited about this entire thing :)

Finally I'd like to draw some attention to a wonderful friend who has really helped us get this campaign of the ground. Check out Peter Mellini's comic shop at NostalgicBooksAndComics.com pretty please!

I'll be back soon with more news and art! :) Hope everyone is wonderful!!

~Renae

Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld

I though I'd gather together all of my Amethyst: Princess of Gemworld stuff onto one page :) For those that don't know, she is an older DC character that was a precursor to She-Ra. The old comics were full of fantasy, magic, pegasus, pastel crystals, and everything else you can't help but love about 80's properties ;)  I found out about her on a tour of the DC offices in 2008, and I've spent years since re-creating her original tale in an updated manner. Not only do I just LOVE the story and character, but I feel that Amethyst done correctly, would absolutely bring in a whole new readership to comics in general.

Someday I would love to write as well as draw this. It would be all ages (nothing worse than Harry Potter anyway) and would be an updated version of the original Maxi Series (so think Dark Opal, Princess Emerald, Granch, towering crystals, trees with faces, the whole kaboodle ;)). As with the original, it would be a tale of high fantasy, adventure, and love.

Below you'll find parts of my pitch that I sent to DC. Earlier this year I was considered for the new Amethyst series as artist, but they went another direction. I am absolutely honored to have even been considered and it was a wonderful experience! :)  I feel the artist they picked is perfect for the new story.

But my passion will always lie with telling my version of Amethyst, so I'll keep up hope someday DC will give me that chance.

(forgive me, a lot of the art is years old! ;) )

Amethyst

Amy Winston, a 13 year old of Gotham is stolen away to another world full of magic and horrors. There she discovers her destiny as princess and heir of the ruling domain of Amethyst. An ancient evil seeking to devour the planet attempts to destroy her while Amy learns how to wield newfound powers with hopes of becoming the savior of the Universe.

Princes Amethyst - age 18 (Gemworld time)

Main Characters / Locations
AMY WINSTON is an almost 13 year old girl that lives with her father in a small apartment in the slums of Gotham. Her father of the GCPD (Gotham City Police Department) is always working in an effort to provide Amy with a stable home. However, perplexed on how to properly take care of an almost teen daughter, he leaves Amy to take care for herself most the time, which she actually prefers.
She is a quiet, shy girl who aims to be invisible, both to her peers as well as to remain unnoticed on the dangerous streets of Gotham. Inside she is intelligent, bold, and harbors a fierce admiration of Wonder Woman (whose poster graces the wall of Amy's bedroom.) She spends her time wandering the city, which she finds fascinating.
Amy is in reality the daughter of King and Queen Amethyst, the ruling domain of Gemworld. Her real father and mother were married out of political convenience, both good fair people, but not in love. When 7 months pregnant, Queen Amethyst ran away with Citrina’s help to Earth, to hide from Dark Opals murderous onslaught.  She finds herself in Gotham. Lost, afraid, but in awe of the city, she meets Amy’s future step-father. He helps Queen Amethyst find her feet in the new world, and soon they fall in love and become married.

Queen Amethyst is murdered 3 years after Amy’s birth by Granch’s henchman (see GRANCH)

As Amy approaches her thirteenth birthday, she is tricked into going to Gemworld. In the new world, she is approximately 5 years older, as time flows differently in each place. She discovers she has powers that are vast and difficult to control. She is ordained to be the one to stop the Dark Evil from devouring the planet, and thereby the universe (see GEMWORLD)

Amy is thrust into a struggle for balance. On Earth she is a quiet, unnoticed girl with hardly any friends or family. On Gemworld she is a warrior Princess where every person on the planet knows her name. Countless people love her and count on her to save them from Dark Opal.



GEMWORLD This world is the oldest of planets. The true name has been lost to time, however Amy affectionately decides to call it “Gemworld”. The planet is small but rules a massive power that holds the universe together by way of twelve precious gems. The “birthstone” references actually originate from Gemworld, but over millions of years those same stones have made their way to Earth as well which is why Earth is tied so intracately to Gemworld.
There has been a horrific dark presence that has been hunting down Gemworld for an unknowable amount of time in an attempt to destroy the universe and reshape it as it’s own. Every few thousands of eons the planet is found and threatened by the same evil, and is forced to “move” to another place in the universe to hide. This time the darkness tries a different tactic to gain the power of the gems and take over (see DARK OPAL)

Types of Gems/Domains:

Garnet: Winged Horse Riders of the DesertAmethyst: Rulers of Crystaline Caverns (RULING HOUSE)Ruby: Were-beasts of the HillsSapphire: Ice Warriors of the Mountains (Princess Sapphire is engaged to Topaz, and Amethyst's rival)Agate: Mer-people of the rivers and lakesEmerald: Dryads of the Wood Opal: Ancients of the UnderworldCarnelian: Pantaurs of the Jungle (creatures that are half man, half large cat)Peridot: Rock People of the VolcanosTurqoise:  Nomads of the Sea (Princess Turqoise is Amethyst's close friend)Topaz: Icarus of the SkiesBloodstone: Demons of the City
DARK OPAL House OPAL consisted of peaceful monks living far beneath the world. They practiced magick with the intent of healing and working with souls of the dead for peaceful purposes. A zealot prince of their time, named Markuz decides to stretch the boundaries by calling upon souls of the dead, and opens himself too far. The Dark Evil pounces, and violently takes over Markuz’s body. His wife and best friend happened to be too close at this time, so their bodies and spirit were also trapped within Markuz (their faces can be seen on Dark Opals shoulders, sometimes they speak). Markuz then becomes Dark Opal, a creature so demonic and powerful many houses, including Opal and Carnelian, quickly fall to his whim.  He retains a banded blue and black appearance, and can shape shift into various creatures.


Brief Rundown of Issues 1-2
Amy lives in a dangerous neighborhood of Gotham. Her father is an officer for GCPD (Gotham City Police Department). He is a stolid, good man who (after Amy’s mother’s death 10 years prior) doesn’t really know how to best care for his daughter. Every day Amy walks to South Gotham Junior High through the dangerous city. She aims to be invisible, to avoid both peers and the violence Gotham City can bring. Inward she is strong, bold and intelligent beyond her years (almost strangely so). Though most comply with her need to be invisible, some do take notice.



As her 13th Birthday approaches, a small creature starts to follow her around the city. It slips a gem ring into a birthday present left in her room. The gem is revealed to her to be an Amethyst, and she soon starts to hear whispers and odd color shifting in things around her. The night of her birthday a large demon bursts through her closet and steals her away to a new world. 


She awakens in a dark dungeon far underground. There she discovers many skeletons, half buried in the soft sand. Granch, a scarred, battle worn Pantaur reveals himself, chained to the wall as a prisoner. He warns her to not move as there are giant worms sensitive to movement that devour prisoners. She and Granch collaborate to escape, however Granch disappears leaving her to escape the giant castle (which she later discovers is the Carnelian Castle, catching a glimpse of Topaz and Dark Opal along the way) by herself.

She’s then pursued into the outlying jungle by horrible creatures. Granch appears before she’s killed, and demands for her to use her powers. Not knowing what he’s talking about, Amy cannot obey. Granch pushes her hand outward toward the enemies, and her instinctual powers are unleashed, destroying the foes. Granch reveals to Amy who she really is, Princess Amethyst, heir to the vast powers of the Ruling House of this world. He explains briefly that the planet, ruled by 12 precious and powerful stones, is so old that its name has been lost to the eons. Amy from then on calls it Gemworld.



Granch decides to help her, but makes it known he also hates her, for reasons he won’t tell. Confused by his anger, she has no choice to accept. Onward they go on their first quest, to find Citrina, the good witch woman who has been steward of Amethyst since the House of Amethyst was destroyed. She soon discovers a horrific evil, The Lord Dark Opal, has set out to find and destroy her. She wants to go home but cannot, and Granch tells her only Citrina may know a way. And there the adventure begins. 

Why it's important to support aspiring creators

Hello all! :)

I felt compelled to share this today!

Here is a pic of my very very first published work, from when I was about 9 years old. It was fan art in Betty & Veronica (Archie) #89


I labored and toiled over every aspect of that piece. It had to be perfect. Betty's hair had to be down and flowing, and not up in that ugly ponytail. I broke out my treasured "hidden color" Crayola markers for Veronica's pants, that I only used for special occasion drawings. I went through so many versions of their clothes before settling on those outfits. And funny enough, my 9 year old self much have been channeling my inner preference for Betty, as you'll see she's standing dominantly over Veronica, hogging the spotlight ;p 
I was so proud of this piece when I sent it away to Archie.
A couple of years later I got a letter from Archie (which was promptly framed) in an official looking envelope (also framed :p) letting me know it was chosen to be printed in Betty & Veronica #89. When it was printed, my mother bought a ton of copies at the supermarket and showed it to everyone she could. The checkout lady, some guy in the parking lot, everyone who came over to our house, and it was an amazing feeling to see my work printed in the same issue with professional artist's that I admired. 
It was an important part of my life because at that moment I knew I wanted to become a comic book artist.  I was sure of it. Before this I didn't have the confidence necessary to keep trying to drawing and keep practicing. I honestly didn't feel my art was worth the effort. I would look at all the amazing published work out there, then look at mine, and feel discouraged. It's hard to separate that I was only a kid, and that if I kept practicing I could become somebody. Seeing my work in print helped me feel my worth. Seeing my parents pride in me helped me feel my confidence.
So if you see an opportunity to give positive support to an aspiring creator today, I hope you do it. Maybe your comment will be their important moment where they realize their worth and keep trying. This is why I included all experience levels, especially children, in Womanthology. The project was made for them and all the other aspiring creative people out there. Want to know a way to send good vibes right now? There's a young artist in Womanthology Space #1 named Anna Bowie who just got her first pinup published by IDW. Go check it out and let her father know here on twitter what you thought.
And thanks to Archie for printing my work all those years ago! :)
~Renae

Peter Pan: Wendy Colored

Here is the finished artwork for Wendy. :) One of the "Character Tags" for the Kickstarter.

Inks/colors by Ray Dillon


(click image to see larger)

Thanks for looking!! :)
~Renae

Peter Pan: Colored

Hello again! :) Here is the finished Peter Pan image for the Kickstarter. Inks/Colors by Ray Dillon



(Click image for bigger view)
Thanks again for looking! :)
~Renae