• What gave you this idea?

Jen: It’s actually based on a novel I started writing in university. A still unfinished novel, I might add. This story is set about a year before the novel is, and both draw on a lot of the cultural and religious studies I was working on at the time. I could rattle on for the next ten pages about spiritual identity in cross cultural settings, but I’ll spare you.

• Do you know how it ends?

Jen: Yes. The script is nearly finished and it does have a definite ending.

• Is this comic safe for my kids?

Jen:  Well, that depends on your child. Personally I rate this comic PG-13. There is no strong language, nor is there nudity, but there are some very blunt conversations and pages dealing with death. While nothing is gory, it is talked about plainly, and I would strongly suggest to any parent that they read through the comic first to make sure it is appropriate.

• This doesn’t look like other webcomics - it’s kind of textured. Why?

Anne: That is because it is not done digitally at all - all of the color and the lines are done in fine art style. I am an inker and water color artist, so these pages, while taking extrodinary amounts of time to create, are all hand done.

Not that there is anything wrong with digital art, mind you, we just decided to make a comic with watercolor instead.

• How does the process work?

Jen: Well first I write the script out, page by page, panel by panel. Then I chew on my fingertips and cry because it’s a hunk of garbage. Then I delete it and write it again and spend the next hour doubting my self worth.

Eventually when I get over it I send the script to Anne, who will lay the panels out in little thumbnail sketches, and we discuss the layout. Then she will pencil in the page on hotpress water color paper and ink the lines, last she paints them with water colors. After that she’ll scan them in, do something completely magical in photoshop, and she sends me the pages.

• What materials do you use?

Anne: I draw on Aquarelle Arches hot pressed watercolor blocks. I draw with Staedtler non-photo blue pencils first, then ink with Rapidograph refillable drafting pens – waterproof ink, of course! Then I paint in watercolor. I use several brands: Winsor & Newton, Grumbacher, Utrecht, and Venezia are my usual choices. All the final touches are done in Photoshop 6.

• Do you give art lessons?

Anne:  No, sorry. For anyone who really wants to improve their artwork, I would recommend an entry-level drawing or studio art course at a local university. Oh, and also, draw, draw, draw. The biggest non-secret of being an artist is that the more art you make, the better an artist you become.

Jen: Why yes, I will teach you to draw. Here, this is how we make a stick figure, with a little line like this, and then a little circle…

• Do you accept fan art?

Jen: Absolutely! Please mail it here.

• I make a webcomic. Will you link to me? Can I link to you?

Jen: Please see my linking policy on the Links Page.

If you have any other more detailed questions, feel free to email us.