Rene Fijten posted a sketch: a bus on a yellowish night L.A. scene. Soon after, Cat Andrew had the brilliant idea of posting another one, as a follow up. This turned into a Sketching Workshop collaborative 'Comic Noir', where each frame is made by a different author. We don't know where the story leads, as each new addition takes the thread only God knows where. (Jorge Royan)
#1 by Rene Fijten – November 10 - 2013 La Cienega boulevard in Los Angeles. Just under the LAX runways. Night sketch of a lonely yellow schoolbus in the yellow neon light. Jorge: Wonderful atmosphere, RF. Besides anything else, I wonder if the yellow moon is the back paper or you painted it over the black? Cat: This is like the frame from an atmospheric noir comic. Very evocative... I want to know what happens next! Rene: Actually JR, that moon was in reality the neon light attached to the pole. But I like the idea of the moon as well . I painted around the white paper, but it is hard to get the gradient between yellow to white right. The distinctions between the colours were too strong. I used a Posca white acrylic marker to blur that distinction, and then brushed in some additional yellow to get the gradient better and lively. Rene: I recognise that feeling CA, it is what attracted me to the scene in the first place. Now if you make the second pane of that comic, I'll do the third Jane: Yay, We have our own Marvel comic in the making...some mean scarecrow is sleeping in the bus..., this has such pending atmosphere, with a slight unease due to this yellow-greeny-black! Jim: Very nice! I echo the earlier statements about the mood and the noir feel. I know what you mean about the eerie mood that is created by these yellow lights. I live in Los Angeles and have seen scenes like this one. Well done! Jorge: Thanks Rene. I figured the whole shebang was around the light! Well done. Cat: A challenge!! I can't resist... Inge: To me this picture does not feel 'eerie', or 'noir'. Yellow to me is a 'cosy' colour, it feels warm. I think the class of children comes back late from a nice summer trip ...
Inge: After a trip the children hide, to fool their waiting parents (that's the way children do here when returning from a class trip in the bus). Rene: It was a deserted business park with cheap corrugated steel warehouses and rows of parked trucks. A far cry from cheery kids. I was walking the 2 mile distance from the nearest metro station to our hotel, public transport is quite rare in LA. I am pleased that you have another feeling with this drawing. Inge: One can see whatever he/she wants to see in a picture ... Rene: Indeed. Phil: I like the eerie scene, but the school bus gives me hope that all is well. Jorge: That's great, PM. Jorge: Is the Title to the noir comic called "No Right Turn"? Holger: How did you come up with that title? Rene: There is a sign on that drawing, no left turn. You would end up in the LAX runway. In reality you can turn right to Lennox boulevard there, but that adds to the mystery. I immediately liked the title. Like JR pointed out, most hard boiled titles consist of three words. "the high window" "farewell my lovely"etc. Jane: Well stated! When I saw the "No left turn" sign I thought of the opposite! The yellow made me think of custard, but Cat's Hair in the Custard" is too long and it's been used already! Love that my thought has been chosen, plus this is comic is an utterly freaky delight!
#2 by Cat Andrew – November 11 Jorge: That dark lady who came to my office last night. As I just put my feet over my old oak desk and was checking the unpaid bills, she knocked the door. She seemed desperate, and told me about a stalker and how she had to hide behind that yellow bus to be able to reach my door. She wanted to hire me, and though I knew better than getting involved with her type, I needed the dough. Jane: Stupendous...aaah magnificent!!...what is the trouble about the Pea-coat tall Man in a fedora, who kept tugging on the hem of his left yellow leather gloves... Sue: This is an incredible group of people. I love it! Jane: oof= off...my hat, my Mother would have said sumfink about "good education"...but we must NOT digress from this Best-Seller Comic.. Rene frame 3 challenge is on, while the BA P.I. snoops and sneaks out a story of note! Rene: Wow Cat; I got more than what I bargained for. You set the standard high. I'll have to see what I can do with this. Di: Waiting in fear for the next instalment Rene Jorge: Idea # 245B: How about each of us draws a frame? An 'exquisite cadaver' of sketches, with a Raymond Chandler gumshoe ongoing story! Who's next? Di: Aah... a crazy masterpiece in the making Rene: Nice idea Jorge, but to avoid that more people make panes and are just too late to post I would suggest that the next sketcher notes in the last post that he/she will do the next pane. As promised I will do the next one (I already started). Jane: Cannot wait Rene..this needs to go into thee Bestseller Noir Comic Album!! Love it..would love to join in...at any stage, maybe not just yet. (mad work schedule)
Jorge: If you guys do that we can place an album after all is said and done Laura: I can't wait for the next pane! cadaver exquisito great idea! Laura: I can go after Rene if I may! Holger: Laura nr 4, This is a Slow Sketch / High Anticipation - Comic The anticipation is fantastic.
#3 by Rene Fijten – November 12 Rene: Cat did the fantastic previous page. Anyone up for the next pane?
and drove past where Philip Marlowe had his office? on Hollywood/north cahuenga boulevard? Seemed like coincidence at first, but I wonder now. Jorge: Rene, are you dressed in your Burberry raincoat and fedora?
Cat: Should we set up an album? I love the puddle, by the way... Jorge: Should this come with an additional written script? or is the text in the image enough? Jorge: We should set an album later, I think. This has more magic popping up like that. Next? Cat: Good idea. I think the text in the image is enough... it is visual storytelling primarily, what do others think?
Cat: Wow, how exciting Rene! I did visit LA once, and it was unbelieveably exciting Cat: Jorge, just seen the wikipedia entry, I missed it before! Sounds excellent
Jim: Fabulous! Both you and Cat are doing a fantastic job! I definitely want in on this!
Jim: I worked on it during lunch. Looked at some books on Noir at the library. Did some thumbnails, wrote a little bit. It's going to take me a couple days, but I'm on it!
Jorge: The title "No Right Turn" has the 3 word beauty of a real hard boiled classic (The Malteses Falcon, The Long Sleep, The Dain Curse, The Glass Key, The Thin Man...) Rene: I agree, that's what we are here for. Jorge: Let's put some badly needed music on this Prologue from "City of Angels" Music: Cy Coleman Lyrics: David Zippel I don't claim to own this. Jim: Can I do the next panel? Rene: Yes of course. The idea is, the first to say he/she wants to do a pane can do it. Paula: I agree that text in the image is enough. Oh this is fun! I really like the puddle too.
Holger: Love that music Jorge! Thanks for adding it! This is fun! I'm in. Somewhere in this dark twisted mystery Jorge: I'm in too. But now it's Jim's turn.
Rene: Can't wait. It's LA, so it's your territory isn't it? Jim: Yes, LA is where I live! Lots of Noir history here! Jim: Update: Decided on a layout, worked on the pencil roughs this morning and during lunch. I'm pretty excited. I'm also nervous. I feel the pressure mounting! Rene: We're excited as well. Good luck. Cat: We're very excited! Go Jim! Jorge: Go, Jim, Go! Just show them
Jorge: Rene, why is she bringing water? It was not raining. Or is it NOT water? Rene: Don't you think it's up to Jim to find out why? (I just needed it for the perspective) Cat: Oh, I see. Could it be...blood? Or gasoline? Jim will reveal all... Jorge: Yup. I freaked out!. third frame and its bloody already. Cant trust these dark ladies. Cat: It is noir.. Cat: Or could it be bourbon?
Wes: Be sure to include a few of these for maximum action scenes. I love trying to figure out how to write out a sound effect...a great creative exercise. Is the challenge one where we each interpret what we think the next frame could be or is it a progressive thing where one person posts a frame, then the next person posts what they think will happen and progressively build a storyline? Jane: was always delighted with "Kapow"! Jorge: I doubt indeed Chandler would have been too happy with a 'BANG' floating over a final cut of a Marlowe stint. This belongs to 20 years later, thanks to Roy L. (But Kaboom! is my favorite, when push comes to shove) Rene: Kaboom is also my favourite Wes: I used a "WOW!" cloud in one of my AgSketchPro sketches because it was a cartoon of an exploding computer.
Rene: As a nice note, the day that I walked Cienega Boulevard for that first drawing, I had visited the Bradbury building (featuring in Chandlers novels)
Laura: I'd like to be next if there isn't anyone up yet Laura: Ready for action. WHAM!! Jim: Okay, posting now!!!
Cat: Farewell my Lovely...completely incomprehensible plot, but the writing! Jane: This is really brilliant Rene‌and the blue walls, shining office and puddle!
#4 by Jim Scheel – November 17 "No Right Turn" The long awaited Panel 4 Sorry for the wait, I hope you like it. Jorge: This is it!!! The real thing, smoke, and Bourbon kept on the file cabinet lower shelf. Let's see what 'Trouble' has to say (Or do) Rene: Great! She was trouble indeed! I love that blinded window (like Cat Andrew also did in her drawing). Who is next? Cat: This is fantastic Jim! Briliant. The plot thickens Martine: I love it ! Excellent rendition of the atmosphere ! Looking forward to the next ones ! Jane: Jim, this is great! So worth the wait! The plot weighs heavily and the tempo is tight amidst that seedy yellow light !Love those Venetian blinds and that dude's scathing look! Laura: I'm on ! yay! Suzie: Love this! Can't wait to see Laura's snappy reply. Or...? The light sources sure create a unique atmosphere. Christina: The light seeping in through the blinds is always a must. Laura: I love the shadowcast in his face!
#5 by Laura F. Vasquez - November 18 –
Laura F. Vasquez I'm honored, Rene!
Jorge Royan OK, my turn now.
Laura F. Vasquez Good eye Jane! Yes, twigs and I got new waterproof permanent higgings ink i wanted to try
Alfonso: laura you are a very good ilustrator and a story teller artist,..... fantastic there are things that some people have as a natural way of doing magic with their talents , congratulations .
Holger Wendt Jorge #6, Amanda #7, and then Holger #8.
Laura F. Vasquez ohh thank you Alfonso ! :))
Paula Raudenbush Love the facial expressions. Desiree's thinking, "Yeah, right."
Jim Scheel Wow, that was fast, Laura! Did you have that one ready to go? Or were you able to do that so quickly? Jim Scheel I think we need to start putting these into an album so they are all together.
Laura F. Vasquez Hehee ):D
Laura F. Vasquez no I just did it Laura F. Vasquez yes good idea Laura F. Vasquez this is so much fun Jim
Suzie Althens This is fantastic. The expressions are perfect. Love the eyebrows. Her expression says, "what an insignificant twit". Please tell us how you got that expression, Laura.
Jorge Royan Holger, Amanda... I have just received something I have to take care of and can't deal with the drawing now. Can any of you take my place?
Jim Scheel Yes, Laura, it is! Good job! Laura F. Vasquez thank you Jim Amanda Lee Condict Can I be next after Jorge? Amanda Lee Condict And yes, put them into an album. Jane Pereira Siebert Voila! #5 done already...the pace speeds with that delivery and this pane!! Such versatility in your talents Laura! Gritty and mean...is this Desiree a harsh cookie?! ( Do I spot twigs and ink!?)
Laura F. Vasquez the 'eyebrow' is something that runs in the family, our extended family calls it "the (vasquez) eyebrow thing" in our facial expressions...if in doubt I do my own expressions in a mirror for reference...and I used twigs for this. den 18 november kl. 18:42 · Gilla · 2 Laura F. Vasquez We are quite animated people Laura F. Vasquez my grandma Holger Wendt Amanda? Shall I ? I'm ready. Holger Wendt Holger # 6, Amanda # 7. Jorge Royan Thank you, Holger. I'll do mine later.
Cat Andrew Brilliant! IT's getting exciting. Definitely time for an album Barbara Moore ooooh! Exciting. Lovely panel Laura F. Vasquez, and the calculating half-smile on her face! Can't wait for the next panel. Rene Fijten Wow that was quick. Good Job Laura F. Vasquez, THis so good! Exactly the athmophere the story needs. Where will thsi lead to? Jorge Royan GIve me two days. Rene Fijten Laura, I used your drawing in my blog, hope you don't mind (if you do, I take it away immediately). http://www.renefijten.blogspot.nl/ rene fijten sketches renefijten.blogspot.com
Laura F. Vasquez Holger is up! Holger Wendt Twiggy Laura!! Your pane ... my son and I have discussed the possible implications, their relationship, for years maybe, and what is coming next. What makes this guy so threatened and Desiree so cool Holger Wendt This discussion is going on still. In a bar, not whiskey, but ale Laura F. Vasquez question is...is it the same guy? Laura F. Vasquez (mischievous smile) Laura F. Vasquez I wish I was there, are women allowed? Holger Wendt Skype next time? Holger Wendt Or I can come to a bar near your place
Holger Wendt My question is How can something happen/change and still leave us in mystery? Holger Wendt Laura, Bring the holster and no one will stop you
Laura F. Vasquez As a challenge! Yes Rene Fijten Still not working that # Laura F. Vasquez Arggg ):I
Laura F. Vasquez Hahaaa Rene Fijten Maybe it's just me? Amanda Lee Condict I just got home and it seems like I have missed a lively exchange today... Holger Wendt I look forward to seeing your panel and will follow with one of my own. Di Metcalf SO enjoying this exchange Laura F. Vasquez #SWnoircomic Rene Fijten Rene Fijten Laura F. Vasquez, I am missing something probably, but when I go for that link above I see an empty page? I am not very good at FB I am afraid. Laura F. Vasquez I created the tag I don't know how long takes FB to capture hash tags. In theory thats how it its supposed to work. Its more of a test. But I tagged you in all the images anyway Rene Fijten Laura F. Vasquez Andrew Banks question: I have seen you using hashags, how long does it take for a newly created one to show a feed? Andrew Banks I think it should be instantaneously. I use them mostly in Instagram and twitter. And when you see them they are probably my Instagram posts that are simultaneously posted to FB. In Instagram and Twitter they work instantaneously once a new hash tag is created.
Laura F. Vasquez Noo its Facebook Rene Fijten I tried to make an issuu book of the panes so far: does this work? http://issuu.com/norightturn/docs/no_right_turn01-03 No right turn Sketch Workshop comic "No right Turn" Jane Pereira Siebert That works well Rene. It would be really valuable to make an album in SW Albums, plus with a link to this issuu.com book. Rene Fijten Here is another try: I made an album "No Right Turn" in SWalbums (hope it works): see https://www.facebook.com/media/set/... No right Turn Our own SW Comic noir. So far by Rene, Cat, Rene, Jim, Laura, Holger, Amanda Amanda Lee Condict I am working on the next panel but am leaving shortly for my grandson's confirmation. I should be able to finish it tonight... should I post it into the new album? Rene Fijten Can you post into that album? I am not sure how "albums"work. I would suggest posting it here at first, and we'll see how we do it in that album.
Maria Epifanova Great! And so dramatic contrast between the yellows and black colors!
Rene Fijten BTW what do you mean with grandson's confirmation? just curious.
Holger Wendt Laura and Andrew.. is that something you smoke?
Amanda Lee Condict http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_(Catholic_C hurch) Amanda Lee Condict I will post it here, then.
Andrew Banks Haha! Works instantaneously Holger Wendt! Laura F. Vasquez Its a #BostonThing Laura F. Vasquez By the way this city would be the worst to do a map :s Andrew Banks Really Laura? I thought about throwing it up as an option. It think it would look sweet with the Charles River. Gotta love that dirty water! Laura F. Vasquez
Rene Fijten OK I know what it is, so I was confirmed myself. Thanks for explaining. Laura F. Vasquez Baptized and confirmed too and the Holy Communion.. Holger Wendt Oh now theres a whole new range of possiblities of what is in the reptile skin shoulderbag olger Wendt Dont be to fast on the trigger Amanda.. We appreciate the "waiting.. wainting for what?" For her... Amanda
Laura F. Vasquez Ok Rene Fijten I discovered that the hash # works if we put it in the post itself, not in a comment. If you go above this photo where's the title of the panel and click on the hash SW noircomic it will give you a result instantly with this post as the only one on the list Rene Fijten Even that doesn't work for me. It's probably somewhere in my configuration. The mysteries of FB. But I assume the album and Issuu page work for you all? Laura F. Vasquez Yes they are great! Specially the Issue
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Rene Fijten maybe powderbox? #6 by Holger Wendt - November 20 Laura F. Vasquez a cigarette ? Holger Wendt "Lauras persuasion" or "Desirees Left Turn" or "If only". The yellow lines are a bit to much now, especially following the others.. but wth. Still not sure how many men are in that room, but Laura got her 2nd guy confirmed. Rene Fijten Yes another great installment. Well done Holger Wendt . I love that hatching on the arms, follows the volumes perfectly. And the yellow lines are not too much, not at all, its works mystifying. Jane Pereira Siebert Holger!...amazing "Desiree's left turn swing-bag" !: gritty confident hatching and sweating surprise! Scheming eyebrows! Is it poisonous yellow lipstick? will Mr P.I. pull the trigger before we learn more?...are the yellow strips going to have red added? Oh my giddy aunt's blood pressure cannot cope...next pane?? Jane Pereira Siebert ...Gosh! She has yellow nailpolish...villainous woman! Jorge Royan Holger, hats off to to this one. Yes, maybe the room seems as having been built completely with venetian blinds, but the attitude of the hitman and the sneakiness in Desiree's ominous smile is palpable. Rene Fijten So here is the link to an album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/... and the linkto an issuu publication http://issuu.com/norightturn/docs/no_right_turn01-03 No right Turn - Our own SW Comic noir. So far by Rene, Cat, Rene, Jim, Laura, Holger, Amanda Laura F. Vasquez great sequence to the thriller, the nail polish is a nice little detail, and she's got this guy sweating! Laura F. Vasquez the Issue is great! Rene, I see you have a Cover in the SW album, but the Issuu Issue doesnt have it? Rene Fijten Done. I am trying hard to cope with both FB and ISSUU Laura F. Vasquez yay! nice Rene! Paula Raudenbush She's reaching for the mace spray. Paula Raudenbush or maybe just hair spray...
Holger Wendt Or 2 guns? Or a bag of surprises? Or a letter? Or bullets for the gun pointing at her? Or a better whiskey than the one in the table? Or a third Stetson hat? Holger Wendt Amanda will let us know, or not. Maybe she's interrupted and we will never know what us in the crocodile skin handbag. Jim Scheel Good job, Holger! The plot thickens! Nicely rendered figures, the hands are very good, which are usually difficult! Jim Scheel Rene, thank you for putting everything together! I love the issuu.com version! Amanda Lee Condict Back from the dinner after church and working on the word balloon-- #7 coming shortly! Laura F. Vasquez I agree with Jim!
#7 by Amanda Lee Condict – November 21 Amanda: Seems we still do not know what is in the box Desiree pulled from her snakeskin bag but it must be very important. (Sorry, but I just posted the panel as a comment before.) Jorge Royan About that (boxed) MacGuffin, Hitchcock loved that much: In fiction, a MacGuffin is a plot device in the form of some goal, desired object, or other motivator that the protagonist pursues, often with little or no narrative explanation as to why it is considered so important. The specific nature of a MacGuffin is typically unimportant to the overall plot. The most common type of MacGuffin is an object, place or person. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGuffin Jim Scheel Wow! Nicely done! Well rendered! The mystery is expanding! Laura F. Vasquez I love this one! In fact all of them who is up next now? I want to know what's in that box, and I have many outcomes already! Holger Wendt So well drawn, and cross hatched, fingers, arms faces, hair. The body movement of the short sleeved man, shoulders now reversed in balance and his gun now obviously not pointing towards her head any longer, stretch towards the object or the hand holding it, so if nothing dramatic other unexpectantly happen, like him being shot or the yellow cube shifting place in space quickly, he is bound to collide with something in front of him...! She still being super cool and him being agitated, adrenalin pumping... "What will happen???!!" Anticipation is rising even more so with the additional questions: "Who will make it happen?" and "When?" för 10 timmar sedan · Har redigerats · Gilla
Holger Wendt Barbara.. pick up the ball! för 9 timmar sedan · Gilla Laura F. Vasquez Here's a recap of plot elements to elaborate and build on: 1-the setup is at night 2-a man -possibly a blue collar worker gets off the bus going to work late perhaps? (Struggling Middle class?) 3-desireé, an atractive woman with a secret and dressed in a cocktail dress (why?) hides from view from a possible threat (?) yet, she is bad news. 4- the wimpy blue collar dude, who has a history with this woman and seems helpless awaits his doom, yet he understands is inevitable and actually wants it to be over, hence the eagerness of his waiting. 5-a second man, a hit man obviously saw her coming despite her efforts and threatens her with a gun. 6-regardless the threat desireé has the upper hand on this situation with both men as she holds the secret in that misterious box. 7- she knows she can't be killed because of this upper hand, so even though she couldn't get to mr wimpy blue collar alone, and tried unsucessfully to avoid any hit men, she pulls the ace from the sleeve (the reptile bag) and assures her position of power. 8-there is a second coat and hat hangued in that room, either our blue-collar has an OCD on hats of there is someone else who makes use if that office. Laura F. Vasquez I forgot to say that i'm saying all that in Morgan Freeman's voice.. Cat Andrew Can't wait to find out what's in the bag!
Jorge Royan Nah, I'll find time to draw from a quirky angle. Just give me some days. I leave the Kapow to Bruce Wayne
Holger Wendt My son Elof thinks there's a sibling similarity between them. Maybe the sitting tie and long sleeve man is thinking "it was bad enough. her brother just made things worse" Holger Wendt Or there's a third hat in the box Holger Wendt Or a small toy car with a dysfunctional wheel that makes it impossible to make a right turn olger Wendt Well. Are these 7 panels maybe the first chapter? The first page, in a periodic, once every fortnight, comic noir? Holger Wendt questions questions questions....what is it in the package? why did they/he ask her to hold it for them/him? he or they? and why is she perceived as "trouble" by .. whom? who is doing the background thinking beginning with "waiting"?
Barbara Moore I'd love to start drawing quirky stuff...loving watching the Panels unfold!
Jorge Royan Besides those very respectable questions, there is another:
Holger Wendt Jorge, if you don't have time you can always throw in the Kapow panel I posted earlier Holger Wendt The Kapow will work anytime in this mystery comix noir. lger Wendt One of my favourit illustrators were André Franquin. Look at his idées noir. http://www.franquin.com/in/album1_in.phpFranquin Idées Noires - 1 www.franquin.com
Who draws the next clip? Holger Wendt So if no one is jumping the gun, or the yellow box, I'd suggest two possible roads; open to our friends outside SW, or a paus.. end of chapter 1 and let it rest. Holger Wendt Laura asked that question to, and added a promising possibility: "who is up next now? I want to know what's in that box, and I have many outcomes already!" Jorge Royan I would begin a new post, exactly with this question on it. And I'm sure Holger would do a great job asking it Holger Wendt the 7 panels so far fits perfectly on one page: Holger Wendts foto. Amanda Lee Condict Wow, we go to the farmer's market and I almost miss another interesting exchange... Amanda Lee Condict I love the way they fit and flow on one page. Even how the last panel has a somewhat bizarre plot twist or maybe a cliff hanger? Amanda Lee Condict I think it would be fun to work in pages, with each one ending with a bizarre plot twist that makes us all sit back and ponder on it while we gather our resources for the next page... Laura F. Vasquez I agree with Amanda Laura F. Vasquez We can also develop on the sidelines... A parallel with whats going on somewhere else, like a good novel Laura F. Vasquez Like "meanwhile baby-face Lucas was throwing darts at someone's picture" Amanda Lee Condict Ooohh, I like that Laura F. Vasquez! Cat Andrew This is fantastic! Rene Fijten OK I'll do the next pane. Tomorrow. Ready for another twist? Holger Wendt Is not a time for?: Kapow! Holger Wendt But maybe that will be to easy to follow up on ? Yes Rene! Go for it! dive in there, aim and shoot
Double Surprise Rene Fitjen surprises us soon with a panel that begins a new chapter. Here is a time lapse in the creative process. While Part 2 in this comic noir is underway, and Rene even has published the first panel, Wes Douglas takes us to a higher perspective in this cliff hanger of cliff hangers in part 2. Or is part 1 complete? We dont know. The editing in different parts is also not planned. All we know is that everything may change.
#8 and #9 by Wes Douglas – November 25 With all due respect to those who have jumped into this Comic Noir Pool before me, here is my input (knowing that Rene's last post from China Town was supposed to be the next sequence). I am one of those who likes to piece together the pieces and get a 30,000 foot view of the scene if I can and this was my attempt at trying to do just that from the first seven frames.
Suspense and surprise seems to be the constant in this comic noir, created in an unintentional ’exquisite corpse’ way. As Di Metcalf commented after Renes panel 1 in the next chapter of No Right Turn:
”Awesome...what a collection of twists and turns!”
No Right Turn Chapter 2 to be published december 2013
Edited by Holger Wendt November 2013