Jim: Do you still use tapas after the controversy a
while back?
Kagekabuki: I do still use tapas! I
considered ditching it over the right of first refusal thing, but they
responded to it and rectified it pretty quickly. I'm keeping an eye on things
there now. I also use Smackjeeves, Webtoons and Comic Fury. I've used
Smackjeeves for over ten years now, all told.
J: Are those sites paid for by advertising? Do you get
any residual payment from those sites or is it More like youtube? YouTube tends
to pay you through advertising only when you have a certain amount of views,
third party content is immediately ad heavy, they count you as the uploader and
editor but the content isn't yours, so in such cases there’s no profit for the
uploader.
K: For the most part yes, they're paid for
by advertising- Tapas has a 'tipping' system where you can buy digital coins to
tip creators and unlock pages of premium comics, I imagine they make a lot of
profit from that. You can also get ad revenue from Tapas but like YouTube, it's
very little.I believe Smackjeeves has a premium account option too which includes FTP, a custom domain and more storage
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| 'Sacred?' by Kagekabuki © |
J: Do you not have digital versions of your comic for
sale? Something for kindle/tablet readers?
K; It's something I plan to do, but only
after I re-colour the prologue and chapter one as the screentones are awful
when resized.
J: It would prove really cost effective, I hear that
it's far better way of getting money than print on demand at least. But how
come it is important for you to use screen tones?
K: It was, for an 'authentic' manga look,
but now I just use flat greys as it's much less of a headache.
J: So what's a good day like for you? And what environment
do you create manga in?
K: I guess one where I actually get time
to do art as I work too! I usually create on my laptop, in my bedroom. I don't
have space for a desk. I have a Wacom Intuos Pro.
J: What are your creative habits? Does it ebb and flow
or have you made it a comfortable past time? For example, I have a ritual where
I always keep hydrated and have a podcast on. When I am really busy I will
consume protein and granola bars to save me from preparing meals.
K: I find that I really need to be in the
mood for it, it's hard to make myself do art if I'm tired/stressed (which is
why I've been so quiet while uni finishes). I often do have tea and some
music/YouTube on.J: YouTube is too distracting for me. Even podcasts can be but I tend to use that for the boring rendering or glazing process.
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| 'Sacred?' by Kagekabuki © |
J: What comes into your mind first when you pick up a
pencil? I know some people just start with characters, others moods and some
places.
K: Lots of things inspire me! A song I've
been listening to, a concept I find interesting... Some things
just come to me and I need to draw them.
J: What's the average time you spend on drawing comic
pages? I imagine a single panel is fast.
K: Haha... not really! Usually each page
takes around 3-4 hours. But I'm getting faster, and it depends
on how much dialogue/detail there is.J: That's good!
J: Professionally paid ones do work with assistants. You ever thought about having an assistant if you were in high enough demand?
K: That would be lovely but I don't know if it would ever be feasible.
J: Perhaps a boyfriend who could fill in the blacks maybe?
K: Haha I don't think I would trust my boyfriend to do so.
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| 'Sacred?' by Kagekabuki © |
J: Is your comics only available online? And will you be
at some conventions in 2018?
K: There is a print version of issue one.
I had it listed on my online store but that's offline, should be back up again
soon. Issue two will be coming at some point... Probably early in 2018, At the
moment I don't have any confirmed as I was finishing my thesis/skint when the
tables opened, but I'm on the waiting list for SunnyCon and may be at Canny
Comic Con in Newcastle if it's on.
J: Is it print on demand or do you have a
stockpile?
K: I have a box full!To see more work from Kagekabuki, you can follow her respective tapas and twitter pages.
[This interview took place on December 2017]
