Embedded Files
Memories of the Sea is a 52-page comic book created as a final year project. I wrote the story, created the illustrations by hand using watercolor and colored pencils, then digitized and laid out the book with Adobe InDesign.
For this project, I wanted to create a world that felt personal to me, with a soft, strange and slightly mysterious atmosphere. Working by hand was important to me, because it keeps something alive in the images: the textures, the small imperfections and the colours blending together.
The layout then allowed me to give the story its rhythm, to think about the placement of the images, and about the way the reader discovers each scene. It is a complete project in which I was able to bring together writing, illustration and book design.
The memories of the sea tells the story of a harbour island that was once bright, colourful and peaceful. One day, a strange black rain falls on the island and changes the lives of its inhabitants.
However, this is only the tale surrounding the island and its people. The real story is about Kurt, a walrus-man, and Salmon, his adopted daughter, a human girl he found at sea when she was still a baby.
Through their everyday life, we follow the adventures, doubts, happiness and difficulties Kurt faces as a father, with the help of his best friend Olive, an eel-woman.
This story is not only about an underwater adventure. It is also about a family brought together by fate, an unexpected parental love, and bonds that grow despite differences.
We also discover a love story between two adults who once shared happy moments, but chose to follow different paths while keeping a deep affection for one another.
Through a blue-toned universe, carried by the colours, light and atmosphere of each scene, the comic also follows the perspective of a little red-haired girl who dreams of discovering the world.
At its heart, The memories of the sea tells us that love can appear even in the strangest, most fragile, or most unbelievable situations.
Storyboard
Storyboard
Storyboard — first version
This storyboard presents a first visual exploration of my project. It helped me establish the atmosphere, rhythm and narration, while exploring how to translate the characters’ emotions through images.Even though the story has evolved since then, this storyboard still holds an important place in the development of the project. It shows the first intentions, the first staging ideas, and the artistic direction I wanted to explore.
Storyboard — second version
The Character designs
The Character designs
These character designs are an important part of my creative process. Through them, I try to give my characters a true identity, to understand who they are, how they move, what they feel, and what place they have in their world.Each character evolves throughout my research. Sometimes, a shape, an expression, or a small detail is enough to understand their personality better. These images therefore show both the final result and the path I followed to imagine them.For example: Kurt and the love he has for his daughter, Salmon and her fascination with the ocean, and Olive, who is always there for her friends and loved ones.
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