‘Crossing Eternity’ illustrations

Yea! Settled on a style for the ‘Crossing Eternity’ interior, monochromatic illustrations. After mulling things over I decided to go in a more iconic direction, thinking that these kind of illustrations allow readers to more readily identify with the characters within the story. This is the first of the batch :)

Building a visual language for later illustrations, this is a concept sketch of an important place within the story. The Celestial Palace in Aijit. The screen capture is about 12 minutes in length, watch it to the end to get the full effect of the sketch. :)

Work progress on new novel

We're in the final stages of checking the manuscript for the new novel. I began the illustrations phase of the book a few weeks back and and churning through my initial roughs and thumbs for the book. Here are two character concepts for the protagonists in the book: Piggie and Calluna. Like my page on Facebook, the Calluna sketch is much clearer on my page. https://www.facebook.com/ciro.e.correia

Grey House

Amazon won't let me give away my short story for free so I've come up with a devious plan to give it away as promised. By clicking or tapping the link you will be able to access my dropbox and download 'Grey House - Ciro Correia. mobi' for your kindle app. You will have to copy and paste it into the kindle folder on your device or computer. Once you do this you will be able to open the app and find 'Grey House' ready for your reading enjoyment. I'm offering it free for a limited time only so be sure to get it soon. So, here are the steps once again:

1. Click or tap the link through to my dropbox (or copy-paste the address into browser address bar)
2. Select download
3. Open download directory (please note some devices don't automatically recognize .mobi format)
4. Copy and paste the file into the kindle directory
5. Start up your kindle app (you can get a kindle app for free for mobile, MAC, or PC from Amazon.com)
6. Presto! Read my short story. Enjoy!

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lb9b9iay4bpne7i/Grey%20House%20-%20Ciro%20Correia.mobi

If you happen to download the book please let me know by either liking my FB page OR my Tumblr post or commenting under this post. Much appreciated, thanks.

I draw and talk about 'The Piano'

I'm giving away a signed copy of 'The Snickitysnatcher' on my Facebook page right now, draw ends 20th July. Go here for details: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ciro-Correia/212318868817630

Sketching out pencil rough for Panel 4, Page 7 - 'The Piano, Volume 2'

No sound on this one… Panel 4 of Page 7. I was excited about Volume 1 but Volume 2 is going to be magnificent! The storyline is also less narrative as the old man goes further into his recount of how things happened. I’m planning to hit that spot where images and words work together to create poetry. Remember: “Creativity is within and unstoppable” - The Piano by Ciro Correia

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ciro-Correia/212318868817630
Tumblr: http://cirocorreia.tumblr.com/

The Snickitysnatcher GIVEAWAY on Goodreads, ends 20th July, 2013

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Snickitysnatcher

by Ciro Correia

Giveaway ends July 20, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

'The Snickitysnatcher' available in paperback

Hi,

I'm pleased to say that 'The Snickitysnatcher', 2nd Revised Edition is now available in paperback through Amazon. Here is the link to the 2nd Edition: http://www.amazon.com/The-Snickitysnatcher-Ciro-Correia/dp/9868886724/

:) Ciro :)

Page 1, Panel 3: The Mermaid

Author, Illustrator, Graphic Novelist… adding feathers to my cap. ‘The Piano, volume 2’ is going to be fantastic. I’m really happy with how the story ends and can’t wait to have 1 and 2 in a complete book.

On another note my new novel is getting me really excited. I want people to read and love the world and characters I’m building. The story is very different to what people might expect. It was difficult to categorize ‘The Snickitysnatcher’ into a specific genre because it encompassed a few. ‘Piggie’ is going to be just as difficult to pin down. ‘The Snickitysnatcher’ is YA, it is kids lit, it is a paranormal and contemporary fantasy… it is all that. ‘Piggie’ is a fantasy, steam-punkish (and not), mythological, it is a coming of age drama, but probably above all it is simply a love story. How do I classify this? At the end of it all I just want people to read it and say they loved it. That is the most important classification of all. I love it and hope others will too.

Volume 2 of 'The Piano', well on its way.

Page 4, the first page of “The Piano, Volume 2 - The Dream”. This is a preview version of what the page will probably look like. I'm still busy with text and font elements. The book changes pace in volume two from full narration to first voice speech. The gothic (romanticism) undertones become a little more obvious in this one. After volume 2 is out, the complete graphic novel with an extra volume is being planned for release. There probably will not be any more previews after this, except for a few panels later on in the book. Just a reminder that the material on this blog is under copyright to me, Ciro Correia, and may not be used without permission. All Rights Reserved. The fonts are provided by Blambot, who offer wonderful resources to both independent and mainstream comic creators. Independent comic creators can purchase wonderful fonts or use 'just as wonderful' free fonts from Blambot. I will definitely be purchasing fonts from them in the future.

"The Piano, Volume 1" can be purchased from Amazon in both digital and print format here: BUY IT HERE

New Novel and Concept Illustrations

Excited! I'm nearly finished with my first draft of my second novel. Really excited about this one, not only is it a great story but it is written from a personal place. Here are some concept sketches I did that will probably feature in the book when it is finished.
ciro correia

Giveaway! On Facebook and on Goodreads!

Visit my FB page Ciro Correia  and follow draw instructions there OR

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Piano

by Ciro Correia

Giveaway ends May 28, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

'The Snickitysnatcher' 2nd Edition available

It's live! Digital version of 'The Snickitysnatcher'. 2nd Edition with revised text and added illustrations is available from Amazon for Kindle. To read any kindle book on your Mac, Android device or PC just download their free software from Amazon. Print version will be available before the end of May.

 ciro correia

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00923ZCRW

'The Snickitysnatcher' Wallpaper

Here's a wallpaper for 'The Snickitysnatcher' for you. Click on image to make it bigger and before you save it (for best resolution). 2nd Revised Edition will be out soon.  ciro correia

Checking proof for 'The Piano', available soon on Amazon

Got the proof for the Piano today! Everything looks great, hoping that it will be available on Amazon soon. Leaving you with a snap of one of my favorite spreads and another one of me kicking back while I look through the proof. ciro correia

WIP of New Illustration for 2nd Edition of The Snickitysnatcher

Unfortunately I'm not allowed to post a final copy of this illustration just yet. It's going to be in the revised edition, out at the end of April in digital and print versions. Here's a work in progress shot showing the illustration's progress from sketch to about 70% completion. I've been told the final looks stunning. Hope you enjoy the teaser, and keep checking for release dates on this absolutely 'must have copy' of 'The Snickitysnatcher'. I'm thinking of giving away a signed poster print of the final, closer to release date. Would anyone be keen on trying to win a copy in a lottery style give away? ciro correia

New cover, 2nd Edition - Revised, coming soon!

I'm currently working on the 2nd Edition of 'The Snickitysnatcher'. I've revised the text to fit more with my original vision for the story. I'm adding a few more illustrations. Full color paintings for the digital version and grayscale copies in the print version. It will be out by the end of April. We'll be making a formal press release next month, so keep your eyes peeled. 

One of my favorite panels from THE PIANO

THE PIANO has personal significance to me from a few points of view. It is my debut work in this medium, and a long time coming. It represents a breakthrough on a personal level as I wrestled through my own issues, blocks, inadequacies and handicaps to a place where I have been able to create, regardless of the challenges presented to me by life. This is mirrored in the story, not intentionally as I never meant it to be autobiographical in anyway. I guess all of us struggle with our own demons, trying to overcome them as best we can. It's funny that when we see success we almost never see the struggle and sacrifice to get there, yet very few people don't have to deal with the realities of life when building a dream. The hardships one faces when building a dream is not the focus. For me it has been important to remember for who I am building. It is so easy to get lost within the desire to see a story complete or a novel written. It is easy to lose those you love within that overwhelming drive to create, but the ones I love are the ones who keep me sane and inspired. Balance has been the key to my moving forward, and my wonderful family has been my core. 

The creative process is so powerful and overwhelming, I can't switch it off. It is who I am. Truly, creativity is within and unstoppable.

Here is one of my favorite panels, the boy reaches out tentatively towards the mysterious piano. Not knowing what will happen next, whether it will come alive with the music he had just heard or whether it will stay cold and silent as he now sees it on stage. Art must be wooed like a jealous mistress. 

Page 6, Panel 3 - THE PIANO

Press Release: THE PIANO

THE PIANO: CREATIVITY IS WITHIN AND UNSTOPPABLE.

Left hand books presents volume one of the beautifully illustrated story of a young boy's journey to discovering his purpose.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE!

The story is narrated by the protagonist, now an old man looking back at a life event that happened in his childhood which transformed his life and the lives of everyone around him. As a boy he discovers a latent talent by mistake, a gift to play the piano. When he plays, the music ignites his imagination and powerfully affects those around him. It is a gift of beauty, not only for his own use but for all to enjoy; but, he is blocked from playing or thinking about music. The boy's gift, however, cannot be stopped. Part one follows the story of how the boy discovers his gift and finds the inner strength that will finally explode into the 'real' world in part two.

The Piano is the first graphic novel written and illustrated by Ciro Correia, author of the fantasy novel 'The Snickitysnatcher'. Correia takes his influence from the great Hayao Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli in the way in which he blends beautiful visuals with stories.

'I want to create beautiful things, beautiful stories,with my art and my words. It is about the story telling aspect, no matter what the theme or genre. Whether, the stories and art are modern, grotesque, real, fantastical or cute, I want my stories to speak and to have their own voices. To speak to us about our desires and the human condition, but also to inspire. To ultimately draw us towards a positive and connect us with a higher note.'

The Piano is available from Amazon for Kindle

The book trailer is viewable on Youtube

For more information visit the author's blog: www.thehiddenway.blogspot.com

Follow Ciro Correia on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CiroCorreia

Visit the author on Facebook

For other books by this author visit Amazon.

To schedule an interview and/or receive a review copy of The Piano please email: correia.ciro@gmail.com

Book Trailer - The Piano

My new Graphic Novel: "The Piano"

Release date for 'The Piano' is  - 3 March 2013. Here is the cover illustration for the Graphic Novel.

Everything ready to roll. It will be released exclusively on kindle first, followed by dead tree copies soon. Please get yourself a copy on the 3rd, I'll be posting up links to the book on the third.

Storytelling and process...

I'm in the final throes of 'The Piano', part one of the my new Graphic Novel project. It is my first comic, but not the last as I have some great ideas for future stories brewing. I spent far too much time waiting for opportunities to 'open' up for me, until one day I woke up and realized that I had to make things happen. Poof! Goodbye frustration. Now, I still look for opportunities and collaboration but I'm making my own way. The turning point was when I understood that I had all the skills needed to create my dreams and goals. It was just a matter of doing it.

The Piano is about discovery, it is about the blocks and challenges we face when trying to achieve our dreams or life's purpose. It is about finding something or someone in life that changes everything. The Piano uses the story of a small boy to tell about these kinds of struggles that we often face, but whether one gets the deeper meaning to the story or not - doesn't matter. It's a simple story of a journey to a place of happiness and fulfillment. 

Part one is set to be released in March. Part two will follow later in the year. Here is a shot of my studio wall a few days back as I went through a final check on layout and continuity. The style I chose to Illustrate the story in is very different from how I normally do things, but I thought that it would complement it. I'm hoping that people like it. More news on release dates closer to the time. 

My new book will be out soon as well. I'm looking forward to its release. If you want to see more of my concept work, paintings and illustrations visit my other blog, (please note that there are figure studies and some nudity on the site - nothing vulgar but it is difficult not to offend some of late) http://suscitans.blogspot.tw/ . Please like my facebook page: Ciro Correia, if you like my work or have read my books. You could always attempt messaging me. The best way to start would probably be to add me to your google plus circle of friends.