The Piano, Volume 2: The Dream - Preview

Here is the first page of 'The Piano', Volume 2. It is set for release about end July. I'm posting an enlarged version of panel 3. Mermaid :) "The Piano, Volume 1" can be purchased from Amazon in both digital and print format here: BUY IT HERE

Proof for 'The Piano' arrived and approved, Available on Amazon soon

'The Piano', the print version goes on sale in about a week's time. Volume 1 looks great and there has been a lot of excitement expressed by everyone who got to see the proof. Here's one of my favorite spreads from the book. I will post details when the book goes live on Amazon, but you should be able to order one from your local bookshop soon afterwards if you prefer. 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?

About the Illustration: The Illustration is of Dione, the leader of the fairies from the forest around Fangtop. She plays a pivotal role in Indigo's rescue and in getting her to understand the danger she is in. I based the character loosely on Minerva, my favorite Higher Power. She is the goddess of art, magic, wisdom and learning.

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. ciro correia

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. ciro correia

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

Head study

Hello dear friends and visitors from the web somewhere... The aim of my study was to approach the painting task by laying down shapes instead of sketching in with line. This has to do with a seemingly subtle change in perception and approach, but it is interesting in that one can develop this part of our perception and cognitive processes whilst creating art. I found the exercise to be very helpful and I learnt new procedural skills through it. This is essentially the way I approach my painting. A major breakthrough in the study session was what I call "jumping". "Jumping" is visually thinking about what you want to achieve and then processing it through your cognitive processes to achieve it the most direct way possible, requiring the least amount of edits necessary. It requires on the spot multilevel focus to achieve and as all skills can be developed. Try it, but just remember I coined it first. :)

Below the video you will find the finished study. Could have polished it to a photo real finish, but what's the point since all necessary information was achieved to convey the subject.

Below: Head Study - 15 Feb. 2013

The Piano - cover

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.

Studio Wall...

I have been madly at work in final production of 'The Piano', to be released March. Here's a shot of my Studio wall, I'm running through a final check of the storyboard and pace of the story. Checking for consistency and so on. I'm doing the cover illustrations and will probably post some on that. I'm still to post a video tut on Weep, haven't forgotten. Time has just run away from me, but will do it soonish. Promise.

I've illustrated 'The Piano' in a very different style to how I usually do things. I'm looking forward to going into a different mode with the cover illustration. My second novel is well on its way now and I have a steep deadline for it, but I'm excited about the illustrations and concepts for it.

Thinking in dangerous waters...

New blog banner, I think...

Finished Nude Study

Finished Yesterdays quick sketch - 

Photo-study Quick sketch - Happy New Year

The Christmas and New Year Season took its toll on  my productivity this year. My family came to visit us for three wonderful weeks and I maintained my usual work-pace for a while before pulling the plug on work for the year. It was a nice break, and I have come back to work super stoked and working  my deadlines like a fire demon. Here is a quick sketch, I'm thinking that I'm going to recycle this image and paint it into my new blog banner. I was meaning to post up the vid demo/tutorial of 'Weep' but family time took that over. I will post it up soon though. A belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all who pass this way. I'm looking forward to Chinese New Year now. This year I'm determined to make huge progress in learning more Chinese, I'm aiming to take my skills as an Illustrator and concept artist to new levels and write more books! On a personal level I want to be more tolerant of others, do more meditation/yoga and connect to the glorious universe of energy that our collective subconscious forms part of. May all our dreams come true.