CANVAS Team

Oct 26, 2021

CANVAS Creator Stories: Brent Bristol (Ordeal)

"Ordeal" creator Brent Bristol gives us a look into his artistic process and journey to becoming an Originals creator. Filmed against the breathtaking landscape of his home country Trinidad and featuring his friends and family.

World-building is a beautiful and intricate process for Brent Bristol. In his action-packed fantasy, Ordeal, Brent dives into a captivating world full of humans with extraordinary powers. Ordeal started as a school project that quickly grew into a passion. Drawing inspiration from his love of comics, anime, and manga, Ordeal became a way for Brent to create a wondrous world like the ones that inspired him as a child. Brent truly loves his supporters and has crafted an immersive story for them to enjoy.

1. What was the inspiration for your webcomic, Ordeal?

Ordeal was originally a university project, "take anything you learned from the 3 years of your degree program and make something notable" I have always loved comics, manga, anime, etc. So a comic was my first choice. Ordeal was originally me just having fun with the assignment, but eventually It became more than a hobby, as I am creating what I personally love about stories.

2. What do you like most about creating webcomics?

I was never satisfied with drawing on picture of a character, I wanted to see them interact in a world or environment. The best part of comic creation is the fact you can draw your characters so many times in a meaningful sense, while bringing them to life through interaction.

3. Do you have any advice for fellow creators about getting started on WEBTOON CANVAS? If so, please share.

If you don’t start now you never will. You'll never know how much support people will give you if you don’t start. However, if you want your work to stand out, take your time with the development and get feedback from fellow comic readers.

4. Can you briefly describe your overall process for making an episode (e.g., planning, software used)?

I begin with sketches of panels and text bubbles on paper, then i move to digital (Photoshop and a Wacom tablet), where I do the entirety of the finished product, line art, color, editing, etc.

5. What is your favorite original character and what was the inspiration for making them?

(Oooooo... so many. I hate stories where everything relies on the protagonist, what if he/she bores the reader? You need other characters to fall back on, characters who people can say "Yes, that guy Is my favorite!")
My favorite would have to be my main character Che, may sound cliché but I made him using the best things I loved about characters from other stories I’ve read. I want when you first meet him to later down the line, for him to be a completely different person.

6. What are your goals for your community and fans?

I just hope people enjoy my work because I’m truly enjoying the journey. I want to build a world where people can imagine their own characters, using the different power types, abilities, and classes of the Ordeal universe.

7. Why did you choose WEBTOON CANVAS to publish your story?

Recommendation from a friend. There was a Canvas Day competition where the winner would become an Original, I entered in hopes something good will come out of it. I didn’t win, but the feedback from the readers is why I'm even here today. They encouraged me to continue, and now Ordeal is an Original!!!

8. What is the best thing about publishing on WEBTOON CANVAS?

Seeing the reader reactions in the comment section! Entering into a community where many people are so ready to support you and encourage you!

9. Any tips for new creators on maintaining focus or staying motivated?

Do your timeline. Think and plan for 5 seasons down the line. Let your plot points be something you would be so proud of, pore raising! Loving your own work along with the fan support will be more than enough motivation!

10. What stage of publishing your webcomic was the most challenging for you?

Preparing the files for the WEBTOON format. There is a WEBTOON script made by (Let’s Play creator) @mongrelmarie on Twitter that cut my production time down by 30 to 45 mins!

11. What is the most memorable comment you’ve received on an episode?

A comment that reminded me of the way I felt when I first started watching Naruto (one of my favorite animes). Never expected someone could love my work the way I loved the world of others growing up.

12. Where/who do you turn to for inspiration (for your story or artwork)?

Anime is my main inspiration, big fan. (Favorite anime? Soul Eater) My art style is a mix of manga and western comics (DC and Marvel)

13. If you could tell your past-self one piece of advice about your storyline before starting your webcomic, what would it be?

Don’t rush It you fool, take your time or else you will have to come back and fix all your mistakes. You don’t want to draw the boring parts so you can skip to the action, but that ruins the pacing and readers will not be as Invested as they should be!

14. What do you feel is the most memorable/enjoyable/relatable thing your readers will find in your stories?

An unexpected and dark turn of events. In real life the heroes don’t always win.

15. Is there anything you wish your readers knew about you or your story?

Just an average guy. Most people have an original story in their head they dream of having animated someday. I'm just another one of those guys who was blessed with the ability to draw.
My goal is to add to my story, the things I wished other stories had when growing up. To make something that will be remembered, and jaw dropping!

Check out Brent's series, Ordeal!

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