21 Comments
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Dana Jeri Maier's avatar

Loops is the best! And I would never have guessed any of these influences but they totally make sense 😄

Jashar Awan's avatar

Haha, thanks, Dana! Yeah, I really had comic strips on my mind during Loops 😂

Grant Snider's avatar

Love seeing the process and visual inspiration, Jashar!

Jashar Awan's avatar

Thank you, Grant!

Marty Lapointe-Malchik's avatar

I love seeing your process. The side by side visual inspiration reminds me of collecting charms on a bracelet as a kid. Ooo, I like add that one! And I that initial question—Could it be a book? Thanks so much for the look. Can't get enough of your style of artwork for picture book consumers.

Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Marty! Love that charm barcelet comparison! The more you add, the more it becomes yours

Michelle Sterling's avatar

Love reading the story behind the story! “Could this be a book?” is literally my favorite part of the writing process. 😅

Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Michelle! That moment of inspiration is always exciting (and can sometimes feel like that anime butterfly meme- “Is this a book?” 😂)

Michelle Sterling's avatar

Haven't seen that meme — I'll have to look for it! 🦋

Jen de Oliveira's avatar

It's so fun seeing all your inspiration (and thumbnails) -- can't wait to read LOOPS!

Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Jen! Hope you enjoy it!

Jessica Yoon's avatar

Didn't think it was possible for me to love this book more, but learning the backstory made it so!

Jashar Awan's avatar

Aw, that's so nice to hear! Thanks, Jess!

Bibiche Geuskens's avatar

Thanks for sharing the inspirations behind your book. Very interesting to see how it developed and what references you used

Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Bibiche!

Brandon Todd's avatar

I never would have thought to do the wraparound spread. It works perfectly in your book. Also, I think about that Bil Keane dotted path all the time. Lol.

Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Brandon! Yeah, Bil Keane's dotted path comics are so fun! I was originally going to use a dotted line as a more straight-up homage, but decided to go with something more shoelace-like in the end.

Clarkie Doster's avatar

This is so fun to see!

Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Clarkie!

Jacob Souva's avatar

Love the insight into your process - esp thumbnails!

Jashar Awan's avatar

Thanks, Jacob! That's my favorite part of the process, I think. It's pure play!