I can say that the real struggle, one that I still face today, is time. I have a job outside of my comics life, and this takes away much of my time but helps me gain materials! I overcame it by just accepting the fact that every good job needs time, so instead of driving myself insane, I took it easy.

Are there any creators, artists, or writers who have been particularly influential or inspiring to you? How have they shaped your creative journey?

Oh my, there are a lot of them! But I’ll try to put it simply:

Shinobu Ōtaka, creator of the manga Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic, and the CLAMP group, creators of Card Captor Sakura and, my favourite, xxxHolic.

These artists inspired me by their art and the fact that their manga use a very low percentage of retinoids or use more contrast with white and black than soft colors. Not to mention that the use of computer graphics is very low, so when I started my comic, made only in traditional style, they became my savior.

   Shiitake Gensodo was the one who mostly inspired me with her designs. It’s not very notable in the comics, since I prefer a simpler approach to character design for these matters, but for illustrations, drawings, and other things, it’s still my main inspiration.

The first time I met her works was at my first Lucca Comics and Games con (one of the major ones here in Italy). I remember that I spent hours copying and trying to get the secrets of her style when I finally understood how I couldn’t get away from it. It’s so full of detail; all of the girls that she draws have this fairytale aura around them.

As for my protagonist, the character that inspired me was Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist, by Hiromu Arakawa.

What can I say? I like protagonists that look like they need a few punches in the face because they make some snarky responses, but they also do the right thing, not because they believe in justice, friendship, and blah blah blah, but because it is the right thing to do.  

For aspiring content creators, what are some practical tips and advice you would give to help them find their own voice and style?

First of all, practice. It’s impossible to have a perfect drawing style, but what you must do is try to find your own. Have you ever read MOB Psycho 100? Do you really think that One was a good artist? No, but this never stopped him from doing it anyway.

Secondly, the story is YOURS; if people like it, they will still follow it; if not, they’ll just let it go. Writing something and asking yourself “what people will like” will never lead you to make something that YOU like. 

Can you tell us about your creative process, from brainstorming ideas to the final execution of your projects? How do you stay motivated and consistent throughout?

1) When I have an idea, I like to listen to two main people: the one who reads comics because they like it but can’t draw, and the one who is a fellow artist themselves. The first group takes a simpler approach; they can be genuine and tell me honestly what they think about it or give me a few ideas; the second is more of a technical approach, like prospective, style, or how to put the page.

2) On a notebook, I put the first layout of the pages that I want to make and the balloons. With this, I can change a few things, show people who can help, and then proceed.

3) With the digital work, I start to draw and put anything on the table. In this part, I can start to do some research for houses, dresses, or other things that can help set the mood.

My motivation comes from just doing everything. I try to put myself at work but never completely concentrate on the comic, or I would fall into burnout quite easily. I even like to talk about possible scenes; this helps me motivate myself to go through the plot.

How do you balance the creative and business aspects of being an independent content creator, such as promoting your work and managing finances?

As strange as it will sound, I still lack that kind of confidence that lets me say “I want to start commissions” or “people will love this merchandising of my comic”. Outside of the internet, I’m still a waitress that works 8 hours a day, and much of the money that I have stashed away is used for simple staff, a few frivolities, and helping me obtain new materials for my works. It is helpful, even if at the end of the day I am exhausted.

As for the promotion, social media, and forums (such as Tapas), they are helpful enough!

Funding creative projects can be challenging for many artists. What strategies have you employed to fund your work, and are there any resources you’d recommend to other creators?

Funding my project has been easy, at least in my case. I have been working in the exact period that I finished school; I never had the motivation to start college or any course, and I learned how to do comics by myself or with the help of a simple weekend course, so when I started my comic, I was more focused on doing it than “being paid by it.”

Now, that was my case; that doesn’t mean that it was the right course or the right choice. What I can say is that you should be cautious about the materials you buy or what kind of product you’re interested in. Try to ask about it with more fellow artists—what did they think about it and if they have any suggestions about it.

How do you stay updated on the latest trends and developments in your industry, and how do you integrate this knowledge into your work?

After a few of my answers, you all must have understood that I’m not exactly one who follows the stream. If it’s a matter of “doing something because everybody else is doing it so everybody will like it”, I’m not that kind of person.

If we’re talking about a possible platform or joining a new group, well, that depends on what others will say. I’m not going to jump into dark waters; if someone tells me, “It’s been a bad experience,” than I will ask others and come to my own conclusion.

In what ways do you believe the creative industry is evolving, and what opportunities do you see for independent creators in the future?

I will sound sad; I’m aware of it, but I’m afraid that this industry is focusing more on the numbers than the actual story itself. I saw tons of works that looked the same but were still being pushed forward since they had a lot of followers, and I saw stories with “questionable content” that were being praised. So my idea is that it’s going to be tough.

That doesn’t mean that you have to give up. I know that is sad and demotivating to notice these things, but you are the only way to change these courses, so keep it up!

Collaboration can be an essential part of the creative process. Have you worked with other creators or artists on projects, and if so, how have those experiences shaped your work?

Shaped my works isn’t the right phrase that I would use. More like, they shaped “my position” in the community or motivated me to do more. I was able to meet a lot of new artists, a lot of talented souls that wish only to make their living with their passion, and I cannot be more grateful to them for letting me join them!

https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/the-monkey-prince-and-the-five-treasures/halloween-collab/viewer?title_no=714735&episode_no=24
https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/the-monkey-prince-and-the-five-treasures/christmas-collab-2022-canvas/viewer?title_no=714735&episode_no=26
https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/the-monkey-prince-and-the-five-treasures/valentine-collab-2023-canvas/viewer?title_no=714735&episode_no=28

What are some personal or professional goals you have for your career, and how do you plan to achieve them in the coming years?

I think that my real goal is to finally obtain something like a little fan base. I’m simple and easy, and I just hope that my story can reach as many people as possible and make a connection with them! I still remember the few that shared with me their art about my characters; I couldn’t contain my happiness those days!

As a creator, how do you measure success, and what achievements are you most proud of so far?

To be honest, it’s kind of difficult. For many, it’s about “how many people follow you” or “how much you gain from your work”. I honestly think it is between these two. I’m proud to have reached at least my second goal on Tapas (the 100 followers), but there’s still so much work to do.

Lastly, could you share an anecdote or experience from your content-creating journey that has had a profound impact on you, and what did you learn from it?

I, like many others, have low self-esteem. When I create something or write it, my first thought is, “It’s not good; it’s a stupid idea; who will like it?”

I’m a self-taught artist; what I learned wasn’t in some academy or school. I did it because I wanted it, so of course I still lack in technology and all the staff. I knew that I was making a leap into deep waters before starting, but I took the risk.

After a long bad period (lack of activity, lack of response from the readers, and all) and after my joining Tapas, comments started to come, and many of them were adorable, so full of interest, and so full of love for my work. It was like breathing fresh air after a long period. One of them gave me so much serotonin that I could have had an overdose. It was a good critique that showed me the things that I usually take for granted.

I learned that sometimes you feel like you’re wasting your time, and you really believe that. You need to endure and prove yourself, but most importantly, you need to do what you love!

WOW! I must say, this one took a lot out of me! And I thought that it would have been just some simple question about my comic! Well, I hope that my answers will be of some help to all of you! Remember, love your work, and never be ashamed!

PENGUIN, OUT!

Well, that wraps up our insightful interview with PenguinAngel, or Kira, the creative genius behind “The Monkey Prince and the Five Treasures.” We hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know more about Kira and their captivating work. Be sure to follow and support their incredible storytelling journey. As always, stay tuned for more inspiring content All Ages of Geek, and until next time, keep celebrating the magic of creativity!

About Stec Studio, All Ages of Geek and “I Married a Monster on a Hill”:

Stec Studio is a New Jersey-based company founded and run by by the Stec Sisters. We specialize in producing interactive comics and novels based on All Ages of Geek media, as well as creating a fully open world Boys Love Universe called BLU Media. This universe is being built from various media forms, including readable media, games, and animations.

Our main series, I Married a Monster on a Hill, is a popular WEBTOON that tells the story of a retired knight who falls in love with a half-monster. We are also developing an in-production visual novel called I Married a Monster on a Hill: Dates, along with an upcoming Wattpad Exclusive set in the same Universe. At Stec Studio, our goal is to create content that gives people hope and light, and we hope our stories can provide joy and entertainment to all who experience them.