Bituin is the first comic I have ever made (written and illustrated). The following is some of my process for creating the comic.

The character sheet above is her third design iteration, and it was made in late September, so some of her design is very inconsistent and nonsensical; however, this was altered and corrected in later character sheets.

Regarding Bituin’s character design. Bituin means “star” in Tagalog (which will become relevant later). Her design is based on the Spanish-occupied Philippines baro’t saya, and some of the pre-colonial baro and tapis. The outfit she is introduced in, in the first part of the comic, is a nightgown based on mid- to late-1600s to early-1700s European (Spanish) styles. The main setting of the first part of the comic is an empty field, rolling hills, barren, with a strange river. This is meant to contrast with the vast and lush forests and groves of the Philippines; it’s meant to show how Bituin is in an eerie, unfamiliar, whimsical, dream-like landscape.

This was a small insight into my process of designing and creating the first part of the comic “Bituin”. My art will continue to change and improve as I expand the Bituin project. Thank you for your continued support of Bituin and the Catamount.