Bethany White is an illustrator from the Isle of Man and graduated from Falmouth University. Funded by the Isle of Man Arts Council, Bethany has recently announced that Volume one of the limited edition Isle Of Folklore comic book series is available for pre-order now. Each comic is an A4 paperback 12 page comic retelling the trials and tribulations of the Celtic Sea God, Manannán Mac Lir. We chatted to Bethany to find out more about the comic and the process behind creating it.
What is your background in the arts?
As soon as I finished school, I went to the Isle of Man college and joined the BTEC Extended Diploma in Art & Design. From there, I went to Falmouth University and studied Illustration where I graduated with a BA HONS.
How would you describe your work/style?
For some, finding their own style comes easily while others are forever searching for “the one”, and I think I fall into that category. Although I am trying to constantly nurture and grow my style, I would describe it as friendly, animated, digital and mystical, taking influence from my surroundings, different artists and children’s animations that I love.
With news of your new folklore comic now ready for pre-order you must be really excited to be at this stage of the process. Tell us the story behind the process of making a comic, when did you start work on it, what stages were involved, were there any unexpected setbacks etc?
I am so excited! I can’t wait to see the response from the people who have already ordered and those who are yet to.
I work digitally so I use the app ProCreate on my IPad for the whole process. I first begin to look at as many different versions of the folklore that the comic is based on, make a storyboard, and write up my own retelling of the folktale to fit the comic, and make it more age appropriate for younger children. Once that is all planned I start to do character creation, again taking inspiration from past versions of the mythology and putting my own spin on it! The comic just came together from there, with lots of trial and error!
What can we expect from this comic?
This comic is intended to be fun and collectible, nostalgic for adult audiences and exciting for younger ones. I think it also can bring education regarding Manx Culture for both adults and children alike, it even has a glossary of Manx terms on the back cover that are spoken by the characters throughout the comic.
How did IOM Arts Council funding help you?
They were wonderful and I can’t thank them enough. They and Culture Vannin shared the printing costs, so the comics would not be here without them! They were also so supportive and prepared at every stage of the project that it was made so much easier with them backing it up, I’m so grateful.
What has been your favourite folklore story to work on?
Manannán Mac Lir was so much fun because I feel he’s the pinnacle of Manx Folklore, he is referred to as the King of the Isle of Man even now. I feel like he’s a character who’s presence is so loud on the island, for as long as I can remember whenever the mist descends it is referred to as “Manannan’s cloak keeping us safe.”
Saying that, I’m also going to love retelling stories about Manx Mermaids, Selkies, and The Fairies, so keep your eyes peeled for them!
What’s next for you?
On to the next comic! Once we are safely out of lockdown I’ll be out exploring, walking and searching for inspiration. We’re so lucky to live somewhere where magic is quite literally everywhere!
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