For the average Ukrainian reader, visualizing Tsingtao or Vienna in 1914-1915 could be difficult, making illustrations essential to accurately represent the settings in which the protagonist lived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While searching for a publisher, I realized that most were not interested in including illustrations. When I suggested adding them, I was often met with a simple question: \"Why?\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a newcomer to the publishing industry, I thought the answer was obvious, but I quickly realized I was the only one who knew the value of these illustrations. Even in cases where publishers agreed to consider illustrations, I discovered that I would have no control over the final result. This initially struck me as strange, until I began exploring alternative approaches\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a filmmaker, I always had vivid images in mind for everything I wrote, especially for Tsingtao-Wien-Kyiv<\/em>, which is based on the best screenplay I ever created. Originally, the screenplay was only 120 pages long, but during the conversion into a novel, I greatly expanded it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I didn\u2019t receive any favorable feedback from publishers about illustrations, and realizing that time was slipping by, I decided to look for a professional illustrator. I considered both Ukrainian and foreign illustrators but ultimately chose to approach Ukrainian artists. Since the novel deals deeply with national identity, I thought someone familiar with the culture and history would better capture the essence of the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, my discussions with several artists didn\u2019t go as I had hoped. First, they weren\u2019t willing to read the 600-page manuscript. They asked me to provide a list of the illustrations I wanted, which, while giving me more control over the process, took away part of the creative freedom that I believe an illustrator should have. They know what they can draw best, what will evoke emotion, and how to make the visuals more captivating. Nevertheless, I went ahead and created a list of 52 illustrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This led to the second problem. They wanted me to describe every detail of each illustration\u2014the angle, clothing, architectural elements, facial expressions, hairstyles, and more. While I\u2019m capable of doing this as a filmmaker, I felt that it eliminated the artistic creativity of the illustrator. Finally, they asked me to provide reference images and photos for every element of each illustration. At that point, I decided to stop the negotiations. Maybe not all illustrators work this way, but I didn\u2019t want to spend more time on this approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the character Zorg famously said: \"If you want something done, do it yourself.\" I knew exactly how each scene in my novel should look, the only problem was\u2014I couldn\u2019t draw. Fortunately, we live in the 21st century, and I just needed to find a technical solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After some experimentation, I developed a method. I styled my illustrations to look like pencil sketches, combining scanning, printing, and actual pencil work. Creating the cover, which needed to be in color, was more challenging, but I used a different style for that. I\u2019ll write a detailed article about that technique later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By March 2021, I found a reliable publishing company and had about two months to complete all the illustrations I wanted. Each illustration took me about 2-3 days, and I was only able to complete half of the 52 illustrations I had planned. Later that year, I published a promotional calendar for the novel, creating three additional illustrations that didn\u2019t appear in the book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, I considered using AI for illustrations, but my first experience wasn\u2019t great. I revisited the idea in 2024, using AI to assist with Tsingtao-Wien-Kyiv<\/em> and my first English-language book, Ukrainian Stories of Life and Fight<\/a><\/em>. For the novel, I created an AI-colored teaser, which was based on my original black-and-white teaser with handmade illustrations. However, I wasn\u2019t entirely satisfied with the results. AI still has limitations\u2014you can\u2019t always achieve the exact look you envision. For instance, in the AI teaser, I couldn\u2019t get the main female character to appear the way I wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kilok.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/tvk.jpg\")
Second Way: A Professional Illustrator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Third Way: Creating My Own Illustrations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kilok.art\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Bombing.jpg\")
Fourth Way: Using AI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n