Switching Lanes - Words to Pictures

Thumbnail art for a comic book page

How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist

Going from Script to Artboard

It all starts with an idea. Then it becomes words or words with pictures. What do you do with words you get from someone else? How do you interpret the script so you can visualize it?

Here's a process you can use.

1. Read the script a few times. Sometimes the images will come to you right away. That's great! Other times you will have to think about what you want to draw. In either case you have to get a clear image of what is happening in your mind. Your mind is your most important drawing tool.  if you can't see it in your mind, the you can't draw it well on paper. If the characters are new to you then you have to imagine what they will look like.

2. Use a highlight marker to choose what items you are going to need reference to draw like the Statue of Liberty, a car wreck, luxury apartment, cars, chairs, kitchen, birds, etc.

3. Make thumbnails to break down the script into pages for pacing,panel breakdowns and composition purposes. You can do this right on the script or on other paper. At this stage you just want to be sure your thinking is clear and you are concentrating on storytelling. You're not really trying to draw here. Do this quickly to get your ideas on paper. it can be stick figures or scribbles. It's for your benefit only.

4. Now collect all the reference images you will need. You don't want to disturb your drawing time by looking for reference then. Get it all at the beginning. Use the reference file you have and the internet. This is also the time to take your own photos. TAke a day to go to locations you may need like downtown, the subway, zoo etc. Also take shots of yourself and people in difficult pose you may need. References are to be used as a guide, not a crutch. It will be plainly obvious if you trace a  reference in one panel and don't have reference for the same thing in another panel.

5. Do layouts. Now is when you want to be concerned about drawing. You have two options. Draw it on an 8.5" x 11" bond paper , enlarge it to your art board size  an then lightbox it onto the board. Or do your layouts directly onto your art board lightly with graphite or non-photo blue pencil. Leave room for balloons and captions.

6. Do some model sheets for yourself of the major characters, so you can draw them consistently from panel to panel.

7. If you have a full script, then now is the time to do the lettering. Do not do lettering for samples you are doing in your portfolio.

This is a quick overview. I will go into detail about this process later.

Here's a fun illustration by the great Brian Buniak.

I also would like to see your comments. Is this helpful to you? Are the explanations clear and complete?

Keep reading and  +1 me. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!

copyright 2012 H. Simpson

Photocopy Your Bum

How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist

Tools of the Trade

49. PHOTOCOPY MACHINE - This is a tool you don't have to own, yet comes in very handy. You always want to make copies of your work at the pencil stage and inked stage to document it for yourself. It is also good if work has gotten lost in the mail so you don't have to redraw it. Inkers can lightbox the pencil copy and ink on a board. A good clean copy of inks and lettering can be used for reproduction.

You can use it in the production process. Your thumbnails can be enlarged to print size. Tighten up your drawings and then print size can be enlarged to original art size. Finalize the art and original art size can be reduced to print size to get a sense of how screens and other things will reproduce.

Create montages, duplicate backgrounds, figures and many other uses.

Now because of advances in technology, you can own a portable photocopier, scanner and fax machine, sometimes all-in-one. I advise against the all-in-one machines as when one function is broken, the you lose the use of the other functions.

This leads me nicely to the digital tool set. So next time we will begin looking at the software and hardware available to use for cartooning and drawing.

Next... Digital Tools

read next  - Ghost in the Machine

previous - When does an inker use a trigger instead of a brush?

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson

Trip the Light Fantastic

How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist

Tools of the Trade

39. TRACING PAPER - A translucent paper for sketches, overlays and tracing images. It makes tracing and transferring images effortless. Buy a pad or roll that contains no grease or wax.

40. TRANSFER PAPER - Graphite-coated paper to use like carbon paper to transfer an image to another surface. Clean to work with. It transfers waxless, greaseless, clean tracings that lay lightly on the paper surface and can be erased. A non-photo blue version is available also.

41. PUSH PINS - A metal point with a cylindrical head and that is easily inserted and withdrawn onto bulletin boards.

42. BULLETIN BOARD - A cork surface for posting paper, scripts, art, reference, inspiration, messages and whatever your little heart desires.

43. CUTTING KNIFE - Retractable utility knife, box cutter or X-Acto knife.

44. CUTTING MAT - Self-healing dual layer mat designed to remain smooth after repeated cuts made into the surface. Some have pre-screened square grids printed on the surface. Designed for extended use without wear.

45. LIGHTBOX - A glazed glass, durable plastic or durable acrylic surface which is slightly flexible and shatterproof over a lamp. It usually comes in white which has a see through quality.  Turn on the light and any piece of paper you put on top of the box becomes tracing paper.

46. OLD TOOTHBRUSH - Use this to create spatter with ink. Rub ink over the top and hold the toothbrush over the paper and stroke the bristles with your finger or stick. White ink over black ink can create star fields. A dry brush can be used to clean pen nibs.

47. JAR of WATER - While you should stay hydrated, this is to keep your tools clean.

48. ALUMINUM BRUSH WASHER - Has a spring coil that protects brush bristles by suspending your brushes in water or paint thinner.  The spring coil holds many brushes at the same time. And you can let your brushes dry afterwards above the liquid. Be sure you've twirled it to a point first. You can also use it when you just want to set the brush aside briefly.

A removable screen that traps solid particles to be lifted out so your water or thinner stays cleaner longer.

48. SMALL MIRROR - Use this to use yourself as quick reference for facial expressions and light and shadow on the face. Also hand gestures and positions.

to be continued...

read next - When does an inker use a trigger instead of a brush?

previous - The Ruler's Back

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products.

When you purchase a product by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

BONUS LINKS TO ART STORES!

http://www.blueroosterartsupplies.com/

http://www.artistcraftsman.com/

https://www.dickblick.com/

https://www.utrechtart.com/

copyright 2012 H. Simpson