Port of Morrow

Storyboard for  a movie

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copyright 2012 H. Simpson

Ghost in the Machine

Ten years ago did you think you would be able to draw on this?

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

DIGITAL TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Hardware

COMPUTER

You no longer need a desktop computer to create art.  Now there are all-in-one PCs with the monitor and case of the computer as a single unit. The monitor utilizes a touchscreen as a method of user input, however other input devices such as a detached keyboard and mouse are may still be included.

Also the computer is portable now with a variety of netbooks, laptops, notebooks, tablets and smartphones.

Netbooks are usually just for connecting to the internet and no applications can be loaded, so no use trying to use these to create art.

 Random-access memory (RAM) - Get the maximum amount of memory your computer can hold. Your software programs will run better, faster and you will get less freezing of your computer as you work with large files.

STANDARD INPUT DEVICES

•         Keyboard - A device to input text and characters.
•         Mouse - A pointing device that detects two dimensional motion. Do not try to draw with a mouse. It will be like using a bar of soap.

IMAGE, VIDEO INPUT DEVICES

•         Image scanner - A device that analyzes images and objects and coverts it to a digital file. Be sure it scans at least 600 dpi. A tabloid size scanner will make life easier, however a regular size scanner will do fine. if you can't afford a scanner you may be able to get scans done at your local office supply store.
•         Digital camera - Good to take photos and videos to use for reference for your drawings.
•         Graphics tablet and stylus - A flat surface which the user draws on with a pen-like drawing apparatus. A digitized image appears in the application program on screen. 

You want to get a tablet that has the ability to detect pressure, angle and speed of the stylus to mimic your natural drawing/painting style.

You should set the tablet to match the the ratio of your screen. Because of this it doesn't matter what size the tablet is and that's a good thing. I've used all of the sizes. I was able to do everything I needed with the small size that I did with the large size. Most professionals agree you don't need the large size. Small or medium will do just fine and save you money.

•         Touchpad - Interface that senses the position of a user’s finger and fingers on its surface.
•         Touchscreen - senses the user interaction directly on the monitor using optical grid sensors or a pressure sensitive film.

OUTPUT DEVICES

• Monitor - Get a 21-inch monitor or larger with crisp, clear images.

If you are doing coloring it's important to calibrate your monitor so the colors you see will be closer to the colors that will print. Don't expect it to be exact as you are looking at light on a display and it the published comic is ink on paper which is a different wavelength. The print will be darker colors.

•     Printer - A device that produces a text or graphic document.

        Laser printer uses a xerographic printing process, but differ from analog photocopiers in that the image is produced by the direct scanning of a laser beam across the printer's photo receptor.

        Inkjet printer creates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto paper.


STORAGE

• External Drive - Get a 2 or 3 terabyte drive to back-up your computer. Computers crash and freeze. This way you won't lose a whole job for a client that you've worked on for weeks and the computer decides to crash the day before the deadline.
• Discs - After each job is done you want to burn it to a DVD. Get it off your computer to free up room and label it so you know what's on it.

You can also use DVDs to deliver the job once it's complete. I'll discuss other delivery methods later.

to be continued....

read next - Rolling In The Deep
previous - Photocopy Your Bum

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.

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

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

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

A Pause for the Cause to Think About Ink

There are many decisions to made made concerning ink that I've discussed so far. I've grouped them here for easy reference.

A narrow nib must use a fluid, fast ink and gives the best performance.

Broad nibs must use slow inks with higher viscosity.

Fast ink will leave the nib before or at first contact with the paper. A slow ink will stick to the nib.

If your style does not rely on thin and thick strokes, then NEVER touch the nib to the paper. Let your nib hover closely above the paper and let the ink forming on the nib provide the contact.

A rough paper needs a fast, fluid ink. A smooth plate glossy paper requires a slow ink.

The higher the angle of your drawing table the more fluid the ink has to be to flow properly.

The lower the angle the slower the ink has to be in order not to flow too fast.

to be continued...

read next - Photocopy Your Bum

previous - Trip the Light Fantastic

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.

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

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

The Ruler's Back

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

Tools of the Trade

As a general rule if something is organic, then draw it by hand. If something is man-made then use a straight edge, guide or template. The tools below will help to get that man made feel.

31. RULER - Metal or wooden with metal edge. Do not use the plastic rulers as they will wear down or warp.

32. T-SQUARE -  A tool for drawing parallel horizontal lines on a drafting table. It is also used to draw vertical and diagonal lines in conjunction with triangles. Use metal as wooden ones loosen over time.

33. TRIANGLES -  Made of clear acrylic plastic at 30°, 60°, 90° and 45° angles. The adjustable transparent triangle combines the functions of the triangle and the protractor. The upper row of numbers indicates angles from  0° to 45° to the longer base; the lower row indicates angles from  45° to 90° to the shorter base. 

34. FRENCH CURVES - Plastic or metal templates having an edge with several different curves. Used to draw smooth curves of almost any desired curvature. It's best to buy a set as you can combine the curves to produce the curve you want.

35. FLEXIBLE CURVE - Square metal core wrapped with light blue wear-resistant plastic. Adjustable and retains shape without support to create your own unique curves. It has a raised inking edge to use with technical pens or brushes.

36. DRAFTING COMPASS - A tool to draw arcs or circles. One arm of a compass has a needle. The other arm contains graphite. You should buy a drafting compass which has an interchangeable point for pencil or ink. Best to buy a compass drafting kit with a large and small bow compass, as well as a divider and beam bar extension.

37. CIRCLE TEMPLATES/ ELLIPSE GUIDES - Made of plastic with openings to draw in various sizes from very small circles/ellipses to extra large circles/ellipses.

38. AMES LETTERING GUIDE - A clear plastic tool combining a rotating disk with an indexed rim for drawing guidelines for freehand lettering. Holes are spaced for three different systems. It includes direct setting for cross-hatching, grouped sets of guidelines and inch or metric measurements.

These two sites give good explanations about the Ames Lettering tool.

http://www.artofthecomicbook.com/materials/lettering-amesguide.htm

http://www.dharbin.com/blog/process-using-the-mighty-ames-lettering-guide/

Tip: If you are inking and the ruler, triangle and templates do not have a raised inking edge, the tape a few pennies spaced out underneath the tool.

to be continued...

read next - Trip the Light Fantastic

previous - You are about to be boarded

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