Thumbnails and sketched pages today. You can see how some things changed from my initial ideas. The process itself evolved from some very rough, all-over-the-page sketches, to something more defined over time. I’m still nailing down my workflow, and the last page was really all over the place while I figured out how to put it together. Sometimes it comes more naturally than others. (I would show you those sketches, but I drew them on a page with sketches and notes for future chapters.)
It honestly doesn’t matter how one specifically gets from point A to point B so long as it works. However, I’ve found throughout my life that looking at the process of other artists has helped me figure out what works for me personally.
This is my first weekly comic, and it’s been a huge learning experience. Some of the pages I considered sharing had whole panels missing that I drew in later on the computer, because they just weren’t working on the page, and many pages were sketched only in blue pencil. I also frequently rely on Photoshop to correct my sketches before I ink them, which means I do less erasing, but also makes my work seem stiff. Going forward, this is something I hope to change.
The biggest issue is efficiency. The comic doesn’t make me any money, so I have to devote energy to other things throughout the week, which means that I have to find the quickest route to a finished page. This has sometimes meant missing weeks, or posting unfinished pages, but the alternative is to never post anything. The Monday deadline keeps me working when I would otherwise be more susceptible to distraction. This isn’t true of everyone, but anyone wanting to put pen to paper has to ask themselves how they will stay motivated.
The best way to get started, I find, is to focus on the busy work. Setting up, arranging things—once you’re in the right headspace, it’s easier to transition into the main focus of your work. For example, the second and third set of thumbnails above—I got started just by sketching out the rectangles and thinking about where to place panels. Because I didn’t do this in advance, it gave me a chance to build up to the actual work. Nothing is more intimidating (and exciting) to an artist than a blank page. Put something on it, and it’s easier to get started. (Another example is just sketching some vague shapes and then building off of them—sometimes you really need something to build off of.)
I hope this was valuable. Next week I’ll be posting an original bonus comic.
Update 3/9/15: I’m sorry, I thought I could get the first page of the four page bonus comic done by today, but writing the script dragged on and was very difficult. I drew this doodle to express my frustration and rage.
The page is barely half done, and it’s so late in the day I doubt anyone will see this addendum. I just wanted to let you know that I’m still working on it, and all four pages (fingers crossed) will go up next Monday, March 16th.
If I can’t finish all four this week, they will be available in the print edition of Chapter 1, which I intend to make available at Rose City Comic Con this September. I intend to completely finish all of the unfinished pages on the website for the print edition (some were put up without color only because the color was half-finished, so this isn’t as daunting as it sounds). The bonus comic is intended to fill out the main comic with character moments one would not otherwise get the opportunity to enjoy and explain some of the science (and inspiration for the fiction) behind my writing. Please come back Monday and enjoy.
P.S. I’ve already written a big chunk of Chapter 2, including the ending, so hopefully this will prevent the need for last minute rewrites. Writing is hard, and you can’t force yourself to be creative. Better to do that work ahead of time, yeah?
