my process

I've never actually finish a comic book before so I just had to come up with a process so that I don't get lost or too overwhelmed. Here it is.

1 - there is inspiration from a specific subject matter or genre. create a conflict, find a moral and message, and figure out how the main character will overcome his obstacles. then comes a basic format such as the 12 steps to the hero's journey which serves as a guide, not as a dictator. then eileen and i chat about a basic plot that we both like. this is all done verbally.

2 - i then create some sketches of key scenes that serve as visual story starters.

3 - i create the design packet while eileen writes. this includes everything from characters, environments, props, and vehicles. this is where i spend a whole week or more pulling reference from the internet and whatever books i can get my hands on.

4 - eileen gives me a script. i draw out moments to tell the story. it is too difficult for me to focus all aspects of drawing at once so this lets me isolate the pacing factor for me. i draw more moments in small panels as a note to myself that i want a fast pace action scene or show an emotion/reaction or build suspense, and i draw big scenic panels for slower scenes with more dialogue. gesture, camera angle, design, composition will come later.

5 - i scan all of these drawings and put them all in order and then we can flip through them like a flip book and get a basic idea of how some images will work with the dialogue. if i need to add panels, this is the time to do it.

6 - i sequentially organize all of these panels onto pages. since we are doing independent and online publishing, i ignore the 22 page format of the typical american comic book.

7 - eileen and i go through them and make sure there is enough room for word ballons.

8 - i make several passes through the pages. this is where i jump around from page to page to finalize the drawings,paying attention to the camera angle, use perspective grids, use reference, add lighting, draw everything consistently according to model sheets, make sure i use good gestures and facial expressions, be aware of design inside the panels, in panel layout in relation other panels/panel border design, screen direction, and cropping/composition. this all happens on the computer first. this is the stage that i'm at right now. more specifically i will draw the background first and characters afterwards on separate layers so that i have some flexibily to move things around at the last moment. then i plan on printing it out, doing some clean line work over a light table. then import that back into the computer and overlay on top of the computer drawing for the finished version. at the end of all of this, i will draw the cover and a poster and breathe again.

9 - color the pages. this process is to be explored so i will update this more once we get here.

10 - lettering word ballons, caption boxes, sfx, and finalizing panel borders. it's tempting to do hand lettering but i think it will be more likely that we'll letter on the computer.

11 - publish online. if we get curious enough or there is a demand and support for printing physical copies we will do so when that time comes. meanwhile we will go green.

12 - promote and tell it to the world