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Published: 2008-12-01 06:44:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 1489; Favourites: 28; Downloads: 40
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I've gone a step further here in these "process" posts and included the script page and layouts. This is something I wish more people would do so others can learn something about breaking down a script and laying out a page.This is page 4 from Ambush at the End of the World, appearing in Mysterious Adventure Magazine. When I write, I don't break pages down by panel. Each page is its own piece and has its own beats and that's what I write to. Then I number the balloons (I don't know why I don't do it in the typing stage) to make it easier to follow in the layouts.
Then come the doodles. I beat my head against the page until I get something that works. Usually I'll have a panel or two already worked out in my head as I write and this part is to get the rest of the page to jive with those. I never show this step because it's a jumbled mess and really only makes sense to me.
When I've got something that works, I do a tighter layout on a pre-printed sheet that I'll blow up to 11x17 and lightbox on to my art board. This saves me a lot of time trying to recreate compositions and forms on the art board. This is also where I make sure my balloons work with the pictures.
Then I transfer that to the art board in non-photo blue pencil, run over that with a 4H pencil, go over that with an HB to tighten up spots if there's a lot of little detail that I don't want disappearing, write up my dialogue and ink the word balloons, and then ink it all in.
And that's what I do.
Then *mattcrap throws some pretty ziptones on it. You can see those here [link]
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Comments: 34
olauslinn [2009-05-18 03:25:35 +0000 UTC]
This is great stuff to look at- I always enjoy seeing others processes. Do you do your final drawings larger and then reduce? Or do you work at the standard page-size start to finish?
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scottygod In reply to olauslinn [2009-05-19 03:36:31 +0000 UTC]
I do everything on an 11x17 art board with a 10x15 "finished" art space. That's reduced to 67% for printing.
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olauslinn In reply to scottygod [2009-05-19 05:51:29 +0000 UTC]
You're a traditionalist as far as inking goes too, right? You've always had such crisp, simple inks, they're really a joy to look at.
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scottygod In reply to olauslinn [2009-05-25 21:29:42 +0000 UTC]
Thank you, sir. Yeah, I'm a brush guy. I just got some new crow quill nibs and I look forward to getting to know those.
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Ellen-Natalie [2008-12-06 18:52:52 +0000 UTC]
I wish more people would show their scripting styles, as well. Thanks for posting that-gives me some ideas.
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scottygod In reply to Ellen-Natalie [2008-12-06 19:35:57 +0000 UTC]
I agree. No two comic scripts look alike. It's as unique as the artwork.
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BrattyBen [2008-12-01 08:09:54 +0000 UTC]
Very cool to see. I love the fact that you write a script pretty much like I do. I just write the damn thing THEN break down my pages, THEN my panels.
I do have a question? What's the benefit of all that transfering? I get that you want to be consistent, and what not, but, do you feel that it's a drag on time? Would there be a quicker way?
For me, I love the fact of blowing up the thumb (how do you do that, by the way? two 8 1/2 sheets?) but I usually draw it out there, then ink.
Everyone is different, I just wonder if this may be an approach I'd consider taking.
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scottygod In reply to BrattyBen [2008-12-01 14:16:59 +0000 UTC]
I only do the one transfer from my finished layout to the art board. I do make little thumbnails and then draw a final one. That saves me a bunch of time. I used to go from little thumbnail straight to the art board and was wasting a lot of time placing figures and vanishing points. Now I take my final layout and enlarge it 200% onto an 11x17 sheet of paper and lightbox that onto my art board so I don't have to fight with the placement of everything. It cuts my pencilling time in half.
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BrattyBen In reply to scottygod [2008-12-01 22:17:45 +0000 UTC]
I was more wondering about the blue pencil you mentioned. You draw the blue, then go over in lead, then ink?
And how, oh how are you printing out your layouts onto an 11X17? Please tell me your secrets! heh.
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scottygod In reply to BrattyBen [2008-12-02 01:02:34 +0000 UTC]
Yes, sir. I do the blue line, then pencil, then ink. I'm not confident enough to go straight into ink from blue line. I suppose I could just lightbox it in pencil, but I try not to put too much lead on the page if I don't have to. The 11x17 are printed at Kinko's. It's a small expense and it saves me a bunch of time.
Great avatar, by the way.
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BrattyBen In reply to scottygod [2008-12-02 01:50:16 +0000 UTC]
LOL, thanks. And thanks for humoring my questions. Y'know, the Kinko's thing is something I was thinking about a while ago.
I may have to utilize that, because I hate losing some of the energy of my thumb layouts when I go to the final page.
For me, it's not about confidence, it's about getting it done. Between my job, kids, and the little sleep I get, if I have an hour, by golly, I'm gonna utilize every second of that hour to come close to a completed page.
But, alas, sometimes the work suffers a bit for it.
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scottygod In reply to BrattyBen [2008-12-02 03:14:06 +0000 UTC]
I totally understand the just getting it done thing. That's why I use the lightbox. I'm only able to work after everyone goes to bed, so I need to be economical with my time.
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BrattyBen In reply to scottygod [2008-12-02 03:49:00 +0000 UTC]
Yeah, me too. I have a light box, but, it's only a 9 X 12. Oh, man, it hurts.
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HydeKomiksInk [2008-12-01 07:25:13 +0000 UTC]
I agree - I LOVE seeing how others break down pages. BTW your storytelling abilities are stellar! Can't wait to pick some of this stuf fup in January!
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JonFreeman [2008-12-01 07:17:31 +0000 UTC]
this is amazing dude! thanks a million for laying out all this process!
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scottygod In reply to JonFreeman [2008-12-01 14:17:48 +0000 UTC]
If I can help just one person, it was worth the effort.
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JonFreeman In reply to scottygod [2008-12-01 22:23:14 +0000 UTC]
main new idea (for me) I got from it is just to spend some more time with general sketches of the angles before framing them into panels. smart approach.
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scottygod In reply to JonFreeman [2008-12-02 01:08:13 +0000 UTC]
I sketch the crap out of a page before I even do the tiny thumbnails. This is just what I could find. I probably have another couple of pages somewhere with different ideas for page 4.
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LeviSmithArt [2008-12-01 06:58:10 +0000 UTC]
I love this kind of stuff! I think I'll do one with a Maze page. it's great to see how other people work.
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scottygod In reply to LeviSmithArt [2008-12-01 07:00:20 +0000 UTC]
I'd love to see it. I'm a process junkie. We can all learn something from each other.
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LeviSmithArt In reply to scottygod [2008-12-01 07:02:48 +0000 UTC]
That would rock! I love sharing comic (procss) knowledge. I have to ask, have you read Scott McClouds stuff?
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scottygod In reply to LeviSmithArt [2008-12-01 07:06:11 +0000 UTC]
I have read Understanding Comics, but not the others. That was a trip.
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LeviSmithArt In reply to scottygod [2008-12-01 07:19:01 +0000 UTC]
ooooo... you got to read "making comics". It's mind blowing, especially for process geeks. It's literally the textbook for making comics.
Have you read "come in alone" by Warren Ellis or "The Cerberus Guide to self-publishing" By Dave Sim?
I think I've found and read every "how to make comics" book out there by a reputable source (wasn't impressed with the "Idiots guide to making graphic novels")
Another on: "True Facts" by Larry Young (AIT-PlanetLAR publishing)
all three very sobering books on creating and self-publishing comics. Dave Sim makes it seem like a horror show.
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scottygod In reply to LeviSmithArt [2008-12-01 14:22:29 +0000 UTC]
I'll check them out. Thanks.
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