Look closely at the rough pencils (make that “digital” pencils, for I draw my comics directly on a large Wacom Cintiq) for today’s strip below…
You’ll see that some things aren’t quite what happened in the final strip, if you compare the two. It’s an interesting and organic process of creating LoB, and I LOVE it. I often make little tweaks in the art as I’m inking, or, as I’m fleshing it out, discover that one pose just doesn’t work the way I thought it would, as I replay what’s happening over and over in my head, and become “one” with the immediate 3-panel story at hand. This is a very rewarding thing during the process… to be in control on one hand, and yet, at the same time, let the characters themselves, who are real to me, dictate how they will act and respond to what’s happening. I hope you enjoy the explaination of this process… because frankly, I’m surprised I was able to put it into words, as it’s just somehting that “is” when I work!
Hey, that’s very cool, David! I should try taking a page out of your book and lay down some “pencils” like that. I too use a Cintiq for my work, but I basically wing the drawing, changing and editing as I go. However, I wonder if it wouldn’t come out better if I tried it your way…thanks for giving me something to chew on
That’s one of the nice things about a digital process…It’s easier to rework a panel. I work with caveman tools, and sometimes my pencils are so re-worked I can’t tell what I was getting at. Massive erasing: Just one of many reasons quality paper will save you frustration.
I think you said a while back you also got a Tablet PC for on-the-road art. Was I perhaps thinking of someone else? If you did, can you offer any advice? It’s an option I’m considering when I get around to upgrading my current machine.