What are the steps involved in drawing a comic like yours?
-Miranda
Well, Miranda... The first thing, is to figure out what the hell I'm drawing. And while maybe that sounds pretty simple, it can be far more difficult than I usually assume.
I usually do about 10-15 sketches on paper, before I ever even sit at the computer.
For example... This was the one of the first character designs I had created for the "New Game Plus" chain. And while this is just one sheet, I had already a good visual of what I wanted. Though, that is not always the case.
When I made the swordsman... I had about 15 different ideas... and I hated them all. (Up until the last one. Which I really liked.)
But this time... I wanna draw a dinosaur. (Cause I like dinosaurs.)
I usually do about 10-15 sketches on paper, before I ever even sit at the computer.
For example... This was the one of the first character designs I had created for the "New Game Plus" chain. And while this is just one sheet, I had already a good visual of what I wanted. Though, that is not always the case.
When I made the swordsman... I had about 15 different ideas... and I hated them all. (Up until the last one. Which I really liked.)
But this time... I wanna draw a dinosaur. (Cause I like dinosaurs.)
STEP 1
First I draw a digital sketch. I use a yiynova msp19u tablet, and make a quick sketch, usually in blue, and around 40% opacity. That way I can define lines more, when they look right. This doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to embody the idea. And keep you on track.
Luckily, It looks pretty dino-like. (GO GRIMLOCK!)
First I draw a digital sketch. I use a yiynova msp19u tablet, and make a quick sketch, usually in blue, and around 40% opacity. That way I can define lines more, when they look right. This doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to embody the idea. And keep you on track.
Luckily, It looks pretty dino-like. (GO GRIMLOCK!)
STEP 2
Next is what I consider to be the most important part. The lineart. This is where the full idea starts to appear. I create a new layer on top of the sketch. For me, I zoom in really close, to make sure my lines are as smooth as possible. Perhaps I spend a bit too much time on this, but for the dino pic, I just zoomed through it. (Because, again, I like dinosaurs.)
Next is what I consider to be the most important part. The lineart. This is where the full idea starts to appear. I create a new layer on top of the sketch. For me, I zoom in really close, to make sure my lines are as smooth as possible. Perhaps I spend a bit too much time on this, but for the dino pic, I just zoomed through it. (Because, again, I like dinosaurs.)
STEP 3
Next is coloring the flats. First, I create a new layer. I always create my color flats on the same level. Other artists get upset when they see me do this. But I think that it helps in the shading portion later on. Also, color choice is important for later. I try to remember what the light will be like, if they are inside or outside. (But here it's simple. Dinos are green.)
Next is coloring the flats. First, I create a new layer. I always create my color flats on the same level. Other artists get upset when they see me do this. But I think that it helps in the shading portion later on. Also, color choice is important for later. I try to remember what the light will be like, if they are inside or outside. (But here it's simple. Dinos are green.)
STEP 4
Next, I select the areas I think should be toned differently. In this case the undercarriage of the dinosaur. I think with reptiles, the underbelly area is usually a lighter color.
So i use the select lasso, and choose the setting that melds them together. (the two overlapping boxes up top.) Then I start selecting.
Next, I select the areas I think should be toned differently. In this case the undercarriage of the dinosaur. I think with reptiles, the underbelly area is usually a lighter color.
So i use the select lasso, and choose the setting that melds them together. (the two overlapping boxes up top.) Then I start selecting.
STEP 5
After everything is selected, I grab a lighter color, and a large brush, and just paint the whole selection.
(Finally, the dino is starting to look... Dino-ish.)
After everything is selected, I grab a lighter color, and a large brush, and just paint the whole selection.
(Finally, the dino is starting to look... Dino-ish.)
STEP 6
Next I use the magic select tool, and grab all of the dark green areas. Then grab a texture brush, and turn the opacity and flow down to 50/50, and go over all the selected areas.
(This makes the dino look all rough. Cause dinosaurs don't exfoliate.)
Next I use the magic select tool, and grab all of the dark green areas. Then grab a texture brush, and turn the opacity and flow down to 50/50, and go over all the selected areas.
(This makes the dino look all rough. Cause dinosaurs don't exfoliate.)
STEP 7
This next part is a little speed trick I use. While all the dark green area is selected still. Hold the alt key, and remove a little bit of the selection where light might hit it.
(shiny dinosaur parts will help sell the shape.)
This next part is a little speed trick I use. While all the dark green area is selected still. Hold the alt key, and remove a little bit of the selection where light might hit it.
(shiny dinosaur parts will help sell the shape.)
STEP 8
Now go into IMAGE> ADJUSTMENTS> BRIGHTNESS / CONTRAST, and turn the brightness down a little. (depending on the darkness or brightness of the background you will use, you might want to adjust it a bit.) I used 30 here. Now we get some basic highlights.
Now go into IMAGE> ADJUSTMENTS> BRIGHTNESS / CONTRAST, and turn the brightness down a little. (depending on the darkness or brightness of the background you will use, you might want to adjust it a bit.) I used 30 here. Now we get some basic highlights.
STEP 9
Now I just do the same thing as above... with the lighter green area. Magic select tool the lighter colored area, and brush in some texture. Just like I did on the dark parts.
Now I just do the same thing as above... with the lighter green area. Magic select tool the lighter colored area, and brush in some texture. Just like I did on the dark parts.
STEP 10
Then I just use the same speed trick for highlighting as before. Hold alt, and deselect the areas light would hit.
Go into brightness/contrast setting again. And adjust it to darken about 30. (If I used a different number before, I try to use the same. Unless it looks funky. But generally the same number.)
Now I do the same things for the claws on his hands and feet. Select them, color them grey, then use the texture trick, and deselect / darken them so the highlights show.
Then, you just draw your background using the same types of steps, and there you go.
For the dinosaur, I just dropped him on a purple textured background.
Since this dinosaur was only used as a demo.
Then I just use the same speed trick for highlighting as before. Hold alt, and deselect the areas light would hit.
Go into brightness/contrast setting again. And adjust it to darken about 30. (If I used a different number before, I try to use the same. Unless it looks funky. But generally the same number.)
Now I do the same things for the claws on his hands and feet. Select them, color them grey, then use the texture trick, and deselect / darken them so the highlights show.
Then, you just draw your background using the same types of steps, and there you go.
For the dinosaur, I just dropped him on a purple textured background.
Since this dinosaur was only used as a demo.
STEP 11 DONE!
Now you have a dinosaur.
And you just add words... But dinosaurs don't talk, so no need in this situation. (perhaps a growl... but this dino is a mute. So lucky us.)
Now you have a dinosaur.
And you just add words... But dinosaurs don't talk, so no need in this situation. (perhaps a growl... but this dino is a mute. So lucky us.)
So, Miranda... I hope this explains the basic steps involved.
And although, many of the comics aren't as simplified, or quick as this...
Hopefully it helps... And even if it doesnt...
I still got to draw a sweet dinosaur.
Thanks again for the email,
And I can't wait to answer some more next week.
-Deece
And although, many of the comics aren't as simplified, or quick as this...
Hopefully it helps... And even if it doesnt...
I still got to draw a sweet dinosaur.
Thanks again for the email,
And I can't wait to answer some more next week.
-Deece
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