Blue Moon Blog

Between other jobs, I’ve been working on roughs and layouts for that back-up story for the Proof comic book I mentioned here a bit back. For “thinking work” like this, I like to get out of the studio sometimes, and kick back a bit, more comfy-style. That was easier to do this week since it’s finally warming up here in Minnesota, so I was able to get some sun or at least fresh air as I sketched away while sitting on the deck or patio.

Lately, for my comics work, I’ve been doing breakdowns for each page right on the printed script in red pen. No one else (not even the writer, I’d guess) can tell what the heck’s going on in these tiny page roughs, maybe 3″ tall. If I wait too long before going to the next step, even I can’t decipher some of the strange scribblings!

The next step is to do a larger layout. These I do at print size, so I can get a more clear idea of the actual size and proportions of things as it will appear to readers. I’m showing here just a few panels from this page, so as not to give away too much or ruin the story for those who’ll read it later when it sees print.

I like to draw these layouts quickly in marker to figure composition, character expressions and gestures. For me, word balloon placement is integral to the page and panel design, so I draw those in at this stage, rather than later, to allow enough room for both word and pictures, that they support each other and work together seamlessly. Boy, there’s just nothing I like doing more than this. Comics!

I hear more and more comics artists are printing their layouts in non-repro blue on larger sheets or bristol, and that’s what I’m planning to finally try for this story. I’m getting awful tired of transferring pencils to board on my light table. It seems like an extra step to me more than ever, and I’d rather streamline the process. We’ll see how it goes….