Well it just seems I just can’t get ahead right now, so rather than delaying this week’s page, here is a peek into the process once again. As I post the progression over the next few days I’ll archive the previous images into the post.
An the final color is done in Adobe Photoshop with a little magic and luck.
Layout
This is the layout stage, done digitally via Sketchbook Pro and Photoshop. It gives me the freedom to explore the layout and composition without killing too many trees. It’s nice to have the ability to quickly scale images and repositioning them with out an opaque projector or photocopy machine. If you’re not old enough to remember those, Google it.
The lettering is done in Illustrator and pasted into the comp in Photoshop. I’m still tweaking the script at this point, running it past my wife, Beth, who has become my reliable editor. I make sure to lock everything down at this stage.
Pencils
Here is the pencil stage where I print the layout at 11″ x17″ and transfer it in light blue Col-erase pencil onto a 2 ply Strathmore Bristol. I tie everything down at this point putting the characters on model and making sure tangents are avoided. I work pretty tight because I find I make stupid mistakes when I leave big decisions for the inking stage.
Inks
The inks are done with a Windsor Newton Series 7 brush and miscellaneous tech pens. After scanning at 1200 dpi, I tweak the dialogue balloons to the final art.
And, even after this lame post, you still like the comic, be sure to go HERE to vote for Red’s Planet at Top Webcomics!
Man, poor Red. I think I’m starting to see why Red is missing a shoe later, she’s about to try to out run her troubles once and for all.
Panel 5: Challange should be Challenge
Can’t wait to see this in color.
Thanks Todd! There’s no spellcheck in Illustrator and I’m dead without it
Really? What version are you using? Using Adobe Illustrator 10.0 on Windows, spellcheck is just Type menu->Check Spelling. I can’t imagine they’ve removed it in later version. (Although they might have moved it around, especially if you’re on a Mac rather than Windows.)
Hey RC, I’m using Illustrator CS and remember it being in the Type menu as well. Your comment prompted me to do a Google search and, sure enough, it’s still there but it’s under the edit menu now. Who in their right mind would look for it there? Thanks for the help— I probably never would have checked again if you hadn’t mentioned it.
Poor Red . . . she’s really done it now. B/W, Color, either way it looks great!
Panel 2… the “everythings gonna be alright” look. Panel 5…. that’s the “I’m innocent” look. Is this where she gets abducted by aliens? Wouldn’t it be awesome if the sheriff suddenly TURNED INTO AN ALIEN! Scary plot twist, completely unexpected and memorable. Spielberg style.
How did you know that? Did you read my script!?
I’ll take this comic any way you can deliver it. I’d much rather see it in the early process than not at all. So no worries.
Ok, NOW I’m no longer laughing. I’m worried. A Facility! Gah!
“tmcelmurry” is thinkin’ what I was saying a while ago. When I read the preview chapter, she was missing both. Tie your shoelaces tight. By the way is shoe/lace one word? I think so.
She has red hair / she hates being called Red. She wears a red shirt (sci fi has a cliche with “redshirts”) / hates being called Red. She wears red shoes (though she eventually loses them) / hates being called Red. Irony is her enemy. If her socks had red toes & heels or red stitches ( As long as there Hanes).
I LOVE the gesture in panels one and two. I can see the awkward simplicity when kids crawl into cars. They really do “crawl” into cars because of their size. I can see this in Red’s character as she stumbles into the police car in these two panels. If you haven’t noticed, I am a huge fan of subtlety.
I like articulation too. Even the most simple acts add to the realism. I like the 3 panel configuration too. It’s monochromatic yet changing. Got a nice Warhol look. Last panel she should have said “I’m too young to go to jail”!
Book ‘em Danno. Don’t do the crime…..time? and all that stuff.
another beauty of a page. great storytelling! also i know you don’t like posting late but i love seeing the process of a page like you did here. very cool to see start to finish. keep up the great work. i think i might be the only guy who wants it to be a couple days late in hopes of you posting more process stuff. not too late though haha.
Thanks Aaron! I’ll try to start posting more behind the scenes work AND get the comic on time. That would be ideal.
Looks good, Eddie! Can’t wait to see where this goes
Love how you handle the nighttime colours, Eddie! Forgive me for asking, but is there are genetic relation between Ms. Foster and Officer Krupke here? … There’s something about the large nose, heavy eyes, and wispy bangs
Thanks Mike! As far as I know there’s no relation, but it is a small town, could be some inbreeding
Truth is I didn’t nail down my character designs well enough before I jumped into this chapter and I think my grownups just ended up looking the same.
Sorry, that should’ve read “is there a …”
I love seeing the process! It’s interesting that you do it digital first then ink with a brush then back to Photoshop to color. I should try doing it this way one time. But then when I ink ‘for real’ I forget there’s no Cmd-Z.
I love the the detail in this scene. The difficulty in Red asscending in the car. The massive backpack she has to handle, her hands pressed against the glass. Detail adds realism.
Man, that hopeful/anticipating expression in the 2nd panel just becomes heartbreaking once you read to the end of the page. Poor girl