Hi guys, I'm new to Tapas, wanted to share some stuff in case it helps anyone - it helps me learn better too when I try to explain this stuff to people.
So I follow a 7 step process, it's kind of long and steps could be skipped but I haven't been drawing all that long (6 years) and I always feel the panel suffers if I'm not diligent like this. Here goes:
1) Script (this could probably be broken down into more steps but for now I'll leave it as this)
2) Rough drawing (for the camera shot angle and composition ideas)
3) Gesture (blue lines to get some kind of rhythm throughout the characters)
4) Forms (pencil like lines to solidify proportions and some facial features)
5) Ink (done digitally most of the time, finalizes all the lines)
6) Values (setting the local colour/value of everything based on the ambient light of the scene. Not realistic but within the world of this comic, it's following the 'rules')
7) Lighting (it is colour as well, but thinking of colour in terms of light can be really helpful)
That list probably helps no one without some examples, so here are a few from The Lost Graveyard
1) Script:
Box. Shot of her twirling round Gypsey style. We see her dress rise up a little. Doc sees it and is surprised.
S. I SING FOR THE GRACE. I DANCE FOR THE PASSION. I DREAM FOR THE MEANING.
2) Rough
SUPER messy, just figuring out the kind of shot I'm going to use.
3) Gesture
Blue lines to catch some kind of rhythm (the image got flipped due to where the characters ended up sitting in this episode)
4) Forms
Taking the loose lines from before and making the characters solid
5) Inking
Finalizing the lines
6) Values
When I designed the characters, I picked the tones their outfits would use, I fill these in here and set some other grey tones for the background to separate things nicely.
7) Lighting
This could probably be broken down again, since I have this texture over the top that I throw on at the end to make it look less digital. This comic is essentially monochrome, I just used a warm light from a campfire to give some more atmosphere.
Here's another one with just the images, no chatter:
I feel that once we have a good process in place, it will free the mind to focus on the design more. It also gives confidence that in the end, if we follow the process, it will turn out similar to work we've done with it before.
Hope you enjoy this post! Let me know if its useful or if you have any questions and if you feel like it, please share your process too! I'm always looking for inspiration to develop mine.