Your Comic Creation/ Manga Creation Process. What is yours and what would be most productive?

[krislalev]

Hi everyone!

I'd like to know what is your Comic creation process from start to finish.
Here is mine.

I sit down in google docs and start thinking of ideas and i write them down like:
(Random examples)
- Tatto world, Dark Net, Reaper Contract
OR in more detail like:
- Boy has near death experience and in his coma dream he makes a contract with the reaper.

Then I would sit down and start imagining how the first chapter would go and I start writing a text as long as it needs to be. At this stage I start realizing I need character names which i start researching and adding as the text progresses, when did a certain thing happen, what time period etc.

OLD WAY: I used to do something else instead of chapter 1 text. I used to write from the begining of time, when the world was created and how (Worldbuilding). Eventually reaching the present moment. This is for an Alternate universe or a made up world. Then once I was done with all of that text I then summarize it in a small synopsys. Then I Do a summary of the entire storyline of the future story with 4 parts: Introduction(the first season or arc), Development(the main character has become considerable stronger for example and the story is escalating more and more), Twist(Something extremely major will happen midway or 3/4 of the whole story), Conclusion/Climax(The ending of the whole story and how it happens)

Back to current way.
After the chapter text is finished and I've fleshed out the begining of the story, I start writing the chapter 1 script. When that's done by that time I have a basic idea of what the main character looks like and acts like so i start sketching a few head designs. Yep thats right. Only head designs. I draw around...i dont know...10-15 heads and choose from 3 to 5 of them and draw a unique character based on those heads. finally i choose one of those characters as the main character and move on to the next stage.
Storyboarding. I use an iPad Pro now only since I want to get used to it and i have for 1 year now. Really got attached to that. So i do all story boarding there. Rough sketching, stickfiguring almost, laying out on a whole A 4 the panels for a manga I used to work on. I hear some people use very smal pages that are 1/8 of an A4 paper.

After storyboarding is done its the inking stage and I do that togeather with toning, texting and sfx.(special/sound effects)
Then it's Front page time. Coloring and all that. I think thats it.

Oh one more thing!!! I did a project once where I wrote 10 chapter scripts in advance just so that they are ready to draw. After that I did a few one shots by the same procedure as the one above.
Should I write a few chapters in advance before moving on?

Let me know what you think and how you create yours. I am really curious. I hope we all learn something from each other!!

[ninjashira]

When I'm working, I usually start with a vague idea that I slowly flesh out into a cohesive story over the course of several weeks or months. I don't even worry about character names or locations in the early part of writing, because I can get so caught up finding the perfect name that I lose momentum for my story. So in the first draft, my characters are all Shady Guy and Main Character, and my locations are all Capital City and Book Shop.

Once I get enough of a story down, I'll work on my character designs, and this is where I usually figure out character names that fit what they wind up looking like. Then I'll just Find and Replace in my document.

I don't start doing any actual page art until I'm done writing the entire story. I can't work chapter-to-chapter like some people can, I have to have my road map telling me exactly what's going to happen, so I can drop hints and foreshadow and things like that.

So once my entire script is done, then I'll go through a chapter at a time and thumbnail the whole chapter, then pencil it all, ink it all, and do all the colors, so the whole chapter winds up complete at about the same time. I'll set the entire chapter to auto-update twice a week, and while that is uploading to Tapas over the course of the next several months, I can relax and take my time getting the next chapter done. Rinse and repeat!

[krislalev]

Weeks I understand but Months? Isn't that a bit too much time for creating a story?

[ninjashira]

I don't think a few months is too long to work on a script for a comic that I'm going to be drawing for the next three years. I've got to make sure I love the characters, the story hits the right beats, and there's good character growth and plot development, and the ending is satisfying.

There are people who will develop a story for a year or years before it's finished. I see no reason to rush through a script and start drawing it right away, I like to take my time, step away from it for a while, go back and read it with fresh eyes, get beta readers to look it over and get them to tell me what they think, then revise based on the feedback I got. It's a process.

[Shanny8]

@krislalev I have an iPad, but it's taking me a LONG minute to get used to it. A lot of it has to do with I'm not used to working on a device that small; I feel like I need area for my hands to rest on properly. Also, working on CSP I dont have all the brushes that I regularly use on my laptop...I have the main ones that I use when I pencil & ink, but I'm still trying to figure out some of the settings coz the interface is different.

I usually think of the story, and concepts surrounding it...once I figure that out I begin designing characters, as well as figuring out stuff like how I want my story to begin & where I want to go with it; then I begin scripting.

I'll script so many pages then take a break and come back to see if I still like what I've written...if so then I continue- same routine until I finish the story, then give it a once over a week or so later to see if it still resonates with me. If it does, then I dive into production; if not, then I make the necessary changes to make it work, then take into production.

Panel/page layouts, loose pencils, slightly tightened but still loose pencils, inks, then colors...lettering is always the last task before proofing my work; do correx and then save & post.

[nathanKmcwilliams]

Step 1
Sit down in front of computer
Step 2
Draw my page until it's done
Step 3
Start a new one

I don't have a system beyond that. I've been working on this story in all its shapes and forms for a decade. I've scrapped so many drafts, because I used to worry about everything being perfect.

When it comes to my personal work, I just sit down and do it, I know what needs to happen, it's all in my head. Sticking to an outline only hinders me.

[MerrowBros]

I always write out the entire project before I start drawing it. So I write the whole project in a few months (usually in an abbreviated kinda-sorta screenplay format), and spend the next five plus years drawing it, because drawing is the great and powerful devourer of time.

Another five years and my current project will be done for sure. Then I could move on to the other five insanely long comics projects I've written in the interim. Hooray.

[krislalev]

That is very interesting. I feel the same sometimes but still push myself, thinking i need a map/a plan layout and i really try to stay aware of not being perfect.

[Puck]

-character developement, plot idea, back story of the characters (important)
-48 pages script, I take an already existing comic book with similiar story structure I want
my comic to be like and write the script panel after panel
-writing down a short text what the comic is about to check if it works
-refining the story by writing it down again in a text form like a
novel, in that stage the script changes a lot because I have better ideas
-reading the text to some people to see if they understand the story and I
get their critique about the story and hear their ideas about the story
-refine the story again
-let my brother write the dialogues and other text that the reader will
read later
-drawing rough panels / layout collecting ideas for shots
all that happens in a couple of days, the 48 pages rough script for the comic
I´m working on took my one day for example
now comes the time intense part
which is a mix of drawing panels, refining them, getting feedback, layout
changes

It´s impossible for me to draw a comic without a finished story/script,
so that´s the most important part to get the ball rolling, but it´s also the
part which takes the least time

[Llyrel]

When I started to publish my story on Tapas, I already had a good 50% of the script done, due to the fact that I've been working on this story for almost six years now so for now most of my work is focusing on producing the art, rather than writing + drawing. I found this to be the best way: I'm a perfectionist and I like to make sure everything works as it should before I proceed to publish anything, so working on both the script and the drawings at the same time would have been far too overwhelming. In this way, I can focus on one thing at a time, and by the time my drawings will catch up with first half of the script I have now (which will take YEARS), hopefully I should have the other half already written anyway, here's my process:

WRITING
-Made a bullet list of the key events I wanted to have in my story. Then I started to flesh things out: didn't need to do much work on the characters, since at that point I'd been roleplaying them for about 4 years and was already familiar with them. There were a few new additions, though, so I focused on those. Also, as more details were added to the story, I figured it might have been a good idea to...
-Make a timeline of events. A lot of my plot relies on things that happened in the past, and although we're only going to see pieces of it through character flashbacks, having a timeline to figure out what happened when was still necessary. So I went on and made that. Again, it's in bullet list form, so I can easily add/rearrange/remove events if needed.
-Scripting. Not much to be said here, my scripts are very basic and I really only put dialogues in them XD when I write, I already have a pretty clear mental image of what's gonna happen in a certain scene, so I don't really describe actions unless it's a silent panel where action is the only thing you're gonna see.
-Edit, edit, edit, cry over plot holes, go back to fix them, rewrite, edit, cry again, edit... oh, hey, this actually looks kinda decent now! Time to do some...

SKETCHING
-My first draft is usually very rough. I either draw teeny tiny thumbnails on paper or on my iPad Pro. Characters are more often than not just stick figures. Backgrounds are pretty much non-existent at this stage. If needed, I start to look for references when it comes to complicated poses/perspective or make my own in The Sims 3. Yup
-Once I have everything set up, I move everything in Photoshop. I create panels (which are basically a bunch of rectangles on their own layer, lol), resize sketches if needed, add text to see if it fits. The text I'm adding at this point is not the -final- text (that will be added in CSP), but I still make sure to use the same font/size to make sure everything fits. Then I save it as a .psd file and move it to Procreate for the next phase.

DRAWING/COLORING
-I used to do things traditionally at first, but ended up using Procreate instead due to it being more cost effective. Most of the work is done in there: lineart, flats, shading. Then I move everything back to Photoshop for the final edits.
-Once in Photoshop, I add textures, adjust colors and so on. Yep, I could easily do that in Procreate too, but I find the effects I use to be slightly different in Photoshop compared to Procreate, and I prefer the results in Photoshop anyway. Once I'm done with it, I flatten the whole thing, save it as a .jpg and move onto CSP for the lettering.

...Truth to be told, I'm perfectly aware that my process is a bit chaotic and that I could easily reduce working times if I did everything in CSP. I also have a Cintiq, so it's not like my iPad is the only screen tablet available. However...

-I prefer the feel of my iPad compared to my Cintiq. It's more portable and easy to use. I don't have a desk to fit my Cintiq on 24/7, so I'd need to rearrange my entire workspace every single time I need to use it and it's honestly a pain in the ass.
-Procreate brushes = LOVE.
-I've been using Photoshop for 15+ years and I'm waaaaaaaaaay faster at it than I am on CSP when it comes to most stuff, like adding textures, mask/layer adjustment shortcuts and so on. However, CSP comes with a built-in feature for comic balloons, hence why I have to rely on that for my lettering.

At the current stage, anyway, working on a single page (not counting the scripting phase) takes me from 2 to 5 days, depending on how complicated the whole thing is.

[Eiranyx]

When I'm working on a comic, I usually prepare everything beforehand until my set deadline before drawing the actual comic ( I work alone btw, so it means I have to do everything myself.)

• The first step would be creating an outline -- it usually takes more time especially if the story was set in a place that I'm not really familiar with so I need to research the culture, the architecture, the fashion -- everything. --- this is actually the longest process, it can take as early as 2 weeks until a month at most but for me this is actually one of the most productive step
  • during this time, I make a board with reference pictures on how I want the world to look like, how do people dress in that world things like that
  • this is also where I think of the name and write a detailed character description/ character profiling
  • detailed summary of the story also goes in here.
• The next step is creating an initial sketch of the characters, and other details based on the reference board -- the clothes they will wear, the place the buildings etc
• After the initial sketch, the finalization of character design will be next so this is where I create a detailed character sheet with the colour palettes, turn around, eyes, and extra details that will appear in the comic
• Then after everything about the theme/aesthetic, and story plot is finalized, the next is writing the detailed script of the story. --- This is the fastest process given because I got all the details I need.
  • because the detailed summary is already done by this time, I can now divide it into arcs / seasons and proceeding to write it in comic manuscript form.
• Once I'm finally done with the manuscript, I run a final edit on the script
  • changes in scenes and dialogues are unavoidable so I edit it while I'm drawing
• finally: Start Drawing
  • sometimes, I usually just start drawing even if the script is not yet completed as long as the script is completely ahead. -- so there are days when I'm writing the script while I'm drawing (I write and draw pretty fast actually)
  • I also plan on the extras beforehand too and for that, I have ready made prompts for special chapters like holiday specials and stuffs.

[krislalev]

Those are some solid replies @nathanKmcwilliams, @Llyrel, @ninjashira, @Puck, @Eiranyx, @Shanny8, @MerrowBros . From what I gather so far is that Time must be spent creating the story. Months seems like too much for me so I set myself a 1 month deadline but seems that some of you are really adamant about taking the time to get to know the characters, the world, do proper research etc. So would you say 1 month is not enough?
- Important: 4 years ago i worked on my first project and that was about characters that i casually and jokingly kept developing with my cousing over the course of 4-6 years just verbally. Finally when I decided I want to draw comics, those characters came to mind and i started developing an actual story, world, and outlining the personalities of the characters even though i knew them really well in my mind. I researched and wrote story, arc 1 story, 10 chapter scripts, character descriptions etc for hmm...2 months. I guess it took some time, yeah. And then I felt confident enough to start the manga of 50 pages, but i stopped at 24 cause i didnt think i was good enough art wise so i did a few one shots up until today. Right now i am working on a story with a theme that i absolutely love(warriors) and i am kind of combining it with the story from 4 years ago and recreating it. I feel like i know the characters, but i am having trouble establishing timeline, fashion and architecture. Its only day 5 of me working on this latest project but i’ve been all around the forum trying to get the right information in order for me to do this project right.
What do you guys think?
Should I take my time and make sure i do step 1: Writing everything clearly?
Should I stick to my 1 month deadline and use my stories combo to make the best out of this project?
Confusion is in the air as always but all your processes seem very practical and genuine!
I saw your works and they all look professional and well thought.

[Prometheus]

So, I've only done a few manga pages - but I do have a system. The way I do manga is a little different than I do my American-style comics, but I'll just go over my process for when I was doing my Tezuka contest entry:

I usually start by thinking of a story idea (obviously). The idea can be developed in many ways. I'm either struck by a simple idea that I then flesh out, or I instantly have a theme I want to tackle. If I don't instantly have a theme, then the theme usually comes when I'm fleshing out the idea I've been struck with. I tend to not write anything or much down when I have the idea that I'm trying to flesh out. I keep it all in my head, and it normally takes me quite a while to settle on the official story, depending on how long it is. If it's a one shot, then it takes me about 3 - 6 or more days to settle on what I want the story to be.

The next step is the script, which is pretty explanatory. I write it, and then afterwards, I edit it to where I feel I want the quality to be, and how I want the characters to truly act and speak.

After the script, I move to thumbnailing, using the script to dictate how I want the panels and action to flow. But I don't go into a ton of detail here. I just want enough on these thumbnailed pages to have an idea of how I want the pages to look.

After thumbnailing comes the storyboard process. (I learned of this step from a YouTuber that talked about how his process of one shots works.) I adopted it because I found it useful. The storyboarding process is just fleshing out the pages that have been thumbnailed. This allows me to get a more solid feel of how I want the pages and panels to actually look. It's here where I'll want to spend the most time - not getting the looks of everything perfect, but getting them down well enough that I know what I want.

And finally, the pages themselves. Because I've taken the previous steps for creating my pages, I pretty much just copy what I see on my storyboarded pages. Since I haven't made them to be perfect, though, I can still add more detail to the actual pages compared to the storyboarded ones, and the pages have become a kind of muscle memory to how I want them. It's pretty much been a kind of practice leading up to the actual page.

For me, though, I don't storyboard every single page and then start the actual page production from the first page. I storyboard page one, and then create the official first page. Then I move on to storyboarded page 2, and then create the official page 2. It's a long process, but I like it.

[Llyrel]

I'd say the amount of time required for the writing part (as well as everything else) depends a lot on your goals/resources/length of the story itself and just how fast you are at writing

I'm admittedly a slow writer and it takes me ages to come up with a full chapter, but since I'm mostly doing it as a hobby (I mean, I wouldn't complain if some publisher wanted to publish my work, lol, but as I already have a day job, my life doesn't depend on it) and since my team consists solely of myself, there's really no deadline and I get to do things at my own pace that said, another author might be able to come up with a full script in a month or even less, and that's perfectly okay too! Alsooooo... the length of the story definitely has an influence on how much time the writing part is going to take you: mine is a long form comic which is gonna require 300+ pages (probably more), so of course that will take a while to write. And that would be just "season one"! If your comic is a story that requires 60-100 pages or even less AND you're a fast writer, it definitely makes sense for you to complete it faster. (I mean, when I first started writing I would also produce chapters pretty fast: I think I churned out the script for the first 50 pages in about a month too XD).

Personally, I think the best thing about starting with a full (or almost full) script is that you will already know where the story is heading, so you won't risk stuff like: a. getting stuck because you don't know what to do next and b. pacing issues because you had an idea at first then changed your mind mid-way and now you've got half of the comic already published with no way to go back (which usually leads to the dreaded reboot).

As for figuring out your own working schedules, I think it could be a good idea to start asking yourself the following questions:

1. Why am I making this comic? Is it a hobby or is it a professional project? If it's a professional project, are there deadlines I need to keep up with? - If that's the case, you may definitely want to come up with a tighter schedule. Otherwise, consider relaxing and enjoying the ride
2. How long (roughly) is the comic gonna be? How much free time do I have? Can I keep up with both scripting and drawing and still maintain a consistent publishing schedule? - If you have a long story with plenty of characters and an intricated plot, you may want to make sure that the whole thing makes sense first. Also, considering how much of your time you can dedicate to both the scripting and the drawing can be a good idea. If you feel that working on both at the same time might be too overwhelming... might be a good idea to focus on the scripting first. Even if you're not working as a professional, having a consistent upload schedule helps a lot to get new readers/keep them engaged.
3. How much research is required for the comic? - Stuff like historical settings, different cultures, heck, sometimes even regular stuff like "what does a sword wound looks like" require research. Personally, I'm a sucker for research and I spend hours or even months researching on stuff that I need for my comic and while I'm not saying that you should necessarily spend ages on research like a do (lots of comics/books/movies can get away with completely unrealistic stuff and still be awesome XD), it's definitely a good idea to take some time to research on stuff from time to time. Since you're mentioning that you're having troubles establishing timelines, fashion and architecture, might definitely be a good idea to spend some time researching on it. Sites like Pinterest can be a life saver when it comes to visual stuff like fashion/architecture!

Oh, and about the art: keep going, and it will get better, I can promise! One of the main reasons why it took me so long before publishing on Tapas was that I was feeling unsure about my art skills, but you know what? Despite the fact that I've been working on my comic for only 5 months, my art has already improved dramatically... something that didn't happen AT ALL during the 5 years I spent procrastinating because "my art wasn't good enough" XD as artists, we always tend to be super critical of our own skills. But truth is... we'll probably be never satisfied with what we do: as we go on, we'll ALWAYS find stuff to nitpick on. So your best bet is to just jump into it and go with whatever works well enough at that given time... improvement will come, I promise

[R.n.P]

I write down the summary of the episode split into each important scene in the episode and a max and minimum amount of pages needed for them, then start my sketching and inking and everything else after that

[krislalev]

This is so inspirational and i’ve been alone on this road for 4 years now... I gotta tell ya. Thank you so much for all this. I really feel like I can go for it. I dont know how to explain it but i feel more confident after reading your message. While reading I was thinking about 2 things: Research(take my time to make sure i know my stuff, save it, make a moodboard etc.) and make a step by step program. Meaning i had an idea of creating a program that i need to follow in steps of creating the comic. And It feels right. Thats what i will do. Step 1 research and know my stuff. Step 2 based on the reserach and what mood and setting I was looking for my idea, i am taking it into the story text creation. Step 3 etc. This is my year. I understand the procrastinating part all too well and ive been conciously trying to fight it all this time. Games, moving to another country, and several jobs along with establishing job permits and stuff came in the way but i never EVER thought about finding an excuse to stop from trying to make that comic. I am now currently at a place where I wanted to be 4 years ago( i wrote it down on a piece of paper and told myself no matter what i will get there) but there is 1 thing that’s missing now: the

[Eiranyx]

I think 1 month being enough depends on the coverage of the story, like if it's historical --- there's a lot of research involved in the story because you aim to make the story historically accurate. But if it is only borrowing the themes, aesthetics as the inspiration or as a foundation of your story -- as long as you have the fundamental details that you need, 1 month or less is enough. It also depends on your writing speed and your plans/purpose in writing the story. ^^