Auto-Tailor - page 1 - Process

Since the colors and shading were done by my partner, Jade, I'm going to talk more about other aspects of my process in more detail.

1. This month, I wanted to work on a full-length comic, based on suggestions from my live-stream patrons. I chose an auto-tailor concept because it provides a clear, simple framework for the story while giving my patrons a lot of freedom in what kind of suggestions they can make for how the machine delightfully malfunctions. This first page didn't need any suggestions because it's just the set-up for the basic concept.

So the first step is thumbnailing the layout. It's important to start with an establishing shot, something that shows where the story is taking place. You don't always have to start with establishing the setting but, unless you want to keep the setting in suspense, it's good to establish the setting as soon as possible. Since this is set in a store, the store signage makes a convenient place to show the title of the comic as well.

In each panel, I used very simple perspective rulers to layout the building and important features. I like to use the old comic artist's trick of using use low-angle viewpoints when possible because then you can focus mainly on drawing the characters and there's a lot less detail in the environment to have to draw. After all, most of the stuff in any environment is on the ground so, if you can keep the ground out of your shot, there's a lot less to draw, giving you more time to focus on what's really important - the characters and story.

We want to get to the good stuff so I kept these first three panels moving as quickly as possible. Establish the scene, establish that he went into the booth in a hurry, then get him ready for craziness in the very next page.

In these thumbnails, I don't worry about what characters are wearing. I'm just getting the poses and gestures in place for now.

2. The next step is finalizing the shape of the environment and rough body shapes of the characters. It's also important to make sure I know where the word balloons will be because you've got to leave room for the word balloons in the design as part of the composition of each frame.

With the environment, this doesn't require getting every detail in place but it does mean making sure that the perspective make sense, the repeating surfaces, such as the two booths or the windows on the storefront, are in correct proportion to one another.

3. Now I go in and add the final pencil work, adding final details to the environment and drawing the characters in full detail.

4. Then I ink everything, using a couple of different pens (one with a blunt tip, for outer edges, and one with a fine tip, for fine detail).