Comic Process

I’m almost done pencilling and inking my comic, so I wanted to show my creation process.

Ezekiel Comic | SVA Book Project

I start by thumbnailing my page spreads lightly in pencil on an 8.5 X 11 sheet of paper. The pages are 5 in by 7.5 in. At first I use a 2H pencil, drawing in the light shapes without any details. Then I add additional detailing using a 2B pencil.

Ezekiel Comic | SVA Book Project

After I’m satisfied with my thumbnails, I scan them, lay them out on an 11 X 17 document in photoshop, change all the line art to a light blue, and print it out on an 11 by 17 sheet of plate finish bristol board. This allows me to focus on my shadows and light.

Ezekiel Comic | SVA Book Project

Inking is my favorite part. Right now I’m using Speedball Super Black India Ink, a Windsor & Newton Series #7 size 4 and size 6 brush, a Hunt 102 Crow quill, a toothbrush, and a Bic White Out pen. If you’ve never bought a Series #7 brush, definitely get one. They can be a little expensive but they’re absolutely wonderful.

I will scan my pencils and print them out using a similar process as my thumbnails. You could draw directly on your pencils, but when you ink on the blue line there’s no graphite to clean up. I take my time during the inking process, usually moving from dark to light. Once I’ve covered the entire page, I will go back into it either adding minute details with my crow quill, creating light with my white out pen, or creating a splatter effect with my toothbrush.