Before you start YOUR graphic novel…
on November 14, 2009 at 1:30 pmPosted In: Making Graphic Novels
This article has been updated and moved to MakingComics.com.
Please follow this link to read the new improved version:
10 Things BEFORE You Start a Comic or Graphic Novel
These are right on. The only one I'm not 100 percent sure about is working in CMYK from the start. I tried it, but I quickly discovered that there are some operations that are only possible in RGB mode. A lot of guys work in RGB and check periodically to be sure their colors will work in CMYK, then hold off until the end before doing the final conversion. On my project, it turns out I just naturally use CMYK-friendly colors, so I don't need to adjust too much after converting from RGB. Food for thought!
Okay Nate, you win. I have finally converted to your process after being clueless as to why I couldn't get the colors right on a few files in CYMK. After converting to RGB it was super easy to dial the colors around. I have changed my list now for anyone confused at this comment.
Some fantastic tips. Nat Gertler's Idiot's Guide to Creating a Graphic Novel is a great read too. Been checking out your site . . love your work!!
I'll have to pick up that book. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment and suggestion. It looks like you have a great blog on graphic novel creation which I'll have to spend some time digging through! And thanks for the compliment on my work too!
Great blog post. Very spot-on! I'm one of those artists who suffers from getting inspired along the way to the end of a project so that it changes from page one to page fifty.
I hear you, James. It takes me forever to complete a project because I keep fixing older stuff as my style changes. Hopefully I can finish this book before I see any old things that start bothering me. Thanks for stopping by!
I've learned from a Marvel colorists that its best to work in RGB and change it into CMYK.
Some of filters & transfer modes don't look as good while you're working at CMYK.
Even worse – some of them don't work AT ALL in CMYK mode.I usually switch back and forth from RGB to CMYK but working in RGB and only changing to CMYK in the end sounds perfectly logical.Nice blog by the way. Found about it today!
theory_of_everything – I think you guys are right. I didn't need any of the features that don't work in CYMK before but this last week I have been noticing the difference. In my interview with Ian, who works on all the Marvel and DC books, he said he also works in RGB. It seems like the majority works this way.
Aviv-really – Thanks for the comment. I think it's time I updated my list a bit now. I really like your approach of switching back and forth. I've been doing that lately and it seems to help keep everything manageable as far as what colors work in CYMK. But I only switch when I run into a problem in CYMK. I'm still learning what's best I guess.
I'm glad you found the blog. Hope some of this helps.
Really nice, concise suggestions here. Some of those are deceptively harder to accomplish than one might think. Particularly having an ending to your story. There seems to be a balance between having everything scripted to the last detail and just making it up as you go that usually works best, at least, from what I've observed. Too much detail and the work gets stagnant and the artist can lose interest. Too little detail and you burden the person in the artist role.
I agree with you about having just enough information in the script to be able to make up many things as you go to keep interest in the process. I believe that is what I've done with reMIND. I have about a written page for every chapter of the book. Each chapter of art is about 35 to 45 pages so there is lots of room to breath while I'm drawing. Thanks again for the comment. Do you have a blog or website I can visit?
I'm working on getting a website up for my graphic novel project Exigency, but really I have no idea what I'm doing. Until that's up, you can visit my Comicspace profile at http://www.comicspace.com/randylbishop/ or my art thread over at CBR http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.p… or maybe drop by my latest project Privateer http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.p…
I think you've got a superior product here and it's obvious you've worked very hard on it. I wish you good luck with it!
Thanks man!
Thank you very much for sharing these personal tips with others. They're very clear and simple, and, even though I have followed (or am currently following) suggestions two through six, they were most helpful to me, particularly the seventh statement.
I wish you all the best in completing your graphic novel!
Thank you for your comment. I'm glad these have been helpful.
Okay, I wanted to say that I updated my list here a bit. I added in a new number 2. Making a Model sheet. I think this is important if you are working on a GN in your spare time for a number of years just to keep your character consistent.
After much debate and thought. I decided to change my working mode to RGB instead of CYMK. People have told me that it's harder to control CYMK's filters but I didn't believe them until just a few weeks ago. Now I truly see the difference and apologize for leading you in the wrong direction. It will still be fine if you are working in CYMK but it's just harder to manipulate things.
Hi…just started looking at your blog and man, there are some very good resources. As for books…I have read making comics but I think I should check his other two. On the other hand, I recommend How to Make Webcomics…by the authors of Starslip Crisis, PVP, Sheldon and Evil Inc…. True their comics are more comic strips but I think that has been also quite helpful as well.
Just found this blog, have added it to my bookmarks. I have always wanted to create a graphic novel!
I have never read any how to books so I should start on that. I am curious though, pretty much everything i see there is reference to photoshop etc, do all comic artists use PS?
I don't even have the software and only use a graphics program to resize and crop my finished art scans. Are there comic artists that only use traditional media (except when it comes to putting it all together)
great info.
You forgot about the most important step…taking everything said here with a grain of salt.
I guess talking advice with a grain of salt could be an important thing I've learned along the way. It's amazing how everyone thinks they know exactly what you should do with your talent even though they have no real interest in doing what your doing.
Hey Jason, I have a question. How do you make your own paint textures for photoshop?
Tobias – I made some tutorials all about it here:
http://www.remindblog.com/2010/07/29/coloring-a-comic-part-4/
You mentioned that working in CMYK does not give you access to certain tools, I am assuming that you mean filters. A way around that is if you are in CMYK, go to your channels window select only the cyan channel and you should be able to access all the filters, then select each color channel one at a time and then apply the same filter.
uh hi i am 12 and i am in talented art(art with the state) and i wanted to know where u got the cat idea from
The cat idea came to me a long time ago when I was drawing another story idea. Then it’s slowly turned into what it is now.
Hi, your rules are very helpfull, i’d like to know is your book one full story or is it “to be continued” and do you do you have text then drawings…or is it mixed?
Thank You
reMIND has two books that will make a complete story.
I don’t understand the second question. Are you talking about writing the script before drawing it?
oh another thing, the publishing process, could you explain?
Thanks.
That’s a loaded question. I don’t even know how to start answering that. If you can be really specific I might be able to give some sort of advice. Sorry.
i don’t know what to do with my gn so i came on here to see…I am 12 and i am trying to make a gn and i got my characters and i just don’t know what to write about do you have any suggestions
Jason my favorite gn writer
o and thanks and sorry i mentioned im 12 again
12? I’d say to write only what is interesting to you. Keep practicing every day writing and drawing and you’ll be amazing by the time you are my age!
hi! and sorry for my english …
You say not ink your drawings and scan them in pencil. Please explain to me how you get a black and perfect line.
Thank you very much!