Clattertron

[dc]S[/dc]witching to making comics digitally in July meant overhauling my comic making work flow.

Making comics entirely on my Microsoft Surface Pro 3, using Clip Studio Paint Pro (aka Manga Studio 5), streamlined the process in a few ways. Before the digital switch, I cut out all my comics on Bristol board.

Now, it’s just a matter of clicking New in Clip Studio Paint. No more measuring out panels on Bristol, no more cutting, no more scanning.

I’m also focusing on certain tasks on certain days, which really helped me crank out comics over the last few weeks.

Here’s my new digital comic work flow.

Monday

I write.

Monday is a writing day. I write as many comics as I can (I try for at least two). Writing isn’t just ‘text on a page.’ Sure, there’s plenty of text, but most of the ‘writing’ is thumbnailing comics in my sketchbook.

Yes, despite the finished comic being 100% digital, my comics still get their start on paper. This works best for me: I can quickly write and sketch ideas in one place—and if I don’t use an idea, it’s there for later.

I also write any dialogue I want to use, but more often than not it gets changed a bit along the way.

Tuesday

Tuesday is my paneling and lettering day.

Each comic starts out as a new 11” x 17” 300 DPI file in Clip Studio Paint. I use that full width, but rarely all that height. I chose this size because it is a standard print size and it keeps me from deciding what size to use each time.

I create a file for each new comic, and name them using this system: year-month-day-title (ex: this week’s comic was: 2014-11-10-helping-2).

Sticking to a consistent file naming system is SUPER handy. Do it.

After creating and naming each file, I start to panel. I usually go by the panels I figured out while thumbnailing, but I’m not against changing it up at the last-minute.

In the past, I drew the panels by hand (using View → Grid in Clip Studio Paint). Lately, I’m experimenting with pre-made panels Ryan Estrada provided in his Speed Comicking article.

Next: Lettering. I went over my digital hand-lettering process before. I letter each comic one after another until finished.

Wednesday

I ink the next comic in line I need to finish. If I have one finished, I upload it to the website and get it scheduled, and start inking the next. I set this day aside to focus on inking/uploading because I found myself focusing on the prep-work too much. It’s great to have six comics paneled and lettered, but I have to draw them eventually.

Thursday

I sketch the next batch of comics I just paneled/lettered on Tuesday, using the Blue Layout Pencil in this Manga Studio brush set by Frenden. I found my drawing benefits from sketching a bunch in a row (because I am warmed up). I’m not worrying about final drawings, only rough drawings, and figuring out composition and other stuff.

Friday

Draw and ink comics. Easy.

Weekends

If I have time on the weekends, I work on the next comic I need to finish. I went to a coffee shop on Sunday and inked my first comic for December. It was nice to get out of the house and focus on work for a bit.

Yes, I’m weird.

Making Time

I get up at 6:00 AM during the week, and around 7:00 AM on weekends. I learned I really benefit from making time in the mornings and getting up early. Sleeping in stresses me out for some reason, and since I started getting up earlier, I’m feeling better.

It also helps me get to bed at a decent time too (because I’m tired, duh). I would rather get up early and work (on whatever) than stay up late.

Find Your Own Work Flow

What works for me might not work for you. Everyone is different when it comes to working on whatever, so experiment. Some folks work better as night owls. If that’s you, do it. I’m not saying my methods work for everyone, but they sure as heck work for me (at least for now).