Art Hacks | Comic Update #3
So in recent affairs, my computer is deciding to crap out on me; it keeps randomly restarting itself which makes working on art feel like I'm trying to diffuse a very temperamental bomb. One wrong move and I blow up (or lose precious artwork...same thing). Somehow I've managed to keep up with my work and it's mostly thanks to my trusty hard drive and habitually saving every minute.
But anyways, here is another look into my 19th century gothic comic:
Page 4
In panel 1 you can see some perspective lines; it's one-point perspective meaning there is only one vanishing point on the horizon line. As you can see all of the diagonal lines are emanating from one point in the center.
In panels 2 and 3, you'll see I'm not working with a perspective grid but instead just using the horizon line. Because there aren't any building or objects that need perspective in these two panels I'm using a "perspective hack"... if you will. If you're drawing people, the horizon line will cut through them at the same place no matter how far or close they are from the vanishing point. For example, in panel 2, the horizon line is hitting the shoulders of the carriage driver and the people in the background (not the girl, since she's at an elevated height). In panel 3 it's eye level. Now if the characters are a different height it won't intersect at the exact same point but it's easy enough to just draw a line then making a whole perspective grid if it's just people in the frame.
While I'm no expert in perspective, if any of you are interested in a little basic perspective 101 let me know.
I'm making an effort to spot my blacks better ("spotting blacks" is a term used in cartooning for designating large areas to be filled with black). As mentioned in a previous post, I'm looking to Alex Toth, Becky Cloonan, and Mike Mignola to see how they execute their page compositions. All of them have an amazing ability to distinguish objects with large black areas as opposed to rendering every single detail. I've always been drawn to more graphic looking artwork and I think it will make things more moody, which is something every gothic tale should aspire to be.
Page 5
Large areas of black ink are also a good way to guide the eye and direct attention to certain areas. It's like an arrow pointing, "Look here!"
Spotting blacks also can help establish depth, distinguishing what elements are in the foreground and what are in the background.
An easy way to figure out what to be black is to establish your light source: what direction is the light coming from? Then, shade in the sides of the object that aren't in the light. Spotting blacks do not always have to correspond with lighting, however. You can bend the rules and just frame a person or object to draw more attention to the subject.
That's it for pages 4 & 5
Ending questions for you lovely folks of Steemit:
- What cartoonists/artists do you look to for inspiration?
- What is your favorite gothic novel?
Stick around for more page updates!
You can check out my previous comic updates here:
If you'd like to keep up with more of my work you can check me out at the following:
Instagram: @la.fumettista
Tumblr: http://la-fumettista.tumblr.com/tagged/art
Twitter: @TheresaChiechi
Website: https://www.theresachiechi.com/
perspective has always driven me nuts :p
It's actually the worst. I'm going to start a movement to go back to medieval artwork, a time before they discovered perspective.
please and thank you. i'll join this movement 100%
This is so helpful and your thought process is so valuable.
I feel like I am going to the best art school in the world when I run into people like you.
Best of luck to you on your comic, I am sorry about your computer problems, that is mega scary and it is the last piece of resistance an artist needs when trying to grind through the work.
I look forward to more of your posts and to read your comic :0
Thanks for reading, I'm glad you found it helpful! Yeah, I recently got my computer fixed so all is well haha.
I wish I had seen this when I was taking a class on Comic and Animation History. This is a great tutorial/explanation.
I hope your computer learns to work with you.
I'm happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading :) And I actually just got my computer fixed, so hopefully all remains well.
@la-fumettista, interesting explanation and tips. For me very interesting since I love comics but never had information how it's made and what should be taken care for so that results will be better. Thank you!
Yeah it's really interesting how much goes into comics, or really anything art related. Thanks for reading!
thank you for sharing, will follow for more for sure :)
Ah, I'm so stoked to have found this post! It's almost serendipitous... I just decided yesterday that I'm going to rehash an old graphic novel/comic book that I'd started years ago, and left to rot. It needs a lot of reworking, and seeing your process is definitely giving me a hand in reorganizing my brain.
Also, this looks freaking amazing! Can't wait to see more! Following. 😊
That's so exciting! Sometimes it's really great to step away from a project and then come back to it with a new perspective. I always find I'm able to solve tough art problems better when I take a break from things. I hope you post about it on Steemit, so I can see :)
Again, I am so excited about your 19th c comic. I love the past and I do like comics, but I always think, Does it always have to be crazy monsters and scantilly dressed women? Like I always wanted a comic about 18th century French courts with all the fashion and intrigue. So, I am excited about your project here.
Sometimes for my paintings/art when I WANT persepective (often I artisitc license to just make the surroundings how I WANT them be damned real life perspecitve) I'll use my doll house and furniture miniatures. Sound's silly, but if I take some photos that way it will help and I like playing with my dollhouse ;)
I love that term 'finding the black' it sounds so cool. When I do my black and white drawings, sometimes I use this idea to make it a bit more graphic, but again I love the past so it's usually around women in flowing dresses.
I have thought of doing a comic many times. I shared a funny little one panel thing I drew here early on in steemit but it was really just scribbles and a one liner. The work and dedication to one long story line in book form is commendable and I applaud you for it!
Aww yay! It makes me so happy to hear that others are interested in my personal projects. Yeah, I think comics have an unfortunate association with unrealistically buff men and sexy women in impractical costumes but there are a lot of great indie comics that stay far away from that. Becky Cloonan has some awesome medieval comic, "By Chance or Providence". And while I was researching artistic inspiration for this project I found Mike Mignola has a couple of gothic, Victorian comics out there; he did Bram Stoker's Dracula and WItchfinder. I haven't come across any 18th century comics but if you find any, let me know!
The dollhouse thing is such an awesome idea! I think I'm going to invest in one myself, it would solve so many perspective issues.
I would love to see some comics from you! Thank you for reading my posts and leaving feedback, it really makes my day :)
Oh, good. I like making people's day :)
I really am interested wholeheartedly in your 19thc comic. I'm pretty excited, but I know its a LOT of work, which is why whenever I think "Maybe I should do a comic" I think about all the work to do one of my pieces and think, "Ok so that would be like what...one panel!"
I can't say enough about dollhouses and miniatures. I am just obsessed. I am determined now to do my bookshelf/dollhouse project because I can justify the time spent as I told myself, "Self" (I talk to myself a lot, can you tell?) IF you Steem about it, it'll be like a project you can share ;)
Keep comic-ing!
Yeah, comics take a ridiculous amount of time, unfortunatley. But so does any kind of art; it's a labor of love. It's funny because when I was a kid and was first getting into comics I used to think, "Wow, that must take so much time. I could never do comics." and yet here we are haha.
I love them too! My great aunt actually makes dollhouse miniatures for a living so whenever I visit her house, it's covered in little food and furniture for her clients. I find it so fascinating.
Great post! Sequential art has always intrigued me. Your process and tips are well thought out and inspire me! Keep it up! :D
Thank you! Glad that I could inspire.
i would like learn how to build a story as u are doing. Is a very interessanting post
I hope my posts can help out :)
That was a really interesting read. I peek into the world of a cartoonist :)
so good!