Tips for Art and Comics

 

  - Radically change or eliminate cast shadows Jump a light: delete a lightning source while sketching to improve the way forms show up The way to bring the front plane forward isn't to intensify the contrast between the planes of the image, but between the planes of the front form. Cast shadows aren't necessary. Cast shadow tends to kill the planes and destroy the illusion of true shape when misused The artist controls his light sources, such as deciding what is the direction of the reflected light Iight from both sides > illusion of shape weakened We can't draw what we see because real light behaves inconsistently The artist controls the light and shadow

The reason we simplify shapes in a picture is to allow the mood to come through Merging shapes enhances the element of mystery as well By showing less we can communicate more

Covers Never put too much narration on a book cover, because you won't be able to build it as you want. Important: all figures must be distinct, and the forms not stuck on each other. Retaining your voice You must be prepared to defend yourself Panels  The smaller the panel. the more focused it is. Huge panels are for the cool stuff! Narrative No more than 100 words per page. Think as if you're writing for the best publisher/artist and you must grab the artist's attention. Does the reader's mind automatically fill the gaps between the panels? Panels must answer: Who / What / When / Where / How  Draw subtext In comics you'll have to use a certain level of exaggeration. Sometimes, breaking the 4th wall is breaking the flow of the story. Often the characters must be focused on each other. Create suspence by withholding a big event till the next page. If there's no suspense, end the scene on the page and start a new scene at the next page.  More panels -> slow do...