Zak Simmons-Hurn's Guide to Comic Illustration
8 Easy Steps to Illustrating a Comic!
Zak Simmonds-Hurn, the illustrator for SSWOW, has put together this fantastic step-by-step guide to illustrating comics!
Step 1 - Concept
I read the script and try to visualise it in my mind like a movie. I usually do this a few times before I create any drawings, to firm up the characters’ personalities in my mind. This makes it a lot easier when I come to design them.
Step 2 - Character Design
I sketch up my designs for the characters, using shapes to amplify their personalities. I then design the locations in which the story takes place. Using photographic reference can be useful, although it’s important not to become too reliant on it.
Step 3 - Pencils
I draw the borders and start roughing out the pages in blue pencil. I use blue as it makes it easier to get rid of the loose sketch lines later on and also because I find I get a smoother line with the softer lead. This rough stage is the time to try out interesting angles, but the most important thing is to make sure the panels flow well together to tell the story clearly.
Step 4 - Inks
I tighten up the pencil lines with a mechanical pencil and then ink using fineliners, brush pens and disposable fountain pens to get a variance in line widths. Once again, making the drawings clear and easy to read is the most important aim at this stage.
Step 5 - Cleaned Inks
Once inked, I scan the pages into my computer and open them in an art program called Photoshop. I get rid of most of the blue sketch lines and then put the remaining black lines on a separate layer above a white background.
Step 6 - Flat Colours
I put down flat colours on a layer underneath the line art trying to make sure the colours are complimentary. These will usually be the darkest shades.
Step 7 - Highlights
In Photoshop, I select areas that will be brighter and then fill them with a light tone. This will draw attention to certain areas and give form and dimension to the characters and locations.
Step 8 - Final Touches
Finally I add any effects and I change the colours of certain lines, such as turning the lines of Captain Rad’s space helmet blue.
