This month is all about the process and what goes into making comics, graphic novels, and other art. Oh, and a free water bottle.
Making the cover for Bangarang
Check out this 5 minute video on how I made the cover for the first issue of Bangarang. And get a glimpse at the ones that didn’t make it.
Comics Lettering Thought Process
You rarely see this nowadays, but when I was growing up it wasn’t uncommon to watch a late night movie on one of the local stations and the sound sync was just slightly off. The actors lip movements not quite lining up with the sound. It would drive me crazy.
That’s how I feel about bad lettering in comics. When good, it mostly just fades into the reading process but when bad, it can at times cause me to not finish reading an otherwise good book.
Which is why I quite enjoyed this short Instagram video from Bad Ink Studios. They talk about the thought process of how changing the lettering in specific ways affects the reader’s experience.
Painting Stylized Clouds
Dexter Isaac shows you how to paint stylized clouds on his Instagram. And a bunch of other thoughts on lighting in your artwork.
Telling a Story with Logos
What do random logos have to do with comics? Not a ton. But these short explainer videos by graphic designer Allan Peters are a masterclass in succinct visual storytelling. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve watched.
3D Printed Clayface Toy
I think 3D printing is so cool. It still feels like something from a sci-fi movie to me.
Not comic making but comics adjacent with Batman villain, Clayface.
Danu Navarro digitally sculpted and 3D printed this Clayface toy. So cool. Poke around his Instagram for more cool projects. And if you have a 3D printer and want to print and paint your own, he’s selling the print files.
FREE Sashimi Water Bottle
I recently recommended Sashimi by Dan Santat. It’s funny and ridiculous with a bit of heart. The next book is already coming out September 15th.
Preorder SASHIMI AND THE FIELD TRIP OF DOOM, and the publisher will send you a Sashimi WATER BOTTLE! It’s the perfect gift for keeping young readers (and fishboys!) hydrated on their next field trip.
Favorite thing I drew this month
Okay 2 things. Some Woodland Hills art. The first page is from early in the story. I redrew the 4th panel. I made several attempts I wasn’t happy with but finally got it with this version.
The second page is towards the end of the story. I like how that field turned out.
If you want to see the other attempts of that 4th panel, they’re on my Instagram.
That’s it for this round. Now if you haven’t already, go to comicbangarang.com and subscribe to Bangarang – The Comic Magazine for Kids!
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