Production Method: Hand-drawn Comic
The Hand-drawn Comic method is the traditional way comics are produced. The process begins with sketching the comic using pencil. Then the lines, shades, and shadows of the comic are finalized in the inking stages. Finally, color is added using one of a variety of methods.
Example
Artist Atelier Sentô demonstrates the process of sketching, inking, and coloring a page from Spera: Ascension of the Starless:
A couple of important things to notice:
- The process can vary: In many comics, inking is part of the final product, but in Spera, the inked drawing is traced with a dark pencil so the final product has a pencil-drawn look. There are many techniques that can be used to produce different effects and results.
- Comics can be made with simple equipment: While some artists use a lot of special equipment to make their comics, Sentô uses simple tools and work spaces that are easy to find and set up: a few pencils, a ball-point pen, a lamp and sheet of glass for tracing, drawing gum to protect white areas, and simple water color set for coloring.
PROs and CONs
When consider whether or not to use this method, here are some important things to consider:
PROs
- Since the artist creates everything from scratch, this method offers the highest level of creative control.
- This method is great for totally original material since it has very few limitations.
- There is a huge body of “how-to” knowledge in books and videos on this method that can help artists.
CONs
- This method requires talent and skills in drawing and painting: the more experienced you are, the better the outcome.
- Since everything is done directly on one piece of paper, changes can be hard to make and accidents may ruin a lot of work.
- This method can be very time intensive.
Variations
- Digital process: a growing number of comic artists produce this type of comic using a drawn-digital hybrid or completely digital process. In the hybrid version, sketching or sketching and inking may be done on paper, then the results scanned and inked or colored digitally. In the completely digital version, sketching and coloring are done in a computer graphics program. This method often incorporates special equipment like digital pen tablets or touch screen pens.
