How to Draw theWAREHOUSE webcomic
Okay, so it's likely that most webcomics use different techniques, but here is the on that I use to draw theWAREHOUSE. Modify these techniques to suit your style and capabilities.
Here's my setup and working space. Currently I'm using Adobe Photoshop CS3. I am NOT going to explain how to use Photoshop; there are plenty of resources out there. You can see in my layers palette to the right that I try to keep layers fairly organized, but since I'm so used to working with them I don't really bother naming layers any more. Of course, you will have to develop a structure that works for you.
Generally you can see that I have a few layer sets. Basically, consider these: background, color fill, line work, text, borders, titles.
Always make sure you do your linework on its own layer. It makes future edits much easier. Basically there's zero reason to not use multiple layers.
I use a canvas size twice as large as the final display size. I find do this for two reasons: it helps everything stay sharp and crisp when I shrink it later, and it's good for archival purposes if you ever want to print anything out. Some of my junk is currently printed in a UK magazine - I always send them the larger original files.
You NEED a graphics tablet. Wacom sells the best (and therefore most expensive) tablets on the market. Do some research into them. I would not consider a freehand webcomic to be a pleasant experience if I had to use a mouse. Learn to use the tablet well.
Open your brush palette (right click while you have the brush tool selected). I use a 5 pixel hard brush, but experiment with what works for you. Remember, if you're reducing the size by half later you'll end up with a nice 2 pixel line, not a fat 5 pixel.
Make sure you're drawing on a separate layer.
I usually have to draw five or six "heads" before I get one that looks vaguely usable. Consider it "warming up" and learn the program's key commands to speed up your workflow.
This is where you actually draw your comic. Probably the most important visual step.
Coloring: easy. Using the magic wand too, select inside everything that's going to be one color. In the above picture I have selected all of the skintone/faces.
While you have that selected, make a new, separate "FILL" color layer. Make sure you're on that layer, not the lines layer. Go to "Select" at the top and down to "Modify," choosing "Expand". I usually just expand by one pixel. This is an important step. If you don't do this, your fill color will have a halo of shoddy looking half-opacity pixels.
Fill the area with the appropriate color (again, key commands are very useful). Clear your selection, return to the linework layer and select the next set of shapes. For example, select one guy's shirt in each panel. Repeat the selection expansion and don't forget to move back to your color fill layer before filling it. Repeat!
An advanced step is adding shadow. Select the transparency of your color fill layer by holding down "command" (on a Mac) and clicking on its icon in the layers palette. Not the eye, but the actual thumbnail next to the name. Next hold down "command" and "shift" and click on the icon of the linework layer. This will add the two layers' selections together. Make a new layer.
Choose a medium grey color and paint in some shadows where it makes sense. They will stay within your selection. When ready, change the layer's style from "normal" to either "color burn" or "multiply." Experiment.
Long story short, the best things you can be doing are to develop a good organized workflow, use the right equipment with the right knowledge, and just pay attention to what you're doing.
Very simply:
Work large and then resize
Pick a background color
Make artwork lines on a new layer
Perform your color fill on a layer between the lines & background
Don't forget to expand your selection to keep it clean
Hope it helps!
Note there are webcomics with great art and terrible writing. There are webcomics with terrible art and great writing. And there are webcomics with great art and great writing. Aim for that.
