Friday, April 13, 2012

Wow, What a Spread!

Culver City Public Theatre poster
2012 Culver City Public Theatre poster

How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist


DIGITAL TOOLS OF THE TRADE
Software

LAYOUT APPLICATIONS


A layout application is not for drawing. It is strictly for arranging graphic material on a page. You use it to design a page, spread or book, including choosing type size, typeface and the arrangement of titles and page numbers. It can be used for producing comic books and graphic novels for print and e-books. Design once and use for two different media.

Adobe InDesign

  • The industry leader. Create page layouts for print or digital distribution on tablets, smartphones, and computers.
  • Available for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista/7.
  • Download at http://www.adobe.com/


QuarkXPress

  • Page layout application.
  • Available for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista/7.
  • Download at www.quark.com/


Manga Studio

  • Hybrid application for drawing and layout.


Manga Studio Debut 4 is your all-in-one solution for ready-to-publish comics using color, screen tones and built-in word balloons. It has no vector feature. Download for $49.99. 

Manga Studio EX 4.0 delivers more drawing and coloring tools such Vector Layers, Gradation tools, Brush open tool, Path Tool, Perspective Rulers and more.

Available for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista/7.
Download at http://manga.smithmicro.com/

That completes my comprehensive list of tools you can use in the natural and digital world to create entertaining comic strips, comic books and graphic novels. I've given you lots of choices and by no means do you have to use them all. I do encourage you to try them all to see what works for you.

If anyone feels I left out a tool, please let me know.

Comics used to solely be just pen and ink drawings. As technology has improved the industry has been able to present other approaches such as watercolor and other paints as well as printing from pencils directly.

Don't be limited by the standard way of doing things. Open your mind. Unleash your imagination and bring something new to the party.

read next - Why Worry About Trim?
previous - Rasta Love

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson



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