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Manga process tutorial, step 1 thumbnails page layout story telling

How to draw comics page layout.  Manga process tutorial step #1 thumbnails page layout story telling. How to draw Manga step by step. I personally like to layout story along with thumbnails pages, kind of like story board or box that show sequential art along with rough script.

At this stage, I just lay them out just for myself to know what's going on in each panel. There is not yet appropriate action poses, environment, and composition within each box. My only concern at the moment is spontaneous story and continuous action or drama. I usually lay out about 3-4 of this little thumbnail pages at the time (in one session) so that it congruent with the continuous train of thought sequences. They are more like quick mark up scripts to me.

**Looking at the vote, I can already see unanimous decision and "Shanghai Express" (to be renamed) is pretty much the winner. 24 Votes out of 29!
Meaning, Dogs of War will have to take a loooooong break, and perhaps some day will re-emerge someday with new style?
So I will continue the Manga/Graphic Novel from here on. Of course along with other tutorials. I will take the voting widget down today.
Thank you all for your feedback!!! :)
If it's ever get to become something, just know that you guys are part of the making.*** ;)

Here are thumbnails layout for page 3 and page 4 for "Shanghai Express" *temporary name.
They are really small in the sketchbook. The whole thumbnail pages is probably around 3 x 5.

Step #2
Then, I will spend some time to figure out the pose of the characters, background, and compositions to get a bit more detail. These are also really quick sketch, sort of drawing quick gesture sketch within each panel. Also keep the dialogs in the bubbles in mind as you go. After I finish these rough layout, then I will go into each panel and start drawing over the sketch. Things still could be changed a bit here and there if I have better idea for poses or expression. Though at this stage, the composition will be extremely difficult to change because of the restraint of the page and panels layout nature.

*remember these are really quick sketches just to get down your ideas.
Step #3 is coming soon with Video tutorial (I hope)
Have fun...I will try to alternate Photoshop and Gimp for tutorials, we'll see

Related posted:
-Page 1 and 2 panel layouts, the lost project "Shanghai Express"

Drawing Software & Tools I used and recommended:-Genius MousePen 6x8
-Wacom Intuos3 6X8 Pen Tablet
-Bamboo (Small) Pen Tablet (new from Wacom!) Economy for everyone.Softwares:
-Gimp (Free Download)
-Adobe Photoshop CS2 (Professional software)
*You can just use pencil, paper, markers on this one...just practice rendering.

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-How to draw fantasy female character Manga Mage
-Gatorfish or Fish-Gator Creature Design drawing.
-How to sketch a Sorcerer Pink


FEATURE TUTORIAL:
Face Constructed: How to draw faces
Archetypes Design Manga Characters Tutorial Download
Character Design Tutorial Download
Female Figure Fusion Vol.02 Tutorial Download
-Character Design Tutorial: Dark Valkyrie


** If you have any basic questions or specific please looked up Q/A section. Most of the time your questions has already been answered in Q/A.

If you need any help or support you can
-post questions or comment on the post (seems to be the fastest way to get response)
Peace,

Comments

Anonymous said…
hi Xia!it's me again.I find a site http://www.posemaniacs.com/ it's like life draw session.
My question is how to get myself inspired to draw.because when i draw i dont know what to draw.then i just draw something from that site(http://www.posemaniacs.com/)
my sketch books are full with anatomy sketches which are not fun to show of
idrawgirls said…
dahaca> Thanks bro! I already read your previous quesion, and I am writing up a BLOG post (many artists are very interested in the same subject also) on your question, coming up in a day or two. Sorry it takes a while because there are lots to cover, be patient...it's coming up.
pokepetter said…
This helps me a lot. This part is the hardest one imo. Thanks!

I've figured the manga/cartoon turns out better if I try to show instead of telling. So I try to minimize the use of text.
idrawgirls said…
pokepetter>> It is indeed, especially if one does't have a solid written script.
Thumbnails is a great way to quickly layout and communicate. Because most of the time I don't have a solid images in my head, I just have a blurry rough ideas. Then move up to rough...work on it a little more to find composition, set and such. Then move on to refinement and final.
It save a lot of times, instead of just going for it then have to spend lots of time redo it or fix it.

Glad that can help. :)
Knuckles930 said…
dahaca, and anyone else of course.
If your interested I would suggest
posting some of your work on the
community page. And if you like the
"weekly" topic, use that for
inspiration.
idrawgirls said…
Knuckle>> Good idea! What's topic this week man! :)
Knuckles930 said…
Well I try to keep it updated, but sometimes it gets a little delayed.

Topic for this week is a Rubber Duck.
I got some Ideas for comings weeks,
but its quite hard to come up with
topics with multiple interpretations.
(gives the creative mind more room to
go lose)

Also if anyone has a suggestion for
the weekly topic, feel free to use
the contact form on top of the
community site.
idrawgirls said…
Rubber Duck it is!!!