DVB102 / n10485309
" WEEK 3 / THE COMIC STRIP "
This week we were tasked with creating original comic strips which told a short story. They were preferably based on an event in our lives and required as little colour as we can - none if we could. My comic tells the story of a science experiment I performed in Grade 9 and it was an event that I always think about because if the absurdity of the situation - it really did mentally affect me, given the very short period of panic I endured.
" PLOT BREAKDOWN "
2015. Science Class. Group and I completing experiment, oblivious to messy table.
2.2 / BUILDING
Notices black spots on hands and begins to question how, but is distracted.
2.3 / TENSION
The black spots have gotten bigger and more spread. What do I do?
2.4 / CLIMAX
Goes back to school and notices the stains on the table. Panics and contacts group.
2.5 / RESOLUTION + ENDING
Teacher delivers the solution, which is both embarrassing and relieving. Or is it?
" MATERIALS"
+ ERASER
+ PLASTIC RULER
+ MECHANICAL PENCIL
+ HB GRAPHITE PENCIL
+ BLACK PERMANENT MARKER
+ ARTLINE CALLIGRAPHY PEN 2.0
" PROCESS "
The very first step I took was deciding what event to turn into a short comic. I've had a plethora of experiences and needed one which wouldn't require too much time. Once I had decided on my Grade 9 blunder, I organised the story into the five parts I felt hit the points of the story that I wanted to explore.
After this, moved onto the panel setup. After finding the dimensions of an A3 page online, I divided the page into three equal parts. I divided the top third in half as I knew that setting context and building tension aren't the most important part to the story. I kept the whole middle third for the tension as I envisioned it to be the most dramatic part of the story, its the most artistically scarce panel but the visual of the hand draws the reader in. I then divided the bottom third in half vertically and this was the beginning of the set up.
I then created a 0.5mm space between each panel by measuring 0.25mm from the lines I divided the page with. This helped me to organise my thinking and make each panel a single contained artwork. After this, I used the calligraphy pen to add the drop shadow below each panel, as if there is a light source in the top left corner. I outlined the panels with the black marker and continued to sketch in the drawings.
I used the mechanical pencil to draw in each panel, making changes with the eraser and working towards the end goal. When this was done, I used the black marker and calligraphy pen to create clean lines and make it appear "printed." I used the HB pencil to add some shading and erased any pencil lines I didn't end up using.
" REFLECTION "
This was such a fun week and I was able to experience the joy of English class. Creating a short story to then create this comic strip was very calming and allowed me to work with a medium I often despise - ink. Though ink creates some beautifully clean lines, it is very limited, there is really no room for error. Eventually I would love to reach a place where I am comfortable with using pen and making mistakes, but as for now, I'm content using pencil as a first step. During the process, I looked to my favourite anime and researched some comics (which I have a new found appreciation for, though I am still unfamiliar) all of which made it a point to show and not tell. I tried to limit my use of words during the design process, but found myself adding in more text by the end of it as I thought it helped understand the plot a bit more. I would also love to learn to control my grip with markers as some lines appear heavier ass ink leaked when I wold press too hard.
To improve on this, I would one; try to include some more visual cues and use less text and two; work on being lighter with the pen. I believe this would make for a more visually interesting comic and the lines would be picked up better by the app I used to scan it in. I would also look into adding some more texture though i'm not certain my work needs it. Personally, I enjoy cleaner scapes, with simple lines and shading, but for the story, I do think it would've benefitted from some texture to represent the panic especially in panel 2.3.
Overall, I am very content with my final product, though i'm not one to immediately use pen, I wouldn't shy from using it in the future. It was a great exercise in developing plot, expanding ideas and trying to do more with less.
