Thinking about making a Graphic Novel: Advice?

[Green Lantern]

As it says in the title, I'm thinking about making a graphic novel and would like advice.

In art college after I return from the Easter holidays, we're doing a project which basically, you can do whatever you want. I've got two main ideas right now, make an outfit and try and get into the fashion side of things, or more realistically make a graphic novel or comicbook of some kind. I've got plenty of good characters and stories to use so it feels a shame those going to waste on online forums, and seeing I'll have all this time and possibly resources at my disposal, now seems like a good time to get a start with that.

I know what general story and character's I'd like to use, the advice I want from you guys is how to actually make the thing. Like any advice on how to storyboard it exactly? The main thing though is how to physically make it, how to do the art, what tools to use and how to add speech in. Style wise I either want to use a similar painty style to that used on "A Serious House on a Serious Earth" and possibly Simon Bisley's issue on Batman/Judge Dredd, or the other style would be a more traditional comicbook two-tone then coloured in, sort of either like Batman: Year One or from Golden-Bronze Age Comics. What would you guys suggest? Even if I don't do this for my college project, some time in the future in my own time I could possibly make this.

 

[RJDiogenes]

You should definitely thumbnail your layouts ahead of time, but there's also an excellent (and affordable) program called Comic Life that you can use to do the layouts (and word balloons, captions, and sound effects). Doing the art separately, scanning it, and using Comic Life, will allow you the flexibility of easily changing the flow of the narrative, which you wouldn't have with traditional art boards.

 

[Green Lantern]

You should definitely thumbnail your layouts ahead of time, but there's also an excellent (and affordable) program called Comic Life that you can use to do the layouts (and word balloons, captions, and sound effects). Doing the art separately, scanning it, and using Comic Life, will allow you the flexibility of easily changing the flow of the narrative, which you wouldn't have with traditional art boards.

Thanks! Much appreciated, I'll look into it.

 

[2takesfrakes]

I've never been much on comics, as I could never tell which box I was supposed to read! But were I to design one, I would focus on how they lead one into another, visually. Have them sort of flow, so that the eye naturally follows from left to right, instead of just having a jumble of independent images all grabbing for attention.

 

[Green Lantern]

I've never been much on comics, as I could never tell which box I was supposed to read! But were I to design one, I would focus on how they lead one into another, visually. Have them sort of flow, so that the eye naturally follows from left to right, instead of just having a jumble of independent images all grabbing for attention.

Yeah, I agree with you there. I was thinking of going for a more abstract look, with wonky edges around the boarders, but I reckon I'll take on board your advice of doing them in an order which is obvious to the reader. Cheers!

 

[Kor]

DC has a really good series of books on writing/drawing/etc. for comics.

Kor

 

[Green Lantern]

DC has a really good series of books on writing/drawing/etc. for comics.

Kor

Thanks, might check them out.

 

[HIjol]

Hey, Lantern,

I understand your natural focus on the Art/Visual side of it, because of your background, but my advice would be to make it as much about the Story as the look and layout! My knowledge of GNs includes having dialog and exposition that is layered and interesting/unique. If your skills are more for the drawing and less for the words, maybe a friend who is a good writer could partner, or at least help?

Good luck!