I'm always so impressed by how clearly you're able to articulate your ideas in the thumbnail stage, even with something as abstract as this. (That's a huge reason why I love the deluxe RTFV, getting to see all those thumbs is awesome!)
It seems you draw very directly at this stage. Is that because you usually have a clear vision in your mind's eye? I ask because when I thumbnail, it feels like digging through the mud trying to find shapes and compositions that work, and if I'm lucky, it doesn't take me half a day to find something I like. Any thoughts on how to improve this aspect of the craft? Much appreciated!
First of all, thank you. In a way, I've always had a good link between the hand and the mind. Stuff in my head is usually crystal clear and as the technique improves, it gets easier to put it on paper straight away. But in the beginning there would be images that wouldn't pop into my mind right away, and sketching the right angle, right composition etc was like pulling teeth. As time passed those moments became fewer and far between and nowadays it's a rare event. One of the things I did to control it is that I always went for a solution that works, forcing one when I couldn't visualize it even if it wasn't very dynamic/interesting (something I learned for architecture - you need to guarantee the idea works first). Then, as you get better at it and your library of solutions gets larger, ideas will pop quicker and better right out of the bat. To enlarge the library, I look for solutions in all kinds of mediums, not just comics. Anyway, all of this to say that it's one of those things that gets easier the more you do it, but you must remain critical of your own work along the way.
I'm always so impressed by how clearly you're able to articulate your ideas in the thumbnail stage, even with something as abstract as this. (That's a huge reason why I love the deluxe RTFV, getting to see all those thumbs is awesome!)
It seems you draw very directly at this stage. Is that because you usually have a clear vision in your mind's eye? I ask because when I thumbnail, it feels like digging through the mud trying to find shapes and compositions that work, and if I'm lucky, it doesn't take me half a day to find something I like. Any thoughts on how to improve this aspect of the craft? Much appreciated!
First of all, thank you. In a way, I've always had a good link between the hand and the mind. Stuff in my head is usually crystal clear and as the technique improves, it gets easier to put it on paper straight away. But in the beginning there would be images that wouldn't pop into my mind right away, and sketching the right angle, right composition etc was like pulling teeth. As time passed those moments became fewer and far between and nowadays it's a rare event. One of the things I did to control it is that I always went for a solution that works, forcing one when I couldn't visualize it even if it wasn't very dynamic/interesting (something I learned for architecture - you need to guarantee the idea works first). Then, as you get better at it and your library of solutions gets larger, ideas will pop quicker and better right out of the bat. To enlarge the library, I look for solutions in all kinds of mediums, not just comics. Anyway, all of this to say that it's one of those things that gets easier the more you do it, but you must remain critical of your own work along the way.
This is wonderful advice, thanks for the thoughtful reply!
My pleasure. These exchanges is why I enjoy writing a newsletter.
I love the story on that quick sketch. “You mean like this?” “ yes! Thats it!”
Haha! Yes, that's pretty much it.
Looks rad!
Thank you!