Quantum Gumbo

Comic art and lettering done totally within Manga Studio EX (http://manga NULL.smithmicro NULL.com/index_ex NULL.html) . For the “script” I just do a set of thumbnails on regular copy paper and then use that as a basis for my Panels in Manga Studio. I choose to use a two tier, 3 panel per tier layout. The rules I’m following is that panels can be merged together if they are (1) adjacent to each other (top and bottom rightmost panels or the second and third panel on a tier, for example) and do not form an “L” shape (unless it is real clever…).

Then I redraw the rough thumbnails on a sketch layer in MS EX and in the created Panel groups I use actions to create a “blocker” and “Ruffs” layer. The blocker layer is a b/w (2 bit) layer filled with white and set to 40% opacity. The “Ruffs” layer is a greyscale layer with the Sketch option on. I then refine my thumbnail sketches, add lettering and do the Word balloons by hand. If the pencils need adjustment at this point, I do it.

Then I create an inks layer with the option set to “Finished” and ink and then I add tones and/or colors below the inks.

Finally I export the page(s) making sure the in the options I have the correct size (usually in Pixels) and that layers marked as “Sketch” won’t be exported; which explains my OCD on the layer type being Sketch or Finished.  Sometimes (with some pattern tones) I have to export the page out full size to Photoshop, which does a much better job of reducing than MS does.

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