Hey Comic Creators,
I don't know why I, or anyone else for that matter, hasn't suggested this software before because I believe it's a gamechanger for writers.
If you watched yesterday's video, you'll know I'm referring to Clip Studio Paint. Primarily advertised towards artists but writers can get a huge amount of value out of it because of the word balloon and panel/frame tools.
And if you were to combine that piece of software with a graphics tablet then it'll increase your productivity even more. Why? Because when you make your storyboard (you are storyboarding your script, right?) then it will be a lot faster.
I showed a wacom tablet in the video because I've only ever used wacoms and I don't like suggesting things I've not personally used. This is the one I suggested:
But I found a cheaper one that is on the right side of $50, here:
https://amzn.to/3vaKTwb
This is an affiliate link and so I will earn a small percentage from any sales of this product, but the price remains the same regardless.
If I were in your position, I would have some questions about using a graphics tablet. "I'm not an artist, so would I really have much use out of it?" would be one.
And the answer is, YES!
It won't take you long to get used to using a graphics tablet and, most importantly, you do not need to produce pretty pictures.
Blobs and stick figures are 100% fine.
This is from next week's video but it's relevant here. If you can do this, you're absolutely fine. Because I did this in CSP, I didn't have to scan anything in or worry about erasing pencil marks, so it didn't take long at all. Even if you don't share your storyboards with an artist, you would confirm that your script and panel count work, which is huge.
(I go more in depth on figuring out your script/panel count on my channel)
Then when you hand it over to the artist, with or without the storyboard, you'll know that they'll come up with something that works for your script.
Also, if you have the capabilities to use CSP with a graphics tablet, you can write notes on their pencils, which can help with clear communication (which is so key).
Maybe the artist has drawn something that you don't quite understand, or wasn't what you intended. Well, you can write notes on it, ask questions or just label the things you're referencing in your written communication. That way, you know everyone is talking about the same thing and you can iron out any potential issues quite quickly.
It might seem like I'm being sponsored for Clip Studio Paint and I'm not. I probably should have waited to make a video about this until I got an offer from them. But I genuinely feel that it's a piece of software that can help you.
Besides, there's plenty I could talk about with the software and I've only really just scratched the surface with it.
Like with the graphics tablet, I also have an affiliate link for Clip Studio Paint, which you can use here:
https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-100776714-15209764
Again, it doesn't impact the price but it enables CSP to kick back some of the money my way. But you can just trial it anyway to see if it vibes with you.
That's it from me this week. See you next week.
-John
But wait, there's more
I was unsure of whether to keep the "Brinkelai" name or not and so I asked my subscribers on YouTube last year whether I should change it along with some options. "Brinkley Comics" won and so I decided to (eventually) make the change.
I'll be doing this across any "Brinkelai" associated thing I have online over the coming weeks and months, so if the name changes, that'll be why!
Get your pre-production comic planner
I'm offering my pre-production comic planner for 50% off to subscribers of this newsletter. Find it using the link below:
https://brinkleycomics.ck.page/products/comic-creator-planner-pre-production?promo=BRINKLEY
Use the planner for the following:
✍️ Writing your outline
🦸♀️ Organising your character profiles
📜 Housing your script
🎨Collecting concept drawings/references
💵 Planning your art budget
📏 Figuring out your comic page dimensions
📅 A work schedular
📃 A to-do list
✅ Recommended tasks
💡 I've also included tooltips throughout to guide you
