Why you should edit at every step

There are many steps involved in creating comics. From planning to plotting, writing, scripting, sketching, pencils, inks or colour, not to mention everything in between! With so many balls in the air, it’s important to take a step back and make time to review. At each stage, where possible, it’s good to take a bit of time to consider if there is anything that needs changing.

If you’re struggling to write a chapter, go back to your original outline. A useful exercise, I find, is determining if there are areas where things could be cut or shortened. Is there a character that is receiving a lot of screen time that could be better used elsewhere? Are you spending too much time explaining or having your character’s stay in one area? Reviewing your work at this stage can mitigate issues further down the line so take the time to edit early.

When it comes to sketching or thumbnailing, don’t try to make it look perfect. In fact, if you’re struggling to draw a panel, sometimes leaving text in there to explain what will be in the panel can be more useful, as it doesn’t halt your momentum. The idea is to get it all down first, at which point you can go in and begin refining with further sketching/inks. Don’t be afraid of redrawing a panel or scene. Again, the delete button is your friend at times.

Once the inks are done, and the colouring is finished, if you have the time, put your work down. Step away for a night and come back to it with fresh eyes. It’s then that you’re more likely to spot issues that you may have missed. Building in time to review your work as you go along will not only reduce the likelihood of making mistakes it will elevate the work itself.

How often do you review your work? Let us know in the comment section below! And join us on Sunday evening for our Quackchat at 5:30PM(EST)!

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