Where the magic happens
January 7th, 2010
I’ve received some requests (2, actually, but oh well) to get a glimpse of my work setup. Personally, I’ve always liked to see where my fave artists work (one of these days, I swear I’ll steal Adam Warren’s desk) so thought it would be a fun thing to share. Without further ado, I present to you – THE STUDIO (a corner in my bedroom, but it sounds better when I call it THE STUDIO).
For your reference…
- 28″ Widescreen monitor. This thing has spoiled me forever – I refuse to use the puny screen at my office anymore.
- Intuos 4 XL Tablet. Thus far, I use the tablet only for coloring and to write word balloons. I really want to get around to really learning every possible use – although I don’t think I’ll stop doing hand-drawing and inking.
- Pixma Pro 9000 Mark II printer – This printer could potentially kill a grown man if I dropped it on top of said man. It’s a large format printer, and I use it for my guides and to experiment with for some cool posters and other projects I have in mind. Also, to print pictures of LOLcats.
- My Chair. This is where I park my ass.
- Paper sorter thingie. In progress strips, layout pages and random ideas are stored here. There’s an intricate filing system at work here people.
- Muztek 11×17 flatbed scanner. This is an AWESOME scanner for the price. Also, it allows me to scan in the pages I usually work at with a lot of ease (no pasting/etc.)
- Wall o’original art. This will build up with more time and be increasingly awesome.
- Shelves. I keep here the DVDs and books I’m currently in the process of going through or reference material. I have a lot of good books here that I’ve been using to self-teach drawing techniques, coloring, webcomicking, and other stuff. Drop me a note in the comments if you would like to know a bit more about my reference material.
- Magnetic board. Reference drawings (Bob and Angela, currently), script ideas and some assorted pens readily at hand.
And a closer look at my work area, with some in progress strips (You’ve seen this one before).
Hope you enjoyed the look at the space - on some future post I’ll share my comic process (from layout to finished piece). Won’t really be a tutorial, unless somebody actually thinks I can impart some knowledge…
Ты как обычно радуешь нас своими лучшими фразами спасибо, беру!
btw – thank you for posting the live update feed above of the excellent work of the webcartoonists in Mexico out there. I discovered some new art and webcomics culture via those links, and even bid on a few new ad slots I might not have seen otherwise! Great stuff!
Re: Thumbnails: Oh, you bet I do! I thumbnail quick doodley scribbles in a very stick-figurey way (with some more detail depending on the strip) and scrawl out the wrtiting in balloons, etc. Pretty much what you are showing, but now I do it straight in my sketchbook. As an example, while I was at a car dealership today getting my car worked on, I sat in the waiting area with a 5.5×8.5 strathmore sketchbook and write 3 or 4 new Legend of Bill strips!
I dig the layout pages as part of your process. I used to do something just like that. Still do sometimes. Always cool to see someone’s workspace!
Thanks sir! Do you do thumbnails for your stories? You seem to have a very organic style in your layouts and strips.
que es esa cosa amorfa alado del mario?!
Reference material list would be good. Always on the lookout for good books.
I thought you live in Seattle. Where’s the mold? Where’s the moss? Where’s the conspicuous coffee?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Webcómics mexicanos, Armando Valenzuela. Armando Valenzuela said: In case you want to see where I work… http://www.atomiclaundromat.com/2010/01/07/where-the-magic-happens/ [...]
What kind of computer are you running? programs?
Tragically old laptop shoved behind the monitor — haven’t had the money to buy a real rig (invested first in the accesories). It’s a laptop running Win7 and Adobe Photoshop CS4.