X-Men #7 Page 10 - Script to Line Art

I haven't done one of these in a long time - a look behind the making of a page of comics. This is for Marvel Comics X-Men #7 Page 10 (out in stores now).

Here's Brian Wood's script for page 10 from X-Men #7. I print this out on 8.5 x 11 paper. On the right side you see my little sketches for the panel layouts.

This was a decent way into the issue so I already had a good idea of what the page would look based on the scene I was drawing so no need for a real tight layout. This entire issue was drawn at about an 8 page a week pace as opposed to my more comfortable 4-5 pages a week so I was really flying - optimizing shortcuts over details. So, I really try to prioritize storytelling and solid drafting over everything else in this situation.

This page was drawn on 12 x 17 Marvel stock bristol board, using a Col Erase Light Blue and Staedtler HB Lead pencil.

 I always get the figures drawn first so as not to waste time fussing with background details - I will do this last as time allows - however the backgrounds and perspectives are are roughed in lightly.

Tightening in on the characters.

In the 3rd panel, I need more space to get Karima all drawn in correctly so the drawing goes outside the border - but as a happy accident,  I think I will leave it to enhance the storytelling.

A close up look at my pencils.

                                                    

Here's the final pencils. I ink the vehicles myself as Rachel Dodson hates inking cars and I know exactly how I want them to look.

Rachel inking directly on my pencils, using a Windsor Newton Series 7 #2 Sable Brush, Higgins Black Magic Ink plus a croquille and tech pen for some details.

A close up look at Rachel's inking  - that's all brush!

The artwork is then scanned and cleaned in Photoshop and put on the Marvel Server for the colorist-

And here's the final colors by Andrew Crossley.

Et voila - comic book page!

TD