Layout Thought Process.

This is just my way of doing it and what I think Lee wanted me to go over. I'm not making you guys do it this way, its just how I've found solid results.

When starting the thumbnails I like to stick to just using a 2H, HB, and 4B pencil. Don't press down on the pencil to get the value, let the pencils weight get you the value, doing this should get you clear 3 tones. In these first stages I find it useful to just stick to shapes and tone. when someone see's and image the first thing people see is shape, then value/color and lastly detail. So detail is important, but it can't save a bad drawing. So sticking with the first two is key.

Here is a solid example of a 3 tone thumbnail. I don't think every thumbnail should be like this, I think this is like a stage two thumbnail. So stage one being quick idea sketches. This would be an expansion on an idea.

by Luc Desmarchelier

Here is another example of good 3 tone. This might be another step after just the value, because some of the details are starting to get put in. The next image is just taking it another step forward.


by Luc Desmarchelier

This step would be after you're happy with everything else, the layout is working, and you have your 3 tones. So this would be the stage before paint.

By Armand Serrano

When doing value it is important to stay with in the relative value. So take you middle tone for example. The little details and variations should not be lighter than the dark in you light value and should not be darker than the light in your dark value. This is a complicated sentence haha. Read it a couple times to make sure it makes sense.

Here is a good presses for getting ideas and designs down. So after you're getting happy with your layout. you need detail. This is Armand Serrano again. I know he has better examples out there, but this is good, it shoes his reference, his design variations and then how he puts it in the tonal sketch.





So thats about it, I've probably missed a few things. But this is what I thought of first. If you have questions please ask or if you think I missed something. And again, I'm not forcing you to do it this way, I've just found good results doing it this way.