The 180 Degree Rule

The 180 degree rule from movies also applies to comics.

Once you’ve placed characters on one side of each other, you’ve oriented the viewer. Changing that placement is awkward unless you show something has changed what’s going on.

i.e. if Cyclops is on the left side of the panel and Wolverine is on the right, then in the next panel Wolvie is on the left and Cyke is on the right with no explanation, the scene will look weird.

Watch the video:

180 Degree Rule – Moviemaking Technique from Peter John Ross on Vimeo.

Draw Comics Like a Pro – Al Bigley

I grabbed “Draw Comics Like a Pro” during a visit to my local library. Mr. Bigley’s years of comic book drawing experience are on display in this great albeit short book. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on proportions and dynamic poses.

The book seems to be aimed at a younger reader because some of the chapters are craft projects instead of drawing exercises.

I added it to my collection because I found a great deal on Amazon. I’d recommend a library check-out before you buy to see if the information is already contained in a book you already own.

According to lambiek.net:

Albert Bigley studied at the Ringling School of Art. He began his career in the late 1980s by working on the First Publishing titles ‘The Badger’ and ‘Sable’. He then did artwork for DC’s ‘The Fly’ and ‘Race Warrior’ and Marvel’s ‘Iron Man’, ‘West Coast Avengers’, ‘Scarlet Witch’ and ‘Darkhold’ throughout the early 1990s. For Archie Comics, he drew ‘Archie and Friends’ and ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’, and for Image, he cooperated on ‘Geminar’. He has illustrated stories for Disney’s ‘A Bug’s Life’, ‘Monsters Inc.’ and ‘Lilo & Stitch’ since 2002. He has also illustrated coloring books, story books and merchandise.

Comic Book Self-Publishing Resources

I’m adding a new feature to Banana Panic with this post. I’m going to start cataloging the resources I use to create my comic.

This will include:

  • Reviewing books on drawing
  • Adding links to tutorial sites and videos
  • Creating my own tutorials

If you have any suggestions, or things you’d like to see, please let me know.

I’ll begin by linking to Mark Crilley’s you tube channel. Mark creates excellent how-to draw Manga style videos. His tutorials on hair and on eyes  are two of my favorites. I highly recommend subscribing to his channel so you don’t miss any of the great tips.