Subscribe to the site via the feed, or build something cool with the API.When you ‘re out in nature, do you ever look at animals and wonder what they ‘re thinking? Or do you ever hear birds singing and think to yourself, “I bet they ‘re having a cool conversation ‘? Well, you ‘re not the only one, and thankfully for all of us there are some pretty talented and funny people out there who can take these kinds of thoughts and really make the most of them. Unless otherwise noted, everything is available via the Attribution-Share Alike licence. Uses This is supported by ZSA, makers of the Moonlander, ErgoDox EZ and Planck EZ keyboards.

I would prefer to skip the whole digital side of my comic process so all I need is paper and ink and paint. My dream is actually to need fewer pieces of equipment to make art so I could be more mobile and work while I travel. However, I could always use more windows and more wilderness. I'm very fortunate to have a room dedicated to my work. My dream setup is pretty close to what I have. If I feel like the comic would make a nice print, I will put it up in my store at this point. Currently, that amounts to 3 different formats across 8 platforms. I change the format of my comics depending on where they will be uploaded. From there, I'll make smaller copies of the file for the Internet while saving the original for print. I use Photoshop (no longer pirated) to blacken blacks, whiten whites, saturate colours, fix any smudges, move text around, and occasionally to colour backgrounds. I then switch over to an older Wacom Intuos tablet for making any digital changes. Once I've agonized over the comic's appearance for too long, I scan it using my old Canon 4-in-1 (also works as a fax machine!) at 600dpi. They all get the job done.Īlso, I sit on a Tempurpedic chair now, which I think is just as important as all my other tools. I haven't tested enough paint brands to have any preference. It can behave much like watercolour if you add enough water, or closer to acrylic if you use it straight out of the tube.

I used to use watercolour paint, but switched to gouache a couple of years ago because I find it more versatile. After waiting for the ink to dry, I erase all the pencil mess and start to colour using gouache. I'll then apply India ink using dipped ink nibs for all text and most linework, switching off with Pigma Microns and other fine pens. I'll usually be using some collection of reference photos found on the internet or taken myself for animals or environments, which I'll have up on my desktop computer ( iMac). I use hot press watercolour paper for its smooth texture (good for pen flow). I'm not super picky about pencils, though I have been favouring Castell for years. What hardware do you use?Īll of my comics start with pencil on paper at my small, glass, drafting table. My name is Joshua Barkman and I make the comic False Knees.

False Knees by Joshua Barkman