The Thumbnail Phase (Patreon)

EA's script is done and has been for a long time, but since I write about scenes in a broad "This and this and this has to happen and here's the dialogue they'll use" fashion instead of a page-by-page, panel-by-panel method, I end up figuring out what fits best on each page as I go.

Generally speaking I like to have at least 6 to 8 pages planned out in one sitting since it's easier to maintain a pace and flow to the story if I do them in groups. I sketch in super basic shapes and figure out if we need to zoom in to a character's face or back all the way out to show the room or wherever they're occupying. Seeing pages like this helps me determine if I've got too many "talking heads" panels which feels repetitive and can be tedious for readers. I also throw in bits of key dialogue to save space for word balloons and make sure I have characters reacting accordingly. 

The nice thing about this method is I can mull over pages for weeks as I work on each one due, and make edits as I go since the skeleton is already there. This method might not work for everyone, but since I can only work on pages here and there as the work-week flies by, this helps me keep focused on one page at a time while still having the idea fleshed out for the rest of the scene. Making comics is real heckin' fun! (°◡°♡)