Ooooh, I'm working on a newsletter this week about layout and white space just in regular text pages and how I don't think we writers play enough, and I'm definitely gonna reference this post. Because this idea of the feel of how a page looks is exactly what I'm getting at, and even in non-graphic novels I think we still have room to play with stuff like that!
That's so important to talk about! I was obsessed with white space and page layout as a writer, and I think it was a direct path to becoming a visual storyteller. I assume you're familiar with Ander Monson's "The Designed Essay"? Gets to the heart of it: " I also want the designed visual experience that graphic novels and memoirs and essays can offer us in visually suggesting the passage of time, the space between two things represented separately."
Love seeing the comparisons here! On this topic, Tove Jansson’s Moomin comics are super creative with their panel borders. There’s just so much possibility!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on comic panel borders. I'll have to keep this in mind for my next publications of comics here on my Substack. I've been trying to figure out the whole comic paneling thing. When I look at comic panels, I think of the kind of shots you would see in a TV show or a movie, and create a panel dependent upon the camera shot and angle I'm going for.
I love how this post uses each visual example to show the differences clearly. Using hand-drawn panels with comics created on actual paper gives a nice, authentic feeling.
I'm guessing you resist digital panel borders because hand-drawn look a lot better for your work! I resist digital speech bubbles for mine, even though I'm working in Clip Studio Paint where they'd be so easy to create.
And clip studio paint is another thing I’ve resisted even though I’m using Photoshop CS6 running on a very old laptop (which has replaced another very old laptop, bought secondhand) to do my colouring and preparation for print. Old habits die hard!
Great piece! This is something I'm playing with a lot now as a beginning visual storyteller/illustrator. How do you think these panel borders translate to a digital-first or digital only format? Are they still (as) necessary? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks, Michelle! I think it's just as important with digital work. And all my panel borders in these examples are made in Photoshop. My work is a combination of digital and traditional watercolor, but I find making panel borders a lot easier digitally.
Love this! Thank you for sharing and for explaining in such a clear way. I always pay attention to the panel borders as well. They are definitely part of the whole visual storytelling package! 😊
Ooooh, I'm working on a newsletter this week about layout and white space just in regular text pages and how I don't think we writers play enough, and I'm definitely gonna reference this post. Because this idea of the feel of how a page looks is exactly what I'm getting at, and even in non-graphic novels I think we still have room to play with stuff like that!
Oh awesome! So glad it’s helpful for your post. I look forward to reading it, Sarah!
That's so important to talk about! I was obsessed with white space and page layout as a writer, and I think it was a direct path to becoming a visual storyteller. I assume you're familiar with Ander Monson's "The Designed Essay"? Gets to the heart of it: " I also want the designed visual experience that graphic novels and memoirs and essays can offer us in visually suggesting the passage of time, the space between two things represented separately."
Oooooh looking that up now!!
Would love to know what you think!
Katherine, your well-done explanations and excellent visual examples help my untrained eye understand the intention behind the panel borders.
Thanks so much, Joyce! I’m glad it was clear to someone who isn’t steeped in this world.
Love seeing the comparisons here! On this topic, Tove Jansson’s Moomin comics are super creative with their panel borders. There’s just so much possibility!
Thanks for the recommendation, Maddy! I should look more at this comics.
Really liked how you laid this out. No pun intended. ;)
Thanks Charlie! Good pun too!
This is so helpful, and something i don't consider a much as I should. I appreciate your insight!
Thanks, Trish!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on comic panel borders. I'll have to keep this in mind for my next publications of comics here on my Substack. I've been trying to figure out the whole comic paneling thing. When I look at comic panels, I think of the kind of shots you would see in a TV show or a movie, and create a panel dependent upon the camera shot and angle I'm going for.
Thanks, Kendall! I'm glad you found it helpful.
I love how this post uses each visual example to show the differences clearly. Using hand-drawn panels with comics created on actual paper gives a nice, authentic feeling.
Thanks, Khalid. I'm glad the differences are coming!
I hand draw panel borders for my comic strip even though I know I could save tons of time by doing it digitally. I don’t know why I resist this.
I'm guessing you resist digital panel borders because hand-drawn look a lot better for your work! I resist digital speech bubbles for mine, even though I'm working in Clip Studio Paint where they'd be so easy to create.
And clip studio paint is another thing I’ve resisted even though I’m using Photoshop CS6 running on a very old laptop (which has replaced another very old laptop, bought secondhand) to do my colouring and preparation for print. Old habits die hard!
Great post! Thanks for showing so many examples. No strokes really does work the best, but I loved seeing all of the other ways it might have gone.
Thanks Alece! I’m glad you agree that no strokes worked best for that story!
Another super-smart, practical lesson! Love!
Thanks so much, Kelcey!
This is such a great piece, with wonderful examples.
Thank you so much, Jon!
Very true. I like your technique of testing borders - will consider that when I move forward with the next draft of my GN!
So glad you found it helpful, Rachelle!
Great piece! This is something I'm playing with a lot now as a beginning visual storyteller/illustrator. How do you think these panel borders translate to a digital-first or digital only format? Are they still (as) necessary? Would love to hear your thoughts!
Thanks, Michelle! I think it's just as important with digital work. And all my panel borders in these examples are made in Photoshop. My work is a combination of digital and traditional watercolor, but I find making panel borders a lot easier digitally.
Love this! Thank you for sharing and for explaining in such a clear way. I always pay attention to the panel borders as well. They are definitely part of the whole visual storytelling package! 😊
Thanks, Maple! Yeah, they're really hugely important.