Manga Studio
Ever since I was a kid I’ve been a huge comic book fan. It all started with my Dad giving me and my brother a box full of dog eared 2000AD issues. The obsession started with Judge Dredd, Zenith and Strontium Dog, then moved on to Spiderman and Batman. I always dreamed of making my own comics and finally decided to actually get some software to help make it happen. I sprung for Manga Studio 5 and I’m loving it so far.
I’m still working with Andrew Peters to create an original graphic novel and Manga Studio has been invaluable in helping to realise that.
I’m still tinkering with the speech bubbles but it’s getting there.
Alex McArdell Illustration 
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I really like the lighting you used in this short story. In the fifth frame or panel, how did you create such a great texture to the face in Manga Studio? I don’t use Manga Studio when I color my comic book I’m working. But you’ve made me think twice about coloring with Manga Studio keep up the good work.
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October 29, 2013 at 4:52 am
Thanks, I’m glad you like it. I love playing with extreme lighting.
I actually use a combination of different art programs to create the effect in this comic. Sorry if the blog post was misleading. The comic wasn’t done only in Manga Studio. I actually do a lot of 3D work first in zbrush which allows for some amazing textures in the faces. Then I make corrections and do a lot of over-painting in Photoshop, then put the comic together in Manga Studio with all the panels and word balloons.
But in the panel you mentioned it was mostly photoshop. I usually do the basic image then pour a layer of black over the whole thing then take down the opacity by about 20%. Then I take the eraser and start to rub away the black on parts over the faces. This creates a really nice gloomy shadow effect that was suitable for the story.
I used a custom eraser brush that I made that was based on a vein/blood vessel pattern. It creates a really nice, rough but organic look. I guess you might be able to do something similar in Manga Studio. I mostly use Manga Studio for its comic assembly features where I put it all together.
Hope that helps.
Alex
October 29, 2013 at 9:53 am