Filed under: comics, comics theory, graphic novels, illustrations, my comics | Tags: art, books, cartoons, children's books, climate change, comics, graphic novels, illustration, science, writing
I’ve been in the habit, for a long time, of drawing TOO SMALL! So right now, working on the Low Carbon Future graphic novel project with Leeds University, I’m drawing these pages at the largest scale I’ve ever done for a comic, and I have to say, it’s very refreshing.
These pages I’m doing are to be printed around A4 size (210x297mm), which is large, so I’m drawing them at something like 500x720mm, not far off A2, which is gargantuan. I think people used to draw comics on paper that large, to be printed on big full newspaper pages, and they scanned them with those massive old drum scanners you don’t see anymore.
Admittedly, I am making this easier for myself by using the ‘french graphic album method’ of drawing two half-pages and then printing them together. It makes having the thing on your drawing board a lot less cumbersome. Anyway, more on this when it’s looking finished.
Filed under: icons, illustrations, video games | Tags: africa, computer games, democracy, design, icons, illustration, video games
Also: Democracy 3: Africa from Positech Games is now out on Steam, and above are just a few of the many conceptual icons I created for the game:
This turn-based political strategy game uses a unique icon-driven interface to help you navigate the most complex political and economic simulation ever seen in a computer game, custom-built on its own proprietary neural network. Democracy 3: Africa simulates the myriad interactions between voters, policies, economic and political variables, political parties and the various situations that develop over time.
Every icon I drew represents a sociopolitical statistic, policy, or value within the game which can be implemented or altered by the player as part of your role in governing an African country, and can affect a variety of other, linked values and, therefore, the strength and success of your government.
Sounds complicated, but the picture-based interface makes a complex game intuitive. Really great series of games, these, and really great to play a part in bringing it to life.
Corban Wilkin: Illustrator 