Watercolor Comics Painting Process for my Graphic Novel and Illustration Work

[@sqeekable]

I love your Kodi book, I’m a 60 yr old who loves children’s book, watercolour and simple but powerful stories. I like your characters, great story. And wonderful art. I’m happy to find your channel, as I love watercolour, lots of loose and wet. Thank for sharing your technique.

[@JaredCullum]

thank you so much for watching the video and leaving a comment. :)

[@MeganGarver]

Thank you so much for sharing this video tutorial! It’s so helpful to watch your step by step process!

[@emmypax5084]

This was so great to find! It's so difficult to find good info from people making comics with watercolors. I really appreciate this look at your process!

[@JaredCullum]

Thanks so much for watching! :)

[@beecheemd8351]

In a single painting, you’ve explained so much technique and tricks to watercolor. I’m a beginner so this all very helpful. It’s like a sneak peek to what the medium can actually do if I just keep painting. Thank you for this! ❤️

[@brianashmorestudio]

This was SO COOL!! I’ve been painting for 30 years and I’m still in awe of what you can do with characters, color, and atmosphere from your mind’s eye. Beautiful work!!

[@JaredCullum]

Brian Ashmore Studio thanks man :)

[@elodinglasan2283]

Hey, Jared! Discovered you through your interview with Love Life Drawing

[@JaredCullum]

Wow! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to watch the interview with Kenzo. It was a lot of fun and your words mean a lot. :)

[@mindofwatercolor]

Good stuff Jared! I always appreciate seeing inside the process of other professionals here on KZbin. Especially when it involves watercolor. Refreshing to see an approach like this to a graphic novel when so much of the work is digital nowadays. Fantastic work!

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you so much! I'm so excited and nervous about it's release.

[@RitikaStrem]

I just finished reading Kodi can't wait for book 2 to come out

[@JaredCullum]

I appreciate you reading it! Hope to have 2 done soon. :)

[@wronghandlane9665]

Absolutely beautiful, stunning, and helpful, thank you for sharing and all the details!

[@DiabolicalAngel]

I love Kodi! Such an adorable, cuddly bear! Great work, dude 👏

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you! :)

[@teresamonteiro6212]

Just amazing. Thank you

[@jacobholliday6619]

Great video! I appreciate the in depth detail.

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you! :)

[@familyimportant4582]

Watching him draw, and paint, one page, really makes me love the comic.

[@fritzvd]

This is such a wonderful style!

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you :)

[@lovelifedrawing]

what a fantastic video and illustration. i've got my book on pre-order, can't wait! it looks stunning

[@JaredCullum]

Awesome! Thank you so much for grabbing a copy :)

[@BobbySpiessVienna]

Yery nice!

[@ivanpergasiFreelance]

very inspiring...tnx for sharing with us

[@brittoaugustus4060]

this was such a great video, thanks for sharing this info

[@cminor99]

That was wonderful!

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you!

[@zprovidencia9499]

The way you made sun-rays is actually pretty clever.

[@JaredCullum]

Thanks!

[@y_equals_mx_plus_c]

It is great to see the order you colour everything. Nice work 👍

[@antoniocabrero]

Very inspiring Jared! I would love to have a geek out with you! :D

[@JaredCullum]

Thanks :) I appreciate you watching. :)

[@andreabrasier4393]

This just makes me happy. Thank you for all of your advice!!! I have illustrated quite a few books and am doing my own now. I would like to know the business side.

[@dallasd5966]

Thank you!! Very inspiring. I have order my copy of your book. Thank you again. Needed that inspiration for my own art today.

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you for watching! Hang in there :)

[@deepika-hj7vu]

You're so talented 💗

[@silly_goob]

Thank you! I'm so glad you explained this process step by step, I was able to understand the process of making a watercolor illustration so I'm less intinidated by painting with watercolor now

[@JaredCullum]

That's what I hoped for. :) Thanks for watching.

[@rammisalami]

I learned so much more than any tutorials I’ve watched! Thank you! It would be cool to see the videos of you painting the interiors for Kodi!

[@JaredCullum]

Hey! I was painting kodi 2 today and after reading your comment decided to flip the camera on. :) I just posted a process video painting interiors for Kodi 2. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)

[@rammisalami]

@@JaredCullum awesome!!!

[@seallustrator]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you!

[@awm9532]

i just want to say your drawing style is brilliant i appreciate the art very much :))

[@BruceCarbonLakeriver]

'I want to take the artistic media of the 19th century and combine them with modern storytelling' - dude you've got me on that one xD Subbed liked

[@thomasdaley1201]

Great insights Jared - I appreciate how you talk us through your process as well as mention the materials. Nice piece.

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you so much. I love talking process- I actually learn a ton just talking my way through it.

[@ruthjames9278]

really inspiring and informative thakyou

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you!

[@c.m.1311]

Wow, what an amazing video! Came here from Minnie Small's channel mentioning your novel. You're so generous with your process and explanations and it's such a pleasure to watch you work while listening to your detailed, yet concise breakdown of your approach! I can't believe you handpainted this entire graphic novel--going to order a copy! This video needs way more views and love!! Thank you for sharing :)

[@JaredCullum]

C. M. Thank you for watching! :) glad you enjoyed it and I hope you like the book! I’m always around to talk shop if you have process questions :)

[@sqeekable]

Wow, I love Minnie Small she mentioned you! Awesome .

[@plotred]

Wow this was impressive and inspiring. I’m hoping to start on my own graphic novel soon. Thank you for sharing the dimensions as well. I was really curious as to what size was best for scanning. Beautiful, thanks again!

[@glennfleming]

Great information, Jared! Thank you!

[@darioscomicschool1111]

Can't wait to See this...

[@denismendes2121]

Amazing job! Really cool! Thanks for sharing your process with us

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you for watching!

[@kje3429]

Thank you so much for sharing your process!

[@blackkittehs4887]

This was lovely! Calm even pace of the painting and description, plus thoughtful notes about the why and how of your process. Thank you so much for this video!

[@JaredCullum]

Thanks so much for watching! :)

[@kinkarobotina]

What a great find, you're a master of color and theory! I am so much looking forward to learn from your videos!

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you :)

[@rodrigocasarez1810]

That was pretty sweeet I’m totally getting this book to read to my niece and nephews. Thanks for doing awesome work and sharing!!!

[@JaredCullum]

Thanks so much, Rodrigo! That means a lot

[@pmh6719]

Thank you very much

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you!

[@elsa_draws_stuff]

This is so great, and perfect timing. I'm just finishing my first graphic novel which I did mostly digitally and I want to use traditional media for my next one to get a bit more life in it, because I just wasn't happy with how the digital looked. Sometimes you have to do something in order to realize you don't want to do it that way again!

[@JaredCullum]

How cool! I'd love to see your work. I'll try to track it down. Have you pitched your book or are you self-publishing it? That is a huge accomplishment and I hope you're proud. Very cool Thanks for commenting!

[@elsa_draws_stuff]

@@JaredCullum Aww, you're so kind! The comic is currently on Tapas! tapas.io/series/Its-Only-a-Cactus/info The last chapter will go live this weekend. I haven't pitched this book because my teacher said it doesn't fit a target demographic, but I'm going to pitch my next book once I get further on it and if people like that I'll be more vocal about this one. If you're interested in more from me, I'm on Instagram at @elsa_draws_stuff, and I have a website which is just elsawahlstrom.com. You're one of my favorite painters and your videos are so helpful!

[@egrace407]

Bought that book. Love it!

[@JaredCullum]

Awesome! Thank you so much! :)

[@nicky9187]

Hi Jared - hoping to catch your live on Vision X later in the month- in the meantime this was really helpful! Thank you xx

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you! I’m looking forward to it! I always love VisX :)

[@jordynbridge7058]

Gorgeous!

[@senoritavanmontague1462]

Thank you so much for sharing your process with us. It was a delight to see the whole picture come to life. I really love your watercolor panels 💜 Wishing you good luck with the book!

[@JaredCullum]

Senorita Van Montague thank you so much for watching :)

[@mitchellsink2584]

This is awesome. Great work.

[@zaryellllyyy]

you've really inspired me!

[@JaredCullum]

That is so kind of you to say. Thank you. :)

[@zaryellllyyy]

i was intrigued by your painting videos and your art style has been my inspiration in painting! keep up the good work :)

[@jameswhitmer1201]

Brilliant!

[@rjlausartDesign]

liked 117. wow awesome painting.. so beautiful.. lot of details.. new friend support..

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you so much 😀

[@sarahrose9944]

Thank you so much for sharing your process! Your work is incredible and very lively!

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you! :)

[@bibsh5766]

Wow awesome artwork...

[@JaredCullum]

Bibsh thank you- thanks for watching!

[@HarmonyHardin]

I found you here on KZbin and really find the comic book watercolor combo enticing. Very unsual! Thanks so much for sharing, it is inspiring.

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you so much!

[@jasonmullins6638]

Thanks for sharing. I use a Pentel Pocket brush but after awhile the ink gets too juicy/heavy off the brush and I just cannot achieve controlled thin lines. I now fill the cartridge with De Atrementis Document Ink black. It has helped with that but the ink seems a bit drier than I would like. So now I use a Pentel Pigmented Color Brush (the grey handle one) works pretty good. Love your work Jared!

[@bluedragon94]

I'm writing and hopefully illustrating my first children's book. I want to use watercolor but I am more adept at acrylic. This video has been so inspiring. Thank you for the info!

[@JaredCullum]

Awesome! Good luck. It’s hard work! Let me know if I can help with advice :)

[@ScotCampbellwindowpainter]

Wonderful. I want to try this more

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you! Thanks for watching, Scot!

[@b004club]

wow

[@reganbothma5435]

Hi Jared. Thanks for this video, it’s so awesome 😎. I wanted to ask you how do you get your colour painted panels ( especially larger paintings) into a digital format for your book ? Thanks

[@JaredCullum]

Hi Regan! I always work at or under 11x17 so that htey fit into a scanner. :)

[@reganbothma5435]

@@JaredCullum thanks Jared that’s super helpful mate. 👍🏽

[@katana2665]

Good stuff Jared. Thanks for sharing.

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you so much for watching! :)

[@oluoch9162]

🙌

[@levisimpson516]

Really stoked about this, I may try and pick this up. Actually working on a little story idea of my own I'm going to illustrate that will feature a bear. :) Watercolor is something I'm still trying to wrap my head around.

[@JaredCullum]

Awesome! Well I'm always here to talk shop if you decide to do it with watercolor.

[@levisimpson516]

@@JaredCullum Absolutely. I think one of my major issues is planning. I did digital art for so long which got me real accustom to layers, undo, and making color adjustments that I never realized how little I'd plan out and think through. Everything was easy to change.

[@sunethwimarshana4609]

❤❤

[@nigarmustafajeva1789]

Thank you for the great explanation, can you please make a video after the drawing is done, how do you transfer your painting to a digital one, do you take a photo of the painting, or do you use a scanner (if so, which one)? thank you :)

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you! I use a scanner. I actually did a video on that a while ago. A couple years before this one. I wet the back so it flattens and scan it.

[@nigarmustafajeva1789]

@@JaredCullum Thank you, I actually found it 😍. One more question, are there specific scanners to scan artwork or can any scanner do the work?

[@JaredCullum]

@@nigarmustafajeva1789 any scanner should be fine! You probably want one that’ll go up to 11x17 if you can get it affordable

[@RandomKidddo]

It's lit

[@miriamgreen3973]

A cup of anything next to the paint means rinsing your brush in there by mistake no? :D

[@miriamgreen3973]

I subscribed! This is very clear and wonderful to hear

[@JaredCullum]

Yes it does haha thanks for subscribing! :)

[@cloudjolie]

Hi, do you stretch your watercolor papers before painting? Is it really necessary even your drawings are small? Thanks

[@JaredCullum]

Thanks for asking... I do not. It is not a bad idea and could be useful but it adds up time-wise. I tape it down and go for it and deal with the paper curling after. When I scan illustrations I wet the back with clean water and when it's pliable, I lay it flat and lat it out to dry flat. Stretching is handy because it keeps it straight and clean but it just takes up too much time to do it for hundreds and illustrations in a row.

[@cloudjolie]

@@JaredCullum thank you so much❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏

[@aksadmisel4955]

Im a new fan of you:)))))

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you! :)

[@RNgirlknits]

Thanks for showing us your process. I'm excited for your new graphic novel. I pre-ordered it months ago when I first saw its trailer.

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you so much! That means so much. RN girl? My wife is an RN and she also knits :)

[@RNgirlknits]

@@JaredCullum You're welcome. I hope your wife is able to stay safe and protected. And that knitting helps her with the stress in this very hard time to be a nurse.

[@DennisCNolasco]

Thanks for the process Jared. For comics, do you use the same size paper for the full page?

[@JaredCullum]

I typically draw comics pages 11x17 or 10x14 and measure into the pubslihers standards from the outside of the page. I buy arches 140lb cold pressed pads.

[@DennisCNolasco]

@@JaredCullum much thanks, I just finished the book! 🐻

[@DennisCNolasco]

@@JaredCullum fantastic, thanks :)

[@theycallmethewhiterabbit]

How do you turn the watercolor pages into a book? Do you take photos of them? How does that work

[@JaredCullum]

Good question. I scan them and adjust as needed or add words or whatever. Then I send the files to a designer that does the layout. A layout person would arrange the pages in something like Indesign and send the compiled file to a printer. My publisher handles all of that stuff.

[@theycallmethewhiterabbit]

@@JaredCullum what if Im using a big 12 x 18 inch watercolor page?

[@JaredCullum]

@@theycallmethewhiterabbit I use a 12x18 scanner or you could use a regular scanner and scan the two halves and use photoshop to piece them together. They’re an automatic join feature on photoshop.

[@eternalsquanch8445]

How do you layer color ? everytime I try to put something over a part I already painted it lifts up or smears and smudges together and ruins it :(

[@JaredCullum]

You have to progressively use less and less water to get stronger saturation and value and also to not smear. I also try to keep layering minimal.

[@eternalsquanch8445]

@@JaredCullum oh ok. Thx u

[@thepochade5992]

The preorder button isn't working. Thought you should know.

[@JaredCullum]

Thank you! That is strange- it works when I test it. It's available on amazon/barnes and noble and indie bound- you can search it directly through their sites. Thanks for telling me! I'll keep an eye on that.

[@thepochade5992]

@@JaredCullum Perhaps it's because I'm not in your country ?

[@JaredCullum]

@@thepochade5992 That may be it. I'm sorry about that

[@thepochade5992]

@@JaredCullum It's all good. No need for an apology.

[@leoalvarado6466]

When i try it painting over the pencil it ruins my drawing !Yet im watching n i see nothing happening to yours except alittle fading ? Why ?😮

[@JaredCullum]

@@leoalvarado6466 does it smear graphite? I specifically use faber castell 9000s because they have clay base and they don’t smudge too bad. You could also take a kneaded eraser and roll it over your drawing first to get up excess graphite.

[@joassantiago]

Jared, could you please allow subtitles? Thank you for sharing your great art!!

[@JaredCullum]

My apologies- I need to work on figuring out how to set that all the time. I’m always uploading in a hurry and often forget. I’ll look into it- I’m not very savvy with tech or KZbin so I will have to figure out how to do it.

[@joassantiago]

@@JaredCullum I understand you and I figured it was something simpler. MY apologies. I'm Brazilian and I understand better when I can read. Thank you, Jared.

[@krystalannawilliams2653]

???????

[@JaredCullum]

I can't tell if you have a question or just didn't like the video. Let me know if there's something I can answer for you.

[@analia390]

blurry video 🤔

[@JaredCullum]

Old video. Much older camera. I’ve since done a more full explanation with newer cameras. I didn’t start KZbin with a super fancy camera. I just had a little power shot. I’ve since gotten better ones.