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Creating double page spreads is an essential skill for comic book artists who want to make the most of their storytelling canvas. While most of my comic book series The Realm Ethereal: The Dream Awakens to date has been drawn digitally in Procreate, I have switched to drawing on paper. With 11″ x 17″ Strathmore Bristol smooth lined 200 Series drawing paper, you have a superb foundation to assemble a cohesive and visually captivating double page spread. This guide will walk you through the practical steps of assembling these pages, ensuring seamless transitions across your double page spreads.
Double page spreads are artwork layouts that span two adjacent pages in a comic book, offering an expansive view perfect for dramatic storytelling. Proper assembly of double page spreads is crucial for maintaining visual flow and narrative continuity. Follow these guidelines to expertly piece together your double page spreads.
You’ll need the following materials to assemble your double page spreads:
Ensure you have a flat and clean workspace optimal for assembling double page spreads. Lay your materials out so they are accessible, and double-check the alignment of your workspace to prevent skewed assembly.
Begin by laying your two sheets of 11″ x 17″ paper edge to edge for your double page spreads. It’s crucial they butt directly up against one another without overlap. This setup ensures that any artwork crossing from one sheet to the other remains visually seamless and accurate in double page spreads. A misaligned setup might distort characters or backgrounds at the center of the double page spread, affecting the overall impact.
Before aligning, look for the instructions on the lined Strathmore comic drawing pages, which indicate where to trim the excess edges perfectly. Trim the right edge of the left sheet and the left edge of the right sheet slightly, following these guidelines. Using a self-healing cutting mat will protect your surface, while a sturdy Exacto cutting blade will provide a clean and precise cut necessary for double page spreads. This trimming step ensures a seamless abutment of sheets’ edges in your double page spreads.
Flip both sheets carefully while maintaining their edge-to-edge alignment critical for double page spreads. Use small pieces of clear acid-free tape to hold the sheets together from the back. Place tape along the seam at intervals, ensuring it remains smooth and doesn’t bunch up, which could create an uneven surface. Avoid taping the entire length to allow some flexibility and movement during adjustments, ensuring your double page spreads are perfect.
Understanding bleeds is vital when assembling double page spreads. Usually, a 1/8″ bleed area extends beyond the final printing dimensions to prevent cutting errors. Ensure that your important graphics or text elements do not fall within this bleed zone unless intended as a background element over your double page spreads.
Assembling double page spreads effectively is as crucial as the art itself. By adhering to the guidelines of edge-to-edge alignment, mindful attachment, and careful transition across pages, your comic book artwork will capture the reader’s attention in the manner you envisioned. The 11″ x 17″ Strathmore Bristol paper will hold up excellently throughout the process, aiding in delivering vivid and precise storytelling through your comic book’s double page spreads.
