Here’s a quick update about what I’ve been up to lately.
Let me know what you’ve been working on in the comments below. As a bonus, let me know what you’re most looking forward to improving about your storytelling this year.
As promised, below are my most top 10 tools for storytelling:
- A laptop or tablet you can draw on. My top picks are the Wacom Cintiq Companion, the iPad Pro with Procreate, and the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. If you’re strapped for cash, consider getting a used model of any of the above suggestions. Having a portable digital drawing tool has been indispensable lately for working on my projects. A desktop machine is great, but having a portable tool will unlock a world of opportunities for jobs.
- Autodesk Sketchbook Pro. This is now completely free, and I think it has some of the best drawing tools out of any program on the market. Get it here.
- Adobe CC subscription. Just get it. From After Effects to Premiere to Photoshop, these tools are solid and work for any storyboard gig you could have. You can get a student version cheaper here.
- A sketchbook. Don’t leave home without it. You can’t go wrong with the classic Moleskine.
- Bodies in Motion. By far, this is the best figure-drawing resource on the internet.
- Save The Cat. This is a great starter book for story structure. Check it out here.
- Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth. I still love Loomis. Check out why this book is still a bestseller for artists.
- Double Macchiato with almond milk. This hits the spot for a late-afternoon pick-me-up while doing some café sketches.
- Instagram. It has become a go-to tool for posting your work and getting seen. I get hit up often by clients who need help with jobs. Share the love and follow us on Instagram, and show us your Instagram storyboards!
- An alarm clock. Instead of staying up late, I discovered a better way to avoid distractions is to get up before anyone else– around 5 or 6 a.m. Get your day started with the most important drawing task and art project and your whole day will fall into place. Of course, you will need to drop that habit of staying up late watching Netflix. Save that for the weekends!
Sergio