From paper to tablet

Graphic Stories were designed and executed on paper. First came the story (typed or handwritten). Then paper was cut to the size of twice the page. With a pencil a template of frames was composed. Next the action and text was drawn also in pencil. Changes could be made by applying an eraser. When satisfied with the pencil sketch the pen and ink came out. In my case a pen that I dipped in a pot of Indian Ink. If a mistake was made white paint was painted over the black ink to blot out the offending bit. If the mistake was of major proportions the scissor came out to cut away the botched up frame(s). The new frames were then drawn on a separate piece of paper and fitted in the hole with the use of glue. Colour was added on a different piece of paper that was put over the original drawing that was put on a light box. Grey shading came from prefab sticky screens of dots. The same applied for stick-on fonts. A screen with dots of the desired density was put over the drawing (on the light box) and cut to size with a surgical knife and then stuck on. It had all to do with how the end product was processed at the print works. It was labour intensive to say the least. If you think I learned these procedures at the college of art, you’re wrong. Graphic stories were not seen as art and therefore not taught. I taught myself after I left school, talking to friends and by browsing through shops specialized in artists materials. This way of making graphic stories came to an end with the introduction of the personal computer.

© Peti Buchel