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Who is Will Simpson?

William Simpson is a renowned comic artist, illustrator, storyboard artist, film production artist and director.

He was born in Prehen, County Londonderry in 1960.

DC Comics on a stand

He has worked for companies such as DC, Marvel and 2000AD.

Characters he has drawn professionally include Batman, Transformers and Indiana Jones.

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Image caption,
A comic combines words and pictures in a sequence to tell a story.
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Image caption,
A page from the storyboard for our film on Will

Storyboarding

A storyboard is used to help plan a story, and is sometimes used when making films and TV shows. It involves making a series of pictures, with text underneath, that map out from beginning to end how a story will progress

Will has worked on storyboards for big TV productions such as Games of Thrones.

He uses his great ability to story tell from his days working on comics strips.

Image caption,
A page from the storyboard for our film on Will
Will uses charcoal and a 2B pencil to sketch, rather than working on a computer.

Will describes the way he works as 'old school' using charcoal and a 2B pencil to sketch, rather than working on a computer.

Will follows a process:

  • Read the script.
  • Make notes.
  • Draw up the page on paper in 2B pencil loosely.
  • Use pen and ink or paint.
  • Scan, clean, check things that need highlighted or altered.

According to Will, art comes in many different forms and comic artists have the ability to deliver believable worlds of imagination.

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Learn about comics

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More on Drawing

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