Unlocking the Power of Clip Studio Paint for Children's Book Illustration
As a children's book author and illustrator, I've had the pleasure of creating my own book, "Captain Mother Might Live Forever," using Clip Studio Paint EX. While I initially drew the illustrations in Clip Studio Paint and formatted the text and layout in Adobe Photoshop, I've since discovered that Clip Studio Paint can be used to create a children's book from start to finish. In this post, we'll explore the process of setting up a book in Clip Studio Paint, optimizing the workflow, and creating a 32-page book ready for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP).
Why Clip Studio Paint?
I'm a huge fan of Clip Studio Paint because it feels like drawing on paper, which is essential for many digital artists transitioning from traditional art. My digital drawing setup consists of a Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16 with a film over the top and felt nibs, allowing for a natural drawing experience. Clip Studio Paint was recommended by a friend, and it's been a game-changer for my digital art journey.
Digital Drawing Setup and Workflow
My preferred drawing tablet is the Wacom Mobile Studio Pro 16, which is thinner and more sensitive, making it feel like drawing on paper. Clip Studio Paint is my go-to drawing program, specifically developed for manga, and its pen and ink features are smooth and pair well with the Wacom tablet. I've tried other programs like Frisco and Photoshop, but I'm most comfortable with Clip Studio Paint.
Concerns about Clip Studio's Future
One concern I have is the upcoming version 2, which may require a subscription-based model, which could be costly. I'm unsure whether to stick with the current version or upgrade to the new one. However, for now, I'm committed to optimizing my workflow in Clip Studio Paint.
Workflow Optimization
My goal is to eliminate unnecessary steps in the workflow, such as taking it from Clip Studio into Photoshop for formatting. Keeping everything in one place streamlines the process and saves time. I also use the Clip Studio Tab Mate, a handheld device that replaces keyboard shortcuts and streamlines the workflow. Customizable buttons and scroll wheel allow for easy brush resizing, undo/redo, and layer/color palette access, eliminating the need for a keyboard and reducing drawing time.
Setting up a Book in Clip Studio for KDP
Proper setup is crucial to avoid mistakes and confusion. To set up a book in Clip Studio Paint for KDP, follow these steps:
Setting up a New File for a Children's Book
- Go to File > New to create a new file
- Set up the file with the following specifications:
- Width: 8.5 inches
- Height: 11 inches
- Resolution: 400 dpi
- Paper Color: Choose White (default)
Comic Settings
- Finish Size: Set to 8.5 x 11 inches
- Bleed Size: Set to 0.1 inches (or as desired)
- Inner Size: Set to the size of the inner page
Understanding Safe Area and Bleed
- The Safe Area is the inner box where important illustrations and text should be kept
- The Bleed Area is the area outside the Safe Area where content may be trimmed off during printing
- Keep all important content inside the Safe Area to avoid being cut off during printing
Setting up Margins for KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)
- Top Margin: 0.25 inches
- Bottom Margin: 0.25 inches
- Inside Margin: 0.375 inches
- Gutter: The area between the two pages where the book is bound
- Leave enough space between the content and the gutter to avoid morphing of text and illustrations during binding
Tips and Considerations
- Keep important illustrations and text at least 0.25 inches away from the edge of the page
- Avoid placing important content too close to the gutter
- Use the Safe Area to ensure that important content is not cut off during printing
Creating a 32-Page Book in Clip Studio Paint
Setting Up the Book Structure
- The book starts on a right-hand page, which is a "throwaway" page for illustrations or signings
- The next page is the copyright page, followed by the title page
- The book has 32 pages, but only 28 pages need to be illustrated
- The last page is a left-hand page
Combining Pages into Two-Page Spreads
- Combine two pages into a single spread using Clip Studio Paint
- Start on a single right-hand page, which will be the cover page
- The last page will be on the left-hand side, making all middle pages two-page spreads
- Use Clip Studio Paint to combine the file into a single spread
Setting Up the File
- Set up the file in Clip Studio Paint
- Choose the correct settings to export the file with single pages
Illustrating the Book
- Go through the pages and illustrate each one as desired
- Use Clip Studio Paint to customize and illustrate each page
- Once complete, export the file in a format suitable for Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
By following these steps, you'll be able to create a 32-page children's book in Clip Studio Paint, optimized for KDP. With practice and patience, you'll be well on your way to creating stunning children's books that will captivate young readers.