Most of my artwork was on the fly, in the moment pieces I simply had to jot down. When I took my first graphic design class, I realized your first idea might not be the right one. So draw a bunch of large-scale images? Nope. Just a lot of small-scale snippets. My introduction to thumbnails was rocky; it seemed like extra work for a project I could see clearly in my head in one format. However, when the picture wasn’t so clear, I realized just how wonderful thumbnails were and figured I’d share a few tricks and hints I’ve learned over the last couple years.
What are Thumbnails?
Thumbnails are a small image formatted at the same ratio as a larger piece. Images on the internet would be a thumbnail, a small version that you can click and get the full-size image. For drawing, it’s a small block of the same ratio as you’re final canvas.
They’re used for mapping out a design. On a regular sheet of sketchbook paper, you could fit about three thumbnails. Shapes are simplified so the focus is on arrangement and flow. The design can become more complex and completed once you’ve chosen the final design. For comics (example above), you can test multiple designs with little hassle.
Best Thumbnail Practices
It can be time-consuming, but the best method before drawing your final is to sketch up to ten sample designs. There might be three or two that stick out, so you’ll develop those ideas with five to ten more thumbnails. The reason for so many: an idea can always get better. Even if you go back to the original design, exploring other options proves that it was the right one all along. But you won’t know that until you try multiple variations.
That’s a lot of thumbnails and a lot of paper. While some adjustments would need to be made, Sticky Notes are the easiest and quickest thumbnail canvas. I use them religiously ever since my sequential art teacher told us about them. They’re already small in size and can stick anywhere so you can step back and get a good look before moving on.
The other thumbnail method I have has a lot of prep but it is very efficient after the work is done. Newsprint is a non-archival paper, meaning it won’t last as long as drawing paper or other formats (though I’m trying to beat the odds). Thumbnails don’t need to last an eternity, which is why I use large pads of newsprint to make a giant batch of thumbnails. I keep the width around two inches and adjust the length as needed. I line the entire paper with thumbnail frames and then start drawing (I get maybe five across, seven down, which is thirty-five).
Last tip is guide lines. I divide all my thumbnails into thirds, vertically and horizontally. That helps me with using the rule of thirds and finding hot spots. This also helps when deciding on flow and how the image will be organized.
Thumbnail to Design
Going to the bigger, final version can be tricky. For digital art, I upload a picture of my thumbnail, resize it in Photoshop to where I want it, and draw over with my paintbrush tool (Hard Round 7pt Black). I can make adjustments within Ps easily and refer to my drawing when needed.
Taking a drawn thumbnail to a drawn final requires more work. Draw an assortment of grid lines on your thumbnails AND final canvas (use a light pencil like 2H or 4H graphite). Four to six equally spaced rows vertically and horizontally is pretty good, but you can do more if it helps. From here, draw section by section, eyeing your thumbnail as you work on your final. Again, draw with 2H or 4H graphite to start so you can easily erase.
At this stage, changes can be made. I’ve noticed in my own work that I don’t always account for all the empty spaces and they become more apparent when I go bigger. Inevitably you’ll miss something in your thumbnail and that’s okay. Make the necessary changes in the final.
