Set The Action! Creating Backgrounds For Compel... May 2026

– Covers gaining perspective and laying out action.

: A special comic book sequence created for the book guides readers through do's and don'ts of background design. Critical Reception Set the action! Creating Backgrounds for Compel...

– Explores advanced scene construction and storytelling. Major topics include: – Covers gaining perspective and laying out action

Published by Routledge/Focal Press in 2012, this 240-page book focuses on moving backgrounds beyond mere afterthoughts. Hernandez, an MFA in sequential art and a faculty member at the Art Institute of Washington, uses a practical, "conversational lecture" style to teach how settings interact with characters to drive drama. Major topics include: Published by Routledge/Focal Press in

: Reviewers from Parka Blogs and Amazon praise the book for being "text-heavy" with well-explained examples. Experts like 2D Animation Director Brian Muelhaupt describe it as "insightful" and "cleverly written," highlighting its focus on undervalued staging techniques.