Some ideas come from my own curiosity. Other times I get an assignment from an editor of a publication—like when an editor on Science World asked me to tackle scientific inquiry (see The Scientific Process).
Once I have a topic, I do a ton of research. I learn some things on my own using the internet and books. But to really understand my topics, I interview scientists. Next, I draw sketches for each panel, or section, of the comic strip and develop the script, or text, to go with them.
If I’m working with an editor, they review my work and suggest changes. Then I draw the final line art, or drawings, on a digital tablet. Finally, I add color and the finished text.