Attempts at the sample scripts

[Bubba Zebill]

Actually...it's perhaps more interesting to see the same script illustrated each time, better to see the strangely endless variations or dimensions that can be brought out by different artists. No one artist can close the book on a single script, there's always more an artist can do I think, although it may seem more challenging. Here's a detail from one panel in 'Cycle of Violence' that I was working on last night. I had planned a fully painted series, but then I thought about the stories I read as a kid, only the central double spread was colour, the last 4 pages were black and white...and what my buddy Brendan McNally said to me - real comics are ALWAYS in black and white....hmmm, maybe....but  bw does lend more to the hard-bitten look...so here we go.

Damned easier to paint than to ink, too.

[Bubba Zebill]

Maybe this has been covered already, but I didn't see it here...but does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on font size and or if there is a font that can be downloaded that looks like the one that might appear in the magazine? Thanks....and happy Easter.

[radiator]

My suggestion would be: don't letter your artwork at all! Lettering is something of an art in it's own right, and a substandard job will totally detract from your artwork.

And if you really want to letter your pages, don't use the comic sans font. Ever.

[Adrian Bamforth]

If you need free comic fonts you can download many at http://www.blambot.com/ - just take your pick.

[CrazyFoxMachine]

Comic Sans is a massive no - ! :O

Pay ENORMOUS heed to the incredible free tutorial by Jim Campbell http://www.2000adonline.com/forum/index.php/topic,26445.0.html - if you choose to letter it at all!

[Emperor]

My suggestion would be: don't letter your artwork at all!

This ^^^^

[pauljholden]

I'm with DON'T LETTER YOUR ARTWORK AT ALL.

Make sure there's plenty of room for lettering BUT DON'T LETTER IT.

You will NEVER be asked to letter your own work - and, tbh, sub-standard lettering on artwork is the fastest way to make your art look amateurish (no matter how great it is).


-pj

[Darren Stephens]

Yeh, I would strongly advise against lettering it yourself, too. The artwork looks nice, from the snippets you've shown. Don't ruin it!  

[Jim_Campbell]

Plus, of course, if you letter your own work and you aren't a member of the union then we're honour-bound to track you down and... deal with you. Now, I'm not saying you'll be found face-down at a crossroads with a Wacom stylus between your shoulderblades, but it's a possibility you should seriously consider.

:-)

Cheers!

Jim

[Bubba Zebill]

The lettering is for studio use only Darren. I've had more than one non-plussed expression this week at the sight of yet another murder victim picture in progress, no doubt my friends and clients see this as an exciting new direction in my work ....But I think it'll be helpful to have a lettered version for anyone interested in how relevant the pictures I'm drawing are to the script I'm reading. I won't submit anything lettered, although I've been working with typography since 1986 - I know comic lettering is an art all its own - as important as sound in film, in that it is 90% of what you 'see'.

Thanks Adrian for the link...and the PDF of Jim Campbell's....and thanks for the heads up - I'll keep an eye over my shoulder for any spinning Cintiq's or Intuos 2 ....the thought recalls a Far Side cartoon. Busy city street, dead man with boomerang in his back. Among the crowd a kangaroo looking fearful & alert, thinking - 'That was meant for me.'

[Bubba Zebill]

BTW - Adrian, I fully agree with your point on too much reliance on photo refs. They will deaden the work if they are relied on too much. They are best used as an aid only at the sketching stage...although are more valuable where shadows are concerned. Best thing for any comic book artist is a strong understanding of the figure at any angle. It may seem a chore but it can be learned and Drawing Comics the Marvel Way is a good intro...but for the real mince and totties nothing can touch Burne Hogarth...got a problem with hands?...Burne Hogarth...not sure how to draw a foot?...Burne Hogarth. Learn his method and free your hand for life. Is it worth taking a month out of your life to study his method?...damn right.

And thanks again for that font page, dynamite!

Comic book Jesus this way...
http://www.amazon.com/Dynamic-Figure-Drawing-Burne-Hogarth/dp/0823015777

[Danbell]

Hey everyone, here's my attempt at Sorrowhill. There just pencils so it's still a work in progress but any feedback will be welcome.

Thanks

Dan

[Pauul]

Oooh.

Pretty.

That's some really nice artwork, Dan.

I'm trying to think of some helpful criticism, but it's hard to be critical of something so good.

Do you have a link to any more of your artwork (a blog or maybe deviantart)?

[CrazyFoxMachine]

That IS really nice. It's clear you've really sweated over the details on this - !

[locustsofdeath!]

Yes, lovely pencils there. And the fellow on the right in panel 2:2 looks like George Lucas!

To my eyes, this looks great. Make sure to post the inked pages.