how tight should pencils be

[kingbyron]

This may have been asked already, I tried finding it but gave up after 20 minutes. Found lots of other good info though.

My question - how tight do pencils have to be? Specifically if sending samples out to various companies, such as the big 4, in hopes of landing that dream job.

thanks for any help.

[JAQ]

For a "hire me" submission, I'd do them tighter than I'd do them for the actual job, kind of like you should dress more nicely for a job interview than you would actually dress for work. But don't try to look like George Perez* if that's not how tightly you normally draw, because that would detract from (what I assume are) the strengths of your style.

*This also applies to how you dress for a face-to-face with an editor; you don't want him distracted by your shirt instead of looking at the art. :)

[Scribbly]

I like to do semi-tight pencils when I do the inking.
I will define just some important areas, leaving the rest loose for being defined in inks.

But for samplers, the pencils should work tight as if all was inked with the pencil, with black areas included. (not just crosses)

The people watching a sample don't like to start guessing were you are going to place your shadows or blacks. They want to see it.
Tight as inking.

[kingbyron]

cool. thanks guys.
I'll post the samples in DW once they're done.

[MARK A ROBINSON]

As tight as tight can be for submissions...and for to avoid further problems with inking/inkers down the line be tight.

I think David Finch is a good example of super tight pencils.

That dude is ridiculaz.

But he rocks it.

Good Luck!

M.

[Lee Nordling]

This is for the big 4?

The best answer is: tight enough for a good inker to work from, but not so tight that it seems like all the inker needs to do is trace (because that's a waste of time...and yep, you CAN ink this tightly, but it's not the minimum standard).

A good inker is somebody who can interpret the line (without having the thicks and thins necessarily delineated).

--Lee

[zerbehammond]

I have a question for people that've gotten work via emailed and/or mailed in submissions - if an editor is interested in giving you work, do you actually have to come into their offices in NYC for a formal job interview, (that may be pretty difficult for someone across the country or overseas) or is it more informal than that.

[Lee Nordling]

Most freelance today is by email and phone.

Delivery is digital, usually to an ftp site (or whatever the customer needs).

There is SOME advantage to living in or near NYC, but that's mostly if you've got great networking skills and can pal up with editors well enough to keep you and your work on their mind.

Ultimately, it's a digital age, so travel isn't necessary.

It HELPS, but it's not necessary.

--Lee

[zerbehammond]

thanks Lee, very informative.

[MARK A ROBINSON]

I have a question for people that've gotten work via emailed and/or mailed in submissions - if an editor is interested in giving you work, do you actually have to come into their offices in NYC for a formal job interview, (that may be pretty difficult for someone across the country or overseas) or is it more informal than that.

No.

Email.But i personally hate email.It sucks.It's easy to evade questions/answers.

Too many unmentionables as well.Download problems,spam blockers,ect...

Send hard packs to be sure.Everybody likes mail! or even fax if you can.

you'd be amazed how hard copies of your work will make it around the offices...or even the break room.

People still like putting art on their walls believe it or not. Somebody walks in and says...

"who did that?"

true story.

If an editor from one of the BIG GUNS gets ack to you- you are halfways there- they will no doubt ask you to produce specs and maybe pages on their characters.

This is a "try out" if you will. You don't want to blow this...it's important. Rock the pages.Don't rush them take your time and do the best job you can.But be aware that time is a factor. So it's a delicate balance.

I agree/disagree with Lee.

He's right...

If you live in NYC..that's definately gonna work in your favor to do the meet and greet.

But YOU must travel to the shows.

I repeat...YOU MUST.every gig i've gotten has been me sitting in artist alley and an editor strolls by and says that line that everyone wants to hear...

"What are you working on right now?"

Comics is a hustle. And you can't hustle sitting on you hands at home( at least not at first- maybe after you've established yourself). Get out and meet the people who want to know what you and your artwork is about.

Good luck with everything!

M.

[zerbehammond]

Thanks Mark, excellent advice.

[j giar]

No.

Email.But i personally hate email.It sucks.It's easy to evade questions/answers.

Too many unmentionables as well.Download problems,spam blockers,ect...

Send hard packs to be sure.Everybody likes mail! or even fax if you can.

you'd be amazed how hard copies of your work will make it around the offices...or even the break room.

People still like putting art on their walls believe it or not. Somebody walks in and says...

"who did that?"

true story.

If an editor from one of the BIG GUNS gets ack to you- you are halfways there- they will no doubt ask you to produce specs and maybe pages on their characters.

This is a "try out" if you will. You don't want to blow this...it's important. Rock the pages.Don't rush them take your time and do the best job you can.But be aware that time is a factor. So it's a delicate balance.

I agree/disagree with Lee.

He's right...

If you live in NYC..that's definately gonna work in your favor to do the meet and greet.

But YOU must travel to the shows.

I repeat...YOU MUST.every gig i've gotten has been me sitting in artist alley and an editor strolls by and says that line that everyone wants to hear...

"What are you working on right now?"

Comics is a hustle. And you can't hustle sitting on you hands at home( at least not at first- maybe after you've established yourself). Get out and meet the people who want to know what you and your artwork is about.

Good luck with everything!

M.

Good solid advice.