a link 2 page 4 review

[Static]

http://img117.imageshack.us/my.php?image=savannahletteredpg1cop9rc.jpg


Ps I'm using illustrator 10 and I was wondering does anyone have any good advice for creating burst balloons

[Static]

the the link might have taken to long to load so i just posted the image
any advice would be cool
thanks Static

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b139/tazbat/-lettered-p.jpg

[Jason Arthur]

Looks too much like computer lettering to me.

I know, I know...it IS computer lettering, but maybe hand draw the balloons instead of using the elipsis tool? It needs something.

I'd suggest a different font as well. The one you're using is readable, but it's stiff.

MIght also want to make your tails a little more similar to each other.

keep at it.

-- J

[Static]

Thanks Jason

do you have any tips creating balloons without using the ellipse tool

Peace out.

[cyxodus]

The elipse tool is perfect for creating balloons. What you need to do is select the baloon and then adjust the Directional Handles (Select > Object > Directional Handles). Select scale and then set it between 104% - 106%. You can also go to my site (www.ninjalettering.com) and check out the tutorial on lettering basics.

What software do you use to letter with? What fonts do you use and their font size?

[Static]

the software is illustrator 10
the font is 10 cent comic
the size is 6pt.

[cyxodus]

The leading should be 6.5 pt (or there abouts). When you stack your text (aka - copy), try to do it in a diamond shape.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/cyxodus/DW%20Activities/diamond_pattern_1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/cyxodus/DW%20Activities/diamond_pattern_2.jpg

[Jason Arthur]

The leading should be 6.5 pt (or there abouts). When you stack your text (aka - copy), try to do it in a diamond shape.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/cyxodus/DW%20Activities/diamond_pattern_1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/cyxodus/DW%20Activities/diamond_pattern_2.jpg


To be fair though, there are quite a few pro letterers (Jared Fletcher at DC springs to mind) who don't adhere to the diamond rule. It's a good rule to go by, but sometimes you have to change it up.

cheers,

-- J

[Amadarwin]

I have no qualms about 'changing it up,' but what's happening is that he's getting a lot of 'air' in the balloons in some cases where he disregards the diamond rule (and in general), and even if he followed Cy's directional handle guide, he'd still end up with a whole lot of air.

For instance:

"By the most vile of" makes the balloon go so wide that the other sentences have so much space between the letters and the balloon.

The same case can be made for the balloon that has both "A show your face to me" (typo btw) and "will never serve a fiend."

[Static]

thanks everyone i'll have a new a update very soon.

[Amadarwin]

one thing I've noticed (and not your fault static) is that in the last panel the girl is stabbing the right lung of the girl on the ground? I'm no anatomy or Vampire expert, but isn't the heart just off center on the left side of the chest, and isn't that where the stake is supposed to go?

[cyxodus]

To be fair though, there are quite a few pro letterers (Jared Fletcher at DC springs to mind) who don't adhere to the diamond rule. It's a good rule to go by, but sometimes you have to change it up.

cheers,

-- J
I just suggested that to him because it's good guide to follow when you first start out. We don't want to overwhelm the newbies.

[Static]

Here's the page reworked, their's still some things I'm not happy about but i think it's an improvment.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b139/tazbat/savannah-lettered-pg.jpg

[augiedb]

Some quick thoughts:

The first balloon in the second panel has some definite leading issues. "Food" and "worms" are running into each other from separate lines.

Also, some of the tails aren't long enough. The first one is barely a stub off the balloon. It's good that it's pointing towards her mouth, but you might want to make it longer.

In that first balloon, be careful with how much white space you put around the letters. I see what you're going for here, with a more Workman/Kirkman like look to the book, but the balloon comes way too close to "dearest" for my tastes.

In the second panel, you have a bridge between two balloons that leads the eye OUT OF the second balloon instead of INTO it, if you see what I mean. Try curving it the other way. Even with the same two endpoints, that should work.

Getting better, though!

-Augie

[Static]

Thank for the advice and thanks for noticing that I was going for a Workman/Kirkman lettering style hopefully I have more work up soon.