First time trying lettering

Fred Duran · 03-05-2008, 05:57 PM

Hey. I've been writing for a while, and now I'm trying penciling and lettering. I do it using Illustrator, and I think I can make decent balloons (I think). I'm worried most about placement.
So, here's a page that was written by NakedVitality over at Penciljack (script here), and penciled and lettered by me.

Bless me with your knowledge!

Thanks

Fred

**cyxodus** · 03-05-2008, 07:48 PM

Welcome aboard.

Your balloons look a bit like footballs and your stacking is a bit weird. Drop by www.ninjalettering.com and view some of the video tutorials. Also, download the comic templates.

Fred Duran · 03-05-2008, 08:03 PM

Thanks for commenting. I found your tutorials on making balloon tails the easiest to understand by FAR.
I'm going to reveal the full extent of my ignorance and ask what "stacking" is, and what a template is and why I need one.
Headin' over to ninjalettering asap.

Thanks again

Fred

Jason Arthur · 03-05-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupil711

Thanks for commenting. I found your tutorials on making balloon tails the easiest to understand by FAR.

Payton is awesome like that.

Quote:

I'm going to reveal the full extent of my ignorance and ask what "stacking" is,

The placement of the text in the balloons. You'll want to try and form a diamond shape (Payton has a tutorial on that as well, I believe).

Quote:

and what a template is and why I need one.

You don't HAVE to use a template (I think Kep doesn't bother with one), but for me it makes things easier. I keep a wide selection of balloons and such in my template, have it sized perfectly for comic art so when I place artwork in the template it allows me to export my work perfectly.

Welcome to the board and ask anything you can think of. We're a tight-nit group here.

-- J

**cyxodus** · 03-05-2008, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JasonArthur

Payton is awesome like that.
-- J

Thanks.

Fred...Something like this.

Fred Duran · 03-06-2008, 12:41 AM

Thanks for the answers Jason, and thanks Payton for the visual.
Now is there a way to have Illustrator format the text in that diamond shape, or is this something I'm going to have to learn to go in and do myself?

Digital-CAPS · 03-06-2008, 05:42 AM

Trial and error... you will eventually get faster at it. The only way to do it automatically is to create the balloon shape and use your type tool by clicking on the shape and typing your text... but this rarely if ever forms a perfect diamond shape and adjustments will have to be made so you might as well learn the hard way

Good luck to you!

03-05-2008, 05:57 PM	#1
Fred Duran Master Lurker Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Manhattan Posts: 760	First time trying lettering Hey. I've been writing for a while, and now I'm trying penciling and lettering. I do it using Illustrator, and I think I can make decent balloons (I think). I'm worried most about placement. So, here's a page that was written by NakedVitality over at Penciljack (script here), and penciled and lettered by me. Bless me with your knowledge! Thanks Fred

03-05-2008, 07:48 PM	#2
cyxodus NinjaLettering.com Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The nearest arcade or movie theater. Posts: 1,846	Welcome aboard. Your balloons look a bit like footballs and your stacking is a bit weird. Drop by www.ninjalettering.com and view some of the video tutorials. Also, download the comic templates. __________________ =Payton Aspiring Artist, Letterer and Graphic Designer NINJALETTERING.com \| DeviantArt Portfolio \| Lettering Library

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03-05-2008, 08:03 PM	#3
Fred Duran Master Lurker Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Manhattan Posts: 760	Thanks for commenting. I found your tutorials on making balloon tails the easiest to understand by FAR. I'm going to reveal the full extent of my ignorance and ask what "stacking" is, and what a template is and why I need one. Headin' over to ninjalettering asap. Thanks again Fred

03-06-2008, 12:41 AM	#6
Fred Duran Master Lurker Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Manhattan Posts: 760	Thanks for the answers Jason, and thanks Payton for the visual. Now is there a way to have Illustrator format the text in that diamond shape, or is this something I'm going to have to learn to go in and do myself?

03-06-2008, 05:42 AM	#7
Digital-CAPS Letterer/"COMICS" Writer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: InSiDe @ BuBbLe Posts: 888	Trial and error... you will eventually get faster at it. The only way to do it automatically is to create the balloon shape and use your type tool by clicking on the shape and typing your text... but this rarely if ever forms a perfect diamond shape and adjustments will have to be made so you might as well learn the hard way Good luck to you!