I have included an ai file and eps version with size notes in them. The text tool was the easiest route for lettering just type the dialogue and alter as needed. Determine the proper placement of your panels and evaluate where your comic texts should appear. Part 2 of a great series of videos with artist and writer jessica abel demonstrating how to laying out. The lowstress way to find your next comic book job opportunity is on simplyhired.
And, as graphic designer and creative director for more than two decades, i can design the complete publication and the accompanying marketing material. Hand lettering a digital comic part 1, part 2, part 3. Comic book lettering and production with sean glumace. Handlettering comics in manga studio 5 clattertron. The comicraft way is a great book to refer back to for this. This can be extremely important, since visual unity on a page can be made or broken by good or bad lettering. Since then, ive honed my handlettering style by hand writing letters, notes, christmas and birthday cards and a wide assortment of different things that had nothing to do with comics or cartooning. Lettering designs are often specially created for individual projects everything from business letterheads to custom signage and comic book covers. Over the years ive been asked about how to get started with handlettering often. Bram letters comic book lettering, logo design, and. Learn the basics of drawing letters and words with this fun, accessible, and interactive book.
Since then, ive honed my handlettering style by hand writing letters, notes. For over fifteen years, blambot has been serving the independent and professional world of graphic design and comic book publishing with typography uniquely tailored to both traditional. Most independent comics and even some mainstream books are hand lettered. Theres a controversy about lettering in the comics industry. Hand lettering has taken the creative world by storm.
Some folks believe that because most comics are handdrawn, the lettering must also be done by hand. Lettering guide is, when it comes to producing a multiday comic. Back in the old days of hand lettering, this made the script easier to read. How to handletter a comic book hand lettering comic books needs careful planning and set up. Illustrator has long been used in the comics industry for lettering, and comic book lettering.
Comic book video tutorials hand lettering with the ames guide. Practice pages allow you space to master each letter. However, there are some really simple rules that can help make them. It was common practice to use an ancient tool called an ames guide to keep your lettering straight. Use these free practice pages to help you take the next steps in your hand lettering journey. Comic book lettering is a very distinctive style used in the speech bubbles in comics. Theres some baggage about the various methods within the industry, but you dont need to worry about thatalthough you should read this very cool piece by gene luen yang about the pros and cons of each method. In art and design, lettering refers to the stylistic creation of typography. The tool at the top, with the circular wheel in it, is an ames lettering guide, which can be ordered online from sites such as this one, the two most important tools youll need are pens and ink.
Comic book lettering involves putting words, signs, titles, word balloons or borders, sound effects, and even the panel borders on a comics page. The dc comics guide to coloring and lettering comics. Available for mac os x and microsoft windows in both. Files and resources comic book lettering and production. Placement, shape and size of dialogue bubbles and letters all change the basic tone of the conversat. Here are even more comics comic strips drawing tutorials. I provide lettering, logo design, and production for independent comics. Comics are traditionally hand lettered by an artist who specializes in customizing scripts for each comic. Suitable lettering can add much to the effectiveness of a cartoon. Since 1992, we have provided our brand of unique design and fine lettering throughout the entertainment world. I simply could not get the hang of that stupid ames guide.
The letterers use of typefaces, calligraphy, letter size, and layout all contribute to the impact of the comic. Comic book lettering hand letter comic books comic. It is an inexpensive piece of comic book software that provides great value for the huge amount of creative freedom it provides. However, thanks to their bold design, they can also be used in any design project that requires an edgy design. Blambot comic fonts and lettering university of kentucky. Most independent comics and even some mainstream books are handlettered. The section on comic book lettering is also very precise and gives advice on both the old method hand lettering and also invaluable info on designing your own computer fonts. In the past and still, in many cases a penciller would lay do. Comic book lettering has some grammatical and aesthetic traditions that are unique. Our clients include large comic publishers like marvel, dc and dark horse, independent comic artists and small publishers, and the movie, tv and video game industries. Also, writing so neatly for such a prolonged period caused my hand to cramp.
Comic fonts are a natural choice for comic books and cartoons. The awardwinning comicraft studio is primarily known for pioneering the use of the computer in the art of comic book lettering. Step by step, comic book lettering the comicraft way guides readers through the process of lettering a comic strip digitally. I had to letter by hand, and i quickly realized how much i hated it. The more you practice any skill, the better you will become. Back then, there were no personal computers capable of comic book lettering. Lettering resources for lettering your comic, whether by hand or digitally. Comic book font comic book rooms free comic books yearbook covers comic book superheroes web design book letters free comics letter logo what others are saying gaspar saladino worked for over fifty years in the comics industry, and was famed for his lettering, logo designs and advertising for dc comics. There are over 96 comic book careers waiting for you to apply. Dont put the cart before the horse get your comic book done.
While digital lettering today can still be a frustrating process its miles easier than in decades past. Hand lettering is a skill that anybody can learn, it is a fun and rewarding hobby that will impress your friends and family. Place pencil point in one of the holes marked, and while holding tsquare with one hand, slide guide across paper with pencil point. Comicraft is the comic book industrys leading lettering and design company. When hand lettering comic books, an artist must be extremely careful to not let some of the letters run together the d must be distinguishable from the o and. But its important that todays letterers have at least a working knowledge of hand lettering because it will help you. Step by step, comic book lettering the comicraft way guides you through the process of lettering a comic strip digitally. I enjoy giving a professional polish while keeping the attention on the art and story. All it takes is patience and practice, we have prepared these free printable hand lettering worksheets to help you get started practicing. Type crimes that will get you sent to the weekend hobbyist jail. Some, such as dc comics, now have onstaff letterers doing much of the companys lettering work on computers. The production process of comics also goes hand in hand with lettering and you will also learn what is needed to get your comic to the printer and ready for digital publication using indesign. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app.
Lettering a comic by hand has the advantage of giving you, the artist, maximum control over the visual style and composition of your comic. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. They only need to know how to draw circles and copypaste words in. What follows is a list that every letterer eventually commits to hisher own mental reference file. I dont really care for the look of digital text for my comics. A letterer is a member of a team of comic book creators responsible for drawing the comic books text.
Comicraft purveyors of unique design and fine lettering. Use these free fonts for meme images or making your very own comic book. Personally i havent tried designing my own computer fonts yet but the advice on colouring techniques has proven to be essential for my brickman strip for image comics. Videogame subtitles could learn a lot from comic book lettering. Visit my resources page for free creativity tools and comic books. While my hand lettering may not have been the most pristine at times, i felt it at least gave my comics a style. While this might have been an easy choice for some, it wasnt for me. Jim campbell is an eisnernominated comic book letterer, onetime writer perhaps again. Lettering for this class will be done done by hand with calligraphy pens nibs, india ink and ames lettering guides. They are a great choice for poster design as well as large headers. For over twenty years comics creators and enthusiasts have enjoyed whizbangs simulation of hand lettering in the style of comic books and comic strips of the sixties and seventies. If you enjoy these videos please like and share them. Art of the comic book required materials lettering. Ive been handlettering all sorts of things as far back as 1984 when i took my first typography class in high school.
Please practice hand washing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Learn five major hand lettering styles, then transform your writing into art. Lettering your comic used to be a nervewracking experience. How to get started with hand lettering free printable. Top 5 lettering rules in comic books comic book lettering, just like any part of the comic making process, is an art form. Balloon tales comicrafts guide to digital comic book.
Nowadays, the script is usually emailed to the letterer, pretty much always as a word document, so that the letterer can copy and paste the text onto the illustrator document. From font design to balloon placement, sound effects, signage, title page and publication design, the creators of the worlds greatest comic book fonts cover every conceivable aspect of comic book lettering. The majority of these points are established tradition, sprinkled with modern trends and a bit of my own opinion having lettered. Sean will cover the art of lettering and the design process behind it. In 1992, the dynamic duo of richard starkings and john roshell, and their fearless fleet of font finaglers, began providing unique design and fine lettering to the comic book, tv and video game industries. Comic book lettering the comicraft way and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle.
Lettering is a difficult job that mixes composition, typography and design. Print them out and use them with your favorite markers and pens, or use them digitally with your ipad pro. Adobe illustrator lettering template ai and eps version zip download 1. There is more to lettering than just copying and pasting a script onto artwork. This is where i most often see great art fail miserably. If you hand draw your comics, learning how to make cool looking comic strip letters is important and an essential part of being a comic book or comic strip artist. A guide to handlettering your strips webcomic alliance. Creating a monthly comic is incredibly laborintensive on a handful of people. How i create comics in adobe illustrator max riffner. Hand lettering interactive drawing book by peter pauper.