All around noob looking for help...

[shutterspeed]

I have some questions, guys. Ive been doing a lot of practice and have gotten a basic concept on some characters for a strip that I want to do online. Now, Im no pro, but Im continuing to improve daily and think I have a little talent for the drawing and the writing. I have an Intuos 4 that I am trying to get used to using with this but have no clue how to set up panels, etc in PS CS4 to draw. Do any of you draw straight to the Wacom from sketch to inking, or do you guys still do it the old fashioned way with paper and scanner? What is the industry standard for this?

Also, again, im no pro, so I have no clue where to start with the strip...Ive done some reading here and on other sites, but cant find anything that helps the non pro just wanting to get into the art form. Any advice from you guys?

Sorry if I asked stupid questions, but I want to learn.

Thanks in advance!

Shutterspeed

[MilkManX]

I don't have CS4 but I can make pages and then panels digitally with Manga Studio. I am sure there are templates or something for CS4 so hopefully someone can help you with that.

[shutterspeed]

Thanks MilkMan..anyone else have anything? Cmon, help a noob!

[cbikle]

I'm not really familiar with CS4, but with Illustrator, you could create multiple shape boxes to act as panels and then just import the appropriate pieces of art in each box.


For aligning the boxes, the "Snap To" and "Ruler" options will be useful (both were last in Illustrator in the "View" drop down list.)

CS4 should have these options or at least something similar.

[Inkthinker]

I'm not sure there's any such thing as an "industry standard", there's often a variance in everything from page size to materials used, depending on the publisher, publishing format, and content of the book itself. In a very real sense, whatever works, works. Find out what the image size ratios are for the project you're working on and adjust suitably.

I draw entirely digitally, and have since 2006, and I worked in traditional media for the ten years before that. In my experience, formats and tools can change as often as the job does.

It's important to be familiar with the capabilities of the tools you choose to use. In PS, one of the easier ways to rule squared panels is to use the Marquee tool and then Stroke the selection with a line of whatever thickness you like best. If you're trying for different shapes, you can use the Line tool or even the Bezier tool and Path Stroke. If you're just getting started, it helps to keep things simple. You don't need to worry about fancy brush tips or Filters or any of that... try sticking to the basics until circumstances or your own interests push you to do otherwise.

Remember to set your image size large enough to reflect a "worst case scenario" for size... it's easy to reduce resolution and image size, but practically impossible to increase it once the final lines are drawn. Resolution should be no less than 300dpi, and if your system can manage 400 or even 600 that's not a bad idea. Setting up the document to be at least 100% of final print size is acceptable, but if you can go 150% that's helpful as well.

Digital tools have their own quirks and tricks that you'll have to get used to. It often helps to zoom in close on your image when laying down final lines, as this can reduce wobblies and rubber-banding. Take advantage of Layers to separate elements if your uncertain of a layout or you think you might want to shift things later.

Remember, if it works, it's the right way to do it. But there's almost always more than one "right way".