A couple weeks ago, my old computer died, so SomeSuch couldn't be updated. Then I forgot to add text to the new comics, so they just now got updated.
So here's my point: I need to know how my latest strips (the next one will be up on Monday) compare to previous ones. Has my perspective improved? Is the art any better? Yes, yes, I know I STILL need to use a different pen (just bought a fountain pen recently for that purpose), and I also know that I didn't do a great job on the text of these two. It was late, and I decided I'd better get the comics done before SomeSuch got forgotten. I'll be experimenting soon enough on adding text bubbles.
What I need right now is some commentary, pointers, advice, and the like... both on the plot and on the art.
8)
somesuch
A request...
A request...
Is that so?
Yah, my program doesn't do all those nice distortions like Photoshop can, but I can't afford Photoshop. I'd REALLY like a graphics tablet. That's not happening, either. I'd try to hand-text a comic, but you wouldn't be able to read it. My writing is HORRIBLE, especially considering I'm female. 
But I had to buy a new computer and a new muffler in the same week, so I'm still trying to save up enough to pay off my bills before I can buy anything fun.
I do intend to try to use bubbles, but they'll probably be hand-drawn, as those on the programs I've got only point in certain directions, and therefore aren't as flexible as I'd like.
Thanks, by the way, on the compliment on the dragon. He's a new character and interesting to draw--almost as nice as Stryke is.
Hmmm. I'm considering possibly taking some fan art, or a guest comic, or maybe even having a crossover sometime... Anyone interested in doing any of these things with SomeSuch, let me know. But I'm more interested, at present, in getting more pointers. I'm always looking to improve.
8)
But I had to buy a new computer and a new muffler in the same week, so I'm still trying to save up enough to pay off my bills before I can buy anything fun.I do intend to try to use bubbles, but they'll probably be hand-drawn, as those on the programs I've got only point in certain directions, and therefore aren't as flexible as I'd like.
Thanks, by the way, on the compliment on the dragon. He's a new character and interesting to draw--almost as nice as Stryke is.
Hmmm. I'm considering possibly taking some fan art, or a guest comic, or maybe even having a crossover sometime... Anyone interested in doing any of these things with SomeSuch, let me know. But I'm more interested, at present, in getting more pointers. I'm always looking to improve.
8)
Is that so?
Paintshop.
And I need a graphics tablet. I did mention that, didn't I?
The comic, by the way, updates Monday and Friday (and if I have time to do a third one and don't want to stay ahead like I usually do, possibly Wednesday). That way people know when to check it, if they actually like it. ;P
And I need a graphics tablet. I did mention that, didn't I?
The comic, by the way, updates Monday and Friday (and if I have time to do a third one and don't want to stay ahead like I usually do, possibly Wednesday). That way people know when to check it, if they actually like it. ;P
Is that so?
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CaptainSpam
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Paint Shop Pro, you say? If it's PSP 7.0 or higher, you should have access to vector layers, which help immensely.
Basically, you take the shape tool, tell it to make a circle/ellipse as a new vector object (Should be one of the options in the tool option window), and place it down. Set fill color and such the way you want it first, of course. Then, hit the Vector Object Selector (Last tool on the toolbar, assuming the default tools), select the circle, and hit "Node Edit" from the tool options.
From that, all I can say is to experiment. You can really have fun distorting the circle to what you want. If you stretch the nodes out right, you can get nifty pointy bits for the speech balloons, you can make the circle irregular to give it a hand-drawn look, you can add nodes in and try to crowbar the circle into fitting with all in-scene text, you can do all sorts of things.
I sure HOPE that helps... it's what I do, anyhoo. This is what you were asking about, right? And if your Paint Shop Pro is less than 7.0, then everything I just told you might be completely useless. Oops. :-)
Personally, if I could use GIMP the same way PSP pulls out vector layers, I'd use that, but alas, it cannot...
Basically, you take the shape tool, tell it to make a circle/ellipse as a new vector object (Should be one of the options in the tool option window), and place it down. Set fill color and such the way you want it first, of course. Then, hit the Vector Object Selector (Last tool on the toolbar, assuming the default tools), select the circle, and hit "Node Edit" from the tool options.
From that, all I can say is to experiment. You can really have fun distorting the circle to what you want. If you stretch the nodes out right, you can get nifty pointy bits for the speech balloons, you can make the circle irregular to give it a hand-drawn look, you can add nodes in and try to crowbar the circle into fitting with all in-scene text, you can do all sorts of things.
I sure HOPE that helps... it's what I do, anyhoo. This is what you were asking about, right? And if your Paint Shop Pro is less than 7.0, then everything I just told you might be completely useless. Oops. :-)
Personally, if I could use GIMP the same way PSP pulls out vector layers, I'd use that, but alas, it cannot...
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THECapedCaper
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meh. I'm a trooper. I use M$ Paint. ::nods::crazywolf wrote:Wacom Graphire2...it comes with Photoshop LE and Painter Classic. It's around $100. I bought one a few days ago and I love it... It's my new best friend.
<a href="http://highschoolrpg.keenspace.com"><img src="http://highschoolrpg.keenspace.com/imag ... <br><br>So then, I was like, DUDE! And, he was like, DUDE! And we were all like, Duuuuuuude...
*droooooool* Wacom tablet.
Wish I could afford $100. I'm probably going to get a tablet for Christmas if there's nothing more pressing for me to want. That, or I'll ask for cash and buy the becurst thing myself. After having to buy a new muffler and a new computer (see starting post of this topic), I just don't have the cash... not if I still want to pay my car insurance and be able to buy gas to run the clunker on, that is.
Thanks for the advice, CaptainSpam. Hopefully I can use it. Problem is if I start getting all verbose-like on my comic again, wellllll... that wouldn't be good, would it?
It might also be a good idea to start drawing my comics so that speech and thought bubbles would actually fit.
8)
~*~somesuch~*~
Yes, I'm giving up on centering the stinkin' signature!
Wish I could afford $100. I'm probably going to get a tablet for Christmas if there's nothing more pressing for me to want. That, or I'll ask for cash and buy the becurst thing myself. After having to buy a new muffler and a new computer (see starting post of this topic), I just don't have the cash... not if I still want to pay my car insurance and be able to buy gas to run the clunker on, that is.
Thanks for the advice, CaptainSpam. Hopefully I can use it. Problem is if I start getting all verbose-like on my comic again, wellllll... that wouldn't be good, would it?
It might also be a good idea to start drawing my comics so that speech and thought bubbles would actually fit.8)
~*~somesuch~*~
Yes, I'm giving up on centering the stinkin' signature!
Is that so?
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Chascraw4d
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If you lightly sketch in the text before you draw the page it makes it a lot easier to fit the bubbles in later. My handwriting is particularly awful, so I use an AMES lettering guide (available at most art stores for a couple of dollars) to keep the spacing more or less even. With a little experimentation you can set it up to make letters roughly the same size as the CG text you add in after you scan the image.
Charlie 'Rikiji' Crawford, CI
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CaptainSpam
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I usually draw my comics completely without text (Except action text, which is hand-drawn in), only allowing a vague amount of nonimportant space for text. Then, all the text gets thrown in at the last second when I'm going over contrast hacking and resizing in Paint Shop Pro. I lay down the text first and throw the bubbles in behind it (The bubble fits the text, not vice versa).
I know the feeling about verbosity. :-) I can get rather verbose, meself, especially in the earlier comics when I have to establish the personalities of the characters (I'm assuming my characters have existed before the beginning of the comic, so corny opening lines don't work, leading to verbosity). But, if you choose a font that's legible at small sizes for your particularly verbose days, you should be okay.
Anyhoo, glad I could help. :-) It's sometimes the simple tricks that mean the most...
I know the feeling about verbosity. :-) I can get rather verbose, meself, especially in the earlier comics when I have to establish the personalities of the characters (I'm assuming my characters have existed before the beginning of the comic, so corny opening lines don't work, leading to verbosity). But, if you choose a font that's legible at small sizes for your particularly verbose days, you should be okay.
Anyhoo, glad I could help. :-) It's sometimes the simple tricks that mean the most...
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CorruptDictatorNumber2
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YES!!!
YES!! Prismacolors are possibly the best thing that's happened to me in my entire art-related existance.I want Prismacolors!
K
haaaave you heard the news that you're dead
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CaptainSpam
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