Straight digital or Bi ?

[RussCartoons]

How do you prefer to do it ?

Of course, I'm talking about whether you pencil/ink/colour in the real world and then scan in your efforts for the delectation of your web fans, or are you more 'brusque' and jump straight in with your graphics tablet and save some trees ?

Or do you mix'n'match ?

To be honest, I'm quite envious of those who can create an image directly on their computer....
It's a lovely thought to be able to just jump in and compose directly in pixels...I've just never got the hang of it.

Don't get me wrong, I lurve my Mac and Photoshop....it is, quite literally, an indespensible tool that I use for everything from formatting, touching up, colouring, lettering, altering, enhancing and improving all my line work in what must be the most forgiving medium ever invented ( I'm thinking of you, 'Undo' !! ).

But...

The work I do starts off as a doodle....several pencil sketches....a final pencil that is inked by a real life pen with pencil lines laboriously rubbed out....and this inked version is finally scanned in ready for some Photoshop alchemy.

Whether it's 'cos I've had no formal training in Photoshop etc, or whether it's my age ( I'm no dinosaur, but I was a proud owner of a ZX Spectrum in the flower of my youth ) or whether it's just my reptile brain subconciously stopping me moving into the 21st century, I simply don't think I'll ever get to the stage where I'll give up my paper'n'pencil habit....

Basically....where do you stand on this ?

Are you young, fluffy and tech savvy ?
Or old, crusty and addicted to the smell of markers ?

[Leah-Admin]

I am the same as you, I also wish I could master a digital pen (mainly for commercial reasons though rather than pleasure) but my work starts in pencil, then I ink. All the shading is done digitally and then I convert artwork to vector for further editing. Some of the backgrounds and extra bits and bobs I create digitally.

[RussCartoons]

So...you're old and crusty eh ?



Also, I think it's the time factor.
Even at the best of times we're under pressure to produce results quickly ( quick turnarounds to ensure customer satisfaction etc. which have certainly increased in this austere age ) that, for me at least, means less 'playtime' for experimentation.

I'm saying this after working since 8am this morning....but Hark ! I hear the summons from the local Weatherspoons !

Experimentation, I fear, can wait another day....

[Leah-Admin]

Yep, I like drawing sat in bed watching Jermey Kyle. Very professional!!

[RussCartoons]

I can forgive and understand everything that goes on in this world, Leah.

But Jeremy Kyle ?

Really ????

[Leah-Admin]

I can forgive and understand everything that goes on in this world, Leah.

But Jeremy Kyle ?

Really ????

lol, I know...I like to see how the other half live, makes me feel better about myself.

[RussCartoons]

Lol !

Every time I've ever had the misfortune of watching him, my blood pressure rises to what I can only assume to be a dangerous level and my mind thinks " I hope that one day that Private Eye does an investigation and publishes details about the severed heads in your freezer, you sanctimonious bastard !"

But that's just me

[Leah-Admin]

He is vile, as presenters go he's bloomin' awful!

I am a people reader though, it's one of my interests so reality Tv gives me a good chance to do some people watching, checking out their body language and trying to guess before the lie detector results are in if they're lying or not. It's a bit of a game really Sad life I lead eh!!

[RussCartoons]

Thinking about it....I can see your point about reading peoples body language on those kind of shows...although I'm sure you're well aware how edited they are.
I get the impression that a lot of it is staged.

But apart from the enormous psychological damage from actually watching Jeremy, I s'pose there's no harm in it !

[Leah-Admin]

Yep I know about the staging elements of reality TV shows.

I like Big Brother for the same reason...people reading opportunity.

But as you say the way they edit could mean that one 'dirty look' to something said could in fact be a dirty look that was a response to a totally diffferent situation and that IS the main problem with the editing. But you can tell when it's an act and not, these people won't be getting Oscars anytime soon!

[RussCartoons]

True !
Lol !

[Kathy]

I sketch with pencil, ink with markers, then scan and draw in Illustrator. I usually color in Illustrator too, primarily because it's easier than coloring in Photoshop. Plus I like the clean look of vector.

I've been experimenting with brush and dip pen, but haven't got
much skill with them yet.

[RussCartoons]

Hi Kathy !
I've been toying with the idea of Illustrator...but I'd imagine that's a whole thread debate on its' own !

I'm left handed so I wouldn't even dream of using a dip pen !
( May as well pour the ink over the paper and my hand...it would save a lot of bother ! Lol ! )

I do use a brush pen though, and it's absolutely perfect for me.
Beautifully variable line and best of all- ink cartridges !

[Leah-Admin]

I use Inkscape which is the free equivalent of Illustrator Russ. Online reviews show little to no negligible difference in performance so you could give it a whirl?

[RussCartoons]

You're a mind reader Leah !
I was just looking into Illustrator and was rapidly getting depressed at updating my Mac OS for it as well as paying silly money for the software....

I'll have a look at it later....thank you sooo much !
I owe you a drink