The emphasis is for these tutorials will focus mostly on the non-destructive editing technique, because I like being able to re-edit my images if necessary. It’s the reason Photoshop has things like layers, vector tools, channels, and layer styles that have been added into the program over many years.

You may note that many of the tutorials are marked as not yet complete. At some point, these will become available. They’re here mostly as a reminder to myself.

Comic Tools: Captions, Word Balloons, and Scenery

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  Word Balloons, Part One

  How to create standard word balloons (aka speech bubbles) using Photoshop vector tools.

  Though this tutorial features Cookie Monster, he’s a bit salty with the language. Hide yo’ kids.

• Word Balloons, Part Two

  Extending word balloons to other types, and adding decorative touches to make your characters’ dialogue stand out. May go into advanced usage, such as linking speech balloons.

  Not yet complete.

• Captions

  Fitting text properly into captions, and some miscellaneous tips on making captions and balloons look more professional.

  Not yet complete.

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  Perspective Distortion

  If you’ve ever needed to place a flat object (such as a poster, television screen image, etc) onto a flat surface that’s distorted by perspective, this should help you out.

Coloring Comics: Flatting

• Why Flatting?

  Why do we bother with flatting? Can’t we just paint it? No!

  Not yet complete.

• How to Flat

  How to actually do the flatting.

  Not yet complete.

Coloring Comics: Rendering

There are several different techniques when it comes to rendering, and even within the major types, each artist may use a different technique. I explore several of them below, but feel free to choose whichever feels most natural to you, and gives you the best results.

• Cut and Grad

  This method is probably what you’ve seen in most big-name comics. If used at a high contrast, the end result is the Comic Book Gloss™ look, reminiscent of characters in baby oil and latex.

  Not yet complete.

• Anime

  Anime characters have a distinct look to them, aside from bright colors.

  Not yet complete.

• Dodge/Burn

  More a tutorial on how to not color your comic, as the end result is rather dull. The lesson here regards color saturation vs. hues.

  Not yet complete.

Comics: Miscellaneous

• Preparing Inked Artwork for Photoshop

  Once you’ve inked your stuff (with ink), how to prepare it for being flatted and/or rendered.

  Not yet complete.