Types of Speech Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

These are examples of different types of word balloons and captions. These are not the only way to portray these types. You can be very creative in your interpretation of these types.

Dialogue - used with quotes when it's in a caption.

Thought - with captions sometimes a symbol is used in the upper left to let you know who is thinking and/or it is color coded.

Computer - indicates computer audio.

Double Gutter Burst - two balloons one inside the other to indicate yelling; not screaming.

Ghostly

Icicle - indicate cold shoulder being given or pissed off attitude.

Loud Speaker

Monster

Radio/Electronic - indicate speech broadcast via radio, TV or other devices.

Robot - indicate artificial being speaking.

Scream

Telepathic - indicate character is using their mind to communicate.

Telephone - indicate person speaking on other end of phone.

Weak - indicate character is distressed, dying, tired or becoming unconsciousness  in some way.

Whisper - indicate softly spoken speech.

and many more that haven't been done because you haven't created it.

The typeface chosen and color can add to the effect also and should be used where needed.

Hey creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

to be continued...

read next - Sound Effects for Comics and Graphic Novels
previous - Balloon and Caption Placement for Comics and Graphic Novels

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copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Speech Balloon and Caption Placement for Comics and Graphic Novels

Word Balloon and Caption Placement

If you are working from a full script, then put in your text first to get a general idea of space needed.

Do this whether you are working digitally or traditionally.

Then draw your figures. 

Then you can go back and finalize the text position and balloons.

If you are working from a plot, then leave the top third empty, but don't leave empty space. As you draw leave a dead space just begging for a balloon or caption. 

Check out more on balloon and caption placement from one of the masters in the field; Todd Klein on his blog.

Also check out this article by the great Nate Piekos on grammar and aesthetic traditions.

read next - Types of Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels
previous - Framing Word Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

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You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Framing Word Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

Speech Balloons That Create Panelitis

Don't give your characters Panelitis.

Panelitis occurs when you have to squeeze your characters to fit into the panel

or under the word balloon or caption.

You either bend them or distort them.

Also don't cut off their head or hat.

When drawing just automatically leave the upper third of the panel open for balloons and captions.

Be careful. Don't leave a wide open space. Draw in the space, but don't put critical information there.

read next - Balloon and Caption Placement for Comics and Graphic Novels

previous - Word Balloons for Comics and Graphic Novels

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

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You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Word Balloons for Comics and Graphic Novels

Speaking Order for Speech Balloons

For western audiences, the first person to speak should always be

on the left to match the reading order of left to right and top to bottom.

The second balloon will be to the right and if possible make it a bit lower than the first balloon.

This is not a good idea.

Better solution if person on the right must speak first.

OR

change the wording.

read next -  Framing Word Balloons and Captions for Comics and Graphic Novels

previous - I do answer requests!

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Top 10 Amateur Lettering Mistakes

Top 10 Amateur Lettering Mistakes

Nate Piekos warns amateurs not to make these mistakes by helping them see what them look like.
Check out his web-site Blambot.

Number 5 should be "INconsistent"!

to be continued…

read next - How to Copyright Your Art and Comic Book Creations
previous - What Makes You Beautiful?

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

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What Makes You Beautiful Speech Balloons?

Word Balloons and Lettering for your Comic Book, Comic Strip and Graphic Novel

Comic Book Speech Balloons and Lettering

You are going to be in one of three situations concerning lettering:

1. You get a plot from a writer/co-writer. In which case, you won't know the exact dialogue ahead of time.

Typically when you do your art you should leave about a third of the panel space at top for word balloons. That doesn't mean you leave empty space, it means you compose your scene so no vital information gets covered.You want to make your lettered page beautiful.

Here's a couple of pages I did from a plot. You can see that I've mostly left space at the top of the panels.

Panel 3 is a little tight above her head.

Panel 2 is tight above their heads, however there is plenty of space on each side as an alternative.

2. You get a full script from a writer/co-writer. Now you do have the dialogue and captions. 

Now you can immediately consider the balloon placement when you do your thumbnails and layouts.

3. You are writing this yourself. Now you do know the dialogue and captions and most likely you keep changing it as you go along. Creative people… sheesh!

In any case you are still considering the whole page design with the balloons. There may not be a written script, as some artists start conceiving the story while they do their thumbnails. Which is what I do when I do the thumbnails.

I've included approximate balloon placements in my page design.

to be continued…

Comic Book Grammar & Tradition

BETTER LETTERER: Comic Lettering Tips

read next - Top 10 Amateur Lettering Mistakes
previous - Introduction to Speech Balloons

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Remember… Just Create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Introduction to Speech Balloons and Lettering for Comic Books

Word Balloons and Lettering for your Comic Book, Comic Strip and Graphic Novel

Okay, it looks like I can get back to a regular blogging schedule.

This is an introduction to word balloons and lettering.

I started learning lettering by hand when I began my career. I quickly decided I rather spend my time drawing. I didn't enjoy hand lettering. However, I did make sure I did the balloon placements whenever I could. Every artist should do this if you are not lettering your own work.

As an artist the word balloons should be considered a part of the page design and not an after thought.

If you are working with a writer from a plot, then you can't really incorporate the balloons into your layout. After the script is written make sure you do the balloon placements.

If you are the writer or get a full script from the writer, then you should make the balloon placement a consideration in your page design.

I do the lettering with the computer now, so I'll be discussing that. 

Here's how to hand letter comics.

http://www.blambot.com/handlettering.shtml

http://www.dharbin.com/blog/process-using-the-mighty-ames-lettering-guide/

http://www.artofthecomicbook.com/materials/lettering-amesguide.htm
http://kleinletters.com/HandBasics.html

Until tomorrow take a look at this fine example of hand lettering by Todd Klein.

He may still have some prints available. Check out his blog. Tell him I sent you.

OOHH my! I just found this minutes after I posted my blog, by Chris Oatley about balloon placement. Consider it a preview of what I'm going to cover.

BONUS LINK!

Comic Book Tropes

to be continued…

read next - What Makes You Beautiful?
previous -  Free Form Panel and Page Design

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Remember… Just create!

Copyright 2016 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

Panels and More Panels

How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist

The Horizontal Panel 

This shape most closely fits the normal human field of vision which is 180 degrees. This shape can help to make the reader feel comfortable. This panel shape is good for panorama views also.

The Inset Panel

This is usually used to show a close-up of a detail or to highlight something you don't want the reader to miss.

Best to use a double border to separate it from the surrounding panel to avoid tangents as well as confusing the reader.

The Overlapping Panel

Usually used to make a stronger connection between panels or to really compress time.

Best to use a double border or cut-in to separate it from the surrounding panel to avoid tangents as well as confusing the reader.

Or a nice strong black in one background can separate the the panels. 

I see a hand raised. "What's a tangent?" I'm glad you asked. Let's go off on tangent now to answer that question and then come back to panels and page design.

Be here tomorrow for a visit to Tangent City.

read next - A nice method to do thought balloon lettering.

previous - 69 Grid

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Are the explanations clear and complete? Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson.

Switching Lanes - Words to Pictures

Thumbnail art for a comic book page

How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist

Going from Script to Artboard

It all starts with an idea. Then it becomes words or words with pictures. What do you do with words you get from someone else? How do you interpret the script so you can visualize it?

Here's a process you can use.

1. Read the script a few times. Sometimes the images will come to you right away. That's great! Other times you will have to think about what you want to draw. In either case you have to get a clear image of what is happening in your mind. Your mind is your most important drawing tool.  if you can't see it in your mind, the you can't draw it well on paper. If the characters are new to you then you have to imagine what they will look like.

2. Use a highlight marker to choose what items you are going to need reference to draw like the Statue of Liberty, a car wreck, luxury apartment, cars, chairs, kitchen, birds, etc.

3. Make thumbnails to break down the script into pages for pacing,panel breakdowns and composition purposes. You can do this right on the script or on other paper. At this stage you just want to be sure your thinking is clear and you are concentrating on storytelling. You're not really trying to draw here. Do this quickly to get your ideas on paper. it can be stick figures or scribbles. It's for your benefit only.

4. Now collect all the reference images you will need. You don't want to disturb your drawing time by looking for reference then. Get it all at the beginning. Use the reference file you have and the internet. This is also the time to take your own photos. TAke a day to go to locations you may need like downtown, the subway, zoo etc. Also take shots of yourself and people in difficult pose you may need. References are to be used as a guide, not a crutch. It will be plainly obvious if you trace a  reference in one panel and don't have reference for the same thing in another panel.

5. Do layouts. Now is when you want to be concerned about drawing. You have two options. Draw it on an 8.5" x 11" bond paper , enlarge it to your art board size  an then lightbox it onto the board. Or do your layouts directly onto your art board lightly with graphite or non-photo blue pencil. Leave room for balloons and captions.

6. Do some model sheets for yourself of the major characters, so you can draw them consistently from panel to panel.

7. If you have a full script, then now is the time to do the lettering. Do not do lettering for samples you are doing in your portfolio.

This is a quick overview. I will go into detail about this process later.

Here's a fun illustration by the great Brian Buniak.

I also would like to see your comments. Is this helpful to you? Are the explanations clear and complete?

Keep reading and  +1 me. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!

copyright 2012 H. Simpson

Wow, What a Spread!

2012 Culver City Public Theatre poster

How to Become a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel Artist

DIGITAL TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Software

LAYOUT APPLICATIONS


A layout application is not for drawing. It is strictly for arranging graphic material on a page. You use it to design a page, spread or book, including choosing type size, typeface and the arrangement of titles and page numbers. It can be used for producing comic books and graphic novels for print and e-books. Design once and use for two different media.

Adobe InDesign

• The industry leader. Create page layouts for print or digital distribution on tablets, smartphones, and computers.
• Available for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista/7.
• Download at http://www.adobe.com/

QuarkXPress

• Page layout application.
• Available for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista/7.
• Download at www.quark.com/

Manga Studio

• Hybrid application for drawing and layout.

Manga Studio Debut 4 is your all-in-one solution for ready-to-publish comics using color, screen tones and built-in word balloons. It has no vector feature. Download for $49.99. 

Manga Studio EX 4.0 delivers more drawing and coloring tools such Vector Layers, Gradation tools, Brush open tool, Path Tool, Perspective Rulers and more.

Available for Mac OS X and Windows XP/Vista/7.
Download at http://manga.smithmicro.com/

That completes my comprehensive list of tools you can use in the natural and digital world to create entertaining comic strips, comic books and graphic novels. I've given you lots of choices and by no means do you have to use them all. I do encourage you to try them all to see what works for you.

If anyone feels I left out a tool, please let me know.

Comics used to solely be just pen and ink drawings. As technology has improved the industry has been able to present other approaches such as watercolor and other paints as well as printing from pencils directly.

Don't be limited by the standard way of doing things. Open your mind. Unleash your imagination and bring something new to the party.

read next - Why Worry About Trim?
previous - Rasta Love

Keep reading and follow me. If you have found this helpful, please let me know and share with other creators. Feel free to ask me questions.

Remember… Just Create!

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.

copyright 2012 H. Simpson

Making Magic

How to Make a Comic Strip, Comic Book and Graphic Novel

Terminology Continued

6. WRITER - Writes the comic book/graphic novel. This can be a full script or plot.

7. PENCILER - Creates the pencil/initial drawings of the story and is responsible for the visual storytelling and panel to panel continuity as well as drawing the characters and the environment.

8. INKER - The penciled pages have black india ink applied over them to enhance the pencil art. The inks are usually applied with a brush and/or pen. Waterproof markers have been used to replace ink also.

9. ARTIST - Fulfills both roles of penciler and inker. Computers can be used now to digitally darken pencils and to skip the inking stage. So the penciler can become the sole artist in this case. Warning: Never talk to an inker and refer to the penciler as the artist and that they are the inker. It's insulting. They hate that! Both are artists even though their roles are different.

10. LAYOUT ARTIST - Draws very rough pencil layouts. this can range from very loose figures and no background to identifiable loose figures with backgrounds.

11. BACKGROUND ARTIST - The artist draws the main figures and the background artist draws secondary figures and the backgrounds

12. EMBELLISHER/FINISHER -  The inker takes on a more prominent role in doing ink finishes over layouts.

13. GHOST ARTIST - An uncredited artist whose responsibilities may vary.

14. COLORIST -  Adds color to the art by hand using paint or dyes. Color can also be added using the computer, which is becoming the standard.

15. LETTERER - Places the text from the script in balloons and captions. This can be done by hand on the pencil artwork or on a mylar overlay. Digital fonts can be used also.

16. EDITOR - This person may or may not define  their own role. They can serve a large company or the creator. They can dictate direction or give free rein. They may catch errors or guide the creative process

to be continued…

read next - Paging Dr. Howard, Dr. Fine, Dr. Howard

previous - Talk the Lingo

Keep reading. Share with your friends. Please comment. Just create!

copyright 2012 H. Simpson

If you are interested in further expanding your knowledge, then I recommend these books.

When you purchase a book by clicking the link below, I get a piece of the action and helps me to continue doing this blog. Support an artist today.