Sound Effects and Display Type Techniques for Comics and Graphic Novels

Some Basic Techniques for Sound Effects and Display Type

Rather than use purchased sound effects fonts as your first choice, I encourage you as the artist to do them yourself in pencil and then you or the letterer ink the work. Of course, if it fits then by all means use a font. Sometimes you don't have to reinvent the wheel. 

Here are some techniques to get you started. Don't be limited by them, use these as a jumping off point. 

Don’t compete with the art. Complement the art to enhance and further the storytelling.

You can age, frost, drip and set the type on fire. You are only limited by your imagination. 

And check out these tutorials by Jim Campbell and Todd Klein.

read next - Are You a Passive Line or a Powerful Line?
previous - More About Sound Effects 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!

If you are interested in using these tools, then I recommend these products and books.

You can support this blog when you purchase a item 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.

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

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.