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Merrellart

The Art of Story

April 8, 2014
by penny
Comments Off on A New Book

A New Book

Beginning a new book may require a certain amount of circling to find the “teller” of the story.  I happened to attend an illustrator’s workshop when first working on “Nigel & Jinx.”  (I was trying to work out how the family dealt with the addition of the stray cat to the household.)  The artist told of illustrating a book and the author objecting that the illustrations focused on the dog in the story.  “But the dog was the center of the story,” she said.

DING! That was exactly my issue.  I was focusing on the people, when the story was about the dog, Jinx, accepting this cat into the household.

March 2, 2014
by penny
Comments Off on Art Programs

Art Programs

The art program I use is ARTRAGE.  It is specifically designed for drawing and painting.  It is direct and intuitive.  A drawing pad or tablet (such as Wacom) is necessary.  ARTRAGE also provides a good online manual for reference.  PHOTOSHOP is designed primarily for photographers so may have more and different features than most artist need.  Some artists prefer the features of PHOTOSHOP.

February 25, 2014
by penny
Comments Off on Experiment

Experiment

dragon 1.1

The comic book graphic style may not work for your graphic book (pictures with dialog balloons).  Experiment with new ways to combine dialog text with picture. With some changes, this may work for my next project.

February 20, 2014
by penny
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Sample Illustration

web sample 2

There is no certainty about the display of an E-reader.  Size, color, and resolution vary.  Plus, a number of E-readers are in black and white.  An “ink & wash” style works well, as does an ink drawing.  Strong red, blue, and green colors will display as black on the black & white E-reader.  Using light color or a toned background frames the outer edges of the picture panel.  Make a to-size reduction in your art program to check details.

February 10, 2014
by penny
Comments Off on Layout for E-Reader

Layout for E-Reader

Website illus 1

Designing a graphic book for an E-reader has a different proportion than for a print book.  One or two panels per page show well.  To check for text readability, reduce the image to real size, about 3.5″ x 5+” / 9 x 13 cm.  (this image original: 132ppi, print size 6″x4″ / 15 x 10 cm / text, 30 pt)

 

 

February 6, 2014
by penny
Comments Off on Graphic Book Design for the E-reader

Graphic Book Design for the E-reader

There are differences between books designed for print editions or e-readers.  These involve image proportion, text size, and the art of the image itself.  Multiple panels, 16 point text, and detailed artwork are made for the print edition.  The smaller screen size and display proportion of the e-reader call for simpler artwork and larger text.  Designing for the e-reader is an exciting field for the graphic novelist.

February 2, 2014
by penny
Comments Off on Graphic Novels for E-readers

Graphic Novels for E-readers

The graphic novel section of the large ebook distributors contains mostly comic books — these are money makers for them.  Unlike the adjustable text based book, the comic book as ebook has a set page size and proportion.  When that set page is reduced to fit the e-reader display, often the text is not readable.  NOW is the time for the Indie writer / illustrator to create graphic books FOR the e-reader.

January 31, 2014
by penny
Comments Off on Era of the E-Book

Era of the E-Book

The fastest growing book market in the world is the electronic book that can be read on a tablet.  A vast readership is in the developing world.  People may not have a book store, but they have a reading device.  Having traveled in India, the man sitting on the oxcart has a cell phone.  Graphic books are in demand.  Combined pictures and text are a tool for learning English.  So, graphic story tellers, writers, and artists:  think e-reader, think globally.

“Bird and Blossoms”

January 29, 2014 by penny | Comments Off on “Bird and Blossoms”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I have a number of ACEOs (Art Card Editions & Originals — 2.5″ x 3.5″ = 6.5x9cm).  I loved doing these miniature paintings.