Saturday, January 30, 2010

Video blog: Using the Wacom Cintiq and a brief diatribe on digital inking (for print output)






Here is a short video blog I put together for you. There was lots of Cintiq chat on Twitter the other day, and it inspired me to show you mine and explain a little of my process with it.

I want to clarify a couple of things I talk about.
Double-sized files
I just started working on 2X larger files, it is not a regular something I do all the time. It is kind of an experiment and so far it seems to be working well. Personally, I am thinking "fabric" right now, so for an illo that needs to be especially crisp and sharp as it is printed on fabric, I think it's a good way to go or at least a good thing to try. But, as long as it looks GOOD at 100% (and you are sure of this, because you have done your print-check :) ), then 100% is perfect! In the case of illustrating in Adobe Flash in particular, I think working a little extra larger as needed (working for print output) is a not a bad thing because, although the line is vector, if you use the "Brush" tool exclusively like I do, the line generally has more "character" to it, more variation, than a precise line a la Illustrator. This can be a double-edged sword at times. The verdict is NOT totally in on working extra large yet... But it IS what I am doing right now. (It is ALL trial and error, isn't it?)

"If I am doing a poster, I do it at 100% and deliver it that way..."
What I mean is, I will make my actual working file at actual size to print instead of twice as big. I will not make it, say, 48" x 48",  if it is actually going to print at 24" x 24". I will instead work at the actual to-print size,  24" x 24". The reasons for this are two-fold. 1) I find that inking for print in Flash larger  is a little more forgiving with any line variations than smaller, more detailed work like say, a 5.5" x 8.5" oversized postcard-sized piece of artwork. 2) The file size would be impossible to work in if it was 48" x 48". I think my processor would be smoking.

"When you're looking at a computer screen, it can be hard to tell what's real..."
What I mean is, working on artwork in the digital space never seems like the size is equal to the same size of working on a piece of paper (whether it is or not).

Anyway, Hope you like the vlog. If you have any questions at all, please post in the comments! And please, forgive the hair-do.

3 comments:

Gilly Newman said...

I have recently been introduced to Twitter by one of my grandchildren and I must say I am truly enjoying it. Gives me freedom to stay in touch with all my extended family.
Gilly

Ginger*:) said...

I enjoyed your video and echo the concerns about digital artwork looking like you WANT it to look. I often work at 200 percent but check the finishes by printing a sample before I turn in the work. It is amazing what shows up that you didn't want to place in your image (sometimes.)
My thoughts about Cintq were muddled with thoughts about a new intuos 4 tablet. Because I already have a 27 inch computer screen and am comfy with the tablet I ordered a new intuos 4 and pen. I think when I earn enough from my next book I'll still spring for the Cintiq, but for 1/4 the cost I can be happy with my tablet ... for now...

I hope you will share more of your adventures with your cintiq~

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

*drooling some more* :-) Thanks Kathy for answering alot of questions regarding the cintiq. I'm convinced even more that if I am going to get it the 21" is the way to go; really beneficial to see in "real" size. Hopefully I will get one later this year. I'm so close in splurging!