graphic novel settings

[elspethp3369025]

Hi, I am new to photoshop and have a lot to learn.

However, I'd love some basic help to get started with my project.

I'm making a graphic novel and already have a draft in another programme (powerpoint). I was recommended to get photoshop to have more flexibility creating and editing my script.

I want it to be A4 size, and it will eventually be over 200 pages.

Where do I start? I've found A4 docs - should I use Essentials or Graphic and Web?

Can I make multiple pages?

Can I import my exisiting draft, which is reasonably developed?

Thank you for help.

[Test Screen Name]

One key thing is that people don't JUST use Photoshop to make books. They use Photoshop to work with photos, or scans, sometimes to make drawings (though Illustrator is more favoured for that). Illustrator or InDesign is used to add text - text in Photoshop is a last resort, don't fall into that trap! Books are made in InDesign.

Moving on: what do you see as your final result?  A phone app? A web browser? Printed pages? If you don't plan ahead you could find you need to REDO ALL YOUR WORK !

[Test Screen Name]

By the way, if by script you mean a text-based script, Photoshop is not the tool. If your script is throwing around stuff to find the best arrangement, Powerpoint is a good prototype tool - just remember you will need to REDO EVERYTHING.

Also, you will make huge files. Where will you keep them? And how will you back up against disaster (which happens to all of us, so don't ignore that!)

[elspethp3369025]

I did wonder whether this was the wrong tool -  from something else I'd read. And I wondered whether someone might say this.

This is very helpful advice, thank you.

I was given misinformation I think, by someone seeing my work.

It's very much image based work using photos of images, huge files yes. It's less important for it to be perfect visually, and more important for it to tell a story. There will be words too, in captions, also hand drawn. So in fact all the words will be in image files.

I don't want to redo everything, that would be a nightmare for me.

I'm pretty cross genre, so it's not always easy to describe. It's quite original!

Final result will be printed pages, and an online book.

[D Fosse]

This sounds like a classic case of a combined InDesign/Photoshop/Illustrator workflow. And I say classic because it's very common, and because these three applications are particularly well integrated for this type of work.

I put InDesign first because this is where you assemble everything into a whole. It handles book layout and page structuring (as well as typed text).

Photoshop is used to prepare pixel-based elements like images, later to be placed (linked) in the InDesign file.

You say "hand-drawn" words, but you should consider whether that should also be pixel-based (sub-optimal) or vector-based (vastly preferable). In the latter case you do it in Illustrator.

[elspethp3369025]

'InDesign/Photoshop/Illustrator workflow' sounds interesting, though expensive.

If I was to choose to do it vector-based, and use illustrator, would I still need InDesign.... it sounds as though I do.

Thanks so much for your help.

[Derek Cross]

Vector images do not have a resolution – you would still need InDesign to create books.

[Test Screen Name]

Your key decision to make is about resolution, that is to say effective resolution (ppi). If you aren't on top of this, I recommend pausing the artistic side to make sure you can make good decisions for the future.

If you're starting with existing photo material, what is the source? For instance, is it downloaded from web sites? If so, the idea of getting this printed may not be viable at all.

[elspethp3369025]

Thanks very much.

I'm using original drawings which I have photographed. None of it is downloaded.

I am aware of resolution because of images I used in posters etc. I have been told.... "As a rule of thumb print resolution is a minimum of 360dpi", do you agree?

I think I can check resolution before it goes into any other application, but once it's in something else, the resolution might get changed and I find that a challenge. Numbers aren't my strong point.

[Derek Cross]

Rule of thumb is 300PPI

The Effective resolution – is the resolution of the image that's Placed in InDesign, you can check this is the Links panel. if you change the size of the image significantly by enlarging it in InDesign (or elsewhere) it will reduce the resolution.

Some artists like to work at a larger size and reduce it for the book's artwork.

[Derek Cross]

You've been given some really useful advice from the other posters.

I would add a couple of points

1) Confirm how you are to publish this, is it self-publish or a commercial publisher.

2) Check in bookshop the format (size etc) of similar books as yours

3) Before you commit yourself produce a few specimen pages to check your production approach, style etc and to show publishers and booksellers etc before you commit yourself.

4) Work in RGB color mode and Place your images as native AI or PSD files in InDesign

[elspethp3369025]

Thank you, very helpful.

I have spoken to a publisher, but it's not always the best thing for a work such as mine (teeny fees and still have to self market), so it could be I end up self publishing. The publisher talked of the nightmare of getting another artist's work into publishable mode. That artist also used a collage of images approach. My collages look great, but as is suggested above, I need to catch up on the right format/language/etc

[G_Hoffmann]

Can you please show us an example of your artwork? For further advice

one needs to know the typical ingredients:

photo

painting

drawing

vector graphic (computer generated)

print

handdrawn text

typographical text

color

black/white

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[elspethp3369025]

Hi Gernot, thank you for your question.

I am using all the above.... except vector graphic, which I'm not using. I'm not sure what typographical text is. It has colour and black and white in it.

It's

It's a unique look and subject and isn't ready to be shown to the world, but I hope I answered your question.

[G_Hoffmann]

Thanks for the explanation.

A collage of photos, drawings, paintings, scans of other artwork and prints can be made

by hand (paper and glue) or by Photoshop. If the collage is made by hand, then it should

be scanned. If it is too large, then photos can be taken, but this requires some familiarity

with lighting, in order to avoid reflexes.

Text in speech balloons should be handdrawn (handwritten), based on exposees by typo-

graphical text. Typographical text means: computer text, using a font with a certain size

and style. For the speech balloons it's more or less my opinion, that the text should be

handwritten. But a Graphic Novel can contain general text in addition to images, which is

designed and written as in any book – typographically.  

All text has to be provided in separated layers,  in order to enable translations into different

languages.

Result: Images with empty speech balloons by Photoshop. Assembly by InDesign, including

the layers for typographical text. These text layers are probably in pure black (K-only).

The images can contain RGB-black, which is later converted into printable CMYK-black.

So far, Illustrator is not required.

I've tested my advice viewing

Introducing Nietzsche, A Graphic Guide by Laurence Gane & Piero.

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

[Derek Cross]

Fine except you work in RGB color mode for images – do not covert to CMYK as this will be done via PDF/X-4 that you supply to your commercial printer.

[elspethp3369025]

Really helpful. I'm starting to get this now and get hold of the language.

I had hoped I could move all my existing work from powerpoint, where everything is assembled separately, into Indesign, but I don't think that's possible.

I like the Nietzch quote: “If you wish to strive for peace of soul and happiness, then believe; if you wish to be a disciple of truth, then inquire.”

It could go directly into this book and not be out of place!

I'm so grateful for this advise and all the advice people of put here, what generous folk you are.