hand lettering

[aaron_b]

Does anyone still letter the old fashion way? Looking for tips and or a good resource book/site on the subject.

[Greg Gates]

Hey Aaron. I still letter (very) occasionally by hand and use an Ames lettering guide. It's an old architects tool, also used by cartoonists; two pieces of plastic locked together and which slide along a ruler or t-square and guide your pencil in making parallel lines. Sounds weird, but really very simple. You may still be able to find them in big art supply stores.

Have a look at http://comictool.blogspot.com/ There may be some info squirrelled away there.

[J Marc]

I usually hand-letter; others will disagree, but I think it simply looks more attractive. As for tips, I'd say just try to make the lettering look like it's a part of the overall picture (which it is), rather than something superimposed later on, even if you do in fact do that.

I learned about the Ames guide in Alan McKenzie's book 'How to Draw & Sell Comic Books', though have never used one myself. I am sure you could find one around, as Greg said. I recommend that book, too.