Question for the artists here

KyleMoyer

Sometimes when I see pages of original art, I see lots of blue lines and/or shading around the artwork? What is that? Here's an example... I've seen pages with much more than this, but this one is handy because I saw it on an article on Bleeding Cool about some big time art sales that are going on right now.

Torchsong

Image didn't come up but I'm assuming you're talking about the blueline/Copynot pencils some pencilers use prior to inking? I've used them before but they tend to be more waxy than a regular pencil so I've started going back to good ol' graphite.

Anyhoo - they're cool in that they don't scan when you take the artwork into pre-press mode. If you have a liberal attitude with your inker, though, they may ignore lines, not follow your pencils 100%, so you'll have the blue line leftovers.

Zhurrie

Yep, Torch is right, also sometimes called "non-photo blue" I have tried over the years and have never liked drawing with them, I just don't see the point ever. I can do my initial sketching/layout and then just trace or ink right from it on a fresh piece of bristol/paper on my lightbox. It is definitely a personal choice and what people are comfortable with, even without tracing I'd rather work off of a loose sketch in HB lead and go straight to inks.

MikeGallagher

I lay my pages out in non photo blue, then pencil, then ink.
It's all what your preference is and how you were trained. No big deal.

John_Steed

Am I right to believe that's the page Pants was talking about on Episode 1228: Comic Talk?

bleedingcool.com

Awesome stuff.

KyleMoyer

Thank you for the answers. I guess the fact that the two people who answered both said they didn't like using the blue pencils would explain why I only see them on a handful of original art. There was one in particular I saw a while ago that was very very heavy with the blue, but unfortunately I don't remember who the artist was or where I saw it.

Zhurrie

People with a background in animation or a number of other fields and that have been in the game a long time will more likely use it because it had way more of a functional purpose then, now with computers and digital coloring/inking etc. it is kind of just a hold over. It can still be useful though depending on the situation. You can find non photo blue pencils with a less waxy feel that are basically like HB lead but I still really never use them.

KyleMoyer

If I "accept" too many answers, does it make me a whore?

phansford

It isn't just comic book artists that use non-photo blue pencils. Design professionals (Architects, landscape architects, graphic designers) have used them for years. We always gave the blue pencil to the project principal so he would eff-up our work with a sharpie. :)) They are not used much anymore because, unlike comics, we went digital 15 years ago. ;)

Flintlockjaw

I've always used a non-photo blue pencil. Coming from an animation background it's natural to me...also, sketches look way better and easier on the eyes with blue. I do know a couple of animators that use red...so, go figure. It's whatever you're comfortable with.