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Creating A Halftone or Chartpak / Zip-A-Tone Effect For Cartoons
Here is what I hope is a short and easy to understand set of steps you can take in order to add that
dotted pattern you see in so many of the comics in today's newspapers. After studying many books
on Photoshop, and reading through many web tutorials on Photoshop web sites, I quickly realized that
there must be a simpler or more condensed way of attaining this look instead of having to create so
many layers and going through so many time consuming and tedious steps to achieve this.
The so called professionals make too much about how one should go about this but I've set up some
screenshots to offer a more visual understanding. Keep in mind, we're working on cartoons and our
time is valuable in that we need to move on to the next cartoon or assignment we've recieved - these
aren't exactly masterpieces, right?! I've experimented on this to the point where trial and error has
shown me that these are the easiest steps. I created this effect using Photoshop version 6.0 but am
thinking if you have a different version, the same toolbars and icons may exist in the version you may
have if it's different. To experiment on your end, simply create a basic line drawing and concentrate
on an area within that image that you want to shade and have this dotted effect turned into from that
area you shade. If you have additional questions or comments on this particular tutorial, feel free to
contact me at dan@danscartoons.com - my various cartoon samples with this same technique can be
found at my various cartoon catalog reprint pages found on my index page.
Step #1 in image below: Scanned in as black & white picture or text @300 DPI, then up
to IMAGE>GRAYSCALE and click OK on size ratio 1. Then up to IMAGE>RGB. Your
cartoon is now ready for configuring for halftone.
Step #2 in image below, where you can choose the magic wand and then prepare your
gradiated shades off of your color palette on right of work area and add them in bottom
of tool bar where that double arrow icon is visible and you can put your cursor on it to
put one shade of gray or color on top of the other. Note the third process is on right
side of cartoon character. Note that once the shading is added while your animated
dots are still moving, requires going up to SELECT>DESELECT
Step #3 in image below after you click SELECT>DESELECT, your image and shaded area
is ready for turning into a halftone by now going from RGB and selecting GRAYSCALE.
Then click OK in Discard Color Info - Then click IMAGE>MODE>BITMAP.
In BITMAP box, set "resolution" input to 300 pixels/inch. Of course for "method", you'll
choose Halftone Screen. For Halftone Screen, set "frequency" to 20 lines/inch, and
"angle" at zero degrees. Shape: Round. After you complete this process, you need to
change the image BACK to RGB.
Now the image is set to be either saved as a PSD file in a folder of your choice, or you
can now size the width of the image in any JPEG, GIF or TIFF format. In fact, once you
size the image you're working on, you can then go to FILE>SAVE FOR WEB and see the
actual clarity of the halftone.
Halftones offer tones that are continuous via dots that are equally spaced which
also vary in size. But the look that this pattern can offer, adds a depth to simple
line art such as cartoons or comic strip art. There is value in adding this to your
work if you like to enhance the look somewhat. Hopefully the above set of steps
are not arduous or tedious enough to dissuade you. In fact, it is recommended
to set aside some extra time in your creative day, to go through these steps and
once done, do it all over again and again until you've mastered this Photoshop
technique. Once you become accustomed to how this is done, it will become
second nature!
AND this technique is not limited to a "gradient" pattern...it works equally as
well with choosing even one single shade of gray off your color palette, and then
bucket filling the white space you want to add halftone to. Don't hesitate in also
experimenting with how many pixels per inch and lines per inch to choose in the
BITMAP mode when readying for halftone effect.
By experimenting with various numbers like 200 pixels per inch, then 30 lines
per inch plus any other number settings you try, you'll notice many variations
on how the halftone will appear after you make a final choice. Experimenting is
vital in learning various Photoshop techniques, it's how I eventually learned
these simple steps! |
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To Summarize
Taking into consideration the steps above,
just keep in mind, before working on your
image, to make sure RGB mode is selected,
and either "bucket fill" your intended area
you want to halftone, or use your magic
wand tool to perform a "gradient" by your
choosing two different tones of gray.
Also want to emphasize when you see the
"lines per inch" mentioned, 50-60 work
great for that part of it. And so far as the
"angle" is concerned, do not preoccupy
yourself with that. It is simply a matter of
preference. As for choosing a "shape" for
your pattern, square or elliptical dot
structures are offered, but don't get technical . . . just choose round, which most
artists, cartoonists and illustrators use as
the mainstay for halftoning!
Always remember, cartoons are meant to
be fun...working on them in Photoshop
should also be a fun and simple experience.
The more you use this the easier it gets! |
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If you need additional help, drop me a line: dan@danscartoons.com and I'll try and assist as best I can.
You may also benefit from searching out "visual" tutorials online either on other Photoshop specific
forums or websites, or even using specific keyworded terms in your favorite search engine.
YouTube may also be a great resource in locating certain step by step videos to learn other tips and
techniques relating to Photoshop. |
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