When you work on a drawing(digitally), do you start off with a large canvas and then shrink it down before publishing it? Or do you have a standard size and work from there? Does it even matter? ‘Cause sometimes I feel that having a large file is too much for the viewer but, it’s difficult to create a good quality image from a small space.
This is a good question! c:
I work at about twice the size I print at, and about 4 times the size I show on the web.
That may be a bit confusing so here’s some numbers!
Average working size: 600DPI, ~3000~5000 pixel canvas (about 11x14”)
Average size for printing (i.e. for my store, convention table, or size I send to a publisher): 300DPI, ~1800x3000 pixel canvas — usually I shrink this down from my working size.
Average size for web: 300DPI (most people use 72dpi, which is recommended), ~500x700 pixels.
Art 101, whether you’re working digitally or traditionally - work bigger!! When you shrink your art down, either to be published or putting it on the web, your errors will be less apparent! When I paint traditionally I always work at two times the printing size, too!
I would say it only “matters” if you’re getting work printed and published for professional purposes - like selling your work at a trade show or it’s being printed by a company. Otherwise it doesn’t technically matter? Although your work will ALWAYS look better if you work larger and shrink it down.
The LOWEST resolution for printing (Resolution is DPI or Dots Per Inch) should be 300. If its less then that, when you print your work it will look pixelated! It CAN be more then 300DPI, but it SHOILD NOT be less.
If you’re making art JUST to show on the web, I still recommend working at least with a 300DPI resolution and a large canvas. You can always resize it, and you wont get that cramped feeling while you’re working. C:
But if you do put put your art on the web, make sure you resize it FOR the web! I find my images are comfortable for the viewer and look nice when they’re between 600 and 800 pixels in height when resized. c:
I hope that makes sense! c:
