DTWT colouring service FAQ

This FAQ refers to the 'colouring service' first offered as part of Draw the World Together's presence at Comic Expo, Bristol in May 2008. If you haven't already, we'd suggest reading the original DTWT FAQ before reading this.

What do you mean by a 'coloured sketch'?

For the purposes of this FAQ, and in reference to the DTWT colouring service, a coloured sketch is a sketch that has been digitally coloured by professional colourists in exchange for a donation to charity.

Sketches that were created using colours as part of the initial sketching process are not considered part of DTWT's colouring service.

Who will be doing the colouring?

Kat Nicholson and Jason Cardy. Both are professional comics colourists with many published works.

How will colouring be done?

Your sketch will be digitally scanned (if not already available) and will then be coloured digitally in Photoshop by Jason or Kat.

How do I get a sketch coloured?

Simple - just ask whoever is currently responsible for dealing with DTWT at a show (Alex 'GhostRaptor' Weekes at Memorabilia 2008). Your colouring request will be added to the current colouring request queue.

Can I only get new sketches coloured?

No, you can get any sketch previously completed by a DTWT artist coloured. Simply bring the original sketch along to be scanned and coloured.

What if I don't have my original sketch with me?

All sketches that we have scanned (seen on Flickr and on the PlayNC Sketches Gallery) will be available to be coloured. However, to be safe (just in case of disastrous computer meltdown!) bring your original sketch if at all possible.

Can I get any drawing at all coloured?

Sorry, but no. We're currently limiting the colouring service to sketches that have previously been completed by the artists of Draw the World Together.

How much does getting a sketch coloured cost?

Sketch colouring costs the same as getting an A4 black and white character sketch done; a minimum donation of £15 per character being coloured. This is in addition to any donation already given for the sketch.

Pricing examples:

You get a single character sketched on A4, from provided reference. You donate £15 for this. Then you ask for that sketch to be coloured; you donate another £15, for a total donation of £30.

You get two characters sketched together on A4, from provided reference. You donate £30 for this (£15 per character). You ask for that sketch to be coloured; you donate another £30, for a total donation of £60.

You bring an existing sketch of a single character on A4. This sketch is scanned, and then coloured. You donate £15 for getting the sketch coloured.

What do I get to physically take home for my donation?

After being coloured, the finished coloured sketch will be printed for you on high quality, glossy A4 printer paper, suitable for framing. You can get additional prints if you wish (see below).

You will also of course keep the original black and white pencil sketch.

Can I get a digital copy of my coloured sketch?

Yes, and in two ways. If you'd like a high resolution JPG of your coloured sketch, you can collect that at the same time as you collect your sketch. You will need to provide a USB key or similar portable media storage device. (We will not burn DVDs or CDs during a show, sorry.)

If you don't have a storage device or don't mind waiting, then your coloured sketch will be uploaded to our Flickr gallery and the PlayNC Sketch gallery in time, at which point you can download a JPG for your own use.

Can I get additional prints of coloured sketches?

Yes; please ask when you collect your printed colour sketch. We ask for a donation of £5 per additional print.

What sort of reference should I bring for colouring my sketch?

As always, the more reference you bring for your character, the better. Obviously you need to supply colour imagery of your character, and the closer the colours are in your screenshots or printed reference to what you want to see in the final coloured sketch, the better.

To repeat our advice from the main FAQ:

[ QUOTE ]
To create good reference, first of all, take lots and lots of screenshots. Move the in-game camera to get at least four to eight angles on your character, showing front, back, sides and top if required. Make sure the character is dressed in the costume you want in the final sketch, or near as possible. Try to make sure you take screenshots in 'good light', and also preferably pose your character against a light background such as an in-game wall. Finally, if you want a particular weapon or power shown, draw it or activate it to give the artist visual reference.

When you have these screenshots, either print as many as you can or bring them to the show in digital form (ie on CD, USB key, etc). Do not assume you will be able to log in to the game! There have been many shows where this has not been possible.

Finally for ease of processing, write your name, your character's name and possibly a contact phone number on your reference so we know what's what and who is who.

[/ QUOTE ]

Can I ask for specific colours in my sketch?

Yes, within reason (in other words, ask the colourist about what you want and they'll see if they can accommodate). If your colour request radically differs from the original colours of your reference, it would be a good idea to bring a suggestion of what you'd like your colours to look like.

Can I see some examples of coloured sketches?

Yes indeed. Here is an example of Kat Nicholson's colours on two test sketches:



Here is an example of Jason Cardy's colours on the same two sketches. As you can see, Jason has two different 'styles' of colouring that he will happily use on a sketch:



Where can I get a sketch coloured?

Colouring may not be available at all shows we attend. We will announce ahead of each show whether or not colourists will be available. Our next show at which Kat and Jason will be colouring is Memorabilia 2008. We're afraid you have to attend the show in person if you want a sketch coloured.