midnightRUN

Thanks very much!!!

Thank you! I hand draw all my word balloons (with any drawing tool, pick your choice). I like how I can control the shapes and size of the balloons that way :)

In terms of "space" with balloons, I try to leave an even gap all around the text and the edges of the balloons. The padding's a lot easier on our eyes!(( This tip I picked up from Scott McCloud's book "Making Comics", worth the read if you have the time, I learned all my basic comic making skills from that book!))

Also with dialogue, if there are any natural pauses/gaps in a conversation, I'll split them up into different balloons (like in the 3rd and last panel). I try my hardest to keep word balloons from blocking out the character's bodies when I plan a page. Although I'm still working on that one - sometimes you just want to fit all this dialogue into one page, but it's near impossible without squishing up all the art - so self control is key!

I don't know how to explain too well without launching into a comics lecture but that's the base mechanics of it - hope it gives you some ideas!!!