Flatting
Flatting is a crucial step in comic book and graphic novel coloring where artists prepare black and white artwork for final coloring. Think of it like laying down the base coat when painting a house - flattters fill in different areas with temporary colors to separate distinct elements of the artwork. This makes it easier for colorists to add final colors and effects later. It's similar to how children's coloring books have distinct areas separated by lines, but for professional comic art. This role is often an entry point for artists wanting to work in the comic industry.
Examples in Resumes
Completed flatting work for 12 issues of a monthly comic series
Provided flatting services for indie graphic novels and webcomics
Streamlined the flatting process reducing production time by 30%
Typical job title: "Comic Flatters"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Comic Flatters
Online Communities
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you manage a team of flatters for a monthly comic series with tight deadlines?
Expected Answer: Should discuss project management, quality control, efficient work distribution, and maintaining consistent standards across multiple artists while meeting publication schedules.
Q: What's your process for training new flatters?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to teach basic principles, common pitfalls to avoid, quality checking methods, and how to help newcomers develop speed without sacrificing accuracy.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you handle complex scenes with multiple overlapping elements?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to breaking down complicated artwork, maintaining clear separation between elements, and ensuring their work helps rather than hinders the colorist.
Q: What's your typical workflow for a 20-page comic?
Expected Answer: Should describe their process from receiving artwork to delivery, including time management, quality checks, and how they handle revisions.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What software do you use for flatting and why?
Expected Answer: Should be able to name common software like Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint and explain basic tools they use for flatting work.
Q: How do you ensure different elements of the artwork are properly separated?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic principles of color separation, how to check their work, and why clean separation is important for the coloring process.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-1 years)
- Basic digital art software knowledge
- Understanding of layer management
- Basic flatting techniques
- Meeting simple deadlines
Mid (1-3 years)
- Efficient workflow management
- Handle complex artwork separation
- Quick turnaround times
- Multiple art style adaptation
Senior (3+ years)
- Team management
- Training and quality control
- Complex project coordination
- Publisher deadline management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic digital art software
- Unable to show examples of flatting work
- Poor understanding of layer management
- Inability to meet deadlines
- No experience with comic art files
Related Terms
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