shadesofmauve (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
shadesofmauve) wrote2009-04-24 10:45 am
shadesofmauve) wrote2009-04-24 10:45 am
Exploring the Ames Lettering Guide, +bonus bunnies
I finally pulled out my Trusty Ames Lettering guide.
It is trusty because everyone says "Trust us, you NEED this" not because I've ever actually used it.
For those unfamiliar with the cartoonist's arsenal, the Ames Lettering Guide is a little device made of two pieces of clear plastic dotted with small holes, somewhat more mysterious and difficult to calibrate than stone henge. When used by a master, it allows you to determine the next weekend on the Mayan calendar and your position in degrees north of the equator using only a pencil.
I have no idea how to use this thing.
I turned to my shelf of reference material, and since the rabbit is out and my room-mate isn't, I narrated in pleasing, bunny-friendly tones, thusly:
"Let's check Encyclopedia of Cartooning Techniques, bunny! Contents, L, Lettering... Encyclopedia of Cartooning Techniques says that the Ames Lettering Guide is immensely helpful for all hand letterers and other practitioners of the occult. It doesn't say how. Maybe Eisner can help us! Eisner can always help! No, Eisner is only talking about meaningful stuff, not how-to. I know, Bunny! Mr. Scott [McCloud]! We love Mr. Scott! Oh...it's not here. Neither is the other one. Does Erik STILL have ALL of Mr. Scott? Poo.
Oh, you have. Under my desk, again. I love you too."
It is trusty because everyone says "Trust us, you NEED this" not because I've ever actually used it.
For those unfamiliar with the cartoonist's arsenal, the Ames Lettering Guide is a little device made of two pieces of clear plastic dotted with small holes, somewhat more mysterious and difficult to calibrate than stone henge. When used by a master, it allows you to determine the next weekend on the Mayan calendar and your position in degrees north of the equator using only a pencil.
I have no idea how to use this thing.
I turned to my shelf of reference material, and since the rabbit is out and my room-mate isn't, I narrated in pleasing, bunny-friendly tones, thusly:
"Let's check Encyclopedia of Cartooning Techniques, bunny! Contents, L, Lettering... Encyclopedia of Cartooning Techniques says that the Ames Lettering Guide is immensely helpful for all hand letterers and other practitioners of the occult. It doesn't say how. Maybe Eisner can help us! Eisner can always help! No, Eisner is only talking about meaningful stuff, not how-to. I know, Bunny! Mr. Scott [McCloud]! We love Mr. Scott! Oh...it's not here. Neither is the other one. Does Erik STILL have ALL of Mr. Scott? Poo.
Oh, you have. Under my desk, again. I love you too."