Depends on what you want to do with it. I generally work at print resolution, so if I'm making a picture that's 8.5" x 11" I'll have it set for 300dpi. So if you intended to print your work at any point, just set the document for the size you want and then the resolution for 300dpi.
Standard screen resolution is 72dpi. The pictures you see in my DA gallery were done at 300dpi and then reduced to 25% in order to be displayed online. Even if you intend for the thing to be shown only online, it's good practice to work at a larger resolution and then reduce it when you're finished. Scaling things down smooths out imperfections and makes edges cleaner.
Blacklisted
"I'AM SATANS FAVORITE CHILD!!"
Agreed, I also work at 300 dpi unless the work requires otherwise. It's a good size because it's print quality, without being too hefty of a pixel depth to store effectively. Once you get into the 600+ range, most computers really chug and the file sizes skyrocket.
If you cannot handle 300, then use 150. Always try to work in multiples of roughly 75dpi when you intend to display it online. The way most graphic programs work, if you try to scale from a strange percentage, the computer has to artificially make up new pixels which lead to inaccurate and blurry pics. If you do a straight 50%, 100%, 200% reduction, then the computer just simply cuts half, a quarter, an eighth, etc pixels out of the picture without making up new data. This results in cleaner and more accurate works.
http://www.virtueverse.net/wiki/Massacre_Melanie -the original Fire/Dark Corruptor -
http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showthread.php?t=115217
The Guide to BURN
That is exactly what I needed to know thank you guys.
As some of you may know I now have a wacom tablet.
and for the next piece I am trying something completely new.
All digital. I will not touch pencil to paper for this.
but I've run into a bit of a snafu.
I have no freaking clue what size and resolution should I be working in.
Up until now I've just worked with whatever size and resolution the scanner gave me.
But I want this to be crisp and refined. not rough like my previous pieces.
So to the digital artist out there. What size/resolution do you work in and then what do you save it in? I want it to be about the size of a comic book cover when I done.
Thank you in advance for your constructive answers.