I've seen people ask themselves how professional webcomic artists make 30+ panels a week so many times, and being someone who makes a weekly panel amount that extends into the 100s I also get this question a lot personally (or just get called a wizard). I figured with all of these things considered, it was about time I wrote up a guide on how it's done!
I'll start off by saying: Not everyone is going to like what I'm about to say. Not everyone is going to want to do what I am about to suggest. If this is the case, your choice will be simple: just don't. Don't come here raining on anyone's parade and telling people their comics aren't "real art" if they take any of this advice.
So! Here goes!
First, get the basics right.
You don't have to be a pro to start practicing your speed skill. But if you just started drawing 2-3 years ago or less, you are still in the phase where you are figuring out the basics of your art style and expression. We all continue to develop and grow as long as we are still alive and active, but this guide is intended for people who have at least a basic experience level.
Basic Speed Skill Improvement
Speed is a skill, and it is one whose value is commonly underestimated by artists. Especially the most perfectionist types and by extension, those who struggle to find work or get noticed in the industry.
Skills are improved gradually, by challenging yourself.
Take some inspiration from the common practices seen in anatomy drawing classes: Set a certain time frame for when a panel sketch is supposed to be finished, for example. Make the time frames shorter as you improve. This will not only improve your speed, but also sharpen your intuitive eye and make your art less stiff, since it forces you to prioritize the big picture over the little details.
If you are a competitive person or enjoy making a game out of things, I suggest you set up time trials for yourself. "I will complete panels x through y within z amount of time".
Ever played those time trials in video games? This is basically that but with comics. It's one of my favorite things to do to spice up my work day.
Get to know yourself.
Know the things that distract you. Or, on the other hand, know the semi-distractions you need to not grow bored with the more mindless parts of art (lineart, for example) to fill that blank space. Study your own behaviour at various parts of the process and find ways to keep yourself working effectively. When you sit down to draw for work, make sure the majority of your time is spent actually drawing for work.
TAKE BREAKS!!
I can't stress this enough! There is only so long that the human mind can stay focused on one single task without a break! If you procrastinate a lot, your problem might actually be that you're not taking enough truly effective breaks!
There is only so long the human body can stay still sitting without risking injury!
There is only so long you can draw in one sitting without running the risk of wrist/hand injuries!!!
Your efficiency is only effective as long as you are focused, undistracted by excessive body pains, and as long as you don't render your wrist unuseable for months-years to come!
Recommended minimum is a 10 minute break once every 60 minutes. Alternatively you could get up for 5 minutes after 60 minutes, then sit down another 60 minutes, after which you go do something physical for 20 minutes.
- Here's another important point as well: Regular exercise will improve your focus, as well as your body health, and thus by extension your efficiency when you work on your comic. Try to find at least one exercise form that you enjoy enough to perform on a regular basis.
Shortcuts
This is the one everyone talks about when speculating how these things work. And yes, shortcuts are a thing. For some reason, a shunned thing.
I would like to take a moment to ask: Does a seamstress get shamed for using a preprinted fabric when she makes a dress instead of making it from scratch? No she doesn't, even though she technically can do it. So why should an artist be shamed for using brushes and patterns?
Does the same seamstress get flack for reusing sowing guides instead of creating the same patterns again? No. So why should an artist be shamed for using 3d models or the occasional *gasp * COPY PASTE???
Because there's still a dumb pressure for artists to live up to the good old "suffering, alcoholic, lifeless and starving = true artist" stereotype. Do you want to be those four things? Probably not. You can be a true artist without being those things.
"Copy paste" and similar shortcuts have also existed since before digital was a thing. Just so you know. Anyone who has experimented thoroughly with traditional art knows this.
So. Let's talk shortcuts! I have a few suggestions, but feel free to add your own!
- Copy pasting full panels where applicable, with small adjustments if needed.
- Pre-drawing backgrounds in high res for environments you use often that you can then paste into panels as you see fit (If you draw your backgrounds by hand) or modelling your environments in sketchup (bear in mind you must purchase the full pro version for this if you wish to legally use it for commercial projects. Even earning a single dollar from ad rev counts as commercial.)
- Create reference materials. I have a csp file full of sketch bases for various face types in multiple angles, that I use when I'm in a rush or when I'm having a bad day. So basically I will paste in the angle and facetype I want into the quicksketch and then lineart it. (fully linearted and colored reference materials are not recommended for characters. It looks very stiff and boring. You can however do this for backgrounds, logos, background objects, etc.)
- Use brushes, man! Grass brushes, cross hatching brushes, sparkle brushes, you name it.
Work in batches!
It's good for multiple reasons. Easier to keep things consistent, easier to keep things fast. Work in batches as large as you feel is effective for you at the present time.
So basically, example:
Create panel layout for 10 pages
Sketch those 10 pages
Ink those 10 pages
Color/tone those 10 pages
Letter those 10 pages
Instead of doing them all one by one.
Sure, this requires you to work with a buffer. But those are preferrable anyways.
Hope this helps!! Might add more later if I think of more stuff. Feel free to ask questions or add your own advice.