Advice on working on my comic

[M.ComicFan]

Lately, I've found myself struggling to work on my comic. I'd say the problem is that I don't work on it as often as I like, and I'm thinking that part of the reason is that I'm not as enthusiastic about it as I was when I started. I really want to work on this comic, but I also don't want to end up damaging my mental health. I'm hoping you could give me some advice. Not just for myself, but for anyone else who might be having a similar problem.

[ble]

Well, if is just only a hobby and not your main source of income that you need to make comics, then you don't have to push yourself.

I guess the meaning of a hobby is doing something you enjoy, so if it has the possible effect of damaging your mental/physical health, then maybe it's not worth it.

[M.ComicFan]

Well here's the thing. My eventual goal is to become a professional comic artist, and I'm hoping to start by working on this comic. I guess you could say it's a hobby for now, but I'd rather start working on it now so I have some experience later.

[NotDawnKara]

If it’s just a hobby then maybe go on a hiatus for a while? Come back again when you have the inspiration.
You can try working on your art, not for your comic, just draw illustrations or backgrounds.
Work on things that you’re bad at. And maybe when you’re confident enough, your enthusiasm may come back. That’s how I cope with that at least

[ble]

Oh well, then I'm on the same boat.

Maybe you're going through what is called a burned up phase or whatever is called. Last year, I went on hiatus, and only like a month or so that I started to draw my comic again.

[M.ComicFan]

That's not a bad idea. I'll definitely consider it.

[gabriellabalagna]

Oh hey, don't be down. I often find it hard to work on my comic too. I actually just wrote a blog post about how to finish a comic because I was feeling tired of working on mine.

If you want to be a professional someday, then I recommend these two art videos I really like:
Finished Not Perfect
Art Advice to My Past Self

And as for general tips, I'd say just try to make things FUN, change things up, reward yourself if you get your work done, and talk to fellow artists to get support.

I know you can do it! Just push yourself the amount your comfortable with.

[MzBun]

Perhaps set up a schedule for yourself? To work on your comic and also setting aside some time for breaks.

[M.ComicFan]

I've been doing that. It's not really working out for me that well. Even if I change the time that I work, I'm still finding it difficult to actually do it on certain days.

[MzBun]

Do you know why you are feeling it difficult on certain days? Is it because of motivation or not enough inspiration? Maybe posing problems? Finding how it makes you feel that way might help

Sometimes when I find myself out of ideas or inspiration, I look at sketches and artwork from artists I like and try to study their lines; how they start, and how the lines flow. Sometimes just starting a random doodle can get you started even if it's not related to the comic.

[M.ComicFan]

I might try that. Thanks.

[Caro]

I agree with the advice already given tbh. If it’s not something you absolutely HAVE to do you’re allowed to take some time off.

But I’ll also add something I like to do when I’m feeling a little burned out; I like to start a little mini comic that I can knock out in a day or two and won’t interfere with my work too much.

Sometimes I need the jolt and the excitement of seeing something finished and right now I’m in the middle of a deadline for another comic that feels like the end is nowhere in sight. So last week I just sat down and did a quick little 8-page comic to get out of my rut and now I’m back on my regular schedule of producing pages for the main project.

Maybe it’s the little boost of confidence from having something done but I think the writing I did after I stepped away from my main project is much better for it; I feel like I finally have some clear direction again and its good.

Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to have more examples of your work under your belt if your goal is to do it for a living. I don’t know a ton of people who get hired or published after only doing ONE comic.

But also, if it really is something you want to eventually do for a living you do have to realize that it is still a job and even the things you feel most passionately about will sometimes feel like WORK. It is inevitable but work is just work; everybody has to clock in and clock out and sometimes it can feel like a real slog! It’s something you’ll have to deal with in every profession. It does take time and effort and some mental fortitude to be able to stick through to finish projects. It isn’t all just the fun honeymoon phase even when your job is to get to draw!

[M.ComicFan]

Thank you. I'll keep all of this in mind.