Biggest Mistakes When Making Webcomics

brianorlando 2014-11-19 19:15:57 UTC #1

Not sure if you all have read this or not, but here's a great article on some of the biggest mistakes creators make when going into webcomics. It's written by Lauren Davis from io9.

http://io9.com/the-biggest-mistakes-people-make-when-they-start-a-webc-1614779817

To paraphrase, here are the main points:

1. Don't Expect Too Much Too Soon

2. Focus on the Story/Art first before you think about Monetizing

3. Plan Ahead and make a schedule that works for you

**4. Make Sure You Create Your Comic w/ High Res images****

Anyways, I highly recommend reading the article.

Thoughts?

feyuca 2014-11-19 20:01:28 UTC #2

Thanks Brian! These are all great points! Scheduling is important.

Another one I'd like to make for artists just starting out is: just do it. Don't wait until your art is "good enough." The fastest way to improve and learn is through making a series. It doesn't have to be the most amazing comic in the world, but trial and error is the best way to learn! A little bit of competitive spirit helps too

jessiepolfliet 2014-11-19 20:16:45 UTC #3

Yeah that's true. I m still not happy with my comic but this site is a great way to get feedback.

UzukiCheverie 2014-11-19 21:09:14 UTC #4

It should also be taken into consideration that if you're drawing a comic, people will be drawn in by the art, but they'll stay for the content 90% of the time. Having great art is, well, great, but if your content is no good, then your comic is no good. This is why comics like Cyanide and Happiness, xkcd, Homestuck, etc. can get away with being so popular and still having sub-par to minimal art - they have content that's worth reading every week u w u

This isn't to say of course that you shouldn't pay any attention to your art, especially if you love to draw, but sticking yourself in that rut of "i'll wait till I get better!" won't do you any good because chances are you'll never be satisfied with your work anyway. So just do it. Even famous artists have improved since they first began; you don't have to look far to find their first comics and see the difference between then and now.

L4213 2014-11-19 22:08:23 UTC #5

yup! as far as i know that's the biggest strategy when making comics, lure them in with good art, keep them in with the gorgeous story or content i've read a lot of comics/webcomics/manga that lacks one or another to a great extent that it makes the entire thing, for a lack of a better term, forgettable.

balance your art and your writing! the best comics usually have both!

Raven_C 2014-11-20 00:52:37 UTC #6

Im terrible at #3 especially. I dont have a buffer. ;_; Can't wait til vacation to build one.

AeroZero 2014-11-20 03:10:00 UTC #7

I second the things about content and buffer. It's important to have enough to be comfortable finding what kind of schedule you can do, while content and consistency is super important just so readers can know what to expect.
A friend once described good art as 'replay value' and the story as the initial draw. I agree with these viewpoints.

cyanste 2014-11-20 04:46:20 UTC #8

You're also going to find what you're truthfully good at and what you really need to work on ... like in a regular 9-to-5 job.

elixiadragmire 2014-11-20 10:05:02 UTC #9

Pssst ... me too. I've managed to grab a week! Need more!

elixiadragmire 2014-11-20 10:23:41 UTC #10

Just read the whole thing! I completely agree (need to work on that buffer, srsly) I can atest to the whole 'Biggest mistakes are not scanning and keeping work at a print resolution, 300dpi or higher.' There NOTHING more heartbreaking than re-doing work. And pre-press work is the devil (grrrrr GRRRRRR) mind numbing, soul sucking, anti-creative bit ... but necessary for print, if you can keep it to a minimum yet effective the better! (I normally built up pent up creative energy when doing it or burnout if it takes too long :s)