Emotionally invested in your comic/drawings?

[efdvorsky]

I don't think I've written something that makes me personally cry or felt the emotion to? Not for the lack of trying mind you, I've had people proof read my things and cry, or I've gone to my editor like "is it okay if I NOT do this?" because it's made me sad but in the end I go with it anyway if it's better for the story. I've felt the pain in my chest, but also I feel a hint of excitement more than anything because I accomplished making people feel something.

I mean, Cosmic Fish is all about the uncertainty of life and the universe, and there's a lot of emotion that can grow from there be it negative or positive; and especially each personal trial the characters go through. There IS a lot of emotion but I try to stay focused on making sure it works more than being overwhelmed by it or choosing to back off with some choices. It works for the story and the message, so sticking with it, you know?

[XexiliaZajac]

I totally agree! The art we create is a language unto itself; Each brush stroke, the subject matter, the placement, colors chosen, and more. I think, as artists, we often lose sight of this--especially in art school--have you seen the memes for Art School Owl? I found one once that said "The only way to be successful. . .Forget everything you learned in art school." I find it interesting that you, too, are most attracted to work you KNOW not to be 'perfect'--but you can feel the joy the artist has for doing it, coming through the screen. I'm the same way; You learn that, in these classes, how to draw--and that just about anyone can choose to learn this skill.

The part these classes can't give you is emotion in your work; And like my teacher, they will encourage you not to have an emotional investment in any work you do--just so that if it's critiqued, you can emotionally handle that (Trust me--some people use "critique" as an excuse to just put you down; If they are, that's a good thing, because they wouldn't do that if your work didn't make them feel insecure about their own, or that they perceive you as a threat to their own goals! I personally always contact people directly and ask for critiques in private, and I've gotten much better results this way--but that's for a thread of it's own XD Back to topic!)

I think that's what they mean by 'Forget everything you learned in art school"; Art school will make you draw beautiful images. . .but it won't give you ideas, creativity, or emotion. That all comes from within the artist. I actually attended a high school with a special arts program; I would have joined, except the students in it were. . .stuck up jerks o_o They would talk about art and how, without being in the program, you could never truly appreciate it!
They taught these kids the basics; The grid, etc. These students usually got favoritism when it came to school art contests, and picking work to display around the school. For four years, I walked past picture after picture of identical vases of flowers, all from different angles. They were completely devoid of emotion--it felt like robots, not even human beings, had created these. I notice this with a lot of art school projects--even in college--because the teacher places restrictions on the project. This year, my teacher made us draw various statues. Those of us who could draw it well enough to make it look identical to the statue, of course, got the highest grade.
. . .But when I walked around, I was most fascinated by the art these kids were making that wasn't life like--I mean, why would I want an identical image of the statue? That's why we have cameras! Camera's freed us--now we can express ourselves! I liked, much better, the pieces that almost seemed to be interpretations of the statue. I was also sad, because I knew with enough training. . .this could disappear from their skill set. My teacher didn't say this, but I will; Look at learning art as a collection of styles you are accumulating. Never lose that childish style--and don't sacrifice it for mirror images of life; That childish style? It's charming! It's cute! It's adorable, magical! Please, never let it go.

Here's an example; When I was a kid, my older sister, father, and I all helped to make a gift for our mother; A nativity scene. Shapes were cut out of wood blocks (Dad's job) and people were painted (My sister), and I did the star. She still has it, and asked who made it. When I told her, I remarked, "I don't know why she [my sister] let me paint the star--it's all lop sided."
"I like it," my mother said, "That's what gives it it's charm."
You have to understand, my mom is not the kind of parent who says anything I produce is wonderful; She'll tell me, and has, if she doesn't like a piece I do (Example; Manga. She just hates the style in totality.) So this statement caught me off guard. Even more so, it caught me off guard because all my favorite artists?

It's not about how perfectly they can draw--but the emotions. Sure, the star is lop sided--but that, that "error"--is what makes it cute! And as a child, I loved to paint, so you can tell I was having a good time.
Yet my art teacher, if he saw that, would point to it and say, "Fix this." I can fix it--but I'll just make it another tool in my mental art tool box; But I'll always have a drawer full of lop sided stars inside of that tool box, too ; )

[Vikiro_Hop]

@Stronas Wow that is really insane. It's definitely impressive that you were able to create something with such an impact that it could elicit such a primal fear from not only you, but your friend. Fear can be a hard emotion to bring out, without resulting to cliches and even then it doesn't work for everyone.

I'd say I get more invested in my stories than I would with my drawings. There are many times within my writing where I have had trim stuff out because it was a bit to heavy. It is a lot easier to let the mental and emotional flood gates open when I'm writing.

For the gag strip I do I try to poke fun at my insecurities and faults which is really cathartic and fun. With that in mind its sort of an emotional investment.

[ashriott]

I think a lot of Tapastic webcomic artists take drawing their comics very seriously which only leads to us being emotionally invested. As most people would say, my comic is my baby. One of my life goals is to finish drawing all my series before I kick the bucket(and not being able to finish scares me... a lot).

When I'm writing the script, I do tend to feel the moment eg. a rush when writing action or important relevations, heartache on sad scenes, a chill writing darker scenes etc. When it comes to drawing, I instinctively do the expression I'm drawing, cause I dunno, I guess it helps? I know this last point is very common among artists : )

[shinavar]

This is all fascinating to read and I find it really cool that there are people who can connect like that to their work! A lot of the examples read just blow my mind (especially @Stronas ).

I know I have invoked emotions out of other people with my work (mostly with my characters and stories, no so much my art that I know of) but I can't recall a time I have affected myself. This is actually a topic I had been considering as of late as it is something many of my peers voice constantly (a friend recently admitted how one page she's done reduced her to tears from happiness, which is amazing to hear! I just cannot relate to this though.)

I do admit, at times, I feel like I'm 'not doing it right' because of this disconnect and I'm not sure why it's like this. Not saying I don't feel anything for my work, of course! It's my passion and I love doing it and the drive to work and complete it really excites me but I think I'm just wired differently.

[phen]

It would probably be difficult not to become emotionally invested in something you've created. Even the writers and directors of things such as impersonal television ads become attached to the micro-segments of a character's life. I've read about the physical pain they go through watching their "baby" get torn and shredded down to the bare bones of its structure -- all from an advert for a sports drink!

From my experience, though, it's often a highly protective element. One that makes me feel like pulling them away from the public eye. It's very much like being exposed, vulnerable to the elements but there's such an incredibly real feeling of pride in how these fictional beings have managed to realise themselves over time. The longer you "know" them, the more you find yourself. I almost feel indebted to them for helping me through writing and drawing to overcome my own personal struggles. A very utilitarian notion!

But yeah, there's a reflex of affection for the crazy little characters in their crazier little worlds and a terrific drive to oversee how they might function, operate, feel. It's a given that you must understand their emotions to convey them. That includes joy, fear, sadness, happiness, excitement, anxiety, etc. etc.

I always get so excited when I get a surprise reaction out of a character! Driving down the road, "Oh my god, that's why you wouldn't buy those cookies that time!"

[heterodont]

I'm on the same boat as @shinavar!

It's interesting to see how connected some people can get into their work, and it's always great to see someone pour their emotions and feelings into art! I definitely can't do that though. I have some strange disconnect to my works (in real life as well, not to say im some heartless human being - i have issues with comprehending emotions and putting myself 'in someone elses shoes'. I can definitely pick up when people aren't feeling their regular self, I just don't know how to go about dealing with it but I digress.)

I remember telling my partner how my story ended, and they ended up cutting the call AND breaking their headphones just because of it (note: i asked if they wanted to be spoiled prior to this, they said yes) - meanwhile, I was just sitting there waiting for them to restart the call like :l. It's like that with so many other situations so many others would find sad, it just doesn't affect me at all.

Not to say I don't care about my characters or making a comic! I do care for all of them as if they were my children, but I'll be damned if I don't chuckle a bit whenever I think of a horrific situation involving them to share with my partner.

[Kamikaze]

Absolutely!

There's a moment in Kamikaze where, after being chased and seeing a few people die in front of her, our lead character finally gets home completely overwhelmed, and just starts sobbing. Her father's not used to seeing Markesha cry like this (she doesn't usually cry), so when he comforts her it's both heartbreaking and sweet. You can see the page here.

Doing the ink and paint for that page I just wanted to take Markesha into my arms and hug her tight. I've learned that if I'm feeling that strongly about a drawing or page panel, I'm doing my job right. ALL of the comments on that page had people feeling the same way I was. It's really satisfying to have your readers feel exactly what you mean them too.

[whitherling]

I definitely get emotionally invested in my comic! @Vikiro_Hop hit the nail on the head on the writing side, regarding the mental and emotional floodgates being open. For me, it's partly because I find writing easier to erase and edit and change than drawings. I let myself do whatever feels right at the time when I'm doing the write-up, and I can get really sucked into the emotional drama.

Then I cut the vast majority of it out when I get to the storyboarding and drawing, but I still end up with this sort of thing all too often:

[alakotila]

Definitely. Hinting at some of the torture my main character went through was one of the hardest things I had to draw. It was not much (in terms of panels devoted to it), but it was necessary to show why he acts the way he does, and how he deals with it. It wasn't one of those casual 'dark past' things thrown in. This has an impact on him in the story and it has to be dealt with and acknowledged. I had to draw it. As hard as it was to do.... Whenever I get to the end of my script though in edits I'm so happy I almost cry. Maybe because I'm proud of it. These are my darlings!

er....

I'm pretty sure if someone sat there watching any comic artist script or draw they would see our faces cover every single emotion within the hour. I dunno about you, but I tend to match expressions with my characters as I draw them ^^;

[Mharz]

I think artists should be emotionally invested in their art. There are a lot of artists out there that has really good technique but their art doesn't really seem like there's feelings in them. It just feels so empty. Like they're just drawing robots or something.

As for my webcomic, I put bits of my personality, past, and emotions onto my characters. Every single night I imagine how my characters feel on the things that I made/will make them go through and I really feel them.

[alakotila]

I wondered if anyone else went to sleep mulling over character thoughts and story paths ^^

High fives!

[mariusthered]

Every dam night for the last three years ( The Mayor of swipe city always has his citizens in mind lol)

[zoonland]

I am not emotionally invested in Zoonland, even if sometimes I feel sorry for one of my characters because he is so unlucky! But I really hated one of the bad guys I created for one of my stories. He was so awful that I was disgusted myself!

[toonsfera]

I'm somewhat emotionally invested in anything that I draw, mainly in mangas like Scarlet Black and Rearth that have some tense moments, but It's just me that yawns drawing things like this?

[shazzbaa]

There's a great song called Breath (2AM) that sums up my feelings really well in the last verse:

If I get it all down on paper, it's no longer
Inside of me, threatening the life it belongs to

For me, when I draw something that's extremely cathartic, it's calling up those feelings that makes me emotional moreso than the piece itself. Once the thing is drawn, it's out. Putting my feelings into art or a story is kind of a way of getting them into a form I have more control over.
There's a lot I can't say for SURE about stories since nothing emotionally horrible has happened in RW, but putting feelings into a story tends to add a layer of abstraction, for me; while I want to channel as much of my feelings as I can, I'm also looking at it through the filter of another character's emotions and hopes and dreams and fears. It's not really my emotion, not fully; but it's not fully someone else's, either, and that means I don't feel it the same way I would if it were entirely mine or entirely someone else's.

[ErithEl]

I'm way too emotionally invested in my comic/characters. Especially when I have to draw pages like this one. It actually makes me worried for scenes I will have to draw in the future. It's one thing to write it and have a picture in your head, but when you actually see the characters going through something awful...

This is actually why I can't work on the comic as quickly as I would like because it's hard for me to do anything before work on days where I close because sometimes I will become emotionally compromised (so lame, I know!) and it's really hard to get through an entire day of work like that!

[KSlinger]

Totes. This scene with Glista after she's pulled out the building was especially emotional for me. Glista is someone's sister and, being a sister, it kind of hurt to have to put myself in her shoes. I wouldn't want any of my family to be in her position, and I'm dreading the scene where Jed finally finds her's and has to tell them what happened. Like full on don't even want to draw it.

[mg78]

if i create the story of a comic, i have to listen the right music, ready to translate what i feel (not easy) and stay @ my pc, alone, without none near me, in a quiet room. time pass without indication, im in another world, "in that world". i feel the pressure to end it when im near the end itself, i feel the sadness when something inthe story got sad moments and so on.

if i draw then it's another story. while i write its like to surf in rapids'river, and all its so full intense, when i move to draw all change. im damn slow to draw, so i have to make emotion be clear somewhere in me. and they stay so for loooong time. i keep that idea for all the time needed. so much that it happen to forget the feeling and i just move with instict. there re also "moments". periods where i move in a draw what my emotion "feel" like a cold detached emotion or an evil dark situation or a nightmare or love or whatever...

when i create something, yes im imvested all the way by emotions and feelings. better to say: they move me. so, back in the first question "Are you emotionally invested in your comic/drawings?" the answer it's YES, beacuse without it i would not draw or create anything.

[kambreapratt]

Yes.
I think no matter how much you try, if you create something, you are putting yourself in it. I do the writing for our comic and I have found myself crying over an event or laughing at something my characters said. My friend Robin from Leylines Comic has often said about her characters having their own "voice" and hearing them say what they would say and tell you that they wouldn't say or do something. I think that is true and I find myself hearing them often. So they are part me and part their own entity. But I am in every character (except for the couple Thom created and he writes their dialogue)