Feel bad about my comics (just speaking out)

unknown_user 2019-03-31 09:59:37 UTC #1

I've started to make comics - not novel - because I wanted to show how my characters and other things I've come up with look like in my head. But I constantly fail in this. Everything look not how I truly want, no matter how I try. I'm really passionate about my ideas and plot, but in the same time, I'm deeply unsatisfied with an implementation.
I'm trying to express in comics, how exaclty should my story look like, shape it, polish its details.
I hoped (and still a bit hope) that when (if) I will end the comics, I'll understand better how should everything be represented to look good. After that, I would really want to make a computer game with the same plot and characters, using all the art, created in the process of drawing comics, as a groundwork. But how will I make good looking game, if I can't make good art?
It looks like everyone makes action scenes, dialogues and express emotions of their characters better than me. All these things are clumsy, straitened and expressionless in my implementation.
When (if) I will have more money, I probably will be able to hire normal artist to draw everything well and handsomely. But I'm afraid that they will not manage to express exactly what I want, even despite better quality of art. So even then I will not be fully satisfied.

Of course, I'm going to develop the story further anyway, but it's so sad that it cannot be as I want it, its more just like a shadow of what I want.

I know that my comics will never be as popular, as cute, funny, light-themed, sweet-romance, good action or power-fantasy comics. But still, more people could like it, if I could do it better. But I can't.
I don't even quite understand, why there are a couple of readers who say that they like it a lot even as it is, draw fanart by themselves and are seemingly waiting for an updates. I can't know for sure, but it seems like they are sincere about it. I'm glad, but I don't fully understand why they like it so much if there are so many better things.

I don't even know why I'm writing all of this. Probably I just need to disburden my mind.

JackOfArtAndProse 2019-03-31 10:05:35 UTC #2

If they like it, it might be because they can sense how much effort you're putting into it. Like with writing, art shows when a lot of effort has been put into it - this can happen even if your skills aren't up to snuff.

That said, we only become better through practice, so keep at it. Your fans know what they like, so have more confidence in yourself. If you draw every day, you'll become a little bit better every day(provided that you aspire to learn). Learn while having fun. Fail while having fun. Be a visionaire, aspire for the heights... but remember, you need to deal with it one day at a time. So enjoy the everyday act of becoming better inch-by-inch, and don't worry about becoming better faster than what human mind and body can take.

SERMON MODE DEACTIVATED

DeformedSunflower 2019-03-31 10:37:30 UTC #3

There are hundreds, maybe thousands of comics in Tapas. If someone thinks your comic isn't up their alley, they're just a click away from reading another. The fact that people stayed, anticipated for upcoming updates, and even drew fan arts about your work means they genuinely care about it. They're staying because they want to, because your comic is worth it.

Rather than being hung up on how far you still are from the goal, try looking at how far you've come instead. There are always going to be people who are better than you. But instead of degrading yourself because you're worse than others, learn from them instead. What is it that you like about this author's art? Imitate how they did it, draw that particular scene in your style, practise, practise, practise.
Rome is not built in one day, experience will make you wiser. Turn that dissatisfaction into motivation.

I'm going to end this with a quote from Pocahontas:
"How high does a sycamore grow? If you cut it down, you'll never know."

Good luck

Merle 2019-03-31 11:05:33 UTC #4

I know that feeling. You know you could do better, at the same time as you don´t know how to - yet.
Progress takes time, and for some (me included) it takes more time than for others.
I´ve compared myself to others a lot, too. Can´t help it. "How come they make it looks so easy, their styles look so good, it´s so funny and cute, so emotional, so heartwarming, so much action...how do they do it?"

I think when you continue to grow and improve your technique, you´ll automatically develope your own style in both storytelling and Art. And then one day (or maybe that´s already the case) somebody will look at your style and story and wonder how you do it -> and you yourself will know off the long road that is behind you, that is behind everyone creating for a long time.
We just usually don´t see that long road, when we just look at what someone elses skills and Art are now.

If you´ll keep working at it, you´ll get there!
As an actual Tipp I could tell you to compare some of your old drawings with newer ones, and see how much you´ve progressed over time.. already.

unknown_user 2019-03-31 14:21:49 UTC #5

Thanks, I'll try!

Hmm... if think about it, than yes, I've actually gone a long way.
I'm still here after 11 months of developing the story, including 7 months of publishing it in the internet. I had several scrapped concept arts and several early very ugly versions of the first issue, which were redone several times (old versions are already deleted for long ago). Besides, I had a very few time for drawing in first 3 months because of work, so everything went slow. That's why there is so big gap between an initial idea and start of publishing.
I've published more than 60 pages during these 7 months (if include additional bonus arts and sheets with different descriptions). Maybe for someone it sounds like not very much, but for me it was a long road. Even if quality of these pages isn't high, they have been done at least somehow, and yes, I managed to learn how to draw faster and a little bit better from it.

I'm trying to understand what makes others art attractive to me or not, since starting to draw my comics. But I don't quite get it yet.
Your advice to draw particular scenes, which I like, in my style, sounds interesting, maybe it'll help to sort things out.

Thank you. But I myself wouldn't say that my progress is really big. Mostly I've just learned how to pick suitable smoothing for different lines, make these lines a bit more exact, divide picture to layers and draw somewhat faster. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

vothnthorvaldson 2019-03-31 14:37:46 UTC #6

I think you focus too much on the imperfections and not enough on what you already do well. Which is normal as an artist, I suppose. But that explains the gap between your perception and the perception of the reader.
Also, the reader doesn't know how you wanted to draw things. For you, your comic page is like a bad version of what you originally wanted to do; for the reader it's the only version, and the only need here is for it to be good enough.

I do think you have something interesting with your comic. I find all aspects to be very consistent in an absurd, quirky way. The overall universe, the colors/grainy texture, the humor, the paradoxical 1970'-like documentation documenting advanced technologies.. And even the slightly weird phrasing! Everything is weird but creates a oddly consistent universe.

I can get your frustrations in term of the clumsiness of your characters, but I think you will improve on this point with time. I think the overall design and art style of your characters fit the story just well, so you 'just' have to get better at doing something you already know how to do. To me, you have everything set to make it work, you just need more time to achieve a level of quality that you could be satisfied with.

And so many worse! Including things with great art, but that's not enough to make a comic.

unknown_user 2019-03-31 14:42:15 UTC #7

Thank you. These words really mean a lot for me. I'll try to keep them in mind.

unknown_user 2019-03-31 14:47:59 UTC #8

It's because I myself have a weird inclination to old-style documentation, ancient console programs (like vim), and new, advanced technologies in the same time.

jensrichard77 2019-03-31 14:49:49 UTC #9

I feel you bro, and have a similar problem.
I put a lot of time and effort in my comic. And I just got the questions in my Q&A
"Do you know how draw well?"

That Is a fair question BC the comic is intentionel made with low key.
The dilemma I have now is what to answer.
"Yes I can" = disappointed reader that I don't delver hig end art.
"No sorry" = disappointed reader that no longer will take me serous.

But no matter what. The readers is there, and we shall continue.
And as @kirschwassen has pointed out.

And here is what I always tell myself:

vothnthorvaldson 2019-03-31 14:51:52 UTC #10

Well, that's a great choice in my opinion!

I love the old doc too, I grew up in it, literally (there are pictures of me crawling on that). Born in 1980 from a computer guy haha.

vothnthorvaldson 2019-03-31 14:56:29 UTC #11

Maybe tell them the truth, which is, if I remember well, that you CAN draw more conventionally, but that is not the point of this specific comic, which is more about non-conventional and interactive storytelling (I suppose?) than about art? It's NOT a easy comic to describe!

(Now I go to work, everyone feel free to shout at me if you see me here haha)

inactive_account 2019-03-31 16:39:13 UTC #12

Oh man, I feel EXACTLY the same. Just as if it was me writing these words.

And since I'm struggling with the same problems I'll just stick to this thread for more positive ideas.

You're not alone.

simplykit 2019-03-31 17:35:02 UTC #13

hey buddy, cheer up , ive felt this too when making my manga or just drawing stuff

but i hope you dont give up, your ideas are cool, so hang in there bro

LCT_m_a_d 2019-03-31 17:51:49 UTC #14

Im starting to find that that what I wanted to make isn't where I was being led. So I resisted, and as a result not only was I fighting my growth, but also expectations that didn't serve me or others properly. Sometimes, your unshakable weakness is opportunity for your greatest strengths to manifest.

For what its worth your writing is very impressive.

TheSpaghettimobile 2019-03-31 22:17:11 UTC #15

Hey man, the fact that you have decided to go down the comic route (which is a very difficult task requiring lots of time and passion) is already amazing. Don't compare yourself to others - everyone learns at their own rate, and that's fine. Knowing that you can constantly improve your own work is what makes a good artist

beta1042 2019-04-01 03:06:55 UTC #16

Definitely feel this way at times... I just keep on going knowing that one day it'll get easier (some things already have), and I hope then one day I'll just be able to do the type of art I see in my head.

ble 2019-04-01 03:21:23 UTC #17

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DasIstWunderblyat 2019-04-01 08:51:20 UTC #18

Maybe my opinion won't be needed or appreciated here, but I feel like I should say something as one of your readers. No, I won't share sappy "Be the best of" or "Keep working until you make it" kind of lecture because I'm not the best one to tell it.

I think we share sentiment of hiring another artist; unless they're someone we know and/or involved in the development, I fear things won't be portrayed as it is in our vision. Also a part of my selfishness wants my own work to be mine and only mine, you can't call it yours if you share it with someone.

What defines "Better" is different from person to person, it's about the taste. I honestly can't concur how someone can choose a popular romance cookie-cutter webcomic over a meticulously crafted story by a smaller creator. The proof you have active subscribers and got fanart means your work is anticipated and appreciated, there are people who like it, there's a market for it.

Just because a work is popular and widely liked, it doesn't always mean it is good; most of population just happen to know and like it.

I personally follow your work because it takes a simply weird idea, but still have substance that I don't get lost in it. It's something weird that you don't know why you're attracted to it. While it's true that the interaction is a bit stiff and there are still many available improvement for the art, note that it's still the beginning that even you will improve later on without you realize.

Darkstrong 2019-04-01 09:11:25 UTC #19

I am just going to say, that your drawing is so much better then mine =) And it is really cool, that you are able to both write and draw your comic, it will probably take me at least a year to get to your level. On the other hand, if you are struggling with getting better, maybe it is time to iterate. Wrap up your current story; take everything you have learned and start something new. It is often very hard to improve, when you are burdened by something that is already done: style, flow, plot. Maybe if you will start something else, you will be able to see just how much you have improved, and in turn have another leap in quality.

amortelito 2019-04-01 19:05:53 UTC #20

Makes me sad to read that you are struggling. What I see in your comic is sincerity without filters. You have a story you are passionate about and I think that you are telling it pretty well. I quit reading so many professional-looking comics because they seem like copies of other stories that have been done before so many times. Heavenly art doesn't equate to good entertainment.
Your comic is fearless and I respect the fact that you are doing what you want despite not being what mainstream or mass readers are looking for.

I get the struggle of not being able to show the world you have in your head accurately when you have to draw the pages. I can't make action scenes, they look always look stiff and I have to redraw things a lot. But it is easy to forget that some other artists have been practicing for years, and professional comics/manga/TV shows often have a team devoted to make the project. If the main artists are not good at drawing backgrounds the editor brings someone who can take the chore, or if a panel is looking messy the editor can help the artists to fix it. Here in freelance comics, we are learning on our own.

Making comics is literally a job that we are learning in our free time, so it is also a matter of being patient and work to develop the skills you need. Maybe it will never look "perfect" but I hope you can reach a point in which you are happy with the results.