Have I gotten better at drawing action scenes? (or do I still suck?)

KennethLopezJr921 2023-08-25 00:59:48 UTC #1

Oh boy, I might end up regretting posting this later on....

About 2 years ago, I received a critique that I wasn't good at drawing action scenes and they used this page as an example. Now its not like I didn't get what they were saying because honestly, it really came out half baked, but the idea that I hadn't improved upon the first action scene of my comic, whose pages I had drawn in 2019, scared me at the time. Like, how I could draw a Shonen action series if I was shit (and forever shit) at drawing intense fight scenes? That question was put to the test earlier this year where I finally got around to drawing the climatic fight of my series' first chapter, almost 4 years after I had drawn the last one when I began drawing it. I will admit I was anxious throughout the whole process and that led to the process being a lot more stressful and anger inducing than if I had been drawing a regular dialogue page. But in the end, I feel that the fight that takes place in episode 11 of my comic, and will conclude in episode 12 when I finish it, are leagues above the opening fight scene in episode 1, and the small bits of action sprinkled throughout the 9 in between eps. But I wanted to ask anyone else' opinions on weather you guys think I've gotten better, if there's anything I need to improve on, or if I haven't improved and that Im just as bad as ever. I will link episodes 1 and 11 so you guys have a point of comparison and one of the finished pages from episode 12 as well.

Page from upcoming Part 12 of Chapter 1

Also, if that person I mentioned happens to read this, please dont take this as me calling you out. I have no vendetta against you for what you said because I feel like I needed to hear that, since I was on a bit of a high around that time since I was improving like crazy and thinking I was hot shit. And that did bring back down to reality and realize that I had room to grow as an artist. Please dont take this wrong way

euphridia 2023-08-25 01:37:33 UTC #2

I looked at both (as someone who can't really draw but loves comics) and I would say you've gotten better overall (not just with action scenes but the line art and composition and everything!) So yes, you've gotten better at drawing period.

Also... I subscribed! ^_^

KennethLopezJr921 2023-08-25 01:41:08 UTC #3

That's really nice to hear.... Also thank you subbing :D.

vapidink 2023-08-25 01:44:50 UTC #4

Not a comic artist, but you've definitely improved! Your more recent sample looks a lot more dynamic.

VividRunning 2023-08-25 05:24:35 UTC #5

It looks SO good. I could see this in a comic store.

darthmongoose 2023-08-25 05:32:35 UTC #6

The old action scene wasn't terrible (I've seen worse in pretty big webcomics), but it was unfocused, with a slightly janky sense of the momentum, and the relationship between cause and effect, the attack and the reaction, making it feel unfocused, and the space in panels wasn't used quite efficiently, so it felt just a little amateurish (even though the actual drawing of figures, perspective etc. wasn't bad).

The new one looks excellent. You could put that in a portfolio to show a big print publisher and they'd likely be impressed, because that's publishable quality work. There's a strong sense of momentum, I can tell exactly what's happening and what the impact of the attacks and the reactions are, and the choice of shot angles are dynamic and use the space well.

In summary, great job, you should feel proud of yourself.

moontokkym 2023-08-25 07:14:55 UTC #7

I had a look at the previous page and it wasn't too bad in terms of actual art but yeah I did have to take a second to work out was happening. Because it looks to me that she's falling forward I thought that the character to the left had tripped her up, but then got confused seeing their legs nowhere near hers. It took only a couple of seconds to see the leg coming in hitting her from the back but it's not the sort of impact you want on a reader, especially if that sort of problem repeated more in a longer action sequence.

I'm happy to report that on the part 12 page you posted I had no such issue, it's really clean and clear what's going on, who's going where, especially that first panel the momentum is great! Great job on taking critique and working hard to improve! Stuff like this is why I come to the forums!

GodbreakerComic 2023-08-25 13:22:36 UTC #8

New page is really well done. Dynamic shots (first panel especially. Him coming right at you to kick things off was a great call), the movements are telegraphed and easy to follow, there's a sense of speed and intensity.

If there is anything you need to improve on? No, I wouldn't say need but I'm sure based on the growth already shown just keep going and you'll continue to improve.