I started an action fantasy webcomic using the Sims 4

[JWZagst]

I decided to use Sims 4 footage of my characters for panels and frames and such for my webcomic, but once I get an artists' drawing tablet, I'm going to replace each page with my own art. I really wanted to start telling Kai Hexum's story, so figured Sims 4 would be a good temporary tool until I secure the means to create original digital art. I tried using my mouse to trace over my hand-drawn sketches but it just looks horrible, and I really want to show this story with bright digital colors. So, started using Sims 4 for now, figured I'd share it here to see if it piques anyone's interest.

Read Kai Hexum | Tapas Web Community

[jwabeasley]

Several years ago, I tried using the Sims 4 as a reference for backgrounds, but I was constantly hampered by the game camera! Make sure you get a mod that gives you a freer and more controlled camera and lighting setup.

You can also do the whole comic traditionally and just scan/photograph your pages. That's what I do. You can also cut the photos up digitally into the scroll format, like @diamantecreate does in WolfTrain to Heaven. People will probably like it better than game screenshots, even if you're using the screenshots as reference.

Read WolfTrain to Heaven | Tapas Web Community

[JWZagst]

The Tab mode cinematic camera works pretty well for getting good angles in-game. And the issue with scanning or photographing my sketches is that it's harder to use layering. Once I have an artists' drawing tablet, each webcomic page I do will have multiple layers. There will be a layer with flat colors filled in using the Bucket tool, another layer on top of that for shading, another layer on top of that for magical effects happening in the panel, etc. The only way to make that work with my hand-drawn sketches is to trace them in GIMP or Clip Studio, but with only my mouse, the tracing looks absolutely horrible, lol. I'm just not very good at using my mouse to draw or trace.

To give you an example, here are some drawings I did with a mouse ages and ages ago:

And one I did more recently where I traced an image of Kai Hexum from the Sims:

As you can see, my line work is pretty atrocious when using a mouse. Now, when I hand-draw stuff, it is by no means fantastic, but tracing them with a mouse would significantly reduce their quality in my view.

[jwabeasley]

So what's stopping you from doing your colors by hand, too? No markers, paints, or colored pencils?

Can you access a basic scanner? Most printer/copier combos can scan, and you can also usually find one to use at public libraries or any print shop. If you scan your drawing, then you can set it to 'multiply' and do all your colors underneath it with very little effort and no manual tracing required. I'm sure the digital artists here have lots of tricks to make it go even faster.

If you really feel that you must trace the drawings by mouse, try using a vector painting program, that'll let you get those smooth lines you want.

But even lacking those tools, here's my 10 minute GIMP edit, mouse only, based on your photo:

Lack of tools is a challenge to be solved, not an insurmountable obstacle.

[JWZagst]

I prefer the look of digitally-colored comics for brighter colors and magical effects, since my story will feature quite a lot of magically-fueled battles. And the issue with coloring my drawings the way you colored my sketch of Izuku is that the linework becomes washed out. That's why I mentioned wanting an artist's drawing tablet, so I can draw with a digital pen instead of a mouse. That way I can sketch over a transparent layer and then put the base colors on a separate layer under the linework. As stated in my initial post, the use of Sims 4 is only temporary until I can afford the drawing tablet, but you're right, people may not appreciate seeing a comic made from game footage. I'll be better off waiting until I have the tablet to continue with Kai Hexum's story. But I still want to share some of the cool shots I got from game footage for the comic, so I'll just post those as solo images.

[wolflu66]

If you want to do digital art and work on a PC, a good drawing tablet is still necessary.

Besides being difficult to use, a mouse will make you more prone to tendonitis in the long run.XD

Personally, I use both CSP (on PC) and Procreate (iPad).

Read Roars and Whispers | Tapas Web Community

[JWZagst]

Although I have decided to wait until I have a drawing tablet to resume the webcomic, I still wanted to tell Kai Hexum's story, so I am writing a novel version for now.

Read Kai Hexum (Novel) | Tapas Web Community

[NGChloe]

interesting idea. I feel like it would be limiting, but looking at the pages it seems to work
GLASSFLOWER
URSA AND THE SCARF SQUAD
Let me tell you a tale.

From the Dead Oceans, Kumamoto Setsune reawakens after thirty hundred years. Without a home, with who knows how much time left, and with her life the target of many an Aeternum, Disaster Beast, and more, she travels towards her old home. In the Great City of Rem, she seeks to find something for herself.

Welcome to the Recycling Theatre, enjoy your stay
Genres: Action-Fantasy, Drama, LGBTQ
Sub genres: psychological, Slow Burn, Sci Fi
Inspirations: Gintama, Symphogear, Castlevania

Read Glassflower: Ursa and the Scarf Squad | Tapas Web Community

[JWZagst]

So, given that a few people have subscribed to the Sims 4 comic and it's also getting really popular on TikTok, I decided to go ahead and continue it. Hoping to have a new page up tonight.

[JWZagst]

Updated the webcomic. Since it's been getting some traction on here and TikTok, I'm gonna continue it for a while.

[JWZagst]

I've got pages scheduled for the next several days.

[JWZagst]

So I've got several pages scheduled to drop over the next few days: