Late Bloomer but worth it!

[Tanako]

I started using drawing tablets in 2010 and I must say, I was very rusty and my hands were shaky. I remember being so proud of my work and I loved it. It was a challenge and over time I got a little better but I realized that my lines were still sketchy. One day my friend gave me a rough-textured flat paper-like sheet which I then put over my tablet so it gave it a textured-like feeling and I was able to control my lines better.

A couple of years after that screen tablets started to become popular but I still struggled with my lines on the regular tablet. The worst part of all is that I hadn't transitioned completely into digital. so why invest on a screen tablet?. My method was to draw on paper, scan it into the computer, open it into photoshop, and dissect the images into panels. It was easy this way because I could visually understand the way the image was positioned on each panel however, it wasn't a good use of my time because I had to, first of all, draw the comic on paper which was taking away from my actual illustration time.

As of this year "2020", I got a bit frustrated drawing on paper and decided to try drawing my comics directly on the computer because I needed to work fast. After all, I had spent 10 years struggling with the old method. And behold, I had unleashed something I never thought I had. The ability to actually sketch and draw without a pencil and paper. I couldn't believe I was able to achieve that. I kept on thinking to myself, what took so long? did I try at some point then gave up because it didn't look the way I wanted it to? or did I just not have enough confidence in myself?. either way, I had finally achieved it and boy WAS I FAST AFTER THAT! lol

In just a month I was able to get 60 pages ( 180 panels) all sketched out I kid you not. All I have to do is have my references lined up and I'm ready to go. Since I work full time I'm only able to spend at least 4-5 hours on my comics. After work, I can whip out at least 3 to 4 sketched scenes. since one page of my comic has about 2-3panels. that will easily be 7 panels. not bad at all. don't get me wrong, these are just sketches not including lineart. I like to have all my sketches first then go back and work on line art on my days off and maybe color if I can. It's easier that way.

So long story short. I have officially transitioned to "FULL DIGITAL". Took a while but eventually accomplished but not sure why it took me so long. it's all in the past now.
My next big step is eventually working with "Screen Tablets". that's a nightmare and I am dreading it. Hopefully, I will get the courage to transition again? lol if not, I will gladly remain with my regular non-screen tablet until the times right to move on.

My question for you all is, what is your experience? are you still working with the old method of draw and scan? or you full digital? what medium do you work with and how much progress have you seen on your part? please share.

Sample fo my sketch

[Rhonder]

congrats on the newfound speed I was kind of similar- 2020 is also the first year that I've moved to doing mostly/all digital artwork despite having a tablet since... 2012. I liked my original tablet quite a bit but I lacked experience and practice with it and so more often than not I would opt to just continue drawing on paper since it was faster and easier to get a quality result that way.

It wasn't until I started trying out comics again in 2017 that I busted out my tablet again for more-than-occasional usage. After a quick test run of doing a comic with markers on paper and deciding that would be too costly, I changed over to a similar method to what you describe: I would do the inking on big 11x17 paper. scan the page into the computer in 4 parts, and then do the coloring there for consistency and cost effectiveness. Since I had my tablet hooked up more often afterwards I started playing around with doing all digital work on the side in 2018, but I was still doing most of my stuff, comics or not, on paper.

At the end of 2018 I decided to upgrade to a screen tablet and hoo boy did that revolutionize my work lol. Granted part of the upgrade is also in pressure levels (my original tablet had ~1000 levels of sensitivity, this one has ~8000 which makes a HUUUUUGE DIFFERENCE OMG) but being able to just work on the same surface as the image was also super helpful Over 2019 I quickly got more and more accustomed to digital art, to the point where I was doing basically everything that wasn't my comic all digital. Even the comic in question... I considered several times swapping to all digital but figured it was close enough to finishing that I would keep the same work method for consistency.

Finally in 2020 I've made it to all digital. I haven't seen as much of a speed increase as you (that's incredible :D) but especially for comic work it is so so much faster. working with layers, and being able to marquee and reshape things quickly and the ability to copy/paste some elements (without a light box which I did use in my previous comic some xD), etc. I stand by "the tool doesn't make the artist" but at the same time having some nice tools can really elevate the work that you can already do

[CodeMonkeyArts]

I used to do Scan then digital back in high school and then eventually I taught myself how to draw on the tablet. I ended up becoming more of a PC drawing, going full digital, than doing any sketches again XD. I think I full transitioned...uhmmm...well probably when I got back into drawing a lot more in 2014.

So...yeah interesting. I do want to get into a screen tablet one day but those are pricey.

[Tanako]

WOW, that's amazing. geez, I'm sure you were spending a grip on those papers especially the 11x17 gosh. I never got to use those. I was too cheap and stayed with computer papers with a size of 8.5 x 11. was affordable. I also didn't work with markers either. didn't have enough confidence to venture into that area.
I am jealous of your screen tablet use. I want to get there but for some reason. I feel like I'll be slow and slow is not what I need now lol.
awesome job with your transition.

[Tanako]

Yes indeed they are. but I recently saw this ( Xp PEN) one and I am thinking of invention in it once I get my bonus check from work.
https://www.storexppen.com/buy/artist-22epro.html
I am a Wacom user. but lately Wacoms prices haven't been friendly since the whole screen tablet. I currently have their into pen tablet which is great but I'm so over those prices lol.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

I remember at 2015 I said to my friend, "There's no way I can do digital drawing, I'm not fit for it."

It all started by occasionally photographing and coloring my sketches in PicsArt for fun at 2016. On 2017-2018 I tried to do line and color in Ibis Paint X. In 2019 I already comfortable enough to sketch on it.

It is hard in my opinion to switch to digital medium like that because of the sensation, the output (nothing beats the real texture of traditional media), and the drawing process itself (I draw with my finger, very different from holding pen). It needs kinda steep learning curve so as a fellow late bloomer, congratulations!

Now, I fully draw digitally on my phone. If the pose or composition is difficult (which I rarely draw), I imported the hand drawn sketch. It gives me practicality and privacy, it's basically bringing your sketchbook and art supply everywhere with you.

[Dane_Sherbet]

You versus the guy she tells you not to worry about.

"She kind of has a type, doesn't she?"

[Tanako]

It needs kinda steep learning curve so as a fellow late bloomer, congratulations!

thank you

Now, I fully draw digitally on my phone.

Holy cow how do you do that? I wouldn't dream of drawing with my phone lol. I mean. it's small. but yes congratulations to you too and your art looks great. loving those cheekbones

[DasIstWunderblyat]

Thank you!
Well, I guess it just need habituation

[PaleOcra]

I understand the whole tablet 'issue', yes it takes a while to get used to it. I did buy a tablet but put it aside for 5yrs plus because I couldn't stand my drawings taking a plunge in quality then.

But one day, I told myself I would start a webcomic and just use the tablet in the cupboard. After a pre Chapter 1, and later, a real Chapter 1, I start getting used to it. Now it's not even a problem! Funny thing how I thought it was so 'difficult'?

This feels easier than learning how to rollerblade! That is why, whatever new things we do or have to adapt to, most importantly we have to grit through the first few tries!

Here is one of the latest digital drawing I did.

The Mist Silver Wolf

[alextsarace]

I'm a total full digital for years, I've already forgot how is it to draw in traditional way lmao

I think it's a lot easier to make art digitally, through sketch to final piece, though I don't appreciate those screen tablets. I always though it's a real godblessing but after I tried one I decidded I'd rather stick to my sweet old bamboo I've started with

[scribesunlimited]

Okay, from the title of this post, I had a really, really different expectation of what I was about to read....

[Caro]

I’m basically the opposite of this thread!

I used tablets for about 15 years before I realized I was ~allowed~ to draw traditionally and scan and it took realizing that half of my favorite artists do it that way too. I just work a lot faster on paper and don’t like having too much screen time and, honestly, in 15 years of digital I’ve never felt okay with the outcome of my lines. That and the ability to easily undo makes doing the amount of work I do in one day take closer to a week! I’m also probably a little bit swayed by the fact that I didn’t start making a living until I made the switch back to traditional so maybe it feels like it has a little magic for me.

I still work digitally for color and lighter, throwaway stuff though! I’m not opposed to making the switch fully one day but right now I’m on too many deadlines to pick it up again in any meaningful way and I honestly just don’t feel very compelled to at this point. Though maybe I’d feel differently if my thousands of comics pages were all stacked up in my studio and not in storage!

[pilot-obvious]

Congrats on the growth and newfound speed! it's an amazing feeling when you see yourself accomplish what once felt impossible!

Personally, I've always drawn directly on the computer with my tablet. I used to use a Wacom Bamboo Fun and when I eventually switched to a Cintiq 13HD, it was a bit of a shock. It took a little bit to get used to but once I felt comfortable with it, I felt like my workflow improved tenfold. Now, working on a tablet without a screen is a bit challenging!

Recently, I've actually started drawing on paper again with the intention of eventually turning those sketches into digital works. Most of the time I still work on the computer, but when I'm out and about and don't have access to my computer, I use a newsprint sketchbook to doodle! Sometimes it's really helpful for me! It's super cheap and I don't feel obligated to create a masterpiece since it's cheap paper.

[Tanako]

Its a great attention getter and it worked