Re-reading early chapters

[igneriss]

I usually don't go back to re-read my series, however recently I started reformatting my long fantasy comic to a scroll format to upload it one day on webtoons.
And well, I see an improvement cx
There are some things in my early chapters that I would do differently now, but it's interesting to see how my plans for some characters changed over time. Don't get me wrong, I had everything nicely planned out- but then decided I don't like some of those plans anymore.
And also, how my drawing changed. I tried to keep a consistent style, but I can definitely see changes in characters' proportions, especially guys:

And ahhhh my main character looked like a baby, she's grown so much in those two weeks that passed in the story ; w;

It kinda makes me want to re-draw first chapters, but I won't do that. And I'm now curious how it will feel to re-read first chapter once I finish the story

For those with old, long comics- do you ever re-read your early chapters? Is there something you'd do differently now? Do you see improvement and changes in how you drew your characters?

[AlydaB]

I definitely see the improvement between chap 1 and 14! The style looks more natural and comfortable. MC was very cute at the beginning tho haha

My comic isn't very long or old, but the first episode is a year old now (completed it in March 2021, first posted February of this year). Apparently the art style changes aren't as noticeable as I thought they were, but I feel I've improved :]

From 3/2021

From 3/2022

Differences are very subtle, but I gotta admit I still die a little inside when I re-read my first episode lol. If I could, I'd go back and change a lot of things (character designs, dialogue, overall art & story). Not even sure I like the opening scene as an introduction anymore, because I've improved as a writer as well and my story has shifted direction over the year.

In terms of art style, the hairstyles and faces changed a tiny bit. The colors got a little darker and more reddish and saturated. I think the characters are more expressive and the posing/anatomy is a little less awkward. Started experimenting more with lighting and shading. I've been told the dialogue and storytelling is better in later episodes too.

I hope to continue improving bit by little bit :'D

[kaetana]

@igneriss I can definitely see the improvement over the course of your chapters, and your linework feels like it's gotten more confident and concrete, looks great! Agree that the early proportions were cute in their own way, but I really like the way you're drawing them now.

@AlydaB The more detailed and complex shading/lighting really stands out to me, the older figures still look good but it really ups the intensity for your newer panels!

I've actually also been in the process of reformatting my panels to make a scroll version for webtoon, so I'm definitely feeling the pain of looking at my older art. (so much pain that I did redraw my first 8 pages...but I'm gonna limit myself to that!) I've definitely had a journey of trying to improve the way I draw faces and figures, as well as fine-tuning my shading so it's more concrete and effective but also not so complicated that it takes me forever to do.

So here's the first panel where the whole trio is on screen together, in Chapter 2:

Another group shot in Chapter 4:

Group shot in the last panel of Chapter 7:

And finally a fairly recent group shot from Chapter 8:

[powerplantanimations]

If I had to go back and change something it would be how people mistake D for Naota due to a punchline in an earlier episode. We just didn't know how to portray a stick figure as a weeb without spiky hair.

[igneriss]

@AlydaB
Thank you!
And I definitely see the improvement in yours! Characters look very expressive. I've seen that last image in some other thread, she's so pretty!

@kaetana
Thank you! Funny thing is, I was so sure that I'm keeping the exact same style through the series. I guess the changes were very subtle chapter by chapter and here we are cx
Oh, I actually really liked your art from the very beginning when I read your story But yes, in newer arts characters look much more comfortable and expressive!

@powerplantanimations
Ohh how would you change it now? But great job in portraying so many different characters as stick figures!

[powerplantanimations]

I gotta ask Andie lol. I dunno how he does it either :v

[TedGravesArt]

Absolutely there's improvement! I think it's natural to see the art flex as you get more comfortable drawing your characters, and nail down how it is you want things to look in your comic.
@igneriss I like the change to more adult proportions! Staying consistent isn't as important as making the art what you want it to be, imo.
@AlydaB Lovely work! I dig your colors, and I can definitely see the improvement over the last year! For what it's worth, I think the panels from 3/2021 still look great!

My art and writing have definitely improved a lot since I started my comic.
These are from the first issue:

And these are from recent issues, almost 2 years and 130 pages later. Notice the subtle differences in Nira's horn and ears, and Savina's face shape:

More than anything I think my environments have improved a lot. Huge difference between the wide shots in issue 1:

Versus the wide shots in issue 6:

I've thought about going back and redoing the first couple issues, but that feels like a never ending cycle, yknow? Once I redo issues 1 and 2, then 3's going to look frumpy by comparison, then 4, etc. until I've redone the last 2 years worth of work and I'm unhappy with issue 1 again. I'd rather spend that time telling new story!

[system]

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