Resisting the urge to redraw older pages

[graceahiggs12]

(See images for earlier page vs more recent page)

Recently been looking at older pages after I’ve adjusted my style and having to resist the urge to redraw them in the newer style/with better techniques I’ve learned along the way. One of the things I love about webcomics is seeing the style evolve over time, and I don’t want to get bogged down by redraws instead of continuing the story…but I can’t help but be frustrated that the older pages aren’t how I want the comic to actually look.

Anyone else have this internal struggle? Show how your comic style has evolved below I think it’s super interesting!

Comic: Blood Soda https://tapas.io/series/Blood-Soda/info

[wolflu66]

I often feel the urge to go back and make major revisions or even completely redraw works from several years ago.

Because after my drawing skills have improved, past works make me feel embarrassed. However, I also know that doing so would make it difficult for me to move forward, so I resist the impulse to go back and modify old works.

Read Roars and Whispers | Tapas Web Community

[delladz]

As someone who's gone back to do redraw old pages multiple times, I recommend against doing so unless you are making significant changes to the pacing/paneling/script tldr if you're just giving it a fresh coat of paint, don't bother, but if you're actively adjusting the story in any way then that's the only time a redraw is worth it

[justincluded]

I am having the same struggle
It's a tug of war between 'seeing growth' vs. 'More apealing drawings'
For now I packed this struggle in the fridge and enjoying creating the story and characters further ^^

[Oriflamme]

I knew this was a risk when I first started, so instead of starting my comic from the beginning, I did 3 prototype chapters set later in the story to iron out all the production kinks. If you check out the prototype chapters, you can see some of the adjustments I do chapter to chapter.

If I were to modify the actual first few chapters, I would simply do a remastered version. Just do slight adjustment to the shading and compositing to make them more consistent with the rest.

My prototype chapters

Read Married to the Duke of the Abyss - prototypes | Tapas Web Community

[KevinReijnders]

It's honestly a problem that I don't have. For me it's a sense of "why go back and touch up old stuff, when I can just make something new"

Read Trespasser | Tapas Web Community

[jwabeasley]

I get it, I do! But the redrawing trap is dangerous to all webcomics - you go back and redraw them but by then you're even better, so you might as well redraw them again...forever.

I just lie to myself and tell me I'll just do the redraws at the end of the series when I've reached maximum drawing skill.

Chapter 1:

Chapter 6:

But the real truth is that sometimes I have pages that are less good than others, I just hope they get less frequent as I go. Some of those chapter 1 pages are great!

[dan_thepainter]

Oh yeah, I have that urge too lol I agree though that it's kinda like a trap once you start though because you'll want to eventually redraw the whole thing instead on moving forward. I feel like I've really improved as an artist over the years since I've started and sometimes get worried that the art in my early episodes will turn away new readers.
making comics is a very long and slow process though. For me, it's best to focus on moving forward. I have a lot more stories I want to tell

[abigaillmartin]

Eh I feel all of you here.
I have the sudden urge to fix a few things in the first few episodes of Elsie. It’s worth the fix.

[ambermdo]

I have that urge too, and I think that's why mine is taking so long. Also, I want my artwork to look consistent.

This is an older one

This is one that's been redrawn

[dagecko_yamori]

This whole manga was made a while back so sometimes I wish I could redraw it.

In a world dominated by mathematical based abilities, Ram Regulus will do whatever it takes to enact punishment on those who tarnished the name of his beloved sport.

This was originally made as a joke between friends. Some chapters may be of low quality for that reason. stay tuned!

Read SUGAKU SATSUJIN: MATH MURDERS | Tapas Web Community

[RED-VELVET-CUPCAKE]

I try to think of it as a way of seeing improvement. Realizing that I can do better in my current art gives me motivation. Otherwise I'd be stuck in an endless loop of redrawing old art.
But also, I just hate redoing things.
Even the most popular and beloved comics look different when comparing their first chapter vs. their last!