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Feb 2018

Well I can't seem to post pictures on forums, but can someone tell me how the thumbnail of my comic Axis4 looks like? This is the fifth one I've gone through haha . . .

4 months later
13 days later

I've never really that great at layout, but I've been looking for ways to make backgrounds moody or atmoshperic, while at the same time, find a way to churn them out as fast as possible.

I have two versions of the background at the moment. I'm kind of leaning towards favouring the second one.

The problem is, this took way too long to do, and that was with me half-assing the layout. Granted, I was kind of learning as I was going. But still I'm not sure how much faster I'll get once I improve.

What I'm considering doing is making most scenes in Sketchup, and using them as a basis for my layouts.

I like the top version cuz I like seeing all the detail you put into it but I like the bottom versions atmosphere a lot more ;oo!

3 months later

Hi friends! I am in need of some feedback for a page I'm working on, and I could really use your help!

I can't decide which text version is more effective. The character is on his way to meet someone who might have vital information, but he is reluctant to see them (even though he's sure it's necessary). I don't know if the "silent" page conveys that well enough, but on the other hand I'm worried that the added text takes away from the tension of the moment because of the humor.

version A

version B


tl;dr, which version of this page is better? (focusing on text; the coloring is incomplete)

21 days later
1 month later
1 month later

advice for the first two images:
start with a light sketch and then add more shadows (good technique when paining in B & W), and when there is too much shadow add more white there. because currently it looks muddy and i'm not really sure what it's supposed to be.

advice for the 3rd image:
i'm not sure what you are asking and are the lines meant to be streets or where you want to place the buildings. I do like the design you created looks very beautiful and interesting to look at.

before you design a character you need ask yourself:

  1. who is the character
  2. what do they like. pretend that you are the character.
  3. how do their interests influence their attire. e.g. i like to train and muscle build, so my armor is going to be more chunky and spacious. but someone else likes to run fast, so theirs needs to be light and have a flexible parts.
  4. and finally does it add to the characters appeal and help the audience better understand the character.

also from these 4 questions you can derive more that help guide when character designing. right now it is very vague what the armor is for, but maybe i'm just late to the party, but with the questions above you can ask yourself.

  1. who are the characters in unit 2. e.g. kings personal body guards or just regular arms men.
  2. what does the unit 2 do, e.g. shoot arrows, use swords, hold spears etc.
  3. question 3 isn't really needed if this is just for the background characters. but you could take into account, a symbol that unit 2 uses, or something that makes them different from the other units. it could even be a badge.
  4. and finally ask your friends what they think about the design, is it clear what the unit primarily does. like marines have a shit load of gear (ranging from guns to goggles to air-tanks to ropes etc) making it clear what they are trained in. just things like adding big boots or thick shoulder plates or even a feather could express better what the characters are for.

hope i could help, great drawing by the way :yum:

the second one with a little text.
the first one just has too much text that renders your drawings redundant. (allow us to think those unnecessary thought for ourselves)
lol the coloring looks freaking good, not sure what else is there to do.

pretty much the same thing @leonardeojr said.
but if you are lazy like me and just hate having to draw proportions for complex, dynamic poses. you should get clip studio it offers 3d models that to be honest can save lives. (it sure as hell saved mine)

if you really don't want to have to create the same environment from different angles every time, i advice you create a 3d model (colored and as detailed as you can). it pretty much would take you a day or two to make, which is just as much time as it would take for you to redraw an un-half-assed background. it is wort it and all you need to do (if done well) is to add fog to your renders out image. (that's what most people do).
but really your background doesn't look half assed, i normally just stop at sketching and leave the rest to fairies to finish. or do a 3d model.

start a comic!!! clip studio has its program now available on apple iPad by the way. so yup you can now make a comic. your style isn't bad, but it isn't good, it's currently in limbo, it's not accurate enough to be bad or good. so start a comic, it is a great way to improve your skill as it...
1. motivates you to draw everyday
2. allows you create something that is yours and entertaining to others
3. and it could be great to look back to see how far you have improved. and laugh.

(i won't sugar coat it, there would be sometimes where you get frustrated with your art and comic and go on hiatus for a year or more, but you just pick up that pen and keep drawing)
goodluck.

3 months later

From my comic at:

We've been going at little abstract lately since we're in Stardust's world. He had to come to earth from somewhere after all, and only a strange world could produce something as strange as him. What do you guys feel about the abstract in the comic? Is the context being communicated okay?

2 months later

The first one looks more pleasing to my eye- funny how capitalizing can balance out something.

18 days later

This is interesting. I love seeing artists get help like this.:slight_smile: