What I'm doing wrong? Struggle with lack of feedback/support

APM 2017-03-18 23:34:50 UTC #1

Ok, so I'm doing art for about more than two years, trying to improve and sharing my works. I needed some time to improve my art a little and gain some subscribers, and it was going well, little by little... but then it suddenly stopped. By the end of the last year I created new pages, started to post daily but it didn't make any effect. Some people like the works but I rarely get a follower or a comment. Here's how I handle my content:

First, about pages and sharing content... I'm not new at Tapastic, I already did three webcomics (one is still running and I'll continue one I was holding). I created pages at Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, DeviantArt and Instagram where I post content daily, in addition I have a Picarto ready for art streaming and a Patreon with running content for backers. I also shared all my pages with friends and family (I did read this topic).

About my art, It's not very consistent or stylish, but I do can build clean and "pretty" works. Maybe I'm wrong and that's the problem, but anyway, I study and practice art every single day. I post at least WIPs or sketches in my pages daily.

Well, that's it. If I'm doing something wrong or you have an advice please tell me, you have my thanks! Also, if you liked my artwork or comics and don't mind following my pages I deeply appreciate your support ^^

candaceandco 2017-03-19 00:37:04 UTC #2

Hey, APM! I like your comic Stones In My Way, and am now following it! As for any advice I can give you, you've probably heard this already, but just keep drawing! My webcomic is growing verrrrry slowly, too, but some of my subs have come from fellow artists who I've connected to elsewhere online. So it's good to hear that you post every day to multiple sites. Even if you don't seem to be getting the kind of attention others enjoy (believe me, I know the feeling), you're still getting your work out there, and that can only improve your chances of being noticed.
So just keep at it! I know how rewarding and frustrating cartooning can be, but I think it's worth it!

tayo_rafferty 2017-03-19 00:50:15 UTC #3

I have found virtually no success but this is entirely my fault so take my advice at your own discretion.

I would engage with your audience more. I don't just mean posting because we all see thousands of posts on different social networks every month and most don't make an impact or grab our attention. There is so much noise on the internet I think you need to try something to grab people's attention. Maybe you can make a contest or engage in community event, or make a group, or collaborate with another more popular artist with a "guest artist" event. Something that will make the noise of your work louder than the noise of all the other information whizzing around the internet.

kyupol 2017-03-20 05:32:33 UTC #4

Hi I've taken a look at your comics and here's some things I think you're doing wrong... Please don't take it the wrong way... Not trying to be mean or anything so advanced apologies...

1) I checked out sky travellers... And no offense but it looks like a typical fantasy comic to me with not enough plot depth. Seems like you just read a few fantasy comics or something like that and then you decide to create a story following a template. Dude, not trying to be mean or anything... I used to do exactly that. Did a comic long ago called "katropa: story of mara-nina"... Back in 2003... And it flopped the big one that I abandoned it by the 3rd chapter. Got bad comments constantly about my story and art and lame dialog cuz English isn't my 1st language.

And most of all I got bored cuz it didn't resonate with me at all... So I abandoned it and did Brood Knight (shattered hate)... That comic got more successful... Been number 1 on drunkduck a few times. Of course I got criticized for the intense amount of angst and my crappy art skills but I didn't care. As long as it's serving as my steam valve for my otherwise messed up life in real world dealing with my abusive parents, bad memories of bullies, and socially readjusting to a new culture from being uprooted from Philippines and forcibly moved to Canada as a young boy... I didn't care... I kept doing it cuz I believed in it.

And now my present work is MAG-ISA... And I still get criticized for bad art (I dunno I seem to just suck so bad at drawing I can't improve after over 10 years lol)... And that I'm lecturing people like a Jack Chick tract all throughout the comic. Lost many previous fans from previous comics cuz they don't like that I'm a proud Christian conservative. And my ideology and beliefs are generally unpopular in this world. That's just the way it is and will be.

But I don't care you can criticize me all you want. I believe in it and as long as I'm helping a few souls through my work, it's all good.

Long story short, find something you can believe in. Search within... Or outside. And you will find it if you seek diligently enough.

2) these days with the overload of webcomics out there, your chances of making it big are small and it gets smaller by the day as more and more webcomics get added to an already oversaturated market. Don't feel bad, friend. It's just the way it is. Stressing 1st point again... Believe! Not necessarily in my God or in my ideas... Just anything you can draw strength and inspiration from! And when you've achieved that, you will never care about what others say.

Hope this helps. Again, I apologize if what I just told you has offended you in any way. I only have pure intentions.

isabelleArne 2017-03-20 10:26:31 UTC #5

I may get hit to say this but why try to please others ? Be selfish.

What makes you happy about drawing ? What float your boat ?

Honestly I know it isn't easy to find an audience, I dont have many followers on instagram or twitter or such but I have noticed at some point that I don't care ?
I mean I do care of course but what is more important ?
My art is more important, being happy making it and I like making things pretty so if I look at my Instagram page one morning and say " ah I like the colors I used recently, it's pretty " then I'm happy. And if you're happy doing what you love people will love you for that.

I was in a real slumb for many years, lost my way, lost my inspiration and lost what made me love drawing, I was just drawing like a robot for other people.
I found my flame back recently and just decided to make a comic for myself. Just, you know, because it's what I love, at the end of the day I'm just happy making panels and developing characters. My characters. Doing my thing. And if people join me good, but if not I won't be too desapointed about it because this was so selfishly for me first !

And you know what ? To my huge surprise people followed me on this comic ( RADIANT ), so far way more than I would have ever imagined.

So my advice to you would be : don't care about the numbers : take pleasure in your art, be happy to draw, people like to see passion. Show them something that comes from inside, something that is you, but think about you first.

APM 2017-03-20 14:51:28 UTC #6

Thank you for subscribing! Even not being much visible I'm trying to keep motivated.

APM 2017-03-20 14:54:02 UTC #7

Yeah, there's a lot of different art out there, I'm am just another artist trying to improve. At the moment I'm trying to reach more communities and searching for collabs or art trades.

APM 2017-03-20 15:18:32 UTC #8

@kyupol 1- Yeah, I won't lie, The Sky Travelers looks like a very cliche fantasy comic, but I'm working deep in it's development (also it's a way for me to bring some aspects of the Japanese culture that I'm studying, like language and habits). For this comic don't expect magic or supernatural, but exploration, culture shock and rivality (a little of politics too). I like to create worlds that can be explained in a logical way and I absolutely love studying and creating different cultures.
It was also my most sucessful comic until now... (I will rework that awkward anime faces too, just old art =P).

2- I don't really care what people say (I mean, it can hurt but I won't stop if people tell my art is bad), I just want to get noticed by now (even if people start making fun of my art... lol).

Thanks a lot for the reply! ^^ (I love talking about my stories...)

@isabelleArne I agree that what matters is if I'm doing what I like, but I'm getting "old" (turning 20yo this year) and I want to work as an artist, so I think it's time to get some recognition and help (maybe I can get these during art college). Anyway, I won't give up if I don't get an audience now, it will just be a little hard to get things working.

PS: your comic looks awesome! I loved the colors!

isabelleArne 2017-03-20 16:07:15 UTC #9

It's never too late, I'm 27, I've done art school and have been a freelance illustrator for 3 years now. It's never NEVER too late, and being super popular helps but how many artists are that popular ? When you are not that popular there are other ways to find clients.
Let me tell you you are young, you have many years to see, just focus on your art, go to college, learn as much as you can, draw until you can't feel your fingers anymore, see other horizons, discover new artists, get inspired by the masters, feed from them, do internships, meet other artists, make friends, find your way and you'll get the recognition you deserve if not today, in 2, 5 or 10 years.

sarrowsmith10 2017-03-20 16:38:03 UTC #10

I'm just going to mention that I'm 30, and only started making comics 6 years ago. I hadn't even ever read a comic book until I got married. So don't worry about age. Hayao Miyazaki is 76 years old and it doesn't stop him from creating new things. So, don't worry about getting old, you have lots of years to work on your craft!

I think the biggest thing is you need to do is make friends with other creators. Nothing is more valuable than a plug from someone who is already established. Doing art trades and giving gift art helps too. Go find a creator you really look up to and comment on their pages. Give them a plug on your page. Often times the favor is returned. As long as you are genuine, other artists will help you out. Give you tips and be a mentor.

Good luck!

Redsheis 2017-03-24 19:06:04 UTC #11

Hey APM,
the silent scream is always something an artist has to face when starting up a comic series.
I took a look at your stories, I want to focus on The Sky Travelers since the fantasy genre is my specialty. At first glance I thought this comic was in Spanish or Japanese cause of the description but, I found the translation when I scrolled down. You have a lot of prologue In my opinion you haven't started the story yet.

I do know statistically that colored comics do better then screen tone or black and white due to the fact that they are eye catching . When it comes to your art don't be afraid to make backgrounds when characters are talking. Face shots are fine and all but it gets rather bland if that is all we see when characters interact with one another; especially with a lot of dialog that can be trimmed down. Your 19 pages in, the best pice of advice I can give you right now is to keep going and keep improving as a comic artist :3 When it comes to traditional black and white manga they don't usually hit there stride till there about 100 pages in.