Hi,
Since creating a comic consumes so much time and effort I would like to know how you deal with the though that this work might never be recognised or reward you at the level of effort you put into it? Or is the pleasure of doing it enough reward for you? Do you create simply for fun and are not bothered by the tought that eventually nobody will pay attention to your story?
Cheers
Feb '20
Feb '20
I have planned my story "United We Stand3" for about ten years. My first shot at this was my comic "In the Name of the Creator2" which i discontinued after the prologue was finished because I was unhappy with the art. I didn't feel consistent in my art and didn't like it much.
Now That I'm working on United We Stand I just want to tell the story, if no one reads it I guess that's fine. I love the characters, and as many other hope their comics will be read, i too hope people will read mine. But I'll just be happy if I can tell it 
. And I also get enjoyment from practicing anatomy and environments through it 
!
Double purpose :D!
To be honest, I also dont feel completely confortable with the end result of my drawings in Gods VS Dragons4 but I think right now my drive is to develop and share the story since I've a long run ahead to finish it and I feel that if loose to much time on perfecting the art I'll be unable to publish anything.
One thing that is rewarding for sure is seeing the actual progress in art
Not just "ah, I can draw faces better now", but "wow, I am drawing a ton of backgrounds even if I suck in doing it, my line art is so much crispier, the details are on top7" (you will hate them in a month, but it's okay 
). Also since you can compare previous pages to recent, you can compare the progress in a whole - characters, anatomy, colors, background, etc.
Of course, to not just being dragged by depressing feelings, you should actually love the story and characters and everything. So it's no good if you hate the art style you're trying to use, or you don't like this particular main hero, you should remake it and love the shit out of it You can think you're not good enough (I still do, lol), but no one can tell your story but you, so at least it is worth to try.
I feel the same as @Kelheor Theres something so satisfying about looking at how far you've come. It boggles my mind to see my old art and the art I can make now and I'm sure the future me will be so excited at how far they've grown as well.
There's also a nice kind of discipline you get from making them. I want people to like and consume my content as well of course, but I've been drawing comics waaaay longer than I've wanted people to read them.
My dad was kind of an asshole while I was growing up. (But don't tell him I said that)
My mom was a smart, established woman who had gone to school god knows how many times and was always gone from home for work. I, on the otherhand, was always struggling with school and failing my classes. I was the dumb blonde. And not necessarily a pretty one, either. I got poked fun at for my thick figure and I became anorexic at the age of 12. I have some mental and physical health disorders since then that, despite having been seen and clinically diagnosed by many licenced healthcare professionals, my dad thought that I was faking for attention. He screamed and cussed....a lot. Over every little thing. I wasn't neat enough, or I did this, or that. And everytime I did something disappointing to him, he'd stand by me and mutter, "God, I'm glad you can draw." with the clear and heavy implication that I couldn't do anything else right.
So, that's why I draw. Because apparently it is the only thing I can do right. My parents never brag about how intelligent I am, how pretty I am, how accomplished I am....but when they meet people, they tell them I can draw like nobody's business. And I think, deep down, I draw because I just want them to be proud of me for something.
My webcomic may be brand spanking new, and does not have a whole lot of views. But I have a good feeling about it, because even if it never makes it past 100 subs, or even 100 views, I will feel accomplished just knowing I did it. I can draw. And I can I take a whole lot of pride in my work. I look at my art and feel good about myself, and I think everyone should.
Everyone on this platform regardless of current skill level is a driven story teller who did something special by illustrating, or writing, their story. They set aside time for themselves just so they could make it happen, something most people wouldn't bother to do even if they had a proper skillset. And for that, I think they should be proud. And I'm really excited when I see everybody's works on Tapas, even if they're still just a blossoming artist. I try to click on as many comics as I see links for and at least give a couple pages a read. I just love it. They inspire me. They make me want to do good.
I hope I am doing good.
Generally I draw because I just... Love it. I love the process, it's fun, it's calming, I enjoy it a lot. But I also love my characters and thinking about them, so I'm glad I can tell their story.
It's great to have feedback and people actually enjoying the series, but I draw my comic for myself, mainly. I really, really want to tell this story, that's my main fuel to get through how many hours it takes and the more boring panels to draw. Getting into that mindset is a good way not to get disappointed as well. If you do a comic expecting it to be a big hit... It won't really work.
I draw because I like it but it is also an important form of self expression for me. Especially when I am dealing with health problems or heavy emotions it helps for me to draw.
I don't draw then ink then color--I work on my inks and paints simultaneously. When things are going well...my process is pretty transcendent and mystical. I feel both at peace and invigorated. Creating the stuff is fun...posting and trying to figure out marketing and gaining an audience is a drag.
I couldn't agree more with this. But I also feel that if I not suceed in the last part, something will be missing... LOL
I draw because I need a creative outlet and digital drawing is the easiest one to fit in my bizarre schedule. I have almost no free time 9 to 10 months a year, and the remaining 2-3 months, I travel, so I cannot bring much supplies.
Digital drawing can make use of short (~10 minutes) breaks better than most other creative hobbies, and the required supplies are reasonnably transportable.
It really is my calling and passion. I can't imagine doing anything else. I've tried, but it always comes back to this.
Well, it's true. Time passes one way or another. In 12 hours from now you might've just eaten a bag of chisps and watched 4 1/2 episodes of scary letsplays on youtube before passing out, or maybe instead you buckled down and you made a dedication to yourself to draw. I think that's pretty remarkable, don't you? Takes a whole lot of motivation, especially if you're just starting out as an artist.
In fact, I think the "beginner" artists are some of the most inspiring. For an advanced artist, things are breezy. But for newbies comics can be daunting. Coloring, lighting, shading, panel direction, it's a lot to handle. I appreciate the newbs tackling all of that. Because let's be honest, it's where every great artist ever started.
It's my source of happiness I guess. Also, stress reliever. The real world is just too exhausting for an introvert and a HSP like me. I never felt at home at anything besides drawing. But mostly though, I get commissions from deviantart so I think, that's why my enjoyment amplified because of the small rewards I get.
i do it because it's fun and it's great once the effort is put in and seeing your final peice is real rewarding
