comicking in the way of artistic development?

[Noise Monkey]

as an off-shoot, and in response to hallonpress' answer:

What about choosing a more simplistic style, not skimping on backgrounds and such, but definitely dumbing it down, in order to get it out quicker?

I mean, say I'm capable of professional level work (I'm not, but we're pretending for the sake of the question), BUT it takes me a week to get the pencils done, forget inking and colors. But, if I do it in a more cartoony style (akin to what I'm actually capable of) I could pound out a couple pages, colors and all, every week (still faster than I am). What's an acceptable compromise there (in your opinion...mind you, this isn't a challenge...I know where I stand and I don't think I'm necessarily more right or wrong than any of the other options)?

Edit: Especially if the more professional style was the original vision?

[Perk_daddy]

On delaying a comic, do what you feel is best. If improving your abilities is what matters to you, then do it. If having readers is what's more important, then don't delay further. It comes down to what you want the most.

I'm gonna second what Shishio said. You have to decide whether it's more important to update on time or to meet a set level of quality. Some people don't have to choose; I envy them.

I feel like doing the comic has improved my artistic ability quite a bit, more with using the computer as an art tool than anything else. When I started, all I had was Paint Shop Pro; someone on the forums here recommended GIMP, and I am finally getting comfortable with it. Cooties is finally starting to look like I want it to. I just wish I had time to update more than once a week.

[Kirb]

as an off-shoot, and in response to hallonpress' answer:

What about choosing a more simplistic style, not skimping on backgrounds and such, but definitely dumbing it down, in order to get it out quicker?

I mean, say I'm capable of professional level work (I'm not, but we're pretending for the sake of the question), BUT it takes me a week to get the pencils done, forget inking and colors. But, if I do it in a more cartoony style (akin to what I'm actually capable of) I could pound out a couple pages, colors and all, every week (still faster than I am). What's an acceptable compromise there (in your opinion...mind you, this isn't a challenge...I know where I stand and I don't think I'm necessarily more right or wrong than any of the other options)?

Edit: Especially if the more professional style was the original vision?

I'm usually under the impression that if people update once a week or more, they usually aren't showing their best work. It's usually simplified as a compromise.

A valid compromise, in my opinion. I don't want to read a comic that updates every three weeks. Pacing is everything.

[Jackhass]

Nope...I find myself improving pretty steadily. It's great when poses that I would have agonized over a year ago just flow right out of my pen with no effort today.

Admittedly I don't get much time for drawing a lot of non-comic related stuff, but oh well.

[Stinkywigfiddle]

No, I have not had this problem. My comics challange me pretty well. Though I don't have coloring to worry about. I prefer to work in black and white.

[RemusShepherd]

Have you ever felt this way? I seem to have reached this point where making a comic is actually stunting my artistic growth. Because of the schedule, I can't find ways to work on my coloring or backgrounds. I skimp or use photoshop effects to cheat my way out of actually learning because I want the comic out on time.
...
There was a long period of time where comicking helped my art a great deal, mostly line art. It helped me work on different perspectives and to work faster so I could concentrate on more details.

I feel the exact same way! I've learned so much from doing my comic, but my further education is limited by the time I have available to do each page. There's some kind of 'comic plateau' that I've reached and can't rise above. I envy those with real artistic training -- they started at a higher level, so whatever they learn from making comics will be even higher.

One suggestion I could make, WP, is to revolve techniques so you're learning about new things with every page. For example, focus on line width one page, then shading the next, then try something new for background the one after that. That'll lead to inconsistent artwork but it keeps the process educational and fun.

[Hallonpress]

as an off-shoot, and in response to hallonpress' answer:

What about choosing a more simplistic style, not skimping on backgrounds and such, but definitely dumbing it down, in order to get it out quicker?

I mean, say I'm capable of professional level work (I'm not, but we're pretending for the sake of the question), BUT it takes me a week to get the pencils done, forget inking and colors. But, if I do it in a more cartoony style (akin to what I'm actually capable of) I could pound out a couple pages, colors and all, every week (still faster than I am). What's an acceptable compromise there (in your opinion...mind you, this isn't a challenge...I know where I stand and I don't think I'm necessarily more right or wrong than any of the other options)?

Edit: Especially if the more professional style was the original vision?

Hmmm... Nothing at all wrong with a simplistic style (which I don't think is the opposite of a professional style).

I think everyone should follow their visions, but visions can change if they're unrealistic. Or if it turns out nobody likes what you do, I guess. It's good to be flexible, but not too much.

And I like a slow-moving (in terms of updates) comic with more effort put into it more than one that has been drawn in a hurry... but yeah, lack of updates can be very annoying too.

-Mattias

[Phact0rri]

strangely, even though my comic is a very simple styled comic. I've found that I've also increased my skills in more traditional (or professional) style arts as well. where it seems that this isn't the case, there are skills you learn even when drawing in simple styles.

least thats how it appears to me.

[Cuendolin]

I think it's difficult to draw in a symplistic style and make it look good, but there are always challenges, like showing different perspectives or composition.

[McDuffies]

The oposite of symplicist style is more like realistic. I knew people who could do realistic very well but weren't very crafty when it comes to bringing the drawing to it's basic features.

[Turnsky]

I think it's difficult to draw in a symplistic style and make it look good, but there are always challenges, like showing different perspectives or composition.

i dunno, cartoon network's been trying to get away with it for years.

[Fabio Ciccone]

First of all, I think that make a comic is very different than make an illustration or artpiece. I know some very good artist that can't do any good in comics, and some great comic artist that aren't exactly the greatest artists out there.

That said, I guess a good sollution could be change the frequency of your updates. I did it some months ago and I like the results. You keep a schedule (even though it's less often than before) and you can do a better work.

Everytime you think of a pannel, re-think it in a different angle and it might get a lot better! The book "How to Draw Comics: the Marvel Way" has some very good tips on this issue.