How are you doing, comic-wise?

[Montyandwoolley]

I'm finally building a comic buffer so I don't have to worry about getting everything uploaded on time! - And, more importantly, I've started planning out chapters of comics so I don't need to think of content as I'm drawing it..

[Humbug]

Because I'm designing the comic for print, I started including two-page spreads. And it's no different from the regular pages I've been doing, other than much larger file sizes.

Oh, and 12 pages in the buffer now, wheeeee.

[LibertyCabbage]

Oh, and 12 pages in the buffer now, wheeeee.

I'm kinda kicking myself right now for not having more buffer before I started Freakboy. Starting with 12 (or more) would be pretty awesome.

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

Started sketching the next storyline, but oops, I never finished inking and coloring the one I'm still working on. Really have got to get my priorities in order.

It feels really good to have five pages sketched out though, even if the only real "completed" details are primarily heads and faces with some vague indication of gesture.

[LibertyCabbage]

It feels really good to have five pages sketched out though, even if the only real "completed" details are primarily heads and faces with some vague indication of gesture.

That's weird to me, 'cause I always do the faces last. I guess I'm just concerned about having to erase and redo the whole thing if the pose ends up sucking.

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

It feels really good to have five pages sketched out though, even if the only real "completed" details are primarily heads and faces with some vague indication of gesture.

That's weird to me, 'cause I always do the faces last. I guess I'm just concerned about having to erase and redo the whole thing if the pose ends up sucking.

That used to be a big problem for me. I had to retrain myself I guess to not hate having to redraw something, for instance if the face winds up being just a little too far to the side relative to where the body needs to be. I had to get myself away from thinking "But it came out looking so perfect" and into thinking "If I drew it perfectly once, I can draw it even better a second time and make this one REALLY count."

Of course, it does take more time than just getting it right the first time, which is a big downside. But it usually doesn't take me quite as long as I expect it to.

[LibertyCabbage]

That used to be a big problem for me. I had to retrain myself I guess to not hate having to redraw something, for instance if the face winds up being just a little too far to the side relative to where the body needs to be. I had to get myself away from thinking "But it came out looking so perfect" and into thinking "If I drew it perfectly once, I can draw it even better a second time and make this one REALLY count."

Of course, it does take more time than just getting it right the first time, which is a big downside. But it usually doesn't take me quite as long as I expect it to.

I dunno. I guess for me, facial features are more in the "details" category, and I'm still at the level where getting anatomy right's a big thing I have to deal with before I even get to worrying about the details.

[Yeahduff]

Different approaches. Faces are the biggest priority for me.

Starting a short, really should have had it done last year but I had some drinking to do.

[Humbug]

Oh, and 12 pages in the buffer now, wheeeee.

I'm kinda kicking myself right now for not having more buffer before I started Freakboy. Starting with 12 (or more) would be pretty awesome.

I know I'd like a leeeeedle bit more in the buffer before I actually start updating. It'll likely be sometime in April because early April I'll be going on a trip and it'll delay me somewhat.

For me the initial sketch is loose detail of the entire figure but once I get to detailing I start with the face first because faces are the most fun to draw. However, even though the character is properly sketched it doesn't mean it's final during the painting stage, nothing is ever set in stone for me. X3

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

That used to be a big problem for me. I had to retrain myself I guess to not hate having to redraw something, for instance if the face winds up being just a little too far to the side relative to where the body needs to be. I had to get myself away from thinking "But it came out looking so perfect" and into thinking "If I drew it perfectly once, I can draw it even better a second time and make this one REALLY count."

Of course, it does take more time than just getting it right the first time, which is a big downside. But it usually doesn't take me quite as long as I expect it to.

I dunno. I guess for me, facial features are more in the "details" category, and I'm still at the level where getting anatomy right's a big thing I have to deal with before I even get to worrying about the details.

It's always interesting to see how different artists prioritize certain aspects of art. The cool thing is neither of us is right as in "correct," but "right" in terms of suiting our own needs.

[LibertyCabbage]

It's always interesting to see how different artists prioritize certain aspects of art. The cool thing is neither of us is right as in "correct," but "right" in terms of suiting our own needs.

I dunno, I totally feel like I'd change my method to better emulate people who know what they're doing. Although, I also just remembered that I've only drawn the same dude's face over and over for the past five months, so maybe that has something to do with it. I should probably make time for some non-Skippy stuff, although working on my buffer sure would be nice as well...

[McDuffies]

I spend the least time on faces because I draw them the best. It's not that I don't pay attention to them, it's that I spend the least time fixing them.
Actually I usually spend the most time on scenery, because I always tend to set some complicated scene, with camera angles and whatnot, which is beyond my reach. Luckily I only draw those every 4.6 panels.

I guess you can use either facial expressions, or body language, or even scenery, to express the emotional content, so depending on your choice, that's what you give most attention to.

[chainmailbikini]

I'm doing a water color/gouache/ink painting for the cover art of my first book. I've also set in motion plans to revamp my website to something that doesn't look cobbled together. I've got nine pages thumbed out into the next chapter.

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

Finished coloring the last page of this current vignette, next vignette is dialogued out as well, partway done with my Slow Santa because it's really freaking slow.

[peterabnny]

Been a productive weekend for me art-wise. My pic is just about ready for submission to the Slow Santa thread, as well as a little something for the Doodles thread. I'm also well under way on something for the Naked thread, and I have the next ep of Critters fully roughed out and ready for drawing. Unfortunately, computer problems last night prevented me from releasing ANYthing last night as I wanted, and I probably won't be able to until later this week.

Also, I tried to set myself up to have my comics upload to CG instead of my having to manually upload them to the Doodles thread. Although the links that LibertyCabbage kindly offered a while ago did work, I was still unable to get into that part of my account, running into the same problems I did originally until I abandoned the effort. I was successfully able to reset my login password, but could get no further. Apparently, my computer's security doesn't like the login page as it thinks it's some shady internet site and gives me an error page when I try to override it. Also, I get a "website not found" page when I try to view the listing of CG members. *sigh* Maybe the site's whacked, maybe it's me. Either way I'm satisfied I'd need an admin to actually sit with me here on the same side of the monitor and together try to navigate CG's system to get me configured for updates. Until then, I'll continue to post my stuff the same as I've been doing...

[[geoduck]]

Also, I tried to set myself up to have my comics upload to CG instead of my having to manually upload them to the Doodles thread. Although the links that LibertyCabbage kindly offered a while ago did work, I was still unable to get into that part of my account, running into the same problems I did originally until I abandoned the effort. I was successfully able to reset my login password, but could get no further. Apparently, my computer's security doesn't like the login page as it thinks it's some shady internet site and gives me an error page when I try to override it. Also, I get a "website not found" page when I try to view the listing of CG members. *sigh* Maybe the site's whacked, maybe it's me. Either way I'm satisfied I'd need an admin to actually sit with me here on the same side of the monitor and together try to navigate CG's system to get me configured for updates. Until then, I'll continue to post my stuff the same as I've been doing...

Sounds like you're using your WWW browser (ie, Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer) to access the CG site; that security error message is a common one. If you know enough about computers to use an FTP program, it might work a little better. FireFTP is one that you can use with Firefox. If you're able to get an FTP program running, you tell it to look for Host "butch.comicgenesis.com", with a Login of "Peterabunny", or whatever your official name is, along with your Password. Then you can access a folder called Workspace and then Comics; that's where you transfer the comics you want uploaded. If you name them YYYYMMDD.jpg, (or .png or whatever) the system will automagically upload them on that date.

[LibertyCabbage]

Also, I tried to set myself up to have my comics upload to CG instead of my having to manually upload them to the Doodles thread. Although the links that LibertyCabbage kindly offered a while ago did work, I was still unable to get into that part of my account, running into the same problems I did originally until I abandoned the effort. I was successfully able to reset my login password, but could get no further. Apparently, my computer's security doesn't like the login page as it thinks it's some shady internet site and gives me an error page when I try to override it. Also, I get a "website not found" page when I try to view the listing of CG members. *sigh* Maybe the site's whacked, maybe it's me. Either way I'm satisfied I'd need an admin to actually sit with me here on the same side of the monitor and together try to navigate CG's system to get me configured for updates. Until then, I'll continue to post my stuff the same as I've been doing...

As [geoduck] mentioned, FireFTP's good, and FileZilla's really easy to use as well. I'm online 24/7, so you can always post here or even PM me if you want help using FTP.

[peterabnny]

Sounds like you're using your WWW browser (ie, Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer) to access the CG site; that security error message is a common one. If you know enough about computers to use an FTP program, it might work a little better. FireFTP is one that you can use with Firefox. If you're able to get an FTP program running, you tell it to look for Host "butch.comicgenesis.com", with a Login of "Peterabunny", or whatever your official name is, along with your Password. Then you can access a folder called Workspace and then Comics; that's where you transfer the comics you want uploaded. If you name them YYYYMMDD.jpg, (or .png or whatever) the system will automagically upload them on that date.

As [geoduck] mentioned, FireFTP's good, and FileZilla's really easy to use as well. I'm online 24/7, so you can always post here or even PM me if you want help using FTP.

Having said that, I think the boogyman was/is my choice of browser. I think I looked briefy into using an FTP program quite a while ago, but I don't recall having gotten very far. I will definitely take a second look, tho. LC, I really hope I don't have to bother you or take up your valuable time for tech support, but I certainly appreciate the offer! You guys truly ROCK!

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

I wish I was the sort of person who could just make my comic, not give a shit whether anyone else read it, and have all of my enjoyment come from the pure act of creating it.

I'm coming to realize there's a difference I guess, though the two are quite similar and often go hand in hand, between being a creator and being a sharer. Sure, I'm pleased with the fact that I can make something, and I do derive joy from doing so, but sharing it with others is what really makes it special. The "feedback" aspect of the communication side of art is what really motivates me.

Unfortunately, the more readers I get, the more spoiled i get, and the more readers and feedback I crave. The amount of pageviews I get each day right now would have knocked me off my feet if I saw it a year or two ago. But I feel like my readership is starting to top out and reach its balance level, and it's either just the way things are or it's a sign that I'm doing something wrong as a creator.

Being on Project Wonderful allows you to get an idea of the pageviews that publisher sites get, and I see a lot of people with similar numbers to mind. This is at once comforting, as in I'm not alone, as well as discouraging, as in this might be as good as it ever gets.

I really wish i was the sort of person who could just make my comic and not give a shit whether anyone else read it.

[peterabnny]

I wish I was the sort of person who could just make my comic, not give a shit whether anyone else read it, and have all of my enjoyment come from the pure act of creating it.

I'm coming to realize there's a difference I guess, though the two are quite similar and often go hand in hand, between being a creator and being a sharer. Sure, I'm pleased with the fact that I can make something, and I do derive joy from doing so, but sharing it with others is what really makes it special. The "feedback" aspect of the communication side of art is what really motivates me.

Unfortunately, the more readers I get, the more spoiled i get, and the more readers and feedback I crave. The amount of pageviews I get each day right now would have knocked me off my feet if I saw it a year or two ago. But I feel like my readership is starting to top out and reach its balance level, and it's either just the way things are or it's a sign that I'm doing something wrong as a creator.

Being on Project Wonderful allows you to get an idea of the pageviews that publisher sites get, and I see a lot of people with similar numbers to mind. This is at once comforting, as in I'm not alone, as well as discouraging, as in this might be as good as it ever gets.

I really wish i was the sort of person who could just make my comic and not give a shit whether anyone else read it.

[Jacob Marley voice]Bewaaaaaaaaaaaare, Cuddly...! [/Jabob Marley voice]

I was like you a while back. There's a danger to constantly following numbers and statistics. It's not long before you start an endless cycle of tying your creative self-worth to them, rejoycing when you spike, and despairing when you drop. Just remember - the higher you rise, the farther you eventually fall.

It was a long, painful lesson for me, but eventually I broke my addiction to numbers and popularity. And like any addiction, you still feel bouts of longing every now and again, but they do get better over time. *shrugs* I guess in a way it's better that I'm such a cartoony piss-ant. With all I have going on in RL, free time for drawing is precious commodity. I just don't have the time to update more frequently or boost my production to build audience demand. I know myself well enough to know that it'd be worse for me to have a cartoon that's a going concern and I'm not able to meet that demand. I'd be continuously killing myself to keep up my cartoon and popularity, as well as trying to get the other non-creative stuff done that needs to get done, all the while stressing out and perpetually feeling haried and behind - on everything, artwork and non artwork.

As an upside to having an audience as small as I do, I think there's a kind of interaction that I enjoy that I think popular artists aren't able to have. If you have one or two people adding suggestions on things you could try or things they'd like to see, it's considerably easier to accomodate them than if I had hundreds of them, and not knowing which ones to consider or when.