Shoudl I start a Comic? And I good enough?

[LukeEkblad]

Hi guys. I'v been drawing for a very long time now and I have been wanting to maybe start an online comic. I dont know if I need more practice or if i'm good enough to start a comic already. Here are some of my drawings to you maybe some of you could tell me if i'm good enough. Or, it would be awesome if you could give me some pointers or tips. Thanks!

Heres the link to some of my work. I can post more if you like.

http://lukeekblad.googlepages.com/mydrawings2

[NakedElf]

In order to make a good comic, what you need isn't good art (although that helps). What you need is a good idea. Do you have a comic you want to create? A story you're itching to draw? Funny jokes you want to tell? etc.?

If you do, then a comic is a great way to do all that *and* improve your drawing skills. If you don't, then a comic isn't going to do you any good. (Don't be one of those folks who starts a comic and then 30 strips later is like 'uh I have a bunch of random stuff because I have no idea what I want to do.' That's not a comic, that's just a bunch of drawings.)

[LukeEkblad]

Ok, so if I want to get better at cartooning and stuff, making a comic is a good idea? Are my drawings good enough to get started or shoudl I get a little better then start a comic? And no... I have no idea what to make a comic about.

[EvilChihuahua]

Hey, don't get stuck with the misconception that your art style won't change and improve as you do your comic. In fact, I find that doing a comic is one of the best ways to improve your art.

Granted, if you want to do a story-based comic, then you generally want the art to be interesting enough that a person will stick around and get hooked on the story. I personally decided to start out with a humourous comic, so I could improve my art and writing skills, before I gave one of my longer, dramatic stories a whirl. I still haven't moved to the story based comic, but looking back, I would be a lot more confident starting one with my current level of skill, rather than the skill I had at the beginning.

[Killbert-Robby]

Also, we have a LOT worse lying around, you'd by no means be the bottom of the heap. Even if you dont START your comic, hang around here and contribute to the art threads, trust me the constant drawing this place can pressure you into forces impovement. But its not for the weak of heart - We will criticize what is wrong (as well as point out the good points). Its not flaming, its proffessional advice so to speak. So if you think you're not good enough, hang out, draw more, and listen.

[IVstudios]

Don't even bother asking. If you want to do a comic, do one. Even if you suck. Even if you have no hands and draw using a pencil taped to your stubs.

How good you are has no bearing on wether or not you should start a web comic. Largely because the consequences of failure are zero. Even if you do a horrible comic that everyone hates, it's not like the Comic Cops are going to come a confiscate your computer.

And yes, making a comic is the single best way to get better at making comics. Also, I will have to disagree with NakedElf. If after 30 strips you run out of ideas and just start doing random drawings, that is also fine. As long as you are having fun, go for it. Again, zero consequences (beyond possible loss of the readers you may or may not have built up). Just do it.

Do it now!


...


Are you doing it yet?

[Killbert-Robby]

http://forums.comicgenesis.com/viewtopi ... 83&start=0

I direct you to this because its always fun to see people's style evolve over time, some of the pictures arent up, but a decent amount of samples are still sitting there. Check it out. Drawing comics does that to you.

[LukeEkblad]

Wow Killbert-Robby thats kinda inspiring, cool. And YES! ivstudios! I'm gana start soon! but I have no idea what i'm gana comic about any ideas?

[Mr.GtF]

Just go for it!
I recently just started up my webcomic on a sudden, bizarre impulse having absolutely no experience with webcomics what-so-ever. And I've never really drawn anything of any worth in my life. I just had this idea I loved and really wanted to get it out there in some form or another.

Hooray for teh internets!

*laughs out loud*

[Warren]

but I have no idea what i'm gana comic about any ideas?

Giant green monkeys who eat elephants. Or who fight ninjas. Because ninjas rock.

[LukeEkblad]

Ok, believe it or not, I just started my first web comic. actually, my first any comic.

[IVstudios]

any ideas?

Well you could always do a comic about playing videoga-

*Is assassinated*

On a serious note: It is always recommended to "write what you know" so you could start by picking a topic that interests you and do a story about that.

In the case of total writers block, here are some random topics that might make interesting* stories:

1. The life an times of a pine tree
2. A cop drama investigating the death of a accountant involving a bazaar paper shredder accident.
3. The history of the coaster.
4. A man is sitting at a bus stop waring only the top half of a clown costume. What's up with that?
5. Post-apocalyptic, steam-punk toothpaste factory run by mutant-alien-overlords.
6. A man who has lost his one and only hat.
7. A renegade cop with a heart of gold.
8. A child molester with a heart of gold.
9. A slightly depressed plumber with a heart of phosphorus.
10. A bad ass toaster out for vengeance.
11. 9 angry cats and one girls in a fish suit locked in a room together.
12. A triple rape/murder/suicide mystery.
13. The Aristocrats - My person recommendation.
14. The Bean Farmer: A true American Hero.
15. "My coffee cup. I've never actually used it for coffee. It just has pens and stuff in it."


*Interest of stories is not guaranteed. All sales final. If conditions persists or worsens consult a doctor.

[Warren]

10. A bad ass toaster out for vengeance.

FROM HELL!

[Cope]

Darker, edgier, more intense.

[NakedElf]

And yes, making a comic is the single best way to get better at making comics. Also, I will have to disagree with NakedElf. If after 30 strips you run out of ideas and just start doing random drawings, that is also fine.

Ah, but that's not what I said. My criticism was not of people who run out of ideas (that happens to the best of us after time) but of people who have no idea to start with. At that point you don't have a comic, you just have a random assortment of images. If you want to do a comic, do a comic. If drawing a bunch of random stuff helps you figure out what you want to do, then draw a bunch of stuff. If you change your mind and decide to do something completely different, do something different. But I don't recommend starting a comic when you have no idea at all what you want to do with it. That's putting the cart before the horse. Get your idea first (even if your idea is 'lots of random stuff!') and then make your comic.


Back to the original subject: Your drawings aren't half bad, LukeEkblad, and your skills will of course improve with practice. So I say find an idea for a comic, and go for it. ^_^

[LibertyCabbage]

There are so many webcomics out there that there's really no disadvantage to starting one. At worst, you'd just be one of the thousands of worthless comics out there, and regardless of how skilled you are at least you'll be exercising your creativity and imagination and developing your writing and artistic abilities.

Regarding your samples, there are two immediate things you need to do which will make your comic a lot better:

1) Either ink your drawings and scan in black-and-white, or ink your drawings digitally.

2) Use different perspectives besides front-view all the time. This is a common view since it's the easiest to draw, but not only does it get boring and repetitive quickly but it's also unrealistic and uncreative.

Anyways, good luck, and don't be afraid to ask if you want advice or criticism.

[Orinocou]

Yeah, man! Start yer comic now, even if you don't have total confidence in your drawings. Who does, really?

But one thing: Avoid talking about "the suckiness" of your art. It almost sounds like you're fishing for compliments, like you're waiting for someone to say, "oh, its not that bad". There will always be art that's better and worse than yours. Just treat your art as a work in progress, and know that you're improving each time you pick up a pencil (or feather quill).

Woah, I didn't know I was gonna do a pep talk this evening.

Oh hey, and if you're like me and can't think up a good story for a comic, why not do an adaption of an existing story? (I'm drawing one of the Final Fantasy games for just this reason) Just make sure to give credit.

[Vulpeslibertas]

Naked Elf has a good point. A comic is a lot more than pictures. Story mechanics, plot, pacing, etc, etc, etc. blah blah blah.

That shouldn't stop you from starting though. There's no better way to learn than to jump in.

Ask for a lot of critique and don't be afraid of the burn, it only helps you get better.

EDIT: For story ideas, there's always a "writer looking for artist" somewhere. Hunt around the normal webcomicking sites.

The best thing about drawing a story (as opposed to random drawings) is that the story will force your art to improve in areas that you might avoid otherwise.

[LukeEkblad]

Ok, I have a great idea for a Comic and alredy drew and posted the first one. I took a picture of it, inked it on the computer then posted it! I'm just waiting for the email to come that has my password and stuff. It been like 10 mins alredy, is it soposed to tack that long?

[Jackhass]

The only way to become good at drawing comics is to...well, draw comics. Don't worry if you're not great, signing up is free and you can start a new comic later if this one doesn't turn out...get some free practice.