I did, it’s not really well thought out yet but I wanted to start with your idea first.
It’s good things it’s no longer closing but I won’t wait any longer to post the advice I was given. I’ll start in a few hours.
Just to point out that many of these artists said there really is no trick to improving just draw every single day… Which is obviously true but if you know exactly what to draw it’s speeds up this process much quicker. It’s like telling a pro athlete to improve at his sport by just participating in the sport he competes in without lifting weight and working on his cardio, or even making sure he’s getting the right nutrition. You’ll improve but not as fast as you would if you take certain these things into consideration.
I specifically chose comic book artists because high level comic book artists can do anything artistically at a high level. I’ve seen comic book artist who only work in traditional mediums transition to using Wacomb tablets and within a few months there a lot better than concept artist with over 10 years worth of experience.
Before I start posting the advice I was given I’ll post the following which might be useful for artists in general.
What it Takes to be a Comic Artist
The comic book and graphic novel industry are some of the fastest growing and most popular sectors of the literature market, and there is many a comic book artist turning his hand to try new things to take advantage of the increasing demand for comic books. The art of comic book drawing is a complex one, but nearly anyone can become a comic book artist. Not only are there traditional comic books, anime, manga, and graphic novels, but webcomics have become increasingly popular in the last few years.
You may wonder “How did comic book artist greats like Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Adam Hughes, Joe Madureira, Axel Alonso and the rest become famous, and how can I become a comic book artist?” Becoming a comic book artist is not the easiest profession, and you should be prepared to overcome a large number of challenges in order to become a recognized and sought after comic book artist. Here are a few things that will be required:
Techniques
Technique does not refer to a specific technique that is popular, but refers to the artistic techniques that separate an artist apart from someone who doodles on spare sheets of paper. A true comic book artist knows shading, rendering, how to use lighting and the angle of light properly, draftsmanship, how to draw the bodies and expressions to represent body language and facial expressions accurately. A true artist has a style that is unique to him, and he knows how to use his unique style in combination with other artists’ styles.
Storytelling
A comic book artist needs to be able to tell a story. The art of comic is all about illustrating a very good story, and a comic book needs to follow the same lines as a book. A great story can easily be turned into a comic, but a terrible story makes for a terrible comic. No matter how much action, violence, or romance you put into a comic book, your story needs to intrigue the reader. There are hundreds of different styles of storytelling that you can use for your comic book, and you should do some research into the best ways to tell a story in comic book form.
Experience
Experience is vital when it comes to being a comic book artist. No one starts out with a lot of experience in comic books, but many years of drawing can help a comic artist to hone his talents. Obtain as much experience as possible in order to learn as much as you can about the art of comic book creating.
Anyone who is considering a career in comic book art should consider creating a webcomic first. A webcomic is a comic posted online, and can be a great way for budding comic books artists to practice and hone their art skills. It can also help teach the young comic book artist how to apply themselves to producing a comic every day, and can help them in both their art and their storytelling styles.
It will be a long road to become a comic book artist, but if you have sufficient talent, motivation, and perseverance, you stand a chance of becoming a comic book artist.
1 Like
Pinterest is the shit, guys. So is gumroad
sorry i dint see your edited post featuring your story till now. so…we can do your story first if you want.
@“Sexperienced.”
Thanks for sharing the advice.
Somehow i get the feeling that becoming a comic book artist is even harder than becoming a concept artist. Not only do your drawing skills need to be on point, but you also have to be well versed in the art of storytelling. Seems really demanding.
Let’s start with your’s seeing as you were the first person to come up with an idea.
How long do we have to submit? My girls in town at the moment. But it sounds like a fun idea.
I haven’t started posting the advice yet. I’ll leave out the artists that say it’s all about being consistent because we already know this, so I’ll start with the artists that gave me the best advice.
becoming a comic book artist is demanding and just working in the profession alone forces you to improve. They’re constantly working on their fundamentals daily, in pencil and ink. They also have tight deadlines to complete work so they learn how to work extremely fast and proficiently. With other artistic professions like concept art your using a Wacomb tablet with Photoshop which gives you the ability to easily manipulate images however you want, you can also use perspective grids with a push of a button or 3d modelling software. I’ve seen really good concept artist when it comes to utilising software but they can barely draw with a pencil.
By the way I read that Stuart Immonen used to look through magazines and newspapers just to find images to copy that fit in with what he was told to illustrate. He literally had rooms filled with magazine and newspaper cut-outs since the 1980’s and throughout the 90’s but today he says doesn’t need it. Back then he wasn’t as talented as he is now and all the years he spent copying images actually helped him acquire the skills to no longer need images to copy, but that’s an example of the really long way to improve.
Immonens art work:
Spoiler
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica314.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman1251415.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen31617.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica104.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman13015.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12407.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman1251415.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1701.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica209.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/NewAvengersVolTwo51011.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen304.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen911.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1011.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen161415.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen15Cover.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen180607.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1804.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1207.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/ultimatexmen5901.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica214.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AmazingSpiderman2533.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica208.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/NewAvengersVolTwo8Cover.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/DarkTowerTheGunslingerBorn2VariantCoverN.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12619.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12616.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman1270405.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12722.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/NewAvengersVolTwo611.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman1200203.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/NewAvengersVolTwo704.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/NewAvengersVolTwo116.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/NewAvengersVolTwo503.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica514Inks.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica312.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica215.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/NewAvengersVolTwo604.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderMan1212021.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12813.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12816.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12913.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12818.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen271819.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen302.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen2913.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen21617.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1415.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12807.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1314.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1414.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen12Cover.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/UltimateSpiderman12810.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica315.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica307.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica610.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/NewAvengersVolTwo61213.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen28Cover.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1212.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/CloneConspiracyOmega1KingsFavor01.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica212.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica501.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1409.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica504.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1312.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica601.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica5Cover.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewXMen1313.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_232/AllNewCaptainAmerica207.jpg
http://media.comicbook.com/2016/12/asm2015025003scol-217493.jpg
https://sicklygazelle.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/uncanny-xmen.jpg
I’ve also noticed that my favorite comic book artist’s tend to have degrees in animation, eventhough they’ve never worked in the animation industry, like Olivier Coipel and Sara Pichelli. That’s why I also think that learning animation helps a lot.
Olivier Coipel’s art work:
Spoiler
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_593/AmazingSpiderman1403Inks.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_593/AmazingSpiderman1404Inks.jpg
http://cdn.fanfare-se.com/Images/Category_2/subcat_593/AmazingSpiderman1407Inks.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0a/75/60/0a756083b80fdfad02d3396e32ebfd96--olivier-amazing-spider.jpg
http://41.media.tumblr.com/e18b7a035053ab554290eff6dd045640/tumblr_n1g37xf1pJ1qg47ego1_1280.jpg
http://art.cafimg.com/images/Category_31754/subcat_85430/Siege_2_pg20-21.jpg
http://art.cafimg.com/images/Category_39259/subcat_80638/Coipel_XMen_N449_p2.jpg
https://img00.deviantart.net/0a7d/i/2010/109/a/1/siege_3_pg_10_by_markmorales.jpg
http://art.cafimg.com/images/Category_157/subcat_79139/oeYxadqa_2211141816171.jpg
http://art.cafimg.com/images/Category_157/subcat_79139/oeYxadqa_2211141816171.jpg
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/51/5f/69/515f6968080cc43ba914d44472449143.jpg
https://pre00.deviantart.net/84f6/th/pre/i/2009/224/f/5/tales_of_asgard_2_cover_by_markmorales.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/58/e6/2b/58e62bcf50857960c356b383b617fb59.jpg
https://img00.deviantart.net/2b77/i/2010/300/2/5/coipel_pencils_my_inks_by_emperios-d31mcfu.jpg
https://orig00.deviantart.net/30fd/f/2008/214/c/f/house_of_m_by_timtownsend.jpg
http://ignorant-bliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/ares-sees.jpg
http://art.cafimg.com/images/Category_31754/subcat_85430/Siege_2_pg20-21.jpg
There’s no time limit. Just try to complete it before we decide to move on to the next story, and I have no idea when that will be.
kay. i’ll get started tonight. idk how long itll take me.
im on my second panel…and this shit is harrrrrd already. its hard. kudos to comic book artists lol
Ok guy’s here’s some advice I was given by a Marvel artist by the name of Lewis LaRosa. I think he without a doubt gave me the best advice. I’ve swapped my real name with SXP:
Bare in mind that this was years ago. After briefly introducing myself the question I asked was something along the lines of, "I’d like to ask you a question regarding drawing the human body in various poses, camera angles and perspectives when illustrating a story, and also drawing creases in clothing whilst adding light and shade. How can I develop the ability to do this correctly?
**Lewis LaRosa:
SXP, pardon my language, but fuck books, fuck teachers, and fuck teaching. LEARN FROM LIFE!!! Go to every life figure drawing session you possibly can, especially those that make you do the really fast gesture drawings (30 seconds - 2 minutes) and do that often. Set up a mirror beside your drawing table. Ask your friends, wife, girlfriend, ANYBODY to pose for you. Have them take pictures of YOU. Seriously, screw drawing from formulas. I don’t measure shit out, I’ve developed a feel for anatomy and clothing because I’ve drawn them from life a million times before and I’ll draw them from life a million times again. I cannot emphasize this enough. Don’t learn from other artists. Develop your own approach and style by going straight to the source! Hope this helps!
Your mindset it perfect, SXP. You have passion and you’re committed. Don’t ever get discouraged. Every time you put pencil to paper you are getting better. You are learning. Even when your drawing is turning out terribly and you’re frustrated and you think you’ll never get it, it’s a learning experience and you’ll be a little better the next time. After enough practice and repetition you’ll be able to turn your brain off a bit more and drawing the figure will feel more like second nature. It’s all just lines and shapes! Don’t overthink it and overwhelm yourself! When drawing foreshortened subjects that seem complicated and difficult, squint your eyes to lose fussy details and just concentrate on the silhouette and overall shape. Nothing is going to get you better at figure drawing than extremely fast gesture drawings from live models! Keep me updated on your progress, SXP! Off to the drawing board for me!
SXP, great to hear you jumped into life drawing! I don’t know how much it’s costing you but maybe do some more digging and see if you can find some cheaper sessions. There are some around here where all you have to pay is $10 for two hours. As far as tools, whatever works. It’s all personal preference. I went to art school so I’ve put plenty of hours in on easels. They’re necessary if you’re working very large. I don’t think it’d work for comic work because there are too many little things you have to do on the page, too many technical things where you need to be more precise. But one of the benefits of an easel is that you’re standing, so you’re more alert, your blood’s flowing, it’s more of a kinetic activity. Regarding pencils, I use a lead holder with an HB lead. I’ve given a lot of art lessons and one of the first things I tell my students is to pull waaay back on the pencil so that you’re holding it at about the halfway point. This forces you to draw lighter, looser, and faster. Don’t choke up on the lead until the final 10% of the drawing. I ink myself with Micron pens that you can get from any hobby store. Looking forward to seeing some of your work! Keep it up, SXP!**
Lewis Larosa’s art work
Spoiler
http://sonicdan.com/larosa/images/BSS3pgs20_21.jpeg
https://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BS_010-600x769.jpg
https://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BS_005-600x762.jpg
https://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BS_003-600x813.jpg
https://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BS_004-600x848.jpg
http://art.cafimg.com/images/Category_8926/subcat_91849/9sTP3h8o_060916110854lola.JPG
https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/BSRB_011_COVER-B_HENRY1.jpg
https://comicattack.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/BSRB_011_002-602x937.jpg
https://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BS_001_dps-600x387.jpg
https://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/BS_002-600x881.jpg
I’ll elaborate more on what Lewis said in the first paragraph about drawing yourself. All comicbook artists do this to an extent when creating panels.
Here’s an example with Stuart Immonen.
1 Like
Nice stuff not-Darren. Really, really good post.
And yeah, 100% agree lol. However, I will say, upon figure drawing, to me I found anything past 5 minutes useless.
I always thought as long as I can capture the action, I can go about it from there, ya’ know?
My only issue with the advice is the post itself.
I kept over looking the message cause of the mass spam of images LOL.
Spoiler dat shit, dawg!
LOL, my bad… done
It’s not the actual drawing that makes it hard, it’s deciding which angles/perspectives to use as you transition from one panel to the next.
theres gonna be a small delay. health problem. cant move the arm that i draw right now. so itll be a while before i finish. and yea. angles/perspectives is a bitch.
ebay selling drawing figures by the Figma company, for 8 bucks that are almost 6 inches high. tiny. but functional. and cheap.
i dont think they come with the stand thing that helps with off the ground poses tho.
Don’t worry, take your time… there is no rush.
Bleh, the eyes look stranger than I thought.
There’s more after the Kick, but I got lazy. The actual kick was odd since we were told the kick was 2 frames.