Is my art style "developed" enough for a web comic? - General

I've had an idea for a web comic floating around for about 2 years now, so I thought I've been long overdue for a concept sketch of some kind. I know whereabouts I want to go with this so I won't beat around the bush: [IMG]http://www.cubeupload.com/files/a42383comartpractice.png[/IMG] Lo' and behold! A stylish hat! Now I've heard that often "You're your own worst critic" and all that, but in this case that's not true. Pretty much all my drawings end up looking in this same style, so I've just gotten used to it. I have little to no idea of how other people find my art, so if you will; Rate agree if you're happy the way this drawing sits with you, and wouldn't mind seeing a whole scene composed in this style. Rate disagree if you think it's a pile of crap and I should never try to have an original thought again. Simple as. Get cracking!

It doesn't look bad, but to be quite honest a lumpy hat isn't a fantastic way of showing off your art style. It would help tons if you posted some scenes/backdrops or characters and to be quite honest there isn't a whole lot of style that comes through on that picture, not saying its bad, but it just doesn't look distinct.

I disagreed but its not as bad as you put it. Needs some work though.

If the web coming is about stylish hats, then i suppose, yes :v:

I have a half finished backdrop from a separate project I'm doing. [IMG]http://www.cubeupload.com/files/74c9a7comartpractice2.png[/IMG] Style is a bit different from the original post's content but I suppose this thread was more or less to determine if I'm not deluded in thinking that I'm actually good at drawing.

What you posted is random gibberish. How about some content which you would be able to use in a web comic?

You definitely need more work, but very few webcomics look as good from the start as they do towards the end, as you make more you'll see your skills develop [editline]26th November 2010[/editline] and easy on the glow

[QUOTE=TheSmartass;26301127]I have a half finished backdrop from a separate project I'm doing. [img_thumb]http://www.cubeupload.com/files/74c9a7comartpractice2.png[/img_thumb] Style is a bit different from the original post's content but I suppose this thread was more or less to determine if I'm not deluded in thinking that I'm actually good at drawing.[/QUOTE] I change my vote! I LOVE that backdrop!

Very sound advice. Cheers guys! Now, about posting something that goes more into the web comic idea... I don't have anything else other than the hat right now. Heh. But I suppose if you guys are willing to wait a while, then I'll probably draw some more. I do have many ideas to jot down, after all. Also seems to be mixed reception on this background drawing. ... I like it.

I'm just saying that you won't get far if you only know how to illustrate a hat.

Suggesting that a comic won't go far just because it is based around Headwear prooves your logic to be very old-hat! Hohohoho.... Seriously though, I don't only draw hats. That would proove to make a very confusing web-comic. EDIT: Oh I see why you think that. I didn't specify what I'm drawing up for this thread right now. No, I'm not drawing another beanie. I am however drawing a middle aged man [b][i]called[/i][/b] beanie. The co-star is called "Skid" and the webcomic's going to be about 2 men in their forties that got into gaming so much during the atari era they have been following non-stop ever since. That should give you a bit of background.

How old are you? This is important considering the characters you intend to portray. The humour will mostly lie in the words (as well as subtle facial expressions and what not), so if you are like.. 16 or something, you probably have no idea what 40 year olds are like, and you earliest gaming memory is probably Super Nintendo...

Alright, I've been tinkering with this image long enough. You guys may have it now. First draft of "Beanie" (Sans the actual beanie): [IMG]http://www.cubeupload.com/files/6ad5fcomartpractice3.png[/IMG] And in response to Luka, yes, I am 16. But the reason I want to parody these types of middle aged men is because I bought an Atari 2600 just recently, and my dad and uncle seemed to have taken a liking to it. The stuff they come out with while playing it is hilarious. This project is obviously going to be fun for me. Oh, and you guys may use the agree/disagree system in any post that contains content. Doing this will probably be useful for me. EDIT: Oh! Shit. That picture was sloppily put back together. Hold on. [IMG]http://www.cubeupload.com/files/57a2c6comartpractice3.png[/IMG] Ahhh, there we go. Muuch better.

hurr

-snip- I agree, Failboat... This conversation never happened. ...Move along.

how are you drawing these? The artwork is just bizarre.. it's unique, I'll give you that, but the hair, it looks like you have transformed and stretched part of the image. It could work if you make facial expressions bizarro, like they do in Spongebob or Ren & Stimpy.

Unique really couldn't be more spot on because I actually drew this on powerpoint. Heh, is funny because I don't earn enough from my meagre paying saturday job to buy a professional bit of kit. Ah well, no point in upgrading software anyway. I've gotten used to all the bells and whistles of what I've got now after using it for; say, about 3 years? Give or take four. ... God, I've been drawing so much tonight I seemed to have developed momentary Parkinsons. EDIT: Either that or I'm shaking because the thread's gone cold.

[QUOTE=TheSmartass;26300978][img_thumb]http://www.cubeupload.com/files/a42383comartpractice.png[/img_thumb] Lo' and behold! A stylish hat! [/QUOTE] I would not of known that this is a hat if you didn't say so.

[QUOTE=TheSmartass;26302518][img_thumb]http://www.cubeupload.com/files/57a2c6comartpractice3.png[/img_thumb] Ahhh, there we go. Muuch better.[/QUOTE] Now this looks like quite a non-generic style. It could very well be webcomicable, but I'd need to see more before I make a final decision on whether or not I think it's a good idea. My gut says yes.

It is a non-generic style but that doesn't mean its good. I find it quite horrible to look at. Its messy and I have no idea what they are showing without an explanation.

[QUOTE=Greeneyes;26308401]It is a non-generic style but that doesn't mean its good. I find it quite horrible to look at. Its messy and I have no idea what they are showing without an explanation.[/QUOTE] There's bound to be some people who like it and some who don't. Point is, it looks interesting. I agree that TheSmartass should probably make it so as it's more obvious what the heck he's actually drawing...

You mean it doesn't look like a hat? There's the... Beanie bit at the top... The cap... No? Ah well, I guess if this is how the vast majority feel then I guess I have no choice but to revise both my drawings. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I drew both of the at 4:00am, I dunno...

[QUOTE=TheSmartass;26308569]You mean it doesn't look like a hat? There's the... Beanie bit at the top... The cap... No? Ah well, I guess if this is how the vast majority feel then I guess I have no choice but to revise both my drawings. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that I drew both of the at 4:00am, I dunno...[/QUOTE] I think the main reason why people think that it doesn't look like a hat is because of its perspective. With the majority of things (in my opinion) it's hard to draw front on. Try drawing it from a different angle.

I've seen successful comics with very simplified, messy, almost sketchy art. What makes a good comic is the storyline, most importantly. The art dictates the piece, but unless the art is REALLY REALLY good, no one reads a comic for the art. They read it because it's entertaining or funny or what have you. Your art is okay. It's just not very original. The guy's face repels me. I wouldn't read a comic if it had that guy in it. I would continue to experiment and push your comfort zone. Keep going.

I think you should do it jim!

Making a comic is all about communicating with pictures and words to get your story across. I can't tell what half of the stuff you posted are supposed to look like. so maybe try actually drawing a comic, then you will see. And you can't really show off the essence of your "style" by drawing a lumpy hat. I wouldn't even know it was a hat if you hadn't written it.

You wouldn't happen to be the the-smartass that I know would you? Either way, it looks like you have some nice work here, it'll stand out if nothing else.

Looks like something Mike Judge would draw

I'm so confused. It looks like his head is twice as long as it is wide and the back is gripping a sausage. [editline]26th November 2010[/editline] And is that an ear I see sticking out of his cheek? Not trying to be rude, I'm genuinely curious.

For what it's worth, I couldn't tell it was a hat.