My comic

ArtofAleksey

@Heather-Boyd thanks these are great points.

Maybe starting with values rather than sketches

I also realized that while i like the drawing and my progress and improvements, im definitely feeling weird about something i cant put my finger on. After talking to a few people, they helped me realize that what’s missing is the mood. What is the audience supposed to be feeling other than “this is where the story takes place” I’m gonna take another pass at my work and see if i can do it again

ArtofAleksey

Ok! Major break through. I put my pencil down and started doing research and thinking more and more about what kind of design do i want to use in my comic? I kept trying to reinvent the wheel and ended up covering up parts of my art with masses of ink or lots of hatching.

So ive been researching 1950s designs because i really like that aesthetic, color palette, architecture, even their ridiculous retro futuristic designs for space ships. And i can recognize it better. Art nouveau is too much for me to understand and too difficult for me to be able to design into something practical design wise without spending too much time with it. So im going simple.

For architectural designs i think the best way i can explain the inspiration is with this image:

For cars and trains and stuff this vibe:

I think clothing will pose the toughest challenge because im not super great at clothing even after taking the clothing drawing class (might take it again)
But having something concrete will be way easier to go off of.

ArtofAleksey

So instead of just doing some arbitrary train, heres my train design

Jonathon B Baker 0

Looking good . Many thumbs up to you.

Heather Boyd

@ArtofAleksey I agree with @Jonathon-B-Baker-0 and of course you. It's great you have found a better footing for your style and able to comfortably and confidently go forward! I am really looking forward to your intertwining the 50's era in your futuristic designs. Always love what people choose to include when they mix eras together. Also dig seeing your sketch perspective work. These perspectives really make me feel I am apart of your story and alive, like it is real, or very much could be.

ArtofAleksey

Ok heres the finished version of the asteroid with the retro style buildings and the colored version of the train.
Next up are the buildings on the inside!

chrisaakins

@ArtofAleksey wow this really looks good. I definitely think you captured the aesthetic of the fifties space retro in your train. And the asteroid looks great. I am definitely hooked on it and want to know what is going on in the story.

ArtofAleksey

@chrisaakins haha im glad. I’m sorry im taking my time with this. I definitely want to jump into the story but i have realized ive let the world building fall by the wayside and developing that little by little before i get into the story is really helping me think about the aesthetic and imagery that i can use when im drawing out the comic.

chrisaakins

@ArtofAleksey I think thats a good idea, especially if you are not in a hurry. I'm just playing around with Procreate right now drawing whatever I want. I feel like I just need to improve my habits and digital skills before I tackle a project.

ArtofAleksey

@chrisaakins yeah that’s exactly it. I have a tendency to rush in because i want it done and it ends up affecting the end result more than I’d like.

K.Flagg

It looks awesome! Love that vintage look you have going. It's very unique.

ArtofAleksey

@K-Flagg thank you! Im loving it too