Question for the comic makers out there

burvantill

How much time will you spend on the creation of one panel? Do you try to limit the time due to the fact that there are so many to complete or do you keep going no matter what to create the best panel possible?

The last two nights I have been trying to draw this forced perspective image. I freaked out last night, gave up and headed for bed. I'll come at it with fresh eyes tonight, but I woke up this morning with that question in my head. I mean do I give it my best shot and call it "finished not perfect" for the sake of moving on to the next panel? Knowing myself I will keep working on it until I make my mind SEE what my eyes are trying to show me. I might also change the whole composition to another viewpoint .

But I am curious what other, more experienced, comic artists do.

The offending image.

chrisaakins

@burvantill THank you for asking this question. I think it is a good one to ask. I have wondered the same thing. I will look forward to hearing everyone else's response. Based on a quick perusal of some artists' work I think perhaps the answer may vary depending on the artist. I see some panels that are a little off every now and then.

jthomas

@burvantill I can't say I'm more experienced. I recently finished my first book last year and boy did it take it out of me. But I loved every bit of it.

I did find myself redoing panels over and over again until I had to take a break from that one and move on to something that gave me energy instead of taking it away by overthinking that panel specifically. It's like taking a break and coming back with fresh eyes. Also, I talked to someone well versed in comics (Jake) and he gave me some tips to help me out. So reaching out like this is a good thing.

Don't be afraid to change or switch gears with a panel. Remember it's about the flow of the pages altogether and unless it's a splash page with lots of details and important information I wouldn't stress too much about it.

Also, a trick I use is to isolate that panel on a different larger page and compare it with other thumbnails to see what sticks. Maybe up to 6 different versions. If I only did more thumbnails before i did pages I might have had better luck in finishing it to satisfaction.

DoodleMick

I have completed a piece in as low as a day (few hours) to as long a year, just because I lost interest. Most of the time, I think I have a great idea, and I get the sketch done in a timely manner, but when it comes time to painting, shading, detail work is where I usually fall apart.

carlianne

@burvantill it's difficult to answer because A: I don't pay attention to the time lol and B: I do roughs all the way through, then cleans all the way through and then color etc. So the time is split up and some panels are complex like this one and some are very simple. Also each individual artists their own very different speed in general.

Personally In your particular case I would keep moving forward with it as is and when I come back to it after doing all the other panels I'll be faster and have more drawing skill and a fresh mind and can tweak it to improve it then.

burvantill

@jthomas "move on to something that gave me energy"
@carlianne "keep moving forward "
GREAT IDEA! Moving on the the next panel and coming back later feels like a stress relieving option. I already have a couple panels that i just quickly sketched out to come back to later anyway, so that would be something I can incorporate easily. Thank you!

Jake Parker is the best. I always feel like a total nobody noob when I reach out and ask him a question, and then am so happily surprised when he actually answers.

burvantill

@doodlemick
"when it comes time to painting, shading, detail work is where I usually fall apart."
I am exactly the opposite. I am in my tough stage right now. But the thought of inking and coloring in the future is what is driving me to keep going.

Thank you for sharing. Its nice to know we are not alone. =)x