Hi everyone,

I’m currently working on a series of short Bible comics, and I’m planning to spend the next year in Israel. Since I won’t have access to my usual heavy art supplies—like alcohol markers and large-format paper—I’m trying to figure out how to adjust my workflow.

I usually prefer working traditionally, but I understand that using an iPad (I have Procreate) is more efficient and portable. That said, I’d still like to incorporate some traditional work, especially for penciling or inking.

Right now, I have an A4 sketchbook, but I know many comic artists use 11x17 comic boards with pre-marked areas for bleeds, trims, and safe zones. I’m not sure how easy it will be to get those in Israel—Amazon might not be as accessible, and local art stores may not stock them or might charge a lot for custom orders.

I’ll also be juggling seminary and an internship, which will limit the time I have to work on comics, especially if I’m relying on a less mobile, traditional setup.

So here are my main questions:
• Can I get away with using a regular A4 sketchbook to make comics?
• If not, what are some ways I can adapt my workflow?
• How can I combine traditional tools with a digital process in a simple, efficient way?

While I’ve used Procreate before and it works well, I find digital art lacks the tactile quality of paper. It’s too easy to erase and undo, which makes it feel a bit too “perfect.” With traditional tools, I’m more focused and deliberate—mistakes leave traces, which I actually find helps me improve.

Any tips on making comics with minimal tools or making the most of a hybrid traditional/digital approach would be really appreciated!

Thanks so much!

@jenn Thank you, Jenn. 🙂 I appreciate your kind comment.

@Michael-Angelo-Go 

@Ari-Sorokin i'm trying to find other ways of building a career without social media. it's not good for my mental health and i've taken breaks and returned many different times to understand that stays the same for me. i'm not sure what the answer is, to be honest. the algorithm is toxic and we get lost in that sea unless you have a huge fan base and perhaps have mad skills. i did hop on Cara for a time and that felt a bit better as it's all art. but not sure if that would help you promote your work effectively enough. or if that's the right audience. all in all i'm with ya...it's tough without it.

@Tony-Barber said in Current work feedback 🙂 slope game:

Hey all,
I would love some general feedback on my current work. I'm aiming for a sort of a papercut /textured look; building details with the basic shapes. I feel like I'm on to something with these. Any feedback would be great.
Thanks,
Tony.
8dff2803-b552-4e65-9116-32fb1b859252-image.png

16357473-ac77-48b5-b895-73a78f434be5-image.png

They are so awesome.

Hey everyone,

In high school, I worked hard on my portfolio and was accepted into several art schools. However, the intense application process left me feeling burnt out, and I struggled with imposter syndrome. I initially wanted to study animation to tell my own stories, but after seeing how competitive the industry is, the uninspired projects being produced, and the ideological leanings of many studios, I started to question whether pursuing animation professionally was the right choice. Eventually, I convinced myself that art should remain a hobby rather than a career.

Because of this, I sold my iPad Pro and the laptop I used for digital animation and chose not to pursue an animation degree. Instead, I enrolled in a construction management program. While I find aspects of it interesting, it’s a demanding, technical field with a heavy emphasis on mathematics and problem-solving rather than aesthetics and storytelling. Now, in my second year of college, I still feel uncertain about my future.

Lately, I’ve been questioning whether I let fear of failure, adversity, and imposter syndrome push me away from an artistic career. Despite my efforts to move on, I still feel drawn to creative work. Even with the rise of AI-generated imagery and the instability of the entertainment industry, I’m beginning to realize that staying true to my artistic aspirations might matter more than financial security alone.

Next year, I’ll be attending a yeshiva (seminary) in Israel that includes an internship, which has given me time to reflect. I’m now wondering—should I pivot to a more creative field like filmmaking or journalism, or should I stay on my current path with construction?

On one hand, construction management offers financial stability, but I worry that I’d just be an average professional making good money rather than an artist with true passion. I don’t want to live a life that feels like settling.

Recently, I’ve started making comics again and genuinely enjoying it. However, I recognize that industries like animation and game development, while more aligned with my creative interests, also have significant financial and structural challenges.

I’d love to hear from others who have faced a similar dilemma. How did you balance artistic passion with practical career considerations? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

@Michael-Angelo-Go just a preference

Hello everyone, it's been quiet here for a while, so I thought I would share some photos of my trip to Cal Arts of Santa Clarita, California.

This school is famous, because so many talented creators of our childhoods graduated here. I.e. Pixar.

I have been drawing lately, but not children's books, things that I actually like to draw. Please click the imgur link below.

https://imgur.com/a/cal-arts-feb-26-2025-ejnAj54

IMG_20250216_205615927.jpg

When Mirroring a rectangle in Perspective, which corner are you meant to draw through middle with? As I get two different widths.

Am I over complicating this in my head, just cant grasp the fundamentals

@Ari-Sorokin Clip Studio isn't costly, there are two versions, PRO and EX, EX is much more expensive but it only has a couple of extra features that are not that useful for most people.
The PRO version is quite cheap (buy it on sale or on black Friday), I use an EX version on my main work computer and I bought an extra PRO license last year for editing on my secondary computer, I paid about $16 for it and it has a free upgrade to the upcoming new version as well.

I wouldn't go with their monthly subscription, the "updates" you pay with it are not worth it and you can buy a new license or an upgrade for cheap if you really need to have it updated.

You can also try PaintStorm Studio, which is like an updated and evolved version of SAI, really great for painting and I think it's worth around $25.

Hey Pamela, I know the post is a little old and I am definitely too late to reply to this, but I am gonna do it anyway as I believe it can help someone who reads this too.

I am a publishing consultant and I also work with a publishing company. A very good friend of mine who happens to be my client, asked me about this company Kravitz and sons. They reached out to her with these marketing plans that were really promising and eventhough I was already marketing and distributing all her books, I wanted to consider these guys as well just to see if they can do it better than me. However, being in the industry for so long, I wanted to do my research before getting ahead with this. That's when I found your post and the very statement about them being partners with Ingram is a definite lie. In fact the whole plan they sold to your dad is a lie. Not that its not possible, it definitely is. But these guys are gonna drain your pockets to get something done that doesn't cost anything at all.

They must have given a review to your dad's book with critical analysis and everything stating why it is important for him to distribute and promote his books and the potential. That's all bullshit, its all chat GPT. There's no panel doing this critical analysis if that's what they've told him. This is phishing, that's how they do it. And once you pay them, they'll ask you for more and more everytime for a new service. Paying for the services is not the problem here. But what they'll sell you would be the most useless service of all time, and they know it yet they'll charge a highly unreasonable amount for it. So yes, it is a scam, and I hope your dad didn't fall for it.

@Michael-Angelo-Go
For some reason, it wouldn't let me post. it keeps requiring an image url

Hi everyone,

I seem to remember that a long time ago there was a qustionnaire to help artists find and define their artistic style. I think it was possibly created by Lee White, but I'm not sure. I remember it broke down styles into components like color, lines and shapes etc.

I've been trying to find it, but I haven't managed yet. Does anyone remember it? Was it part of a course?
I don't think the "How To Discover Your Style" course includes that questionnaire.

I would be very grateful for any help. Thank you

@Reb-Erlik Thanks Reb! I clearly posted this before I was done listening to the episode haha I've migrated to their new platform now. Hope to see you there!

@kayleenartlover I’m not sure about these, so it’s worth asking here: support@svslearn.com. I didn’t have any purchased items before, so I just bought the package offered on the new site directly.

Hello everyone! Here are some of the asymmetrical and symmetrical rocks I drew for Assignment 4 of designing rocks and Plants! Feel free to critique and provide feedback!!

The symmetrical rocks:
IMG_1918.jpeg IMG_1919.jpeg IMG_1920.jpeg

The asymmetrical rocks:
IMG_1917.jpeg IMG_1916.jpeg IMG_1915.jpeg

Hello! I’m planning an exhibition with character paintings like the one bellow to sell at local, less formal galleries and maybe online (but rather not).

Is there a market for this style, and do they need to look more polished?

Should I stick to a fantasy theme, or can I mix themes if I use the same medium?
I’ve noticed most exhibitions focus on one theme. What’s your advice?

Thanks guys!

Shadow Mare_small.jpg

@Yogita-Chawdhary
Thanks, I liked the concept but ran out time to really push the story. Did the best with the time I had left.

@jahn thank you so much!! ☺️

Hey everyone, just wanted to keep you aware of what we are doing over on the new site. We have two weeks of live events for every tier starting tonight! We have different demos being done daily. Hope those of you on the fence can join for a few of them...

Here they are
All the pros are involved in this one, here is a quick breakdown of the days and times (PST time zone).

12/2: Mon - 7 PM Meet and Greet! Chat with all the instructors as we kick this whole thing off!

12/3: Tue - 10 AM Will Terry Demo

12/4: Wed - 7 PM Jake Parker Demo

12/5: Thu - 10 AM Lee Demo
Studio ONLY : 1:00 PM Podcast Live

12/6: Fri - 10 AM Anthony Wheeler Demo

Sat

Sun

12/9: Mon - 10 AM Samantha Cotterill Demo
Studio ONLY : 7 PM Office hour

12/10: Tue - 7 PM Hot Seat - Jake Parker portfolio review

12/11: Wed - 10 AM David HohnDemo

12/12: Thu - 1 PM Using The New Community Pro Studio ONLY