5 Tips for Drawing Comics Quick - 100 Days of Making Comics 2 - DAY 46

Summary

The video script offers practical advice for webcomic artists aiming to speed up their penciling process. The speaker shares personal experiences and tips, such as starting with broad strokes before detailing, focusing on gesture to enhance character movement, and avoiding 'chicken scratch' lines for fluidity. They also recommend working in batches for efficiency and jumping between panels to maintain momentum. These strategies are designed to help artists save time on early stages, allowing more focus on inking and coloring for final comic pages.

Takeaways

• 🎨 **Focus on Speed in Penciling**: When creating a webcomic, prioritize speed in the penciling stage as you'll revisit it frequently.
• ⏱️ **Efficiency Over Finesse**: Save detailed work for inking and coloring; pencils are just a guide, so focus on speed.
• 🚀 **Improve Drawing Speed**: Practice drawing quickly to improve your speed, even if it means starting with lower quality.
• 📈 **Growth Through Quantity**: Early in a career, producing many pages quickly can lead to growth in skill and speed.
• 🏃 **Start with Big Elements**: Begin with broad strokes and major elements before moving to finer details in your composition.
• 🤸 **Use Gesture Drawing**: Incorporate gesture drawing to capture motion and momentum, which aids in quick sketching.
• 🚫 **Avoid 'Chicken Scratch'**: Refrain from creating lines with multiple tiny strokes; use full, fluid lines for better readability and speed.
• 🔄 **Work in Batches**: Complete similar tasks for multiple pages at once to maintain focus and efficiency.
• 🔄 **Jump Between Panels**: If stuck on a panel, move to another to maintain momentum and avoid overworking one area.
• 🎭 **Follow Your Interests**: Work on parts of the comic that excite you to maintain motivation and speed throughout the process.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is to provide tips and strategies for artists, particularly those working on webcomics, to improve their drawing speed during the penciling stage of comic creation.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of drawing quickly during the penciling stage?

The speaker emphasizes drawing quickly during the penciling stage because the final product, which readers will see, will be the inked and colored pages, not the pencils. Therefore, it's more efficient to save time and effort for the final stages of the artwork.

What is the first tip the speaker gives for becoming a faster artist during the penciling stage?

The first tip the speaker gives is to start big before moving into smaller details. This means focusing on the broader composition and major elements before adding finer details like character expressions or clothing textures.

How does the speaker suggest using gesture in penciling?

The speaker suggests using gesture to capture the motion and momentum of characters, which not only helps in working quickly but also adds life and movement to the artwork. This practice is encouraged to prevent stiff or unnatural poses in characters.

What is the significance of avoiding 'chicken scratch' when drawing lines?

Avoiding 'chicken scratch,' which refers to creating a line with many tiny strokes, is significant because it prevents strain on the wrist, makes lines appear stiff, and reduces control over line placement. Instead, the speaker recommends using one fluid line for better readability and speed.

Why does the speaker recommend working in batches when penciling?

The speaker recommends working in batches to maintain focus and get into a 'zone' for a particular task without needing to switch between different thought processes. This approach helps in maintaining consistency and speed across multiple pages.

What does the speaker mean by 'jumping between panels'?

The speaker suggests 'jumping between panels' as a strategy to avoid getting stuck on a single panel. If an artist is struggling with a particular part of their work, they should move on to another panel or page to maintain momentum and return to the challenging part later with fresh eyes.

How does the speaker's approach to penciling relate to their overall comic creation process?

The speaker's approach to penciling is part of a larger process that values efficiency and speed, allowing them to focus on the final stages of comic creation where the most effort and detail are applied. This method helps in managing the long-term projects typical of webcomics.

What is the speaker's opinion on the importance of practicing to become a faster artist?

The speaker believes that practicing to become a faster artist is crucial, as it not only improves the speed of work but also enhances the quality of the final product by allowing more time for the refinement stages of comic creation.

What is the speaker's advice for artists who are struggling with a particular aspect of their penciling?

The speaker advises artists to focus on what they enjoy drawing or what they feel motivated to do, as this will naturally increase their speed and enjoyment of the work. They also suggest taking breaks from challenging aspects and returning to them later with a fresh perspective.