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Common mistakes for first time comic artistsMisskittyoooo's most common critiques
Once ever couple weeks I get a note with someone asking me for a critique on their comic and asking for suggestions on how to improve. I usually end up replying with some 4 page reply linking tutorials, redlining pages and the whole sh-bang. I started to notice that most of the people I give advice to all have the same common mistakes. These are going to be very basic points for beginners or strugglers, and if after reading this you still want help, of course I am always available to give you personalized advise through notes or in the chats.
Like I said, these is just my observations and advise (opinion or fact). Take them or leave them.
1. Bubbles – they are usually overcrowded, difficult to read, using bad fonts or font sizes
2. Paneling - usually no timing to speak of, crowded, difficult to read, or needing instruction on where to start reading
3. Interest – a lot of the tim

Comic Artists tools and resourcesComic Artists tools and resources
So you wanna be a comic artist, eh?
Well, as promised, here is a feature of resources for comic artists that can all be found on DA.
Comic artists face many challenges when trying to create a comic book, there are so many factors and aspects to consider. Many comic artists are both writers and artists and coming up with an effective story and being able to tell/show it in an eyecatching and effective way is full of challenges.
Here on DeviantART there are many resources and tools to help you overcome some of these problems.
This is just a sample of what I was able to find on DeviantART just by searching "comics". There's no limit to what you can find here when you narrow your search and have a look at what your peers have provided for you.
I cant stress enough to you to go through the resources and stock galleries on Deviantart, there are so many amazing pose and background references, you can waste a whole day just looking through and

Comic ResourcesSo, the most common note I get is the following:
I love your comic!  I'm making one.  Do you have any tips you could give me?
First of all, I can't say thank you enough to all the encouragement.  You guys have no idea how much it helps when I'm up until 3am working on pages, to know that people care enough to leave nice comments and favs. <3
For all those that were too shy to ask, or for all that come looking in the future, I'm compiling a list of comic resources  (and this is written for more graphic novels, as opposed to gag strip comics):
1. Why to make a comic/graphic novel:
Practice:  There is nothing wrong with drawing or writing a comic for practice.  Comics force you to use poses that you might not normally draw, and thus can vastly improve your skills.  They also force you to think in a visual narrative, instead of stock poses with sly smiles and brooding glowers.  You probably will

Comic-Making ResourcesSince I get asked about how I make my comics pretty often, I thought maybe it'd be helpful to provide some tutorials and tips for beginners! The focus here will be making digital comics (like in photoshop or sai), since I'm not experienced making them traditionally with pencils and paper. This is also probably going to lean more towards animal comics, because I imagine that's what most of my watchers are into or interested in making themselves. I'll go over character-making, paneling, scripting, things to avoid, publishing/self-publishing, etc.
Please keep in mind that I'm NOT perfect when it comes to making comics, I really consider my own work to be mediocre at best. vR is much too fast-paced, and there's pretty much no character development, so you probably shouldn't look to it as an example for a "good comic."
1. The Idea
There has to be some sort of reason you want to make a comic, and any reason is a good one! ...Unless it's just solely to copy someone else. DO N

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Submitted: November 28, 2007

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Comic Artists Tools and Resources 2

by `misskittyoooo, Nov 28, 2007, 2:17:34 PM
Journals / Art News / Cartoons & Comics

Dynamic Characters

Something every comic artist needs to know how to do is draw dynamic poses and angles. Even if you are doing a romance, or non-action comic, you'd be surprised the difference an up shot can make on a scene. A simple change of angle can make a page from Drab to fab!
I've found some awesome resources while browsing Deviantart for posing, the best selection in my opinion come from *what-i-do-is-secret.
Here are some reference sheets provided by *what-i-do-is-secret, have a look at them, try and draw some of them and learn by doing.
I've found them very useful to help get me out of an art block. When I cant seem to draw a pose or anatomy, I pull up one of these sheets and scribble out a few poses and before you know it, I'm inspired again!

Another thing that you need to look at is Facial Expressions. Expressions can be subtle or exaggerated depending on the style you are using. No matter what style, when you have a character, it's a good idea to do an expression sheet, with some basic expressions as well as some signature expressions that your character might have as part of his/her design.
Here are some sample expressions as well as some head and face references.

It's also important to get the lighting right on your character to fit the mood properly and to keep the lighting consistent and accurate through your scene.

Additional Character (People) tutorials

Animal Character Tutorials
Not all characters are humans however, and sometimes they have pets, so it's good to learn how to draw animals!
These listed below are also good for mixing with human anatomy to create anthro characters.

For more animal reference images check out the Animal Stock resources here on DA and learn from life.
Observing and drawing from life (or photos if you cant find the animals in your area) is an invaluable learning too.

Perspective

Past Resource articles
Comic Artists tools and Resources #1

If you have tutorials that haven't been featured in this of the last issue of this newsletter please send me a link to yours or your favorite tutorials that are relevant to comic artists for consideration.

I'd like to do many more of these articles, but I'm going to try and keep them smaller than that first one, so send me all your best tutorials (really good ones please).
Looking for tutorials and reference stock on the following subjects:
Perspective, backgrounds, scale, depth, anatomy, structural drawing, character design, panelling, writing comics, posing, animal anatomy, buildings, comics fonts and other tutorials and resources related to comic art and artists.