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1. The is the big one. DON'T use an anime/manga style as an excuse to not learn how to draw. It won't work. This isn't a slam on the anime/manga style: I read a number of strips where the artist has integrated those stylistic elements into their own style. But, they learned how to draw FIRST.
2: The above also goes for American Comic Book styles.
3: Don't try a really sketchy/scratchy style to conceal your lack of drawing skill. Jules Fieffer you are not.
4. I repeat: unless you're going for sprites, photos or abstract art, learn to draw FIRST. Put the damn "How to Draw" books away, and attend some art classes.
5. If you can't draw hands, see #2. Hiding the hands behind backs or off panel won't work.
6. Don't think computer coloring will save you. MS Paint won't compensate for bad art.
7. If the only way you can tell the characters apart is their hairstyles, rethink your character concepts. or see #2.
8. Likewise, if putting the characters into different outfits renders them unrecognizable, see #2.
9. As far as using 3-D wireframe or CGI programs? Just don't. Read up on the Uncanny Valley, and just leave it alone.
10. Don't restart the strip every time you learn to draw better. OK, once may work, if it's not too far along. But not more than once.
[Webcomics] A scary, scary idea
Nov. 28th, 2007 02:39 pm SO, am I the only one who finds <a href="http://www.xkcd.com/">this XKCD</a> terrifying?
I mean, this sort of forced evolution is the sort of thing that's going to eventually lead to language skills, and then inevitably to humans huddling like roaches in the corners of the new post-Singularity world. At least that's what the SF writers keep telling me...
I mean, this sort of forced evolution is the sort of thing that's going to eventually lead to language skills, and then inevitably to humans huddling like roaches in the corners of the new post-Singularity world. At least that's what the SF writers keep telling me...
Zombies! (Rant and Review)
Oct. 31st, 2007 02:55 pmIt must be the season. On the various message boards I've been reading, there's been a lot of talk of what to do to survive a zombie attack, and as it turns out, a lot of people seems to have things pretty much figured out as to what they'll do. I've been reading those plans (or as much of the plans they'll "let the public know"), and have come to one major conclusion:
Never mind the zombies, the biggest threat to civilization will be the people who know just what to do to survive a zombie incursion. I mean, do we REALLY need multiple bunches of psychos homing in on local police stations and shopping malls with the intent of grabbing as many weapons as possible? All with the main intent of fending off OTHER bands of gun-toting anti social types who have short lists of those worthy of restart civilization?
Which makes me wonder: have there been any stories where the zombies are a minor threat, easily dealt with, and the REAL problem is all the people who react to the situation by going all "me and mine ONLY" survivalist? Maybe one where the zombies aren't even a danger, but the people are?
Anyway, in keeping with the season, here's a couple reviews of some cool zombie webcomics:
The Zombie Hunters: set five years after one of those standard "Zombies eat everybody" scenarios, the last remnants of the human race are clustered at aa small arcology. The Zombie Hunters are those people who go outside, to well, get hunted by zombies, mostly. The art is nice, with a somewhat manga-derived linework, and excellent, bright coloring. While there hasn't been much chance to get into the plot, the dialogue is well scripted, and the pace jumps between humor and tension very nicely. So check it out.
Dead Winter: It's a crime drama, it's a slice of life "work sucks" comedy, it's a ROMERO ZOMBIES INVADE comic! This comic is wild- humorous, tense, and at times really surreal (Seriously, hat's with the sword in the dreamscape bit?) It has a nicely long lead-up reminiscent of Shaun of the Dead, and then abruptly we have people having to turn, more or less gracefully, into heroes. (That's probably what the dream stuff is about, come to think of it). And the artwork is brilliant- cartoonish yet expressive, black and white except for rare, important splashes of color, and the whole thing really looks like it could have been done with brushes.
Hey, I don't even like zombie stuff, and I love these comics. Seriously, check them out!
Never mind the zombies, the biggest threat to civilization will be the people who know just what to do to survive a zombie incursion. I mean, do we REALLY need multiple bunches of psychos homing in on local police stations and shopping malls with the intent of grabbing as many weapons as possible? All with the main intent of fending off OTHER bands of gun-toting anti social types who have short lists of those worthy of restart civilization?
Which makes me wonder: have there been any stories where the zombies are a minor threat, easily dealt with, and the REAL problem is all the people who react to the situation by going all "me and mine ONLY" survivalist? Maybe one where the zombies aren't even a danger, but the people are?
Anyway, in keeping with the season, here's a couple reviews of some cool zombie webcomics:
The Zombie Hunters: set five years after one of those standard "Zombies eat everybody" scenarios, the last remnants of the human race are clustered at aa small arcology. The Zombie Hunters are those people who go outside, to well, get hunted by zombies, mostly. The art is nice, with a somewhat manga-derived linework, and excellent, bright coloring. While there hasn't been much chance to get into the plot, the dialogue is well scripted, and the pace jumps between humor and tension very nicely. So check it out.
Dead Winter: It's a crime drama, it's a slice of life "work sucks" comedy, it's a ROMERO ZOMBIES INVADE comic! This comic is wild- humorous, tense, and at times really surreal (Seriously, hat's with the sword in the dreamscape bit?) It has a nicely long lead-up reminiscent of Shaun of the Dead, and then abruptly we have people having to turn, more or less gracefully, into heroes. (That's probably what the dream stuff is about, come to think of it). And the artwork is brilliant- cartoonish yet expressive, black and white except for rare, important splashes of color, and the whole thing really looks like it could have been done with brushes.
Hey, I don't even like zombie stuff, and I love these comics. Seriously, check them out!
