20, here. I've been webcomicking for a few years now (completed two short projects, let a large one sink into hiatus, now working on a new one and doing the occasional page for a collaboration project). I like to think I've gotten better, but I still feel quite insecure about my art ... ahh, anyway, I'm an English major -- comicking is a hobby. :)

Keffria
I like to think I've gotten better, but I still feel quite insecure about my art ... ahh, anyway, I'm an English major -- comicking is a hobby. :)

That's a common feeling. As time, experience, and skill development increase, you will find more confidence seeping into your psyche.

Terminal
In the three years doing my comic, I've never ever revealed my age or name (something to do with staying faceless).

Yeah. I rarely say my age. I only say it when someone asks. I think I only said it here and my deviantart so far...

And I draw people better than backgrounds. My backgrounds suck. To teh max. But they're getting better, I suppose. Pessimistic.

EDIT: ouch. I just quoted someone on the first page. Oops.

Ferretshark

Keffria
I like to think I've gotten better, but I still feel quite insecure about my art ... ahh, anyway, I'm an English major -- comicking is a hobby. :)

That's a common feeling. As time, experience, and skill development increase, you will find more confidence seeping into your psyche.

Heh. I suppose -- but then, my insecurity really drives me to improve my art; I don't ever want to be confident enough that I get too comfortable with my style. ;)

Keffria
Heh. I suppose -- but then, my insecurity really drives me to improve my art; I don't ever want to be confident enough that I get too comfortable with my style. ;)

I think you'll find that your growing confidence and skill development will actually improve your style. You'll start to see imperfections that you may want to correct, details that initially you overlooked (or were too complacent or comfortable with) and then you'll feel the angst to remedy those. It comes with growth.

I, for one, never remained too comfortable with my old style. Once I practiced a lot, especially after my formal animation college training and subsequent studio work, I never looked back at my older, more crude style.

The key is to force yourself to being open to criticism with your art. If you showcase your work, allow the criticisms to be received- and perceived- as 'constructive', not 'destructive'. Critiques aren't telling you that you can't draw, their telling you that the translations are perhaps lost, translations which you may have hoped were more clear and appreciated in your original art. Review those critiques and see if you can make adjustments to your art to deter those comments from coming up again. If someone says your character has a foreshortening issue, then work on that so that the next time you do a pose with foreshortening it looks better and more dynamic. Never take critiques to heart.

My point is that insecurity often lies within our egos and how we perceive public scrutiny of our art. Some artists have way too much ego to accept criticism well. But the mature ones prosper when they reflect upon those critiques as sage wisdom, not as obstacles to cry over.

Ferretshark
The key is to force yourself to being open to criticism with your art. If you showcase your work, allow the criticisms to be received- and perceived- as 'constructive', not 'destructive'. Critiques aren't telling you that you can't draw, their telling you that the translations are perhaps lost, translations which you may have hoped were more clear and appreciated in your original art. Review those critiques and see if you can make adjustments to your art to deter those comments from coming up again. If someone says your character has a foreshortening issue, then work on that so that the next time you do a pose with foreshortening it looks better and more dynamic. Never take critiques to heart.

Exactly. I couldn't agree with you more. Critiques have definately helped me. They still do. I think the reason why some people don't improve as much as others is because they don't want critiques and find them offending. I used to find them offending when I was really young. It took a while for me to understand that they're trying to help, not tell me it sucks. Now, my artwork is still flawed in many many ways, but it's becoming less and less flawed every year!

kyupol
before this thread goes into the top drawer, lemme put itback on track.

Age does affect drawing. As well as every kind of skill that can be learned.

Oh my goodness- NO! It's not age but skillset! You can have a 5 year old who can be extremely more talented in the arts than a teen or adult! There are prodigies out there, if you wish to call them that.

The key is practice, people! I'm a drawing instructor and I can tell you that I have seen dozens of younger kids draw way better than some older kids- because they have passion coupled with practice and eagerness to learn and get better.

So please, never look at age as an offset or detriment. That is being extremely stereotypical and absolutely incorrect, not to mention judgmental! It's the effort behind the practice, and ensuing progressive development, that exudes through one's work that is the best evidence!

And art is in the eye of the beholder. Look at some of the stuff on cartoons these days. We are so used to the anatomically correct or typical stylistic versions of Disney, Warner Brothers, etc. that when a show (like South Park) comes on we, at first, go "BLECH! THAT STUFF LOOKS AWFUL!". Yet, if given a chance, the designs and stories of those toons appeal to us. Again, it's very subjective.

Now, if you are TRYING to draw a superhero with proper anatomical structuring then yes, your skills and artistic merit will come under wide scrutiny, and looking amateurish, requiring further training. That's because you are choosing to draw something that the marketplace has already been subjected to in terms of really well-drawn versions of that genre for years. We are used to seeing Marvel or DC-like designs, with well-sculpted and defined character construction that are true, or close to being true, to actual human anatomy. So drawing realism, or drawing something that mimics realism, requires really careful study and application otherwise your product will appear 'off' and juvenile.

But if you are choosing a wonky style (like Beavis and Butthead), then your characters aren't going to be judged so much by realistic anatomical construction, they'll be judged for their own style and story behind the property.

I see some pretty lame-looking character designs in some cartoons on television these days but, if I give some of these a chance, often times I look past the visuals and find myself emersed with interest at the funny storyline behind the visuals. I also become endeared to the characters regardless of their designs.

The age of experimenting is well upon us and drawing like Disney or Warner Brothers has long been a thing of the past. One doesn't NEED to anymore and STILL be successful!

So, if you are trying to draw people or real-life-like objects, then draw them right, lest you be judged as an amateur. It's just the nature of the beast called "fussy audience". If your characters are more outlandish in design, where realistic human construction isn't really important to your style, then make sure you have a really good story to help sell what the audience may deem to be a lame-looking property. If you have a funny, or interesting story behind your characters and the concept, then you can STILL have a successful journey.

Ferretshark

kyupol
before this thread goes into the top drawer, lemme put itback on track.

Age does affect drawing. As well as every kind of skill that can be learned.

Oh my goodness- NO! It's not age but skillset! You can have a 5 year old who can be extremely more talented in the arts than a teen or adult! There are prodigies out there, if you wish to call them that.

Yes, like all those 10 year old Japanese kids that have CG websites that look like pro-work. -.-

i'm sure there are art geniuses, but normallly it's sharpening your skills that will make you a good artist

Knuckles
Yes, like all those 10 year old Japanese kids that have CG websites that look like pro-work. -.-

You know the artist Kentaro Miura? At 10 years old, he created 40 volumes worth of comics. That's a LOT of practice, which helps explain why he's so good.

ccs1989

Knuckles
Yes, like all those 10 year old Japanese kids that have CG websites that look like pro-work. -.-

You know the artist Kentaro Miura? At 10 years old, he created 40 volumes worth of comics. That's a LOT of practice, which helps explain why he's so good.

How can I not know him? He's the artist of my fav manga/anime series of all time *_*
I envy his work.

I don't think I had the patience to sit still and draw 40 volumes worth of comics when I was 10. Though, I did draw and doodle in class a lot back then, I don't think it was even a smidgeon of what other artists have probably done. They probably ate, slept and drank comics 24/7, while I was a mix of comics and videogames :P

the guy who did berserk? that guy does some crazy detail.

Age and drawing are independent once you're in high school. :D

Knuckles
Yes, like all those 10 year old Japanese kids that have CG websites that look like pro-work. -.-

That reminds me.. My jaw dropped when I found out how old (or young rather) that the person who does Kloteck Omen is..
I mean, Her art looks so professional that its almost like looking at a picture book from a Don Bluth film.

let me guess.... 12?

That work looks brilliant :) Like still frames of animation.

One thing that's very important to remember when gauging skill comparatively is style. You will be able to master styles much earlier, especially if you stick with one or two in particular. Experience and practice expands what you can do.
I've seen work by many brilliant people of all ages, but when that brilliance is only expressed through one or two styles (with limited subject matter), you know they still have a bit to go to achieving their full potential.

How old's that then?
I still can't help but feel a little envious when I see someone younger than me who has achieved so much. But at the end of the day, kudos to them! ^_^

I'm 12, and I do sprites and bad MS paint. When I'm actually drawing, I have a much more cartoony style. But I don't have a scanner, so I can't show you. You just have to believe me.

kaminari

Knuckles
Yes, like all those 10 year old Japanese kids that have CG websites that look like pro-work. -.-

That reminds me.. My jaw dropped when I found out how old (or young rather) that the person who does Kloteck Omen is..
I mean, Her art looks so professional that its almost like looking at a picture book from a Don Bluth film.

Wow. looking at that makes me slightly depressed as to how terrible my own work is! XD
some people are incredible...

How young is the person who does Kloteck Omen? They have some real skill/talent there.

I think she's 17..
If I could do that when I was 17... Man, I'd be amazing by now..

It makes me wonder what her "old" art looked like 4 years ago @_@ She sounds like the type that's always been a great artist from day one (Like EuniceP). *gets all jealous an stuff*

kaminari
I think she's 17..
If I could do that when I was 17... Man, I'd be amazing by now..

Oh okay, I was worried there for a second. There are actually a lot of people who don't do comics but who are 17 and have amazingly good art skills. I'm working on becoming one of them (I have a year!)

I remember there was a girl named Aysha Shehim who I found on Elfwood years and years ago (before they made that scifi Zone section, even) who could draw like nobody's business. She was only 13 or 14 at the time. I was so jealous. T_T

She must be around 20 or 21 now. You can still look her up and find one of her old art pages, and her deviantArt page. She hasn't improved much in the years since, not that she's posted anyway. She's gotten better with painterly coloring, but the basic drawing mechanics she uses are the same and her style seems not to have evolved much. It's a bit disappointing really, I had kind of been expecting great things of her, but it seems she had other priorities. (How dare she!)

she's good...kinda reminds me of a south korean artist who did the art for magna carta

Ah that's the problem with some artists. They don't push themselves. They decide that they're good with what they have and don't try to break any boundaries. Are those people really artists then?

ccs1989
Ah that's the problem with some artists. They don't push themselves. They decide that they're good with what they have and don't try to break any boundaries. Are those people really artists then?

This is the answer CCS:

*One thing that's very important to remember when gauging skill comparatively is style. You will be able to master styles much earlier, especially if you stick with one or two in particular. Experience and practice expands what you can do.
I've seen work by many brilliant people of all ages, but when that brilliance is only expressed through one or two styles (with limited subject matter), you know they still have a bit to go to achieving their full potential.*

That's a big reason why the age/skill thing is crapd. Even when you see someone's work, you have no way of knowing about what they can actually do. You have to really know them.
For example; someone might present 10 or even 100 wonderfully fantastic images. It leaves you with the impression they can do anything! But in actuality, what you saw were the only kinds of things that person can produce...
Convesrely, someone might show you 1 or 2 scrappy, messy, blobby pictures, and you go away thinking they were an idiot, -but in actuality the artist can work in any media and create anything they choose to, but in that case they just chose to create mess.

ozoneocean
Convesrely, someone might show you 1 or 2 scrappy, messy, blobby pictures, and you go away thinking they were an idiot, -but in actuality the artist can work in any media and create anything they choose to, but in that case they just choce to create mess.

Yeah, I'm always slightly afraid people think about about my comic. It is, admittedly, 90% low effort, little-to-no-thought doodles. But I actually...do...other art. I'm a relatively serious studio artist; I just rarely get any of it online. It's a shame when I see comics on DD that are pretty well drawn, only to discover that that's basically all the artist can do. My sister's that way, too: she's gotten herself very stuck in thinking that "drawing" is a certain type of doing things. ARTISTIC CAGES!!

Knuckles
It makes me wonder what her "old" art looked like 4 years ago @_@ She sounds like the type that's always been a great artist from day one (Like EuniceP). *gets all jealous an stuff*

>_< Who says I'm a great artist from day one? I just happen to have the experience of being immensely absorbed by the artworks through reading over a hundred volumes of well drawn mangas every year when I was a teen. Reading tonnes of well drawn comics, believe it or not, does help improve your artstyle unconsciously.

If you notice that a lot of people have mentioned my style feels somewhat like "authentic" manga even if my works are all entirely pencilled, it's a strong indication of the amount of experience I have been influenced by purely reading manga artworks.

Eunice P

Knuckles
It makes me wonder what her "old" art looked like 4 years ago @_@ She sounds like the type that's always been a great artist from day one (Like EuniceP). *gets all jealous an stuff*

>_< Who says I'm a great artist from day one? I just happen to have the experience of being immensely absorbed by the artworks through reading over a hundred volumes of well drawn mangas every year when I was a teen. Reading tonnes of well drawn comics, believe it or not, does help improve your artstyle unconsciously.

I've done that too. And watched cartoons and anime 24/7 when I was a kid. But I was still nowhere as good as some of these people I've seen.