Expert: Patti - 4/11/2011

Question
Hi, ummm...please how can i improve on my art as a comic artist.Thing is have practice alot sometimes for hours but i want a mark impovement.
what do i do pleaseeee...

Answer
Hi there,

You didn't say how long you've been working on your improving your talent. Practice is important when you're looking to improve, not just comic art but any kind of art. It can takes months or even years (or a lifetime) of practice before you're at a place where you feel happy with your artistic skills.

I wish I could tell you some secret of how to improve, but there is no quick way to learn this. Continue to practice daily, and also notice how other artists handle things like light and shadow, texture, style, etc. and incorporate those things you've admired in other people's work, into your own work.

If it's possible, take a class in drawing. It's best when you can learn from a live teacher who has more experience than you have. Learning to draw traditional scenes or people (not comics or cartoons) will help when you draw your comics. Comics are basically an abstraction of realistic drawing. Even though they appear to be simpler, if you haven't learned the basics of drawing, doing comics or cartoons can be more difficult. If you can't find a drawing class in your area, here are a couple of drawing tutorials you can do for free, online:

http://www.artgraphica.net/free-art-lessons/drawing-for-beginners/drawing-for-be...

http://www.scribd.com/doc/942200/art-learn-how-to-draw

http://www.artistdaily.com/Drawing-Basics-Learn-To-Draw/

http://drawsketch.about.com/cs/tipsandideas/a/drawingmistakes.htm

I hope I've been a help.
Best of luck,

Patti