(Drawn by me, 1989.)
Still hard at work, so no new art to show. However, I thought I'd post something else.
I got a question recently from an aspiring comic artist. It's a question I've heard from many a hopeful, worded a bunch of different ways, but my answer is just about always the same (as is the answer when you ask many different pros), so I'm going to reproduce the question and answer here (with the questioner's identifying info changed, as that's not important). I've also expanded slightly on a few bits where I thought I should. Here we go;
Q:...how do you go about creating a style to draw a comic in? I want to [draw] in a more modern style. What do you think about the style of [my webcomic]?
A: You don't really create a style. Style is organic. It's something that happens after years of practice. Granted, you can make decisions about where you want to go (aka, you like cartoony styles, so you aim for that, or you like ultra-real, so you aim for that).
Modern style? What's that? Looking at the pile of comics on my desk, there are as many different styles as there are artists on the books. Modern styles just seem to incorporate more cinematic angles and wilder action scenes and choreography -- but it doesn't mean any particular line work style is in play or necessary.
Just worry about the basics and the rest will happen naturally -- trust me. Like I've said before, feel free to look at line work styles you enjoy, but don't copy them outright. You can study the choices that those artists made with their angles, their panel flow, etc.
For instance, I'm a big fan of J. Scott Campbell, and I check out everything he does, but you'd never be able to tell from my artwork that he's a big influence, as I don't actually draw anything like him.
I've been told I draw in the manner of early Chris Sprouse, who is an incredible artist, but one that I've only recently been reading, so he obviously wasn't an influence on me early on.
Joe Kubert and a few of the other teachers at the Joe Kubert School have said "bad is not a style" (or variations of that). Meaning if you go out of your way to force a style, or use "it's my style" as an excuse to skip the basics just to make visual impact, it'll fall flat on its face for sure.
Right now [your webcomic] doesn't have a "style" per se. I can see bits and bobs that might be indicators of a future style of yours (your hatching and line work seems to be reminiscent of Neal Adams in some ways -- he's an ultra-real penciler/inker), and for the most part, I can definitely tell if something was drawn by you. So just go with that. Keep on fostering the basics, and style will just happen in a few years (or less if you work hard).
If you need me to start quoting Marvel and DC editors and pros like Jim Lee I can, but they all say exactly the same things I've said here. You said you were challenging yourself by [trying an extreme art challenge]? Challenge yourself by taking the slow road and working hard in the basics to achieve your goals.
Many say trying to get into pro comic art is like trying to get into the NBA -- debatable, but like the NBA, they're not going to go for the guy who can dunk once in a while (aka, create a cool drawing once per issue in a "cool style") over the guy who is a well-rounded player (solid art on every page each issue).
Don't worry about the hot shoes -- get your butt to the court and do some drills. ;)
