Have you felt the slump?
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Varuna Shiru
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I've felt the slump, and my comic hasn't even been around for five months. I bascially grew bored with the comic and didn't draw a new page for a long time. But then I read some webcomics and some manga and went back to drawing. The easiest way to pull myself out of a slump is to look at someone else's artwork. Looking at other people's artwork makes me want to draw. And: urge to draw = new comic pages
you're muse has gone MIA! you need to entice him/her back by being nice to yourself. what inspired you to start the comic in the first place - has that changed? is there any way to get that inspiration back in a different form. but if it's gone for good - continuing might be unnecessary torture on yourself. you do good work though!
Magellan ... super hero cadets - their worst enemy is themselves!
Loxie and Zoot ... cos nudists have adventures too y'know!
Loxie and Zoot ... cos nudists have adventures too y'know!
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Underbelly
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Faub
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Right now I'm feeling a bit like my muse has been wrung out, beaten up and otherwise horribly abused. The thing is, I have a good percentage of issue 6 mapped out and I'm worried that the dialogue and storyline is going to become bland because my heart isn't in it. At best, I'm fumbling a bit. Nothing is happening in the order and manner it should be. Too much is trying to take presidence over drawing and I'm about to miss an update because I'm just not as into it as I should be. (Now granted, I have a buffer but missing an update still means losing ground in the buffer that I just can't get back.)
I want to do it right but ...you know...what if I've really forgotten how to tell a good story?
I want to do it right but ...you know...what if I've really forgotten how to tell a good story?
The slump has hit me a number of times. The two biggest ones resulted in my steering the comic in other directions. The first time, I made a miniseries that I've really really grown to dislike (maybe even hate) - but at the time it was a good change of pace and I picked up some new coloring skills. The second time, I changed my hosting, changed the name of my comic, and gave the whole thing a rebirth. It was the best decision I've made with this project, and now I'm more into it than ever.
Incidentally, I've found that a foolproof way for me to be totally motivated to work on comics is for there to be some obstacle in the way. If I've got a term paper to write, I'll be dying to draw comics, and it'll seem like a I have a hundred good ideas. I took some time off the comic this spring to write my senior thesis, and I was just itching to get back to it. Inbetween the actual thesis-writing, that time off actually was very good in terms of thinking and reflecting about where the comic was going. When I came back, I think I had a better grip on it.
Incidentally, I've found that a foolproof way for me to be totally motivated to work on comics is for there to be some obstacle in the way. If I've got a term paper to write, I'll be dying to draw comics, and it'll seem like a I have a hundred good ideas. I took some time off the comic this spring to write my senior thesis, and I was just itching to get back to it. Inbetween the actual thesis-writing, that time off actually was very good in terms of thinking and reflecting about where the comic was going. When I came back, I think I had a better grip on it.
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Christwriter
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I think my biggest problem is that I'm too frigging perfectionistic, and I'm a bit greedy for feedback. And my personal life is so much more resembling mud than anything comforting, formative and creative.
I've gotten more negative feedback on the comic than I thought I would, and very, very little positive (I think my mom said "Very Nice" about two days ago). It's probably a good thing (hey. It's feedback) but it makes me feel like I ought to surrender my brush-pen and my copy of Photoshop to the Creativity Police for getting all enthusastic over my not-so-wonderful art skills.
Probably untrue, but that's how I've been feeling for like a week.
CW
I've gotten more negative feedback on the comic than I thought I would, and very, very little positive (I think my mom said "Very Nice" about two days ago). It's probably a good thing (hey. It's feedback) but it makes me feel like I ought to surrender my brush-pen and my copy of Photoshop to the Creativity Police for getting all enthusastic over my not-so-wonderful art skills.
Probably untrue, but that's how I've been feeling for like a week.
CW
"Remember that the definition of an adventure is someone else having a hell of a hard time a thousand miles away."
--Abbykat, NaNoWriMo participant '04
Coloring tutorial It's a little like coloring boot camp. Without the boots.
<a href="http://blueskunk.spiderforest.com">
</a>
<a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org"> NaNoWriMo </a> --for anyone who has ever aspired to write a novel. Insanity is also a requirement.
--Abbykat, NaNoWriMo participant '04
Coloring tutorial It's a little like coloring boot camp. Without the boots.
<a href="http://blueskunk.spiderforest.com">
</a><a href="http://www.nanowrimo.org"> NaNoWriMo </a> --for anyone who has ever aspired to write a novel. Insanity is also a requirement.
Same here.noemz wrote:But one thing I've found is that when I draw a lot, I like it better and better. When I haven't drawn for a little while, I start hating it. Weird.
So, if you can, draw page this week, and two pages next week, and 3 pages the week after that.
It shouldn't be as difficult as it sounds, because as you work more, the drawing gets easier and faster...
...
>_>
You are the Non. You must go now, and never return."
"1.Scan in high res 2.tweak with curves,levels or something to clean up the scan (or use channel mixer to remove blue pencil lines) 3.Add colour using a layer set to multiply. 4.Add wordbubbles and text as vector shapes. 5. Merge all layers. 6.resize to the web size. 7. Export/Save for Web" that's all I know about webcomicking.
"1.Scan in high res 2.tweak with curves,levels or something to clean up the scan (or use channel mixer to remove blue pencil lines) 3.Add colour using a layer set to multiply. 4.Add wordbubbles and text as vector shapes. 5. Merge all layers. 6.resize to the web size. 7. Export/Save for Web" that's all I know about webcomicking.
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Cortland
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And now for something completely different
I spent a few hours last night and all of this morning working on about seven strips. By the end, I was darn near sick of it. Then I decided to relax by drawing whatever the heck I wanted, and I found that quite relieving.
I'm saying:
If you are in a slump and don't feel like, you should try drawing a lot. After a short while the slump will go away and you will feel like drawing more and more
Of course, the other option is only draw if you feel like it. But then you risk you will like it less and less, because you may forget how much fun it is.
I tried both options.
And I liked the first one the better.
If you are in a slump and don't feel like, you should try drawing a lot. After a short while the slump will go away and you will feel like drawing more and more
Of course, the other option is only draw if you feel like it. But then you risk you will like it less and less, because you may forget how much fun it is.
I tried both options.
And I liked the first one the better.
You are the Non. You must go now, and never return."
"1.Scan in high res 2.tweak with curves,levels or something to clean up the scan (or use channel mixer to remove blue pencil lines) 3.Add colour using a layer set to multiply. 4.Add wordbubbles and text as vector shapes. 5. Merge all layers. 6.resize to the web size. 7. Export/Save for Web" that's all I know about webcomicking.
"1.Scan in high res 2.tweak with curves,levels or something to clean up the scan (or use channel mixer to remove blue pencil lines) 3.Add colour using a layer set to multiply. 4.Add wordbubbles and text as vector shapes. 5. Merge all layers. 6.resize to the web size. 7. Export/Save for Web" that's all I know about webcomicking.
Long spells of productivity leave me tired. Long spells of unproductivity leave me feeling really really really really guilty.
So I don't think I'm capable of being gone for that long. However that doesn't mean I'm not suspect to being tempted into brief spurts of laziness (as many of you are aware of no doubt).
Anyway I agree with most of the solutions here. The best way to sort out a slump is to rough it out and go ahead anyway, and just get done with the particular page/strip/thing that's bothering you no matter how crappy it looks in the end. Dwelling on it just makes the unwillingness to continue grow.
To be honest once or twice when I'm drawing something difficult and it's just refusing to turn out right, a little sock puppet pops up from behind me and hisses, "Wwhaaat'sss the point? Ssss... What you're doing issss completely ssssstupid anywaaay!"
And then I go, "Exactly!" And then I continue with a new burst of enthusiasm and the evil sock puppet is left completely befuddled.
(Alternatively you could just whack it. It is in my opinion that most evil socks are in dire need of a good whacking)
So I don't think I'm capable of being gone for that long. However that doesn't mean I'm not suspect to being tempted into brief spurts of laziness (as many of you are aware of no doubt).
Anyway I agree with most of the solutions here. The best way to sort out a slump is to rough it out and go ahead anyway, and just get done with the particular page/strip/thing that's bothering you no matter how crappy it looks in the end. Dwelling on it just makes the unwillingness to continue grow.
To be honest once or twice when I'm drawing something difficult and it's just refusing to turn out right, a little sock puppet pops up from behind me and hisses, "Wwhaaat'sss the point? Ssss... What you're doing issss completely ssssstupid anywaaay!"
And then I go, "Exactly!" And then I continue with a new burst of enthusiasm and the evil sock puppet is left completely befuddled.
(Alternatively you could just whack it. It is in my opinion that most evil socks are in dire need of a good whacking)
I haven't hit a big drawing slump yet ( I think cause I do it all for kicks), and I wasn't going to respond in this thread, but what you're describing reminds me very strongly of my lifelong experiences in the field of musical performance.
As piano majors in college, we were required to practice 3 hours a day, at least. You'd better believe those slumps came, and regularly. The thing about the slump was it separated those who excel from those who just quit. Because, frankly, practically anyone can excel with enough practice and willpower. Getting past the slump was the deciding factor. Most likely it will come, often, and in varying degrees.
Eventually though, you fall out of the end of it, look around, say, "Wow, I know more stuff!", and ultimately derive more pleasure from your abilities.
Sometimes it takes some kind of kick to get out of the slump. Recently I was playing viola in an orchestra and the slump hit me really hard. I didn't like the chick with 'tude who played viola next to me, I didn't like being in the second violas, got slumpy, and quit practicing. Then, two weeks before the last concert, I got a sudden promotion to 2nd chair on the front row, up with all the virtuosos. I practiced my tail end off those last two weeks, had one of the best musical experiences of my life the night of the concert, and came out of it a much better viola player.
I took a look at your comic, and the art is excellent. I didn't have time to read the story (because I spent so freakin' long writing this post), but you've got some great ability.
So even if no one reads this long-winded post but me, it's still a good thing because in the course of writing it I remembered I have a performance tomorrow I'd completely forgotten about(!!!). Augh.
As piano majors in college, we were required to practice 3 hours a day, at least. You'd better believe those slumps came, and regularly. The thing about the slump was it separated those who excel from those who just quit. Because, frankly, practically anyone can excel with enough practice and willpower. Getting past the slump was the deciding factor. Most likely it will come, often, and in varying degrees.
Eventually though, you fall out of the end of it, look around, say, "Wow, I know more stuff!", and ultimately derive more pleasure from your abilities.
Sometimes it takes some kind of kick to get out of the slump. Recently I was playing viola in an orchestra and the slump hit me really hard. I didn't like the chick with 'tude who played viola next to me, I didn't like being in the second violas, got slumpy, and quit practicing. Then, two weeks before the last concert, I got a sudden promotion to 2nd chair on the front row, up with all the virtuosos. I practiced my tail end off those last two weeks, had one of the best musical experiences of my life the night of the concert, and came out of it a much better viola player.
I took a look at your comic, and the art is excellent. I didn't have time to read the story (because I spent so freakin' long writing this post), but you've got some great ability.
So even if no one reads this long-winded post but me, it's still a good thing because in the course of writing it I remembered I have a performance tomorrow I'd completely forgotten about(!!!). Augh.
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Joel Fagin
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I don't know how much this applies to un-slumping but...
If you want to get motivated about something, concentrate on the end rather than the means. It's usual to look at, say, the cleaning and think "Gah. This is going to be a lot of work. I can't be bothered." Then, even if you do do it, you won't be wanting to and it'll be dull, boring and tedious. Instead, what you should be doing is imagining how nice everything will look when it's tidy, how organised it'll all be and the pride of a job well done.
And this happens. You look at your work area one day and think, "My God that's a mess. I'm sick of it. I really want it to be tidy." - and then you'll generally just work at it for a satisfying solid hour or two and it'll be done - clean, tidy and organised. That's because you were fixated on the end rather than the means.
I wrote a novel - from inception to completion - in one year. The reason I managed to do it was because I planned to announce it's release with a ten part gabbo-esque advertising campaign and I was filled with delicious expectation of what everyone would say and think about the mysterious artwork that would make it up. That single end result motivated me to finish a novel - my first, in fact - in a year, flat.
So... With comics? Got a big dramatic revelation coming up? Man, they're fun to drop on readers. Focus on that. Got an absolutly hilarious gag you've been setting up? That'll work. Coming to the end of the first section? That'd be fine. Got any fan mail? Re-read it. Nothing of interest? promise yourself you'll start an advertising and plugging campaign to suck in more readers at comic one hundred.
This isn't a natural tendancy and you have to work at it. We're actually programmed to focus on the immediate. As one of my villains once said "You think only of the future close enough to touch."
When you get it right, though, you'll feel it in your chest, a squiggly little desire to just roll up your sleeves and do it.*
- Joel Fagin
* Called a gestalt if I recall correctly. I may be wrong. Been a while.
If you want to get motivated about something, concentrate on the end rather than the means. It's usual to look at, say, the cleaning and think "Gah. This is going to be a lot of work. I can't be bothered." Then, even if you do do it, you won't be wanting to and it'll be dull, boring and tedious. Instead, what you should be doing is imagining how nice everything will look when it's tidy, how organised it'll all be and the pride of a job well done.
And this happens. You look at your work area one day and think, "My God that's a mess. I'm sick of it. I really want it to be tidy." - and then you'll generally just work at it for a satisfying solid hour or two and it'll be done - clean, tidy and organised. That's because you were fixated on the end rather than the means.
I wrote a novel - from inception to completion - in one year. The reason I managed to do it was because I planned to announce it's release with a ten part gabbo-esque advertising campaign and I was filled with delicious expectation of what everyone would say and think about the mysterious artwork that would make it up. That single end result motivated me to finish a novel - my first, in fact - in a year, flat.
So... With comics? Got a big dramatic revelation coming up? Man, they're fun to drop on readers. Focus on that. Got an absolutly hilarious gag you've been setting up? That'll work. Coming to the end of the first section? That'd be fine. Got any fan mail? Re-read it. Nothing of interest? promise yourself you'll start an advertising and plugging campaign to suck in more readers at comic one hundred.
This isn't a natural tendancy and you have to work at it. We're actually programmed to focus on the immediate. As one of my villains once said "You think only of the future close enough to touch."
When you get it right, though, you'll feel it in your chest, a squiggly little desire to just roll up your sleeves and do it.*
- Joel Fagin
* Called a gestalt if I recall correctly. I may be wrong. Been a while.
Last edited by Joel Fagin on Sat Aug 21, 2004 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
