myshu

ReVoB: 10-22

Added 2019-06-02 01:50:02 +0000 UTC

Let the training begin.

Every time I sit down to paint comics, in the back of my mind I'm exploring shortcuts: ways to make comic creation more efficient. My last huge "breakthrough" was years ago in chapter 4, with the decision to start using 3D models in Blender. I haven't regretted my time in Blender, the lessons I learned working with 3D models and the animations that were eventually produced with them, though I wonder now:
Was it ever TRULY the most efficient way?

It's had its upsides - most notably solving space/scale/proportion consistency between panels, yet there's always been a noticeable... clunkiness to the models. Something not entirely organic. There's always a leap between the painted-on models and my freehand drawings, much as I try to blur the line in Manga Studio (and now Sketchbook.)

And besides: is it FASTER?
There was probably a point early on where, yes, that was so. But my freehand drawing isn't the same now as it was back then. I won't say it's BETTER, but it's a bit faster. Sloppier, but with a bit more character. A good artist always tries to grow and evolve their style. I've been drawing thumbnails for this comic for a quite a long time, and there's a point where the sloppy sketches *approach* the final product's linework, through sheer force of practice.

Anyway. It's probably noticeable here, too. It gets me thinking, though, because the biggest obstacle to introducing a colorist to my comic-team (a team currently of one) was Blender. So what if I... stopped using it? Would the comic look better or worse? Would I be able to produce pages more quickly without the extra step of rendering and compiling panels, or would it be slower?

This and the next two pages are testing that, basically. At the end of the update I'll throw up a poll to see what everyone thinks, but if y'all have any thoughts before that, please share! I always appreciate you guys' feedback and support.