How to become an Artist Fast, as a Writer?

  • You’re a Writer.
  • Maybe you’ve published some Stories already, or are about to.
  • You’d want to make your own illustrations.
  • Because you want to Share your Full Vision.
  • You also want to be able to Draw fast.
  • Here’s your Formula.

Summary – 6 steps to becoming an Artist faster

  1. Apply this Routine every Day.
  2. Draw at least 1 Character.
  3. Draw at least 1 Environment.
  4. Draw 1 Comic Strip.
  5. Animate 1 short clip.
  6. Show your productions to your Team.
    1. Ask for Insights.
  • Applying this Routine on a Daily basis help you build the core Habits of graphic production.
  • You become more Efficient in terms of production.
  • As well as a more Versatile Storyteller.
  • Adding Skills will always help you Define your Identity.
  • And Enjoy your work more.
  • For now you start to develop a Complete Vision.



Characters

  • Identity
  • Characters are defined by their Quirks.
  • Limit yourself to 1 or 2 Accessories per Character.
  • Overloading it would confuse the Public.
  • A Character should be recognizable through her Silhouette.
  • Keep the Character’s Silhouette simple.
  • The Accessories should Define 3 dimensions of the Character’s Identity:
    • Behaviors
    • Goal
    • Origin
Characters with Simple Shapes
  • Heads
  • Characters are defined by their Head Shapes.
  • As well as the Features used.
  • The Head Shape should be approached as a whole: Head + Headdress.
  • Try as many Hairstyles & Headdresses as possible.
  • Do the same for the Main Features : Nose, Eyes & Mouths.
  • Focus on the Features to maximize Diversity.
  • Focus on the Complementarity between the Features.
  • Once you’ve got the Main Features right, experiment with the 2ndary features : Ears, Eyebrows, Eyelashes & Nostrils.
  • Bodies
  • Characters are defined by their Relationships.
  • Draw 1 different Body Type every day.
    • Muscular, Slender, Curvaceous, Thick, Small, Busty.
  • Draw Characters side by side to create Scenes.
  • Combine Characters on the same page.
  • Compare them.
  • Display Diversity & Complementarity.
  • You’ll draw a Full Body.
  • Head Included.
  • Just don’t spend too much time on detailing the face.
  • Routine
  • Draw at least 1 Character every Day.
  • 5′ for the Head.
  • 5′ for the Body.
  • Keep it short to gain velocity & not get bored.
Characters – Complementarity

If you want to know more about displaying Diversity.



Environments

  • Materialize your World
  • The more Senses you Solicit, the more Real your world feels.
  • You want to be able to Visualize your World.
  • Drawing offers you this Visualization.
  • Arranging the Shapes & Color to create a Contrast will help you to make your writing more Contrasted.
  • It helps you write more fluidly.
  • It help you create more vivid description.
  • And it offers a visual support for the Public.
  • Themes
  • To build every Story, to build every World, you’ll need Themes.
  • If you haven’t 1 define a list of the Fundamental Themes you’ll use in all of your Stories.
  • If you can already Affect specific Themes to specific Worlds, it’s even better.
  • Routine
  • Draw at least 1 Environment every Day.
  • 5′ for the Blocking Phase.
  • 5′ for the Detailed Shapes.
  • Keep it short to gain velocity & not get bored.

Fast Compositions

  1. Start by Focusing the Action on a Subject.
    1. Place your Subject either in the Middle of the Scene or in a Corner.
  2. Then Define the Major forms of the Composition.
    1. Use simple shapes, clear shapes: combinations of straight lines & curves.
  3. Finally, detail the shapes.
    1. Define their Structure.
    2. Create more Contrast.
    3. Revise your Colors.

If you want to know more about creating diverse Environments.

Comics & Panels

  • Simple Stories
  • Can you summarize a Story in 4 Images?
  • Comics should help you this way.
  • Comics are visual Summaries.
  • Efficient Storytelling
  • Start with 4 Panels.
  • This will entice you to select your Jokes.
  • A 4 Panel structure induces Economy.
  • You have to display Characters relationships efficiently.
  • Explain through Graphics.
  • Tell through Movement.
  • Not every comics need Words.
  • As often as you can, do not use words.
  • Shorten your phrases as much as possible.
  • Long Phrases, more than 5 words, kill the rhythm.
  • And they take space on the panel.
  • Basic Photography
  • Comics teach you how to Focus on the Subject.
  • Focus is the Quintessential force in Composition.
  • Everything should be focused around the Subject.
  • Wherever it is by using Shapes, Colors or Light.
  • Make Use of Light to reveal Essential parts & attenuate Forgettable ones.
  • Choose clear Angles to make the most out of Perspective.
  • Make use of Symmetry.
  • Learn how to choose your backgrounds to amplify the Subject’s presence.

If you want to know more about short Stories.



Animation

  • Short Films & Cinematography
  • This is the last stage.
    • Really, the last stage is making games but we’ll wait for the programming skills.
  • Start by making 10 to 15″ short clips.
  • Commit to it for a year.
  • Then, try 30″ clips.
  • Then 60″.
  • When you reach 60″, realize that you have now the potential to produce up to 365′ of content every year.
  • That’s up to 6 Full Hours of Animation per year.
  • From there you only have to go up in terms of Quality.
  • Better Flow
  • Animation may be 1 of the most changing skill you’ll learn.
  • Until you’ve tried it you’ll have no idea what Rhythm & Pace really are.
  • Starting with 2D animation is the best way.
  • It will force you to develop a Sense of Economy even more so than Comic Panel Design.
  • Animation is quite a brutal skill to acquire.
  • You may want to try Paper Animation before going for Digital.
  • As you advance you’ll realize how efficient you’ll become.
  • It may be the most difficult part of the craft but stick with full 2D at 1st.
  • You can go for 3D later.
  • Promotion Tools
  • These short clips can be used as Promotion videos for your Stories.
  • Promote your Stories with your friends 1st.
  • And then, Publish.
    • Start with 3 to 5 different platforms.

If you want to know more about illustrating your own Stories & Books.


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