back to list

The magic of webcomic habits

Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Jan. 6, 2024
likes!



Hello there my fellow Quackateers!

The new year is here! And it’s around this time that resolutions and goals are set in stone for the year. However, have you ever found yourself setting ambitious goals for your webcomic, only to feel overwhelmed and demotivated when life inevitably gets in the way?

Instead of continuing the same cycle, let's switch gears and talk about the magic of building effective webcomic habits instead!

Creating a webcomic is like nurturing a bonsai tree – it takes time, patience, and consistent care. Instead of fixating on lofty goals that might leave you feeling defeated and/or stressed, consider cultivating habits that align with your creative journey and that you can maintain on a consistent basis.

First off, make drawing a daily ritual. Set aside a specific time each day to sketch or doodle. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece; the key is to keep the creative juices flowing. Consistency is your secret weapon here. If you have a diary or calendar, be that in print or on your phone, write down not only what time you intend to draw, but also where you intend to draw.

For instance, for me, I am setting a time at 8pm, at my desk. By adding the location of the activity to the time I’ve scheduled it, I can more easily visualise when I am going to do it. This means I am more likely to actually work on my comics because I have setup that mindset. My desk is also where all my comic making materials are. Make sure to have the tools you need easily accessible as this will speed up the time it takes to start your comic work.

Next, embrace the power of mini-milestones. Break down your larger comic project into smaller, manageable tasks. Completing a single panel or refining a character design can be as satisfying as reaching a big goal. These mini-victories are the key to staying motivated. You can amplify the effects of these mini milestone victories by keeping track of them. I have a list in my diary where I write out all the progress I have made on my projects. This creates a positive feedback loop that keeps me motivated and helps instil a sense of confidence.

Lastly, connecting with a like-minded community helps build camaraderie and accountability. Share your progress, seek feedback, and learn from others in the webcomic realm. Surrounding yourself with fellow creators can provide inspiration. If you find it difficult to sit and focus, finding another creator who can sit with you, even if it’s in a digital space, can help you make progress. This technique, known as body doubling, has helped me tremendously, particularly if I’ve been struggling with motivation.

In the world of webcomics, building sustainable habits is the unsung hero of success. So, grab your tablet, pen, pencil, camera or paints and find your daily groove. Let those creative habits pave the way for your webcomic masterpiece this year!

What comic habits do you want to build this year? Let us know in the comment section below! And join us on Sunday evening for our Quackchat at 5:30PM(EST)!

Don’t forget you can now advertise on DrunkDuck for just $2 in whichever ad spot you like! The money goes straight into running the site. Want to know more? Click this link here! Or, if you want to help us keep the lights on you can sponsor us on Patreon. Every bit helps us!

Special thanks to our patrons!!














Justnopoint - Banes - RMccool - Abt_Nihil - Gunwallace - PaulEberhardt - Emma_Clare - FunctionCreep - SinJinsoku - Smkinoshita - jerrie - Chickfighter - Andreas_Helixfinger - Tantz_Aerine - Genejoke - Davey Do - Gullas - Roma - NanoCritters - Teh Andeh - Peipei - Digital_Genesis - Hushicho - Palouka - cheeko - Paneltastic - L.C.Stein - dpat57 - Bravo1102 - The Jagged - LoliGen - OrcGirl - Miss Judged - Fallopiancrusader - arborcides - ChipperChartreuse - Mogtrost - InkyMoondrop - Jgib99 - Hirokari - Orgivemedeath Ind - Mks Monsters - GregJ - HawkandFloAdventures - Soushiyo - JohnCelestri- Memo333


comment

anonymous?

Sketchydrawer at 4:04PM, Jan. 7, 2024

It's true about talking with fellow creators. After I got a simple but repetitive lil job I started to loose ideas and felt less creative. Lately i feel my drawings are passionless now but i still try to draw something everytime i get a chance. Even when im away from my PC to continue on comic stuff i bring a notebook to sketch pages on it. I like Mr.Celestri's idea of a simple Beginning, middle and end though, too bad I have a convoluted mind lol happy new years!

davidxolukoga at 12:20PM, Jan. 6, 2024

Sustainable habits really are the unsung heroes of success

davidxolukoga at 12:18PM, Jan. 6, 2024

I love you guys. Happy new year

dragonsong12 at 10:09AM, Jan. 6, 2024

I've had this philosophy for years. I have a pretty strict schedule for my comics about what needs to be done each day and when my deadlines are. Sometimes when I tell others about it they act horrified that I'd treat a hobby like a job, and I guess for some people doing so could ruin the hobby for them...but not for me. I love to create and the schedule helps me to keep that train going. A job isn't a problem when you enjoy it, after all. And look at me - 2 decades of work - 2 finished comics - 3 ongoing comics - and almost no missed updates (and the ones I did miss were for computer troubles, not because the page wasn't done.) No regrets about any of it. ...now if only I could learn how to draw, I'd be set! Haha!

JohnCelestri at 6:42AM, Jan. 6, 2024

Your article has very good advice. If I may add to it, create your story with a simple beginning, middle, and end beats. These will be guide posts to aim your writing and keep you from wandering, losing focus. This will also give you goals to complete within a certain number of pages.

PaulEberhardt at 3:18AM, Jan. 6, 2024

I never make any new year's resolutions, because that makes it so much easier to keep them. 😉

kawaiidaigakusei at 1:13AM, Jan. 6, 2024

That is a great sketch example in the photograph. Great tips for drawing motivation!


Forgot Password
©2011 WOWIO, Inc. All Rights Reserved Mastodon