You had me right up until the end. I don't think self-expression is over-rated at all- because I think there's a lot of people who experience things that don't get talked about, don't get shared enough, and it can be awful feeling like you're the only person in the world dealing with something or experiencing something. We as artists have an opportunity to take what happens to us as people, and put it out there for other people to see and find that Eureka moment- that they're not alone, that someone else sees what they see or feels what they feel. I think sharing our own experience so others can feel a connection to us, is just as important as pandering to what we *think* people what to hear and read. you're right that it can suck if we've been vulnerable and it doesn't catch the audiences we hope for, but- i don't think it's right to dissuade artists from telling their story, rather than the human story- because all of our stories *are* the human story, just facets of it that don't always get to see the light of day. Then again- i'm a queer, trans, disabled, neurodivergent artist, so for me a lot of 'human condition' stories fall flat when they come from the cis, straight, neurotypical and able bodied perspective. My connection to that is learned, at best- but it doesn't hit as close to home as something put out there by artists that tell stories that shed light on our shared struggles and joys.

I would have to say I was 60% there in turning my clusterfluck of workflow into something that could make a completed story. You sir just gave me that other 40% and have gained a subscriber!

the part about forgetting about it for a while rings so true. back when my life schedule was hectic from uni while i was making my webcomic, i get these almost a full week period of not finishing a page. so that i can graduate from uni. right after that dormancy period when i return to check my half-finished comic i spot all these awkward dialogue and wonky panels. so of course i fix stuff & reword some, and it ends up being better than what i started with. and that's why i advocate this to other artists, let it alone for a while & forget! you'll come back seeing with better eyes. then again my comic didn't have a deadline to adhere to. so unless your comic is under a strict deadline, don't take too long off it but still use that time for breaks. your health is important too, body and mind.

I'm from Brazil, and honestly this video helped a lot, thanks man

I've had the hardest time finding this info in a manner i could understand. Thanks, man!

Your final thought about self expression is exactly how I look at art, music and most creative mediums. I really related to that last part and the video as a whole has given me tips on how to go about building my comic I've had wurring around in my head for a few years. No guarantees but this helps as a jumping off point. So thanks for your video I'm glad I came across it.

I've been searching for a video/information like this for a while and this is by far the best video on how to start. I was so stumped on how to get my ideas out of my head and out to paper. Thank you for this very informative video!!!! I'll be checking out your other comic videos too 😊

I like the study of Laocoön...nice touch! Thanks for the video.

Good vid! Always interesting to see another writer/creative go through their process. I really like how you say writing is about going from the general, to the specific, good turn of phrase. Getting into making my own comics at the moment, and when to add lettering has been something I’ve been wondering about, interesting to see your perspective of finishing the art and coming back to it with fresh eyes later to do another dialogue pass while lettering. That’s smart!

Thanks for creating this channel! I’ve been sitting on an idea for a comic for a long while, and each video answers so many questions I have.

Thanks a ton for the video. Always happy to find a new create to follow and learn from. I always question my writing process, thinking that there has to be a faster more efficient way to do it. But funneling general ideas into a more specific story has always been my go-to. It the easiest way for me to write and keep my ideas organized. Happy to know I'm not doing something wrong.

I love the quality of your content, Its very informative and helpful

I like your goal of exploring virtuous change to connect with people. I agree that these are some of the stories that really speak to people and that stick with them. Maybe this is why Ghibli is so effective because they tend to portray individuals in their attempts at repairing the world? I think subverting these arcs or exploring the inverse of virtuous change can sometimes accomplish similar goals, in they have a lot to say about the nature of change and morality? I love nuance but I guess if I knew I could only read one story for the rest of my life I tend to believe that I would opt for one that told a story with a positive arc, so overall I agree with what you had to say at the end there. Thank you for sharing your methods, I've been really enjoying this series and will be checking out your work :]

This is a great channel! and this is a great video. like your humor. I am a hobbyist comic creator (for now :-) Thanks for sharing your process. I really appreciate the advice for creative block "draw something and fix it. don't stare at a blank page."

Good stuff! Looking forward to more.

Looks awesome , very helpful

Outstanding work, divine craftsmanship 🎉

Solid technique dude! Never enough knowledge

Couldn't have been recommended this video at a better time 🙏

Had a quick peek, and gotta say your style is so vivid. I hope I can draw like you one day. I wanna make a little comic series for the sake of it. Gotta just do your thing, am I right? :P

Thank you for sharing your experience

Thanks for sharing your process! I actually just discovered doing the Marvel method with myself recently. It feels more natural to me and like you were saying it gives you a starting point to mold as you go. For me it grew out of starting as simply as possible, using a four page ashcan format I heard at a panel: Cover, Establish Problem, Change of Perspective, Overcomic It! After a few of those I moved eight pages using Dan Harmon's story circle. Then recently I finished two 16 page stories trying to use the Hero's Journey, but ended up diverging following my intuition. I think learning to trust your own instincts really helps, like doing improv. Do you ever use a story structure to start with or do you think it gets internalized with time?

So helpful! Thank you!

Thanks for sharing!

I'm close very close to releasing my own comic and I naturally use the same process you use for creating pages. Do you have any videos or tips for the copyright process. That right now is the one thing holding me back from releasing

For some reason, I can't find the subscribe button. I'm not being funny or ironic, I genuinely cannot find the subscribe button. Did KZfaq remove it or something? I absolutely want to subscribe.

Probably the error about self expression is to think of it as something you try to do. “I’m going to self express through a comic today” just doesn’t make sense. It just bursts out of you, despite you, in the middle of the creative process.

heads up! your website is getting blocked by the unsafe thing! you need an ssl I belive

Wow it’s almost like he’s insulting Disney but he’s not, it’s just Disney writers SOMEHOW were hired doing the complete opposite of what he’s telling the rest of us NOT to do. Especially when he spoke about self indulgence/Self Expression. For some reason Disney seems to do this with all of their products…actually that’s what A LOT of writers are doing in today’s age.

The reader does not always have to understand your page only if your audience is brainwashed by autotune and fortnite

Some random writer out there: Western audiences are just not smart enough to understand. Also another random writer: They are just haters. This guy: Maybe I didn't put it together as clearly as I thought.

As much as I agree with your process advice, I strongly disagree with your philosophy. Or rather I find it ironic that your focus on connecting with other people is… expression of your own wishes and ideals.;) Which is great for your art, but still ends up being self-expression.

Oh, wow, pack it in, artists - self expression is dead. Best to hammer out the same stories, in the same style, until we’re all one homogenized lump of an form, minus the art.