Finish Writing Before Drawing Your Comic

Рет қаралды 4,666

Күн бұрын

I'm a very impatient comic creator. I have a hard time waiting to get my story perfect before I start drawing. I've learned a lot about my impatience over the years and the pitfalls that have come with it. This video will hopefully help you not fall into the same ones I have.
How to Write a Webtoon or Comic the Easy Way: Outlines
• How to Write a Webtoon...
Webtoon Best Tips for Great Comic Story and Art
• Webtoon Best Tips for ...
How to Make a Webtoon Canvas or Originals Story: Make It and Write It
• How to Make a Webtoon ...
Webtoon Short Story Contest 2020 - Easy Guide
• Webtoon Short Story Co...
Check out my Patreon
/ walterostlie
My WEBTOON comics
ghostbats.co/wt
walterostlie.com/haxor
INSTAGRAM: / walterostlie
TWITTER: / walterostlie
FACEBOOK: / walterostlieart
STORE: walterostlie.storenvy.com
T-SHIRT STORE: walterostlie.threadless.com
Interested in my gear?
Halo light - amzn.to/2IsTdxl - in front of my face - prolly the most important light.
Side/back/wall lights - amzn.to/2Xfmq2m - back wall or side of face
Camera - Canon M50 - amzn.to/2XfjkLE
Lens - amzn.to/2IuK7QS
Mic - amzn.to/2UFcmTv - But I want to get a RodeMic Boom Stand - amzn.to/2UowyDS
*Amazon Links are Affiliate*#walterostlie #makecomics #webtoon

Пікірлер: 76

@curiouschicana9098 Жыл бұрын

I personally focus on writing more as that's easier for me because I'm still learning how to draw. When I do draw (for my comic & not just for practice), I mainly focus on concept art & backgrounds to help me get a better idea of where I want the writing to go. I think backgrounds are especially good to focus on as your writing develops because even if your characters' behaviors change, the setting of your story probably won't as much. Background panels are easy to reuse too, to save on time later

@cakeCrumbzz Жыл бұрын

I'm also doing this too

@Chrishansen01 Жыл бұрын

What if your comic?

@alexotoonz Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one that's been stuck in analysis paralysis! I'm having that issue now, actually - I keep writing and rewriting the story I'm currently working on, and took a week long break from posting because the stress was getting to me and I wasn't happy with how the story progressed. I'm on team draw first, ask questions later too! I do however at least write out an entire outline and the scripts for a couple of episodes out. I have to stop stressing over having my story be "perfect" and just draw already! Thanks for the awesome video!

@dedeshikaalabi-mensah9471 Жыл бұрын

I’m the same way.

@NoirArt. Жыл бұрын

I think the biggest issue with getting started after you finished writing is that it feels like a completed project in your head and it's hard to stay motivated over years to draw something you already know in it's entirety. I still vote for "finish first", or at least have a very solid storyline formed out to avoid making mistakes when you are under pressure that could ruin your entire story. Another plus point for finish writing first is that you have a whole other set of possiblities to introduce plot to readers, being able to put in hints from the very start that are completely revealed way later or even at the end, it makes the entire story feel more thought-through than just jumping from chapter to chapter. I saw that happen with e.g. Hardcore Leveling Warrior, where the throwbacks were directly connected to the plot happening right now, you as a reader couldn't foreshadow happenings because they didn't exist up to that point, which is really sad. User interaction is such an important thing.

@wizardofarts1276 Жыл бұрын

For my stories, I like to write everything so that I know what I want to draw. I'm the kind of person who needs to know exactly how things need to be done. Then, I'm free to break out of those "knowns" as I wish.

@keyHob7485 Жыл бұрын

I started my comic nearly 2 years ago. I got about 3 chapters in without fully writing out my story then it all came crashing down. The main reason being I didn't wrote ahead. Soon as I was a chapter ahead in my story I was drawing it out. Full thing was rushed, it gave me pressure that I shouldn't have had to release consistently then it all just stopped. I turned the opposite way now and have turned it into a novel instead hoping I might turn it into a comic later on. Moral of this comment. I would definitely write your story or have a base script out before trying to draw it. Good luck to anyone who is about to or is creating and thankyou Walter for another video 🙏

@Nikke283 Жыл бұрын

I had that years ago and ended up writing a novel.

@NoirArt. Жыл бұрын

With you, but would define "before you try drawing it" more. Don't start drawing the comic, but start doing concept art, drawing out key scenes of the plot, making character sheets is a very important process that can also influence the outcome of the writing

@Hello-hello-hello456 9 ай бұрын

I'd say don't draw a finished product before writing a solid base, but you can/should atleast sketch or storyboard because it is easy to change. Ofc everyone is different but that's what I suggest.

@ApexPredator1000 Жыл бұрын

I'm still working on building up my art capabilities, but I've been writing out in the meantime. For my main/current WIP I've got the plot of Chapter 1 (6 episodes) done, just not fully written; the rest of the first arc (first 3 chapters) is still being tweaked - I probably need to adjust/add some more worldbuilding elements. I've also got ideas floating for the next 1-3 arcs. My plan (assuming my art catches up) is to not start drawing the comic until after the first 3 chapters (Arc 1) is finished and solidified. From there, I won't start posting until at least 10 chapters are finished and ready to upload in order to give me that buffer.

@Hitmartz Жыл бұрын

I do both at the same time. I write a summary of the entire book, and then draw a storyboard and write at the same time.

@alisonmcglone750 Жыл бұрын

My current goal is have an outline hitting all of my story beats then I will start drawing the comic. For the first arc which will be about 48 pages I did do a couple of sample pages for myself to see if it was working in my head as well as it did on the paper. I also began my writing approach different that I typically do and built it as if I was going to run an rpg. I specifically used Fate as the basis for creating the story and characters. I even made a character sheet for the lead character.

@flor3224 Жыл бұрын

Nice topic! I always struggle with overthinking things and have been guilty of focusing too much in having a "finished writing" I think this is because I don't trust my drawing skills, so I keep postponing it until I get better. I think this dichotomy may be presented also as the "planner vs pantser" that I have seen to describe novelists. Personally, I think I would prefer to have at least the general outline and key events figured out before starting to draw. I like to know how things will end. However, I need to know when to stop planning, which can be challenging. Great video! thank you for sharing :)

@maojen__ Жыл бұрын

I personally would always recommend to at least know the outline of the story. So beginning, main plot and end so that you know in which direction to move. And you can do foreshadowing which I really love! But I’m a total perfectionist, so starting without knowing where to go would be a complete nightmare to me. I’m not that flexibel mentally I suppose😂 I started my story around 2-3 years ago but just recently started to actually wanting to draw it. It was a huge barrier for me to decide on that as the scenes and the setting are way out of my comfort zone and it will be a huge project😅 but I know how quickly one can progress doing things that one isn’t used to. Im 80% finished with the story, the middle part is still not rock solid so I’m still writing on that. But Im so looking forward to tell this story that I couldn’t wait any longer and started with the first three chapters as they are already finished. So very excited for the progress!😊

@elianavaniru Жыл бұрын

I rebooted my comic last year STILL without a concrete plan and relied on drawing and writing as I go, until I got burnt out again and haven’t uploaded for many months- I only started to figure out the ENTIRE storyline and outlined it just a couple of weeks ago, which I’m relieved and EXCITED to return to creating comics!!☺️

@ash_2o6 Жыл бұрын

Super glad to finally have you back! I certainly missed your wonderful advices. Also, the thing about "analysis paralysis" is sooo true that it's almost quite sad. Because of that i have 30+ story ideas which i've left abandoned. A big problem that i have is never being able to complete a story. One day i would get the motivation to write a story, i would get all the main plot ideas, the characters, the world setting all figured out but soon i would run out of that juice and then the story is left to collect dust hahhaha. Wonder if anyone else can relate to this? Also, some words are appreciated to help tackle this fudging problem💪 And again, Welcome back, Walter! Good to know you're feeling better!

@walterostlie Жыл бұрын

Yeah, that is tough. I know there are a lot of people that have half finished ideas. I think every creator has some idea they have sitting on a shelf, some have a lot more than others. My only advice to you, and it may not be the right advice for you, but it is to make up a short story. Just think of one quick, something stupid you don't care about, and just write it, finish it, congratulate yourself for finishing. And then do it again and again. It will build up confidence and also get you used to completing something. It's sorta like not wanting to get into a cold pool of water, you just have to jump in and then it's not so bad. Have fun!

@ash_2o6 Жыл бұрын

@@walterostlie seems like a plan for now! I suppose its gonna feel strange starting out but it probably will be worth it. Thank you! I definitely will be trying this out. Have a wonderful week✨️ Ps: ahh, sorry for the late reply. Hectic school days. Love your videos as alwayss

@cextheartist Жыл бұрын

So, answering your question, I am actually work on one thing for instagram that may be turned into a webtoon. But yeah, I have a basic topic writed the hole story, write the first chapter, already drawing. I did changes in layout whein in the stage of inking it, and have in mind some frames for the story, but, not much really, it can change a lot. But I'm, into it. Also, I am finishing TWD comics this week, it really made me feel a lil hype to do a comic thing. Again, thanks for returning to us man! Miss you!

@KaterynaM_UA Жыл бұрын

I have an outline of the whole story the plan was to have 10 episodes but after I've started writing script I see that it can easily double that. I'm half way done with concept art, took me a few months bc of the busy life. And I plan to do it in 3-4 batches: full script, thumbnails, drawing of 3 chapters, review the process, improve on it and do the next batch. Active art should start in January and I hope to finish in the summer but we will see, that might be a bit ambitious. I honestly don't understand how one can draw not having the whole story planned out, sounds like a nightmare to me. xD

@izaiahcrockett2692 Жыл бұрын

Something I discovered that is helpful for me, is that when I've written at least some of the story I can better develop the design of the characters and recognize some contradictions or inconsistencies in the designs.

@InvasionAnimation Жыл бұрын

Around a year ago I decided to make a comic. I have only completed 4 panels. Procrastination, and other projects etc are to blame.

@Lukzm3000 Жыл бұрын

I started making short horror comics, so the writing all the story first is actually very useful since i am very anxious about start drawing everything. Good content here my guy.

@Allen-jg3zk Жыл бұрын

Your way of explaining complicated ideas in a simple/concise way is awesome. Super helpful and quality content on your channel. Thank you! 😊

@nightstride7444 Жыл бұрын

Personally, I'm writing an anthology series for the exact reasons you mentioned. That way, I can write an entire story, make it short, draw it all, and then move on. The next story is still related through the characters though, so it still builds on itself without needing to be planned too far in advance. So glad you're back and making videos, Walter!

@taylorcardinal9060 Жыл бұрын

I'm working on my first comic, and I agree with this! I've written the first 2 issues and the first one is in the process of being drawn. I also think that having feedback from an editor or beta reader is important! I think that has helped me a lot with plot holes!

@walterostlie Жыл бұрын

Yeah, good point. Letting someone else read your early drafts can do wonders.

@foozeball7816 9 ай бұрын

I love your very grounded opinion on "stealing" :)

@smm855 Жыл бұрын

I usually list major story beats into an outline and then go back and do a page by page (panel by panel) write up of the first 10-30 pages (depending on how long it is). After I've gotten the first hunk sorted, I start drawing and I continue writing as I draw. I get too impatient to just write and a lot of the time end up re-writing pages on the fly as I draw because I feel like the flow isn't working or a certain panel isn't going to fit like I expect. I have the inability to be brief with my stories. Often what I think is a 50 page story can easily balloon to 150 pages O_O So there's always time to write and revise as I draw 😅 Also, good video! Short and sweet and to the point 😉

@t2tan_art Жыл бұрын

By the way! Always I hit the "like👍🏻" button after 1min 😁👏🏻

@parrachris Жыл бұрын

Loved the idea of making short stories! I've been working on and off on a comic, but since I'm still learning to draw, sometimes I'll go to the writing side which is easier to do but since I have a big plot and a ton of characters in mind, in the end, all make me feel a little overwhelmed of how much work I have to do on both sides. I guess if I write a short story I can practice more my drawing while I'm trying to figure out the big picture. Thanks for the advice!

@mugabevictor2012 Жыл бұрын

I wrote 10 chapters. Started drawing and have spent 2 months working on chapter one. Turns out the drawing involved in chapter 1 was weehh more intense than expected. Anyways I am pretty much done and will soon start publishing chapter one in parts

@walterostlie Жыл бұрын

It always happens that way. Congrats on getting close to publishing. it's is a huge accomplishment.

@Hello-hello-hello456 9 ай бұрын

This may be late, but try to build a buffer, it'll save you a lot of trouble in the long run

@t2tan_art Жыл бұрын

I really thank you Mr Walter🤗 for discussing topics like this that most people don't pay attention to, despite our need for them! Really thanks 😊

@johngillespie3409 Жыл бұрын

As someone who failed english numerous times and the fact I've been drawing at least 40 years, no art school, self taught cartooner, I don't write my stories out. I've done storyboards for people, illustrated song lyrics. All my comic books were drawn witthout being wrtten out. I started from sketches or cards I drew for people. Put a couple comics on webtoon and have a 4 comic series going. No writing 😁

@dedeshikaalabi-mensah9471 Жыл бұрын

I personally think that being a comic book artist is very hard because you have to be a novelist and an artist all in one. People spend years writing their books. We have to do that and then draw it.😂 It makes since that we have this dilemma of writing versus drawing first. I have finally published my first episode of my webcomic on WEBTOON I will call it episode zero because it was for the WEBTOON Call to Action contest it’s called Crane if anyone is interested in reading it on canvas. Shameless plug 😂 anyway I wrote six pages of outline as well as a literal sketchbook of thumbnails for this story. I personally think I should have made more test pages than I did for the prologue. I think I’m stuck in the analysis paralysis stage, but at least I actually publish some things so that’s good. I used your videos the whole entire process when I was making my entry for the WEBTOON contest it really did help. Thank you for making these awesome videos. 😊❤

@Karnessa Жыл бұрын

I started drawing comics without the script or even finished outline for, like, three times. And I quickly scrapped all three of them. Thankfully it was only one chapter each time. Then I started sketching thumbnails and writing at the same time, but that didn't work either. So I made sure to finish outline for all the chapters before drawing this time, and things working out well so far (but i'm still rewriting some things in the process)

@Germania9 Жыл бұрын

Disney once said "At our studio, we don't write stories, we draw them." Can this be applied to creating comics?

@TheVeyZ Жыл бұрын

There was a character I was introducing in the first chapter of my comic that I had to rewrite multiple times cause their introduction didn't feel right. I'm glad I did the rewrites first rather than redraw a page multiple times.

@kuremyona7017 Жыл бұрын

Omgosh Walter!!! It is so amazing to see you again! Watching now. This makes me so happy!

@cextheartist Жыл бұрын

HEY WALTER HERE! HAHAHAH and with a great subject I am very insterested in! Thank you master!

@merri_spiderly6017 7 ай бұрын

I’m currently tackling a prototype of my beast of an idea onto paper (it’’s in a series format, so I’m at issue 1), and I’m somewhere between ”I want to draw now” and analysis paralysis, because sometimes I tend to make things too complicated. I’m drawing traditionally, so right now I’m in that awkward phase of translating thumbnails into ”first drafts” so to speak, because I can do only so much with tiny stickfigures. 😂

@maka-chansaas7582 Жыл бұрын

This video came out right when I really needed it. Thank you!! I'm still deciding what to do but hearing someone discuss the pros and cons of each option has given me insight. I've been debating if I should just jump into the web comic project I want to do and have episodes released once a month or once every two months since I'm doing both art and writing myself. Or, to wait until December of 2023 to have more written, fully fleshed out scripts and some episodes ready. It would be my first story and its a take on working in fast food but woth a twist.

@a_guy_with_glasses Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video! It’s still surreal to see you again lmao, but I love watching your videos because they’ve helped me so much with my own webtoon.

@clydesdale1775 Жыл бұрын

TH- THE MAN. HE'S BACK!!

@magnavarra Жыл бұрын

I have major bulletpoints wirtten but when it comes to dialogue i only write it 1 or 2 episodes ahead, then I block it out itno panels while already having images in my head and this creates my sotryboard i guess. Sometime i adjust dialogues or break it to fit with the art. though I really try to use as less words as possible. There was only one time for some complex scene when i wrote 3 episodes ahead. Sometime I would also write down some smaller scenes or cool quotes in my phone notes and think how to intergate them later as I go. I think of my comic as 'Friends' series that may end anytime or last for another decade while publishing once a month since it's my hobby and i can't work on my comic full time

@heymiokka Жыл бұрын

oh, you’re back !

@jhunter1371 Жыл бұрын

I like to make short story comics about my characters. I write down the situation I want to see my characters in and fold a regular sheet of paper into 8 panels and limit my episodes to those 16 panels. I try to keep old newspaper comic strips format when writing. I need 3 parts in each story to a bigger 3 part arc to a 3 part whole story.

@kuremyona7017 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! :)

@yupow Жыл бұрын

good to see you back? ❤️

@valaisevat4933 Жыл бұрын

I fully finished my script before starting to even thumbnail, because I wanted to be fully in control of all the choices before committing! But then again, mine is a standalone story of less than 200 comic pages, so this process might not be the best for multiple-issue long-running stories...

@yayab6378 Жыл бұрын

Thank you u read my mind great video!

@hanarielgodlike9283 Жыл бұрын

WELLCOME BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK

@mysteriouswolven Жыл бұрын

Suuuper helpful thank you. The story I want to tell is already entirely written out. But I'm just stuck at storyboards bc I feel like I need to get better with my art haha.

@TambriArt Жыл бұрын

When I began drawing my comic, I had a loose outline of the whole story in bullet points. Quite a bit of research and photo refs for the setting, and a lot of character sketches of at least the starting characters in the story. The beginning episodes were scripted with basic ideas of what I wanted the characters to say and do. As I went into thumbnailing the storyboard I'd think about how my characters would say stuff in-character and flesh out my script on the go. It's probably not a process that works for everyone, but it does work for me and keeps me from the dreaded analysis paralysis. 😁 Next year I'll probably be focusing on writing and concept sketches more since I'll be on maternity leave from my comic for at least a few months.

@Lem0o0n_tree Жыл бұрын

OMG! You video saved me 😩💕 i was wondering if I should start to draw first or write the story first but you have give me the answer 😊thank you so much ^3^/

@pokadotplot Жыл бұрын

I've been in a type of analysis paralysis for years. The problem is I don't know how to fill in the gaps in the plot i have figured out. Do you have a video for that? Great content as always. I hope you're enjoying making videos again.

@dmanman1233 Жыл бұрын

I've been writing my story for about a year now. I finished it and have now started the outlining my drawings. I see now how 200 pages can be a beast of a project 😂

@TheFlyingBookworm Жыл бұрын

Start small 😂 I've had a story kicking around in my brain for a few weeks with different scenes I've had playing in my mind. Decided maybe it could be a possibly WEBTOON so I sat down and started to outline the story as far as I had imagined it. Estimated 5 seasons. About 15-20 events per season that would take a few episodes each to execute. I do not have a definitive end yet. Also, I'm not an artist. What am I doing here?! 😂😂😂

@stronggirlsyndrome Жыл бұрын

I'm in analysis paralysis...I've now stopped writing and am changing my format to webtoon as I wouldn't stop changing it thinking I was printing it. I do have an outline

@stronggirlsyndrome Жыл бұрын

I also am not starting small 😅

@Hexarth Жыл бұрын

Since my project will only end several years from now, I only have the beginning set in stone. After that it's just a general idea. No matter what, always know what your ending of your story will be, and the steps it will take to get there.

@patientspooky Жыл бұрын

I have this 70-chapter idea planned with a vague sense of where each arc goes and how it ends, as well as who each character is and all that jazz, but I'm not very good at drawing so I'm working right now to improve that. I do plan on making shorter mini-comics for it first, though. However I'm also thinking about doing a short 6-chapter comic that has nothing to do with the long story to practice paneling and comic-making since I've never done something like this seriously before, but I'm not as passionate for it. Currently, this is the creative paralysis I'm stuck in, "should I work on the 6-chapter comic to get good practice even though I don't like it very much, or focus on the long comic and put all my energy to it and its mini-comics?" Right now, I'm leaning towards the 6-chapter comic but ehhh I'm still deciding. :P

@walterostlie Жыл бұрын

Even 6 chapters is a lot. I would say at least start the 6 chapter project. Since you are just starting out with drawing, you may start the 6-chapters and decide to stop, then re-start from page 1 and that is perfectly okay. It's better to start doing something, figure out that it was the wrong choice, and start doing something else rather then debating what to do and never doing anything.

@user-ng5tn4xr9w 5 ай бұрын

I started drawing and posting without any written outline 😅 just go with the flow per say...

@Nikke283 Жыл бұрын

I guess its always a bit of of both. I try to have a good concept but when it comes to draw i might have another idea to visualise a scene- I quess its the very same think like a movie director who has already a script who let his actors improvise a scene. But I would always suggest to know where the story should go and the important plot points are.

@joelociraptorgaming80 Жыл бұрын

I made the mistake so many times of drawing and making up the story at the same time and always stopped because I didn't like the direction. So then I decided to write the first two issues of my comic before starting to draw. Then during the drawing on those two issues, if I was burnt out that night I would write instead of drawing. So far I have 2 issues drawn (one 32 page and one 24 page) and 8 issues written. As far as arcs, I keep a "digital brain" on my phone where I dump all my ideas and when I have down time I look them over and try to figure out how those scenarios would play out in the stories, how will the characters get into that situation and is that even interesting?

@HeilmwaterStudios Жыл бұрын

Will you make a video on if making webcomic is profitable in 2022? and platforms we can post on? is webtoon worth it after they cut canvas creator reward?

@TuesdaysArt Жыл бұрын

I jumped into making my first webcomic with minimal planning. The pacing was bad and the writing was...something. For my newest project, I started working on concept art first (especially since the characters needed to go through redesigns) and went through ideas in my head. I should probably start working on the first draft of my script soon because I've been procrastinating on the writing when I should be doing that in between drawing, but something about writing feels intimidating?

@halululi634 Жыл бұрын

Started my new series last october and I planned to work on it atleast a year before I publish it but now I only done 12 episodes, But I've been finding a way to make my process faster. Though I already have my script my process is what's taking my time. Any advice about drawing process Sir?

@CEOmagi Жыл бұрын

Help I bad at coloring backgrounds 😭

@t2tan_art Жыл бұрын

Mr Walter.. I found this reply "Congrats you have been selected among our shortlisted winners,♥️ contact the telegram above👆" to my comment on your channel.. Is it you or is he just an impersonator of you?

@t2tan_art Жыл бұрын

Please take care of this!! Maybe he just an impersonator of you?!