Should I learn to draw or hire an artist

KLynx said:

So, what would make you say "I have to draw that!" ?

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Money.

Actually, the times when I've gotten completely obsessed about drawing have been because something isn't coming through properly - it can feel as if there is a blockage somewhere between my brain and the paper, and the actuality doesn't match expectations. Most of my pen and ink material isn't simply drawing, but a conversation with the subject, trying to work out exactly what I want. I love the way films sometimes show how artists are meant to have a concrete vision of the piece, then set about achieving that - it's not something I have ever experienced, and I'm not sure it is widely felt.

Both writing and art are things that take a huge portion of your focus. I myself have no art skill, and so for me it would take too much time away from focusing on writing for it to be worth it. Seeing as I am a writer, I would say focus on making killer stories and find an artist. Really though you gotta what you think is best. At the end of the day what did either choice really hurt?

I'm planning a graphic novel right now, and I intend to draw it myself. Not because I don't want to work with an artist, but because my intention from the get-go has been to draw it. I've been learning to draw since I was a child though, so I'm confident in my artistic skills and talent.

You just have to know what your potential is and have the motivation to pursue it. If you don't think you have talent, then drawing your own manga probably isn't something you need to take on.

Speaking from my own experience, I would suggest for any writer who is wanting to give illustrating their own work a shot.

After years of starting-and-stopping with various artists on comic-related projects, I find it is much better to tackle the art duties myself. Here are the reasons why:

1) Control- You control EVERYTHING about your project if you're self-publishing or serializing it on the web or selling it digitally

2) Cost- You don't have to pay an artist which could be the biggest expense

3) Less headache- I'm not throwing all artists in this group but there a lot of artists who will either flake out or just stop working on your project when a more financially viable one comes along.

4) More satisfaction- Everything is on your shoulders which can be an empowering feeling- especially when you are done!

I would just suggest for those thinking about doing this to tackle a small five to ten page story first just to see if you REALLY want to do this. You would be doing yourself a strong disservice if you decided to put on the writer / artist hat by tackling a 100+ page story right off the bat.

Illustrating your own work is intimidating. But do a google search for the early work of some of your favorite artists. I remember seeing some of Jim Lee's pre-published work and it looked awful! Everyone has to start somewhere!

Wesley