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Monday March 12th 2012, 10:06 pmThere is a certain kind mental pressure that takes place when working on an illustration, a page for comics. Its hard to put into words properly, but everything I draw always feels like there is a form of risk to it. Its like living with an uncertainty at work everyday. Part of it comes from never fully knowing if what is sporadicly flowing from my mind through my hand and onto the paper is any damn good or not. There is a constant worry that it might suck. Even more so, when I know deep down a portion of the drawing is just plain wrong, and nothing I’m doing to improve it is working. That happens more often than you can imagine. The intensity of trying to draw a story in a compelling manner, the importance to attempt progress upon what was drawn the day before, can be very overwhelming. At least it is for me. There is an undeniable assertion to propel forward, to never feel like I’m sliding backwards. The strain of inner conflict of mind exertion that becomes so profound that it raises stress. I know, it sounds strange to use the word “stress” when talking about illustrating. But it is indeed there, primarily because I know it has to be a good drawing, I have to perform (another word I don’t like) regardless of how I feel, and especially when doing comics, while trying to push boundaries of what is expected. The undertaking can be exhausting actually. Some days nothing wants to work right, or it takes much longer than anticipated, time is priceless in this business, one bad day can throw off an entire month sometimes. There is just never enough time. Yes this is a dream job, but its like any other job, its not stress free. Thats how it is for me anyway. You may find that the most surprising thing about this, after what I just explained, is that I still love and enjoy what I do.
Drawing Lines Of Tension Across A Flat Surface
March 12th 2012
6 Comments so far
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This whole post and especially the last sentance is exactly why I consider myself very lucky that you’re drawing my favorite comic. I think those things are what make you a true professional, and it shows you care about the work and the characters. I regret the stress, but I love the results. I hope that’s not too selfish.
Comment by Pam 03.14.12 @ 12:26 pmI’m glad to hear your efforts are as worthwhile to you as they are to those whom follow your work. Both the love and the stress show on your pages. It breathes reality into your characters and settings.
Comment by Ashley Helling 03.15.12 @ 2:47 pmHello Ashley
Thank you, although I probably stress too much, and need to center myself more I guess. I tend to be a fretter.
🙂
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Vis a vis writing as a job.
Glad to know that when I get around to making the comics I want to, illustrators feel the same way.
Comment by Ben Gwalchmai 03.12.12 @ 11:48 pm