5 Tips to Instantly Improve Artwork for Homemade Trading Cards/TCG channel/Comics!

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

I know my 1st point is controversial but this is just how I've found successful homemade TCGs have worked over the 3 years I've been making Chaos galaxy. If you don't agree that's fine, please feel free to SHOUT AT ME IN THE COMMENTS 🔥🔥🔥

[@bturtle2907]

ChaosGalaxyTCG yeah i get what you mean with the computer but you also didnt add shading and thing like that but nice vid

[@stormyrumpel9654]

may i please use your planet idea for my own tcg. My idea is that certain planets give certain creatures effects. My TCG is still in progress but it will be called galactic war.

[@SmugOcelot]

I’M SHOUTING AT YOU ZACK!!!!

[@jerrysmith8624]

Just got my little doods in the mail

[@nickrondinelli1402]

Well of course the computer one didn't look better, u used fill instead of actual brushes. There's no shading or color quality variation when you do that. If the hand drawn one had one solid color for each component, they would be essentially indistinguishable.

[@QuestTCG]

Oof. I'm gonna have to disagree with that first tip. But not for the reason you might think. Of course I'm kind of biased in the reverse of the way you are cause I do my art digitally xD. But I'll try to stay unbiased. Yes hand drawn images have a more natural feel, but you can replicate that with custom Photoshop brushes, so thats not much of a big deal. I for one have brushes that mimic the texture of brush pens, fine liners, and copic markers as well as a few other special brushes like hair textures and such The true wonder of digital art is just how much it streamlines workflow. You can typically finish digital artwork faster than a hand drawn one just due to things like color fill, use of layers, and any number of the other tools that digital art programs have at their disposal. Not to mention mistakes are much easier to fix digitally rather than physically. And honestly saying "you should do hand drawn art because all the cool people are doing it" isn't a very good argument. And it's not necessarily something that will "Instantly improve your art". Most big name tcgs like Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic the Gathering have digital art so does that mean we should ALL have digital art? No. Yah there is a certain charm to the hand drawn feel of alot of these htcgs, but that doesn't mean that they are inherently better artistically than htcgs that use digital art. Check out Domham Rhapsody if you want proof of that statement. I know this comment is long, but that first tip just didn't sit right with me. Given your popularity, alot of people who want to get into the htcg community are going to take your word as gospel. I just want to put it out there that there are other ways of going about making a htcg. Moral of the story? Just draw whatever and however you feel passionate about.

[@sicariuso2654]

what photoshop software do you use?

[@reefahmadness]

@-@

[@omctcg3092]

SicariusO2 lol photoshop!

[@jimeno625]

You have a new subscriber.

[@bloxyyt]

WhoDoneItStudios yeah i agree

[@itshazza6151]

Well the most detailed card has to be wildwing I hope Zack pins this

[@omctcg3092]

Fury5Gamer he will soon but not now

[@thesinofyouth9137]

Dont think he has pined it yet

[@pinkydinky9349]

Nope

[@pinkydinky9349]

No pin

[@thelegacyofgaming2928]

With digital drawings, shading is still essential. Everything looks very good with shading, but without...

[@c1p2d88]

Thx again for another helpful vid although 1st point is a bit biased

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

craig drew yeah I understand, watching it back i do think I was too opinionated! Glad you found the other 4 tips helpful though :)

[@gyract8051]

this really helped me with my tcg game

[@temoorebaber4801]

I'm actually a bad drawer and had no confidence in my drawing but this video gave me confidence thank you soooooooo much

[@TheWatermelonSquad1000]

I used the color thing you said about three colors with the first card in my tcg for my KZbin channel that I’m going to make

[@pandascantdance2144]

I'm actually thinking of making a tcg so this was actually a huge help! Thanks Zack!

[@SadePotatoman]

I disagree with practically everything...but I DO understand how from a new artist's point of view this could be great help. But I still believe the arguments I have here should also be taken under consideration. 1.Edit textures with your computer. There are many ways you can make things look unatural and unperfect with computer programs...if you want to. 2. Be patient....and like you said love your artwork! It is worth it to put time into the quality of your cards. Like you said ''you need a style''. And your style can be developped into how you manage details. For exemple : you have your style wich appears to be popy and underdetailed ,but it doesn't mean that doing detail is a waste of time. It gives context, feel and personality to the scene. 3. If you can't manage detail with good result...yes. But trying can only make you a better artist. Unsure? Maybe try to draw outside of card building. And if you manage to get help with your card art. That can be cool too. Ps:Uuraam could use a bit of a more contrasting background and depth using light/shadow. (Contrast!) 3,5. You CAN add detail on that size and you also can make it eyecatching if you bring the whole artpiece focus on the main subject or if you use your colors in a pleasing way ect... 4. treasure swamp would look amazing with a little bit more light onto the dark elements and with darker background textures. 5. YES! Sketches! Always! Until you know you can without!

[@Bralore125]

I agree with all of these tips, I use all of these, and they help so much. Thank you so much

[@frenchmainwt]

Why Are your outlines slicc When they can be *THICC*

[@Siv940]

Bohemian Mapping HD true mate

[@samk7721]

Ngl, the complex card looked sick, but agree with Ya bout the simpler ones catching the eye

[@harrydotexe1953]

Thanks dude! This will really help with my new tcg!

[@battlebeastsking3487]

Why does every word you say make my heart throb with inspiration?

[@grsupreme2266]

Yeah

[@thelegacyofgaming2928]

Oh yeah

[@blizzzzrd]

Thank for the tips!, i was making a character named "Novax" while listening to your vids. Thank you very much, keep up all the good work.

[@djangoelliott]

Your first point, is kinda controversial, as if you look at professional artist who use computers and adobe software to create there images, there is a lot of shading and effects added to make it look super realistic, so most colours won’t be just straight and bland. Also if you like simple images for ur card game, no errors and solid colours can make it look a lot better

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

Hey man, yeah i understand its down to whatever you feel gives you the best artistic results so if you like computer art then go for it! I feel my points in this video were slightly misunderstood, this video was for homemade game makers just to be made as a hobby, not for professional artists who are wizards at illustrator and photoshop! Most of my viewers are around age 13 and at an amateur level - like the photoshop drawing i did in the video, hand drawn card styles are more successful at this level of 'casual' artistic ability.

[@djangoelliott]

thanks man, with this context i totally understand were you are coming from.

[@professorstarzomski]

Yes, let me just *perfectly* draw all 350 of my base set cards 100% perfect without fail every time.

[@davidsalazar8035]

Awesome video and very good tips! Keep doing your great job!

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

thanks! Glad you liked the video :)

[@violinher0]

Thank you! This will help me with my tcg!

[@sidequest8518]

Some tips that might help. If you are going to use a character more than once then making a simple reference sheet of the character will make it easier to stay on model. try to make your art more dynamic as the false sense of motion would make your card stand out a lot more. For example a robot punching towards a looker would look more interesting than a robot just standing there with their arms to the side. a really simple background > no background

[@P.WPlays]

3:55 Is that planet extremely small or is that bridge extremely big?

[@BradDraws]

Oh damn! Chaos uploaded! :D

[@timesalamander1220]

Yes

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

He did!

[@SmugOcelot]

cake

[@elijahsimpson487]

BradDraws

[@therevivalchurch8469]

Good morning

[@Shulktiem]

Guess I’ll start doing pixel art by hand!

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

haha, ok i guess pixel art is probably best done on a computer!

[@sidequest8518]

I would love to see pixel art done by hand

[@tvtrashcastormemetard1604]

Side Quest too hard

[@sidequest8518]

it might be hard but I think it wouldn't be too hard

[@tvtrashcastormemetard1604]

Side Quest well just imagine how many little details you have to add in a character!

[@JozefDavid1111]

I have a home made tcg, I have been drawing it for 12 years of my life and have over 2400 cards but I now Im 20 years old and don´t know if I should just forget about it or keep making my dream come true what would be your advice for me. Btw Im from Slovakia so sorry for bad English :/

[@vish7623]

Wow that is the most dedication that I've ever seen

[@nickrondinelli1402]

Ask yourself "is it fun?" Then, "is it different?" And finally, "can a 12 year old play this but a 30 year old enjoy this?" If u have strong answers to all of these, then pursue it. Let me know how it goes

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

Hey man, thats amazing!!!! I'd keep going even if its just in your spare time. Obviously only carry on if you feel passionate about it, but have you shown the game to many people? I found that since starting this youtube channel a lot of the feedback on my games gives me guidance on what the next step is to making my games better :)

[@JozefDavid1111]

Thnx alot for the support :) but anyway yes It kinda started as a collection of me and my friends drawing me card, just a simple idea picture of a monster type power from 1000 to then max 100 000 and a name now it has more to it like rarity mana cost skills series set symbol and even something like kind for examp. fire type chimera kind 6000 12 mana cost rare etc. But I think what I miss the most Is a community of people intrested in home made tcg like here cause for the last 3 years its realy only my hobby only and only one helping is my girlfriend from time to time. But again thanks for the response I did not belive someone would response :)

[@Polyton7]

Continue with it and release it to the world

[@AnzkoTheGamer]

Thx a lot for these tips they are helping with my game!! Also only now noticed the face on acid stalk cloud 😁

[@austinrikestoplay]

I am making a MTG style trading card game with a realistic, renaissance painting style.

[@jtc6625]

The only reason there are more traditional artists than digital ones is 1. Digital equipment is very expensive. 2. Learning to draw digitally is more difficult. 3. Digital softwares are also expensive and 4. Many artists are not adults and thus have little to no money. It’s not because traditional is better. But it’s worth it because it looks so much cleaner and overall better than hand-drawn illustrations (in my opinion). You can easily create depth and “imperfections” with digital art. It’s the same as traditional but on a drawing tablet rather than paper :/ it’s just that you’re not as experienced with digital art. (and it’s also that you’re using a mouse instead of a tablet).

[@jtc6625]

And saying you can’t have a style with digital art really bothers me. I suggest you buy a tablet and experience it yourself. Though it would take a few weeks to get used to. You’ll see that your style does not change. Look at Eldritch Kingdom and tell me they don’t have an art style.

[@imbatman3222]

Expensive? Do you have a computer and $20 to spend on a drawing tablet mostly likely and you can get get drawing programs for free digital art is just as or even cheaper then regular art the reason the are more "traditional artists" is because either they just don't know how easy and affordable it is to draw online or maybe they aren't only like art as a hobby or possibly they are scard of online art because they think that it is really hard when in reality it isnt

[@byfv9726]

Im Batman sorry but drawing tablets are definitely not 20$ (and a computer isn’t cheap either)

[@cxndymoon5498]

I only argue with your first few sentences. I am not hating but.... 1. Not ALL digital equipment is expensive ( I have a drawing tablet thats only 69$ and its really good!!) 2. Learning to draw digitally is actually easier for me then drawing traditionally. Its because its more smoother and better to color + shade in) 3. YOU CAN GET FREE DIGITAL SOFTWARES! (I use Krita!) :D 4. Yes, but you can save up your money to 90 or something dollars... or just ask :D and yes, i do agree when you said its worth it! It is! You just need to practice! I am 11, and i can draw pretty good for my age! (Even better then Chaos i think XD) And I've only really drawn for 6 years... AND USING A TABLET IS CRRUUUTIAALLL! I hate using a mouse ;-;

[@thelegacyofgaming2928]

@@cxndymoon5498 Congrats on starting so young. Best of luck to you!

[@bloxyyt]

I draw by hand, but at the same time i use digital art. I use an apple brand pen on my iPad with an app called procreate so I’m drawing by hand, but at the same time i have access to the wonders of digital art.

[@SirxRyuuCHSub]

Old Video is so 🔥🔥

[@premiummonkey1631]

I have some questions. 1. For Gaios did you hand draw the background and same with the stars and writing? 2. What type of card/paper do you use for your cards? 3. Do you know any tutorials on how to make a good logo for your game? 4. What type of pens do you use? 5. How are you so good at drawing? Thank you I'd really appreciate it if you reply!

[@tysruin9367]

Here working on my new trading card game, currently I’ve made 284 cards and most of them are kinda bad looking… thanks so much! This helps so much! Now I have super good looking cards!

[@goldfishgallant1432]

I really want to define a meta for this game but im a tight ass and dont wanna spend money lol. I just have to figure out if the better value is the starter deck or boosters.

[@connorallgood0922]

Amazing video and tips, but only if I could draw in the first place

[@zlox3233]

#NotificationSquad 😂 Epic

[@snakyhd4830]

Epic

[@1PhoenixRising]

can you make a video on how to put your TCG on game crafter? thank's

[@KingOtama]

Thanks, I'm working on my own card game and theses tips will help thanks!

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

Glad to hear it!

[@ThePuffmeister]

Hey Zach this is a bit of an off-topic question, but what settings do you select for your cards on the game crafter? Do you have the dirt resistance on them? I just bought some of your cards and they feel nice and just a tad different from ones Ive had printed with the dirt resistance

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

Ahh ok, I didn't add the UV coating or dirt resistant, I think they feel better without it to be honest!

[@ThePuffmeister]

ChaosGalaxyTCG I agree they feel very nice 👍

[@liamouellette1800]

You have motivated me to make my own card game on the game crafter but I have no idea how to use Gimp

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

Glad to hear it! Hope it does well on the game crafter. Not sure what you mean by Gimp thoug lol?

[@liamouellette1800]

@@ChaosGalaxyTCG lol gimp is a photo editing software to make my card templates

[@kellysimos2215]

Um I just clicked on a random video of chaos galaxy because I need a opinion for about 2 years I have been planing my tag and it has one things similar to chaos galaxy how do I make it not a rip off. Here are the similarities -I have planet cards that act the same way as his do -I have 4 types of cards. Creatures, equipment, loot, revenge, And I have the you gain 4 stars per turn I need help to make my game my own

[@grsupreme2266]

Nice video I loved your cards especially those from baro

[@snakemont]

Thank you for this great and Timeless Advice!

[@ragnarokgamer6817]

How do you transfer the artwork onto the computer? I know of some methods but I want to hear yours?

[@Tropicoboy]

I'm working on a card game called fallout commander but I have a hard time redrawing the caracter over amd over when doing g concept art.

[@merccc1]

First tip is a bit off. personally prefered the digital art, but wanted it to be worked out more as you can achieve just as good things as the original hand drawn you shown. Generally both can achieve the same things, but what makes them special is how far you render detail into them, and how you style them. Doesn't matter the medium used. I personally love the look and feel of old magic card art, but also the newer stuff. Kinda wishing for a mix between the two really. More about style and end result than anything. Even seen rediculously good paint art which one would not generally expect possible. All about execution.

[@kodd10]

Point 1 bit biased. Just get krita or something and get a drawing pen, don't use the default shapes. Then it basically covers your requirements and it will make a unique style. But good video overall.

[@aartnerd2093]

Thank u so much this really helped me making my own TCG and this really helped

[@brotherstomp5264]

2:05 that would just be stuuuuppiid

[@JediTemplar]

Awesome tips. Thanks

[@paperproz9549]

What markers should i should use? is sharpie okay? or what do you per fur i need help!!!

[@deoangelodesamito2109]

How long did it take you to draw that globe?

[@taurudder5685]

What’s with the thing at 2:32

[@fabiansegovia7580]

I do game development in my free time as I’m only 14 and I have been using your art tips and my wow it really helped! I do most of my work on the unity engine and learned c# language!

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

That’s great to hear!!! So glad I could help improve your art :)

[@genericsoysauce22]

id just like to give out my opinion that drawing digitally can actually benefit in making homemade tcg. i personally use the free sketchbook app, and given a few days of getting used to, can have a similar result to hand drawn cards. i think drawing digitally gives you more room to perfect your drawings to your liking, and is not always bland and 2 dimensional if you put in effort. and for the argument that most homemade tcg makers do not have the budget for a high end drawing software, i actually think you can pull off digital art using free drawing softwares instead of buying expensive markers and pens if you are skilled enough.

[@genericsoysauce22]

by the way, i found your video incredibly helpful along with many other videos of yours! im a long time subscriber and you are a huge inspiration. thank you zack!

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

Hey man! Thanks for the support! Yeah I feel like when i was making this video I was a bit uninformed about free softwares. I get that nobody will have the same opinions but I feel like at an amateur level it's best to hand draw before jumping straight into digital! Thanks for the kind words too, glad to have you as a fan :)

[@genericsoysauce22]

ChaosGalaxyTCG i 100% agree that hand drawing is feels more natural and offers more control to beginners . thank you for sparking discussion and making amazing content, keep it up !!

[@oathmoon5939]

My biggest problem is... I can't draw xD unless its hangman I can't seem to draw anything good at all no matter how much I practice lol kills my motivation when there's no progress or just hits a wall I can't get past.

[@abhayprajapati6094]

Nice vid you inspired me to make a trading card game

[@victorhale2968]

Thanks for the tips.

[@RobertWilkinsonJKekMaloy]

And if you cannot draw the picture for the card ...?

[@itshazza6151]

Final Zack I got worried as I missed your channel

[@zackattack5414]

Me who’s drawing robots for my tcg game: “ohhhh yes totally natural”

[@JefryU]

Wow, the background tip really got to me. I'm still gunna do pixel art though

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

Go for it! Most of these tips don't really apply to pixel art as it's such a different way of doing things

[@HAZIMMALIK-so4kt]

The mega 1:the mega manflaki 2:the mega diamonizard 3:the mega slush 4:the mega orbov 5:the mega floop 6:the mega wild wing 7:the mega spine back serpent

[@epicnonster7601]

When you buy 18 card packs from your game crafter page, do you get 4 packs??? Or 1???

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

It's 1 pack of 18 cards :)

[@epicnonster7601]

ChaosGalaxyTCG ok thanks. I’m making my own TCG and was also wondering if I can choose the price and make it cheap so I can just get a bunch for cheap. Or does the website make a cost or like how does it work???

[@liamouellette1800]

I just bought infernos of sheos and depths of palicium seconds ago!!!!

[@J__-ci8bp]

Thanks for the tips I was gonna send my friend a collectors pack cause your not allowed to use the collector cards

[@nnautic6389]

The first point is a bit controversial, look at citrine animations game. 😬

[@nnautic6389]

Vanguard and eldritch kingdom and domham rhapsodie

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

yeah i get that it is controversial! Those are all fantastic games and done to a very professional standard! Although this video was aimed more at homemade game makers who are maybe still trying to get the hang of art! And from my experience, hand drawing is the way to go at an amateur level :)

[@nnautic6389]

ChaosGalaxyTCG ok that's a fair point

[@guitaranddrumsisgreatness4966]

I already draw my own card game, and I do have plenty of people helping me out on it

[@thatcoolamericanguy]

Somebody please tell me why 4:32 is the most replayed

[@ALFTHECOOL]

i personally think you have to be as good as digital art as the level of magic for it took look better than hand-drawn images.

[@Siv940]

*THX MATE.*

[@fredericvandereycken787]

I personally would recommend to use a lot of different art styles for one an extremely bland artstyle and another an entirely computer made picture.

[@bobaxblossom8167]

You didn't shade on computer version.

[@joshuanissola3379]

When will the battle video be out?

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

I'm really trying to make arrangements with No-named friend o get another battle together but we're both really busy at the moment. As for the little doods battle with Tom and Dr X, that will be up in 1 or 2 videos time :)

[@naomismith822]

You have inspired me to make a TCG

[@bhvboy3543]

It was super helpful

[@citrus8944]

I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!!

[@AZhanrai]

Cool Nice cards #best [rocket league]

[@thewaterleaf7929]

I know people are already saying this but computer artwork is superior in many ways to traditional, "it has a certain texture" use textured brushes, "it has imperfections" all art does, "it's way more easy to draw on paper" drawing tablets are a thing, some even as low as 20 dollars also people who draw are not called "drawers", that's where you put your socks

[@HAZIMMALIK-so4kt]

Do you make the archetype called the mega

[@desdinovaincarnate9703]

I think I'm better at drawing naturally when I draw on a computer(Graphics Tablet) because I'm a tad too messy on computer.

[@RamMustard]

How can you promote your tcg?

[@kenziebiggestfan9893]

What do you draw on?

[@ThatHoodieDealer]

Hey I want to make a tcg of my own and you inspire me

[@geckojack5169]

if you shaded the computer dun one it would look better

[@user-vd9kw7lc5p]

wow this really helps

[@pjbutanimated335]

One tip if you're making a tcg digitally is try making the lines with a softer color.

[@tcgmaxreax1858]

How is it that, your constantly always having new cards, but just being done by 1 person, what's your trick??

[@tcgmaxreax1858]

OK who liked and highlighted my comet then didn't reply 😂😂

[@griffinbrown5517]

Zack's adding arrows to his thumbnails... ;)

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

Need that sweet sweet click bait

[@griffinbrown5517]

Just change the name of this video to "WE DISCOVERED THE FIVE SECRETS OF LIFE! YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT..."

[@Warlockplayer2002]

You cant really say that digital one is worse because the hand drawn one does have some shading but the digital one does not so its like drawing something and colouring it without shading vs one with shading. obviously the one with shading is better. Also just because ground/dirt is brown doesn't mean you need to use just brown you could make it lighter or darker or even add bits of other colours to make it look better. Also about tips 2: just so you know yugioh is not an anime based card game because the game was released in 1999 and the anime in 2000.

[@FuturesquashArchive4Concerts]

I use the digital drawing but I try to make it look as hand drawn as possible

[@spidersam7334]

These are good tips

[@toxic_shr00m]

Wow that first point is blatantly shifted in favor of hand drawn. Like doing digital art doesn't mean you can't have non-flat colors like ??? All of the edits you made that you didn't like, you could've just not made those changes and only fix minor things. Secondly, tf you mean you can't have a unique digital style? Third, two hours for a detailed piece of art, one hundred of them each. Two hundred hours for a ton of detailed images (assuming they're well made) would be a mighty impressive feat.

[@iisokea]

The computer on looks better! JK the homemade one is soooo much better

[@donglebip7471]

So does he just really not like the Giaos boss monster?

[@angelsoftherenaissance9031]

You should check out my TCG, I created it on my own including the artwork, game formula, and i do traditional art but i scan them and clean\color the art in photoshop- Honestly who were you refering to on renaissance art with anime? I love your work and I hope and I hope to see more from you Zack!

[@armygachalifeglv8898]

My style is about weird stuff like a man with a head of a bird or a toilet with arms

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

I like the sound of the toilet with arms!!!

[@daphonea]

But what if we hand draw our artworks... THEN DIGITALLY FILL THEM IN???

[@drcrowler71]

Im combining the hand drawn characters with a digital background

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

That's how I do my stuff and it works well!!

[@ChaosGalaxyTCG]

That's how I do my stuff and it works well!!

[@ezrajustin_]

Can you please play elementals with your cousins or just your friends? It is my favourite tag on your channel!

[@rift3835]

I think the most important lesson I learned in this, is the Uuraam is the best card in the game

[@GlobalSingeing]

Zach, I love your art, and I respect your process, but I can't disagree more on point 1. Hand drawn is fine, but it is in no way superior. Your example with recolored Gaios frankly lampshades actual technique. You could just as easily color things in with solid colors on paper, but in your original drawing you chose to put the darker color in as well for texture. Digital drawing is the same way. Good art requires contrast and variation, no matter the medium. Hand drawn, while perfectly acceptable, does not automatically overshadow digital art. Don't take my criticism to be hate, but I thought this should be noted. Otherwise, great video!

[@cardquest2118]

Great advice Zack! Also to add to point 1, hand drawn tcgs are more accessible. Not every kid with a great idea has access to a pc 24/7 or creative software. Anyways, having a unique art style is probably the most important thing for anyone who wants their tcg to stand out 🤓🙌🏾

[@JediTemplar]

Card Quest I have my own art style and I use computer art because it is easier for my to make the cards and upload them to the game crafter