Making Comics vs Making Games

[@Balmarog]

As a 41 year old who has been trapped in and soul-crushed by the corporate rat race for 20 years and is trying to reconnect with his old artist self, I appreciate these videos and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[@zombiy2947]

Trent Kaniuga strikes me as the type of 'dad' personality who has a cool job, makes good bbq, calls you "champ" and his prized possession is a George Foreman grill, and whenever someone within a square mile says the word "grill," he sets his beer down and excitedly begins a surprisingly-fascinating grill commentary with "so check this baby out!" as he gestures to his glorious George Foreman grill.

[@scribblingjoe]

It's always nice to see someone else use a circular object to make a circle, rather than freehanding it.

[@Stephen-T-Clark]

Hey-a Trent. Here's an idea I would love to see you discuss on a future video: how to go about managing your time when working on a comic book project. I would love to learn about how much planning it takes and how you divide up the time between the different stages in the production of a comic. I am working on my own stuff, currently thumbnailing pages, so I believe it would be immensely useful stuff to know. Thanks in advance, and wishing you super luck in your return to comics.

[@IronQuillArt]

I’m finally working on my own comic too (first one!). Would you mind sharing Your process, so far? I’m also keeping notes so I can share my process on IG, but was curious how other novice artists are tackling it :)

[@Stephen-T-Clark]

@@IronQuillArt Sure thing, but it's not impressive or elaborate. I am focusing on first of all just doing a "prologue" chapter of the larger story that I have in my head as a "minimum viable product," an idea I learned about from Brookes Eggleston's channel. It's a bit larger than what he suggests, but I set the goal of doing it this way because I want to experience what it's going to be like should I choose to continue it. It's going to be 12 pages long, and features 5 primary characters that I have created, as well as a couple secondaries. I have written the script in google docs and currently am working up a thumbnail version of the pages in a grid-paper composition notebook (I like how I can keep things like page sizes consistent on the grid paper). Once I have an idea about the layout of the pages I want to go digital with it, and I am planning to use Clip Studio EX for that. I will take my thumbnails, push them a bit further as far as composition and layout are concerned, and then I want to go about setting in my dialogue. Once all of that is done, I am hoping it will just be a matter of polishing until done.

[@Sonnysshow]

I'm also working on my first comic/american manga, and I think that's an awesome video idea that I'd definitely watch! As a fellow novice I've taken the "minimum viable project" in another direction. Because my best idea is a Really big one, I've decided to do another one of my smaller ideas to learn the basics. And afterwards, if I feel ready, I'll move onto my Main Comic/Manga Idea. And soon I'll start posting my progress on my KZbin and Instagram page! Good luck with your projects y'all!!

[@robinthestate6548]

I agree with you. I just finished ploting my first comic book saga I don't know for how long I'll keep it. so far I have enough ideas for at least 5 storylines. I came up with the idea when I was 15 and it has shifted so much for the last 6 years. I honestly never thought of going back to it but I finally made my mind and decided that even if it's just a side thing at firat I'll do it regardless of how much money it brings me. my IG is @westernmanga in case anyone wants to follow, I'll follow back art creators and specially fellow comic/manga artists. I'll love to know what his process is. I'm currently following something similar to what Mark Crilley does (if you don't know him defenetily look him he breaks down his process into several videos. it'll be really nice to see what Trent does to learn from him.

[@darianalejandro1489]

instaBlaster...

[@ianmclean9382]

Im glad I found your channel this year. You're great.

[@PetarTasev_art]

Love the scene, especially that high contrast part of the buildings in the bottom right corner, that's educational and inspiring to me!

[@koljak9395]

I'd love to see more videos about making comics! I finished my first comic book project last year, 100 pages that took me > 3 years. It was mostly a learning experience, but I'm still proud the story held up and concluded properly over all this time :) Felt kind of burnt out after that, but seeing you being so enthusiastic about getting into comics again helps my motivation a great deal!

[@nighthawkwarriorcomics]

this page turned out fantastic i like how you did the buildings its got a unique atomsphere type of vibes to it like its nightime in new york and that dragon looks really cool in the sky thanks for sharing hope your well keep it up

[@Simbabweman]

Such a relevant topic to me. I'm wanting to break into the games industry having finished computer arts at university last year but sadly the industry is very quiet just now. I made and published a comic in my final year at university and I'm working on another couple just now. Love watching this stuff, helps me out a lot. Also this drawing reminds me of a comic I just discovered called "Nimona". Haven't read it yet but it's supposedly great!

[@RoseRocket]

Congrats! Hope it works out for you ❤️❤️

[@Simbabweman]

@@RoseRocket thank you, doing my best. Hopefully one day soon I'll be working in the games or comic industry as a professional. Good luck to anyone else doing the same or anything else they're aspiring for!

[@funkpolis9755]

How did you manage to get your comics published? I'm thinking about doing the same thing someday, but I keep thinking it's a difficult process

[@rae_smith]

Thanks for the video! I was planning on my first comic series and I really needed to hear this.

[@nedzex493]

If you can explain this 3 things in some of your next videos: 1. Can you explain hatching? In which direction lines should go, etc? 2. Where to put completely black/dark shadow, and where not, where just hatching? 3. Which brush you use to get so clean and sharp lines in photoshop? Do you use any tricks? Do you have some amazing tablet that helps you, or it is just a years and years of hard work?

[@furrybproductions]

Wow. As I'm starting to get into solo indie game development from being a graphic designer, I'm feeling about game dev the way you feel about comics while feeling about graphic design the way you feel about game dev. The take away is the same though: it always feels better as indie, may not pay the bills at first so you gotta be consistent, focused and precise in how you display YOUR style, but it ALWAYS feels better.

[@aranyak1881]

Wow you've been putting out a lot of great videos and streams this week! Keeps us company while grinding away at art.

[@domenicopentangelo4549]

terrific awesome artwork!!!!

[@ryvenfox7728]

I got a sketch book of comic panels (like 7 per page) for christmas so I'm definitely thinking about starting a comic! Seems like the time is right, and the longer I wait the more likely it is for me to just.. not.

[@zachariasstarlid5365]

I’m getting more and more excited for this project👍

[@femkes3928]

Hi Trent! Thanks for the video! :D I admire that you do all the art and story writing yourself. It takes a lot of skill to write good stories. (Character development, dialogue, pace etc.)

[@deadpan5104]

Looking forward to that making comics workshop on your gumroad friendo

[@M_harch]

Gonna get high on those sharpies! Loved this video btw. Enjoying the change to analog art.

[@DigitalinDaniel]

My favorite moment in Twilight Monk: Secrets of Kung Fulio was the pillow joke, of all the artifacts Klu's best cushion got destroyed. :^)

[@fredgerd5811]

I definitely see "Trent Kaniuga painting" looking at Summoner's Rift. Obviously other artists are involved too but I certainly see your style coming through in the rendering.

[@michaelokoro5651]

haha, atimes when i watch your videos, i don't know if i should laugh or get depressed looking at my work. thank you for all the tips.

[@halidramzan2803]

I think about you every time I'm playing league of legends. I always tell people I'm friends with the artist that designed most of these icons and worked on the rift map😄

[@ArtByAnthonyV]

Trent Im probably all in with that indie go go creed is a favorite of mine.

[@DavydWood]

Excellent work...I wonder what the big cames companies are so worried about by not revealing WIP in the creation. Ulltimitely, there vision and ideas are possibly different from another companies.

[@TrentKaniuga]

They want to make sure that they control the big reveal of new characters and locations so that their competition doesn't beat them to it. Game companies need to be thought of as innovative and creative. They can't have competition beating them to the punch.

[@scribblingjoe]

I always get terrified when erasing my pencils after inking.

[@ceilingfan3986]

Same, that's why I switched to digital so I dobt have to worry about stuff like that

[@jeggzzzz]

Agree with you, Trent. I went to school for game art, but I've been drawing since I was 3 focusing now on building up my own universe sometime in the near future. Solo game dev is taxing. You're usually jack of most trades and master of some, but comic creating is so fulfilling despite the work needed to complete something and if it's indie, then people have no say on what goes in. I also think that, similar to the streaming/YT scene, some people had that perfect timing. Oversaturation is also an issue now compared to when you were 16. With so much in the market now, why re-invent the wheel right? Just some further insight to future creators out there. And on the creation side, sometimes I think that my idea won't fly because it must be out there somewhere published already, so legalities aside, it's intimidating. BUT just a year ago, I learned: "F*ck it, let's do it!" :D I established my business and craft so that one day I can tell people that they can do it, but it involves a lot of work. Totally grateful for your insight here. Happy new year! COUNT ON MY SUPPORT on your IGG campaign. :)

[@cpstndsgn]

3:34 Trent made a perspective mistake!!! A PERSPECTIVE MISTAKE!! 3:42 fixed... I loved to see this, you are blasting out these drawings in like no time, so when I see a perspective error like that, that nearly makes you human again...nearly. :D

[@TrentKaniuga]

I'm sure I make mistakes all of the time. Sometimes I don't catch them!

[@scribblingjoe]

Can you share with us some of the shortcuts or timesavers you learned while making comics?

[@enigmanesral]

Rockin' video Trent! This got me pumped! So happy to see you back in the comic book chair again. Just wondering about those past publishers you had such a bad time with. Did you ever work with image comics? I've heard they're pleasant, but that's just hearsay. Cheers

[@TrentKaniuga]

Image was just a publisher that puts their logo on the book. You still have to do everything else. They weren't bad, if you know what you're getting into. You still have to prepare an advertising budget, market and promote your own project, letter it, edit it, prep it for print etc. They literally just put their logo on the cover and put it in distribution catalogues then ship to them for you. Thats it.

[@bovineox1111]

I’d be keen to understand the rest of your process - are you hand drawing a black and white and then scanning it to tidy and colour digitally?

[@raritycunt5404]

You will probably not see this, but how do you get started wtih copyrighting and trademarking your projects, did you have anyone to help with it?

[@funkpolis9755]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@jbeihl1]

**comfortable upper FIVE figures sorry for the typo

[@ericni9908]

I want to be a game developer, now I’m even more certain that I know it’s going to be a pain.

[@MegaPieru3000]

Most things are a pain in one way or another😩

[@adroitws1367]

@@MegaPieru3000 especially in creative field :(

[@haltdieklappe7972]

I want to be a comic book writer

[@kaelthas9970]

What would you do if you got an idea to change the artstyle drastically?

[@TrentKaniuga]

start your own company, develop it on your own, and pitch it to that publisher.

[@kaelthas9970]

I was thinking more about doing a comic alone. Imagine being a couple pages into work and then realising that you could use a more efficient but significantly different artstyle. Would it be better to change it or stay with old one for consistency?

[@WeThePuppets]

So cool seeing you working with traditional media! Has there been any digital techniques you've been able to translate to traditional? Or is it back to the school of hard knocks and no CTRL-Z? Edit: After watching to the end, I'm guessing you did the coloring in Photoshop? lol

[@jbeihl1]

Your story reminds me of Jim Shooter. Breaking in at 14 etc. I feel bc comics has always been sort of a very informal industry the barrier for entry is low as far as age requirements and credentials but the money for me just isn’t there. Even for Marvel or DC they don’t really pay what you think they would. You will make a comfortable upper four figures but you would think a penciller at Marvel or DC would be starting out making six figures given the high profile of these characters

[@zachariasstarlid5365]

13:15 is the where scary part starts 😆.

[@Blueberrygoat92]

I'm working on both. . . A visual novel and a comic. :o

[@niedoanimowanyrosomak9990]

What have you done for League? Im just curious cuz i love the style of LoL and i enjoy your videos.

[@TrentKaniuga]

I redesigned Summoners Rift when they redid all of the art in 2013

[@niedoanimowanyrosomak9990]

@@TrentKaniuga it was you? Woow, i did not expect it. You did a great job nonetheless

[@mizubiart6230]

hm. i think i like being very independent, but most of my work are designs and concepts; nothing is really tying them all together and i find making creatures and concepts to be very fun, like creating a cathedral-dragon, just to see what it looks like, what it can look like. so maybe i could be both employed, but also creating independent traditional pieces which can be an investment over time. my favourite motifs however, all revolve more or less around anatomy (medicinal), animals, sometimes plants, and architecture, both in environments and creatures that live there.

[@heartstevenson7654]

THE ARTIST IS BACK, YAY😇😀💚

[@adroitws1367]

how about the illustrated novel path? i mean you do make some and it look more time-effort friendly and more viable to be consistent also i try to make comic but i just cant draw as fast as my story progress in head/draft :(

[@TrentKaniuga]

The illustrated novel format is more time efficient to develop if you're a confident writer. But it's harder to find a market for it. Illustrated novels are generally considered to be for children.

[@JT-ks4lp]

Tren will probably not see this, but still worth a try. How do you get started with copyrighting and trademarking your projects, did you have anyone to help with it?

[@wendellgueco1732]

I have the same question ... Wishing that Trent would see this...

[@darkridgeproductions2760]

[@aniketkumar3594]

Hi, i am learning concept art and i was confused on how many art styles i should learn and include in my Portfolio to get a job as a concept artist .

[@oushiseer3895]

It depends on what studio you’re planning to apply to

[@zachariasstarlid5365]

Yep. Adjust your portfolio so that the style matches to where you are applying.

[@ok_listen]

Find your own art style and then look for studios that go near to it. Imo i wouldn't adapt to a specific studio style, since it can change overtime because of new IPs and stuff like that, plus you would limiting yourself.

[@Travsmovienight]

Awesome work,Trent! Been a fan since I was in high school. I'm a independent comic artist myself and I was wondering about what type of paper you're drawing on. I use industry standard 11x17 but I see yours is smaller. 8.5x11? And can I ask what dimensions you rule that up in so it prints properly? Thanks and really looking forward to your return to comics and Creed🙂

[@TrentKaniuga]

I did my pages at 9x13 for this book. But My next book will be done on 11x17

[@Travsmovienight]

@@TrentKaniuga Thanks for the answer! Again I'm really looking forward to Creed🙂

[@jbeihl1]

Look at all of the awesome comic vets who made the lateral move into concept art. Keu Cha comes to mind. I mean if Marvel was smart they would poach some of these guys back with higher page rates. Get Keu Cha, Steven Platt, Pat Lee etc, but the reality is these companies done want to pay. I would say keeping these factors in mind creator owned for better or worse is the way of the future

[@TrentKaniuga]

The problem is that comic books don't make enough money to poach them back.

[@jbeihl1]

@@TrentKaniuga right. It’s just a shame. Keu Cha made an impression on me when I was getting out of school and there was just more ability or willingness for these comic companies to assume financial risk 20 years ago. I think he did HEX The Lost Tribe or something like that. I just remember the art bc of the scale of his pages. He worked big like Back in the 30s and 40s as opposed to regular tabloid size

[@towerjunkieart]

Awesome video mr. Trent! Anyway, you should update this 20 in your intro 😁

[@TrentKaniuga]

Yeah. This video was recorded in October, and I had to keep delaying it.

[@gm51]

Great video. You said you start working in the comics industry when you were 16 but how old were you when you switched to the Game industry and started working as a Concept Artist?

[@TrentKaniuga]

About 24

[@Blueberrygoat92]

And by the way, back when I played league I always bragged to my friends that you worked on the map. Dunno why I was bragging for you but I thought it was cool!!

[@alexielmarquay]

Could you give us advice on the material for inking please?

[@kingofshadows1433]

Could you talk more about how the publishers would try to screw over the comic artist? That kind of info is hard to find.

[@ExiledDragoon]

Good Afternoon Trent, Long time viewer first time commenting. I am curious, how you go about writing the outline or script for a graphic novel? I find myself writing and rewriting mine all the time. Do you flesh out your characters and environments with designs and descriptions before writing one or is it something you build as you write? Looking forward to your feedback and appreciate you for taking the time to make these kinds of videos!

[@MasterMantis89]

Are the tutorial packages that contain Procreate/Photoshop tips/brushes worth buying for the content even for Clip Studio Paint users? I'm interested in the lessons but don't want to miss out on potentially a significant portion of the content/knowledge due to using an alternative drawing software. I'm sure I'd learn a lot anyway as I'm new to digital art, but I just wanted an opinion from those who have access to the packages themselves on whether it's worth it.

[@MegaPieru3000]

How long does it take for you to draw let's say one character or landscape illustration?

[@petramala3916]

Hi, greetings and I hope you are well. I have small question about comics. My friend tells me that profesional comic makers dont use references for figures of people and I have to learn everything to do from basic skeleton and imagination. I dont agree and think that if there is a reference photo, I can gain most of information from it. Where lies the answer?

[@TrentKaniuga]

The artist that told you that will struggle their entire life, clinging to a belief that will only hinder them, until they become bitter and angry. In short - You should absolutely learn from reference and study every day.

[@roastman9753]

What pen are you using for your inking on this page?

[@mikenelson1624]

👍✨🗣

[@hotpopcorncake]

I didn't know you created creed hahaha no wonder you're art looked familiar.

[@charlology7219]

Hey I'm 21 years old and I'm thinking of making my comic book and publish it. Should I do it

[@TrentKaniuga]

Go for it!

[@charlology7219]

What publisher did you went to publish your Graphic novel

[@VoltitanDev]

Visual novels aren't that different from digital comics both offer creative freedom for writer and artist. Also Visual novels are more easier to program than other video games

[@keever8305]

Hey Trent, mind if i ask a question? Well too bad if you said no cause i'm asking it anyway. I'm wondering if the easy art lessons over on your gumroad channel can also be applied to digital art as well?

[@TrentKaniuga]

yes.

[@keever8305]

@@TrentKaniuga Alright, thanks.

[@RPERIARTWORKS]

Why not do both?

[@TrentKaniuga]

Both are very demanding. Plus you need to market them as well. This only works if you have a team that work for you.

[@AndrewMaksym]

Yo Trent I'm starting out in the audio-book industry do you have any advice on this? (I've already uploaded some of it to youtube on another channel, didn't link it cause I don't want to spam. But I can share if you want.)

[@elvenatheart982]

I'd like a lonk

[@AndrewMaksym]

@@elvenatheart982 Here it is. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p16rc5qceNSLaNE&ab_channel=BrainNectarWorks

[@lemonsoulVT]

oh, wow. I'm early :D

[@saumilnigam3395]

You wrote the date wrong

[@TrentKaniuga]

yeah. I recorded this one last year but had to keep delaying it until the publishing deal came through.

[@eddyalvaross2195]

Lol, hardcore comic book readers...