Alright folks, let me walk you through my latest side hustle adventure: jab comics updates! I ain’t no professional, just a regular dude messin’ around, but I learned a thing or two, so figured I’d share.
The Idea Spark: It all started ’cause I was bored, scrolling through endless social media. I thought, “Hey, I could probably make funnier stuff than this.” So, jab comics – short, punchy, kinda snarky comics – were born.
Tools of the Trade: First off, I ain’t fancy.
- Started with paper and pencil, the OG way.
- Then I discovered Krita – it’s free, and surprisingly powerful for a beginner like me.
- My ancient Wacom tablet also helped.
Honestly, the tools don’t matter as much as the ideas (which, admittedly, were sometimes lacking).
The Process (aka The Struggle):
- Idea Generation: This was the hardest part! I’d literally just sit and stare into space, hoping for inspiration. Sometimes it worked, sometimes I just ended up hungry. I tried jotting down funny observations throughout the day, that helped a bit.
- Sketching: Rough drafts on paper. Stick figures were my friends. No shame.
- Digitalization: Scan the sketch, import it into Krita. Trace over it, clean it up. This is where the Wacom tablet saved my wrist.
- Inking & Coloring: Black lines for the outline, simple flat colors for the rest. I kept it minimal, trying to focus on the joke, not the artwork.
- Text: Gotta have the punchline! I used Krita for text too, kept the font simple and readable.
- Export & Share: Save as a JPEG, upload to my socials. Pray for likes.
Updates & Improvements:
- Panel Layout: I started experimenting with different panel arrangements to make the comics more dynamic. Some worked, some were a total mess.
- Character Design: Slowly but surely, I developed a few recurring characters with distinct looks. It makes the comics feel more connected, you know?
- Timing: I realized the shorter the better. People have the attention span of goldfish these days. So I tried to pack the joke into as few panels as possible.
Biggest Lesson Learned: Just keep making stuff. Even if it sucks. Every comic is a chance to learn and improve. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things.
Where am I now?: Still making jab comics, still learning, still havin’ fun. The views are slowly going up, which is nice, but honestly, I’m just enjoying the process. Plus, it’s a good way to vent my frustrations with the world in a somewhat creative way.
So yeah, that’s my jab comics journey so far. It’s a work in progress, but I’m enjoying the ride. If you’re thinking about trying something similar, go for it! What’s the worst that could happen?
