Sketch: 1. a simple, rough drawing or design, done rapidly and without much detail. 2. a brief plan or description of major parts or points; outline. To draw or describe quickly or in outline; make a sketch of.

Likewise,

Sketchy: 1. having the form of a sketch; presenting only major parts or points; not detailed. 2. lacking completeness; rough; inadequate.

While my dictionary is old, I think it’s safe to assume that the definition of sketch has not changed since 1972.

Paying special attention to the use of the word “inadequate” under “sketchy”, I would like to pose a question. Why do people expect a lot from a sketch?

On an online forum, if you post a sketch, openly warn that it is just a sketch and is not your 100%, even say you’ll put something better up later, you will eventually get this response:

“’It’s just a sketch’ isn’t an excuse.”

(Note, for interest, that in some cases, this snide critic will insert the word “we”, implying that the jerk hierarchy on this particular art forum has banded together and made official rules, and offenders will be punished to the full extent of their laws.)

Now contrast that to the legitimate definition of “sketchy.”

“lacking completeness; rough; inadequate.”

What I’m getting at is that it IS an excuse, and probably one of the best available.

This is but one problem with serious art forums. If there were a better supply of manga artwork communities, I wouldn’t even bother- but the only things I’ve found are DeviantArt and random “fan art” forums on anime bulletin boards. It’s a big challenge to get anyone to look, let alone leave a comment, through these means. Serious art forums (I keep on using that phrase) are brimming with people. But they don’t respect certain types of people.

I’m not saying that manga artists are better than, or even equal, to those who have pursued and/or mastered realism. But I do have a problem with the fact that those who spend their time developing a personal style in step with that of Japanese comics get no respect. I think we deserve something. But instead, we are placed at the level of 5-year-olds drawing portraits of their families with crayons.

It could theoretically even be argued that drawing manga is harder than realism. While drawing realistically, you can interpret things exactly, by looking at things around you. With manga, it’s in your head. You have to draw from that, without the aid of reality.

(Note: I don’t agree with this argument - it’s crap. I’m just saying that yes, it could be argued.)

Whether we’re respected or not, people could still be helpful. People who look at your work and say that you absolutely have to study realism to get anywhere (I am not elaborating or embellishing these comments, here), without actually saying what their problem is with it, have become my biggest pet peeve. It could be that they don’t actually have a problem per se- it could be that they reject it instantly, judging it to not be real art.

The worst thing, perhaps, is that people who put goldfish in a blender and set in on “puree” in a yuppy art gallery are taken seriously - yet people who spend a lot of time developing a legitimate style to create things that aren’t disgusting, aren’t.

The following are three steps to successful criticism on art: 1: State your problem. (Example: “The perspective on the arm is a bit confusing.”)

2: State a possible way to remedy the problem. (Example: “If you adjusted the shading, it might make more sense.”) 3: State something good about the piece. (Example: “The pleats on the skirt are awesome, thoug.”) If you are unwilling to follow the three steps while commenting on a drawing, don’t comment at all. You know who you are. (Carriestar800@aol.com- I’d love to get a comment or two on this especially. Even hate mail.) (See my page at thewebcomiclist.com- http://thewebcomiclist.com/p/3320/kage-to-odoru - I’d love to see a review, my ranking could really use the help.)

My apologies for the lack of updates over the past week or two. Between Carrie and I (mostly me) not having our act together and the Keenspace (pardon me, Comic Genesis) hardware getting in various snits, it just didn't happen. This art day is better than nothing. Hopefully we can get back on track with a regular comic update Wednesday.