Pls check out my web comic Erratic Beat Comics

[ErraticRoop]

Please check out my web comic, [Link Removed]

I update on a MWF schedule:
M - nerd's eye view (gag a day, science based)
W - random (pop culture, politics, etc.)
F - salt and pepper series

I draw the comics in MS Paint using a mouse. I don't know how to use a stylus and don't own one, but it's a consideration for the future. Also, I'm Photoshop inept, except I use it on my Friday comics to add in the gradient background. That's the extent of my Photoshop knowledge.

Do check it out and feel free to be honest in terms of critic. I really want to work towards improving the site, so any review is a good review... but a good review will just make me extra happy. lol

And thanks in advance for any comments left.


This thread wasn't deleted because there seemed to be some conversation going on, but the rules are in place so that people don't join just to promote their own work. It's spam even if you aren't a bot. -Hodge.

[Omegaton]

I bought a tablet, and it's pretty much the same as using a pencil/mouse combined into one. It's not so much that it necessarily works all that differently from a mouse, it's just easier to hold and maneuver for drawing than a mouse is. I don't have the patience to learn how to draw with a mouse. As far as Photoshop, GIMP, or other image-editing software goes, it's just all a matter of learning and practicing those tools. You may want to drop by a library and flip through an introductory Photoshop book to get a few more ideas of the possibilities that PS provides.

[ErraticRoop]

Thanks for the reply - can you suggest any tablets and/or good books to learn Photoshop?

[Omegaton]

I've got a Wacom Bamboo Pen and it is quite excellent as an entry-level tablet. It is more than sufficient for the hobbyist. A friend of mine also has a bamboo, however he has absolutely no drawing/Photoshop ability; a tablet isn't going to magically give you drawing ability if you don't already have it. Even some professionals use the Bamboo, although pros more commonly upgrade to the higher Wacom products (Intuos or Cintiq) if they can afford it. I believe they are new at about $70, but I got mine refurbished for only about $50. My tablet also came with Photoshop Elements, which although is a stripped down version of the full Photoshop, is also good enough for the hobbyist.

I should note that using a tablet is not like using a pencil/pen, there are a few nuances where they differ. The most important difference is that most tablets are not also a display; that is, you will be drawing on a tablet, but your marks will appear on the computer screen. This disconnect throws some people off, but I did not have trouble adapting.

I do not know any good books; to learn Photoshop I have mostly relied on just playing with the program as well as tutorials on the internet, with only very little flipping through with books. Personally I learn mostly by wanting do do something specific, then finding out how to do it; I have increasingly relied on tutorials to do this, as I think I've reached the limit of how much I can learn just by randomly poking around in Photoshop, and also tutorials tend to answer very specific problems. Books tend to be much broader, which is great for learning basics, but sometimes you don't understand what you would use them for. I would, however, try to find a book that is more centered on graphics and illustration; photoshop is also a photo-editing tool, and I have flipped through a couple books that are more photo-centric, which is a bit less useful.

[ErraticRoop]

Wow that was an incredibly useful post! I'm just a hobbyist too, so that's really the type of stylus that would be worth getting. I started the web comic cuz friends suggested I should while in undergrad. I think that stylus seems perfect for my needs. Also Photoshop Elements would be better than full blown Photoshop.

I'm glad to see that you read Foxtrot! It's def a fave besides XKCD! You're friends with Sanjay? I love his web comic! He's one of the rare Indian comics on the net! Also, on your site, I LOVE the first comic (the umbrella one). I thought it might be a parody of Rihanna but this was even better.

[Omegaton]

Foxtrot was targeting the nerd crowd way before xkcd came along, haha. I was glad that I could find his comic online, since I don't get the paper. Yes, I do know Sanjay, he's quite a character. Also, thanks for the compliment!

[ErraticRoop]

Yea Foxtrot def was the comic of choice for nerds long before XKCD came around... foxtrot and dilbert, but Foxtrot was funnier. I like how Jason always annoys his sis.

I'm glad that you got into web comics too like Sanjay! Two unique styles! I've only been doing mine for a couple months but I find that people take web comics more seriously than they need to!

[Omegaton]

I find that people take web comics more seriously than they need to!

I can be guilty of that certainly, haha.

[ErraticRoop]

Hey - I want to add your comic to my links page - do I credit the comic to Milton? Hope u are well! How was ST Patty's day? ALso, do u have twitter?

[Omegaton]

I see you have discovered my Twitter already. Yes, you can credit me by name if you link me, but it looks like you have a link to my links page! St. Patty's was just an average day for me, but no complaints at least.

[ErraticRoop]

Ruh oh did I link to the wrong URL?

Is this the correct one? http://mtyourmind.10001mb.com/

~Roopa

[Omegaton]

Yes, that's it, thanks!