Writer/Artist Combo Questions

I'm self-published, so if I wanted to put out an illustrated book, I could. But for most novels, I think you'd be better off keeping the sketches as a fun extra to share with fans. If you have Patreon, that's a great thing to include as patron-only content. I rarely do character drawings, so this hasn't been a thing for me.

I was asked to illustrate one of my short stories once. But the majority of my art money comes from selling art on products on Zazzle. I don't really have the sort of style that'd be commissioned for book covers and the like (though I do the ones for my own books). Nor is it a comic book style. So those have never really been options for me as an artist.

On a general art note, do consider working on things you find difficult like colouring. When I started drawing, I only worked in plain pencil, and didn't think I'd ever be able to colour or use paint. I've still got a way to go, especially with the painting, but I was wrong to think I'd only ever be able to draw in pencil.

Melanii said:

I remember reading a thread where writers also were artists (of some sort), so hopefully this doesn't sound same.

In my free time, I tend to doodle/draw characters (and scenes) that appear in my stories. I really like the idea of writing a story - and have enjoyed doing so since I was very little. I can't shake the idea of ONLY writing the story and not using my art.

I've thought of comic books, but I can't do things like color my work or draw complicated backgrounds. I probably couldn't even do the layout either. Reading Japanese Light Novels makes me wish we had those here in the States... And I read that publishers don't really take on authors AND illustrators at the same time. Though a writer named James A. Owen gives me some hope...

So if you're an artist/writer, did you forsake drawing for writing? Or did you get into comics instead? Or publish a book with your art? What would you do?

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I can draw things on Clip Studio. I suggest you should get Clip Studio as your manga program since it has 3D dolls to help you to draw better. It's up to you.