Hey Leigh! You've been making your webcomic for a long time now! I'm still working on concepts for my own on and off (reworking my theses into the webcomic). Is there anything you like and don't like about making Astral Sounds? I was thinking of getting Clipstudio Paint for it (heard a lot of ppl think it's easier to make it there than on PS) but I heard it was switching over to a subscription based program like PS (I could be wrong though)
Oh boy, it has been a long time since I started AstralSounds. Nearly 7 years! There's a lot to say I like and dislike about it at this point. I really enjoy seeing other creative folks getting excited and inspired by what I've been putting out in the world. I enjoy the sense of accomplishment when I finish a new page, or look back at all the work I've done on the comic overall. I enjoy the process itself, figuring out how to make the next scene work visually, and learning what does and doesn't work just by trying stuff out. I've grown so much more as an artist just by constantly working on a project like this.
The main thing I don't like is the silent (or sometimes less silent) pressure to keep updating, even when life hits. Most of my readers are very sweet and understanding when I have to take a hiatus, but I still feel guilty stepping away for too long. I don't take as many breaks as I actually need to. Even if I never ever got a rude comment (which I have), website algorithms demand constant updates. If I don't post semi-regularly, I lose readership, and lose what small amount of extra income the comic provides. It's a tough balance to strike.
As for Clip Studio Paint, I actually don't know that much about it. I keep wanting to test it out some and try to transition at least part of my process over to it, but I haven't had the time or energy to learn my way around the program. I do hear a lot of great things, though. My understanding of the subscription system they've introduced is that they are still doing a pay-once model, but you can subscribe to gain access to new features as they roll them out. I might be wrong, though.
Anyway, I wish you the best of luck with your own comic! I'm so excited to see what you do with it! I always adored your very early concepts from your thesis, and I simply love seeing projects grow over time. Just watching your main character design and overall artistic skill and style evolve over the years has been so awesome!
(To the rest of my followers, please go check out @delespi's work! Looking at her art always brightens my day 💜)
