Then and now

Every now and then it's good to go back and compare your old work to your more recent stuff. Seeing progress in your abilities helps fuel the desire to keep honing those skills. If you've progressed this far, how much farther can you push things with more work and practice?

Admittedly, this can also be a little embarrassing. Old art usually makes us twist our faces up and wonder, 'what was I thinking?' There's always the fear that someone will ridicule you for your old work. Or worse, you'll discover that you haven't improved at all! Still, it's a good experiment that's worth doing.

So, in the spirit of putting myself out there... here's a few of my comparisons.


On the left is one of the first images I did using digital coloring, from 1999. I think there was one before it, but I don't have the file anymore. On the right is the most recent bit of digital coloring, from November of last year.




Here's one of my first attempts at coloring with markers (beyond the Crayolas we all used as kids). This one's from 2004. Next to that, the most recent marker image finished up yesterday.




On the left we have the first page of 'Code Name: Hunter' from the original version started in 2003 - the comic was restarted in 2005. On the right, a page from Issue 14 done around October of last year.




Unfortunately, my progress isn't a fast one. It takes me a bit to get over my fear of making a mistake and to try new things. I also haven't been studying until recently. So while there have been improvements, they've been slow coming. Hopefully that will change over time.


"If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing."
-- Saint Augustine