Comic Practical Tutorial: Background Material Section

Author: Xu Peiyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Exquisite hand-drawn backgrounds, comic creation examples explained, a practical guide for comic creators. For contemporary Chinese comic creators, apart from Hong Kong, they all face a rather challenging creative environment. Since the heyday of comics in Taiwan in the 1980s, local creation has been wandering along a bumpy path. Each comic artist is like a versatile deity, needing to master everything from script and storyboard to character backgrounds and visual cues without formal training. While publishers have also strived to learn from Japan's editorial system, progress has been slow and steady. Japan's powerful works surged into the local market in a short time, forcing local comic artists to fight tooth and nail. One by one, they fell prey to the challenges, with fewer and fewer comrades left. Meanwhile, the younger generation of comic artists, lacking platforms to showcase their work, have become increasingly scarce.
Several years ago, adventurous comic creators like You Xiang, Sun Jiayu, and Lin Zhengde from Taiwan ventured into mainland China to publish and develop their work, as if placing all hopes for the future of comics on the mainland. After exchanging experiences with mainland comic creators, observing the actual creative and publishing environment, and engaging in creative work there, I realized that in terms of artistic skills and the use of tools, mainland creators have indeed reached a certain level. Some have also come to understand the true spirit of creation and continue to refine their craft. I am deeply moved by fellow creators' passion for comic creation and hope that on the international stage of comics, our local artists can carve out a place for themselves.
Here, I share my modest experiences in forging ahead independently, hoping to spark further insights and collaboration among creators. By combining the wisdom of many, we can provide comic readers with more and better works, ultimately creating a truly independent comic market that belongs to the Chinese people, free from reliance on foreign influences.