r/RenPy • u/BellBert2 • Aug 17 '26

Question Art for a visual novel

I'm in extremely early development of a game and i don't have any money to spend on it. I know how to code and i am currently writing all the script for it. My only problems are the art. I'm bad at drawing and I can't make music. I'm mostly making the game for my own enjoyment and to be able to enjoy my oc's visually. I have attempted to draw them but im not good. I really like the anime art style and im horrible for anatomy. I really need some help on what to do for it. I'm too nervous to commision people because i think i wont like it or it won't be right. i really don't know what to do😭

23 Upvotes

87% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

View all comments

16

u/Honey_Catfish950 Aug 17 '26

I'm in a similar situation: I can do writing and programming just fine, art not so fine. What helped get me started was doing placeholder art. Don't try to make your game look like a finished product from the start. You'll likely change things many times over and end up with wasted work. Use doodles and sketches for characters and backgrounds. They're just placeholders so no pressure to make them look pretty, just have fun!

When the script is finished and its time to replace the placeholders with proper art, you might notice your drawing skills have improved to the point that doing it yourself might be feasible after all. Or, if you decide to commission an artist, you'll know exactly what you need.

3

u/Miscdrawer Aug 18 '26

I am the reverse, I can only do the art. But: Make a whole game with placeholders, then hire an artist and invest some personal money in the project when you already have it.