To get it out of the way, I know that these two topics have a lot of cross over. Certain techniques are commonly used in both, since they are both types of art. However, there is a distinct difference between what is typically seen as "art" and comic book art.
(I don't own any of the above pictures, I got them to use as examples from my old textbook which is also pictured. It is a great textbook, check it out if you're interested in art history. 1- DC trinity, I believe it's by Jim Lee but it's not listed. 2- Vir Heroicus Sublimis by Barnett Newman. 3- Interior with Portraits, Thomas Le Clear, 4- Gateways to Art by Debra j DeWitte, Ralph M. Larmann, and M. Kathryn Shields.)
A noticeable difference to start with is the use of black. Typically in my, admittedly limited, "classical" art training you are told to avoid the color black. It can effect the saturation of other colors or draw too much attention. It's also smart to avoid outline in classical art as it takes away the illusion of being real. It's pretty obvious, however, that comic books are always using outlines in their style. They use black ink to outline and shade- creating amazing line weight. Inking is one of my favorite processes to do and/or watch because of the skill and patience it can take. Once it's done it's mesmerizing, but no where near classical realism.
Part of the reason it's so satisfying to look at comic book line art is the sheer amount of detail the artist can fit into the panels. Personally I feel this is helpful to keep the reader into the book. Other art, however, doesn't always have this attention to detail. The classical art previously mentioned tended to, but more modern art does not. In fact, many artists went about breaking the rules by using less detail. (Lines representing humans, a simple dot on a canvas, etc.) This is a stark difference between the two, but you can sometimes see certain aspects slipping into the other. Some gallery art will still have amazing attention to detail and line weight which seems more comic book like. In the same light, some comic books have gotten less detailed and more abstract similar to more mainstream art styles.
A huge aspect of comic art is the dynamic poses. Rather than do something straight on you create a dramatic angle and posing. While dynamic posing is still important in some other aspects of art there isn't always the same focus on angles. That combined with modern arts determination to break rules allows for a huge difference in the types of art. While a typical artist may focus on a model leaning or laying down a comic artist has a superhero flying or punching or generally in much more action. Speaking of models in use in art, while comic artist do use reference a lot of what they do has to come from the imagination. Some other artists also use imagination but not nearly to the major storytelling point of comic books since most art doesn't have that extra responsibility.
The last difference also connects to this point, as while regular art can be made up to interpretation comic art has to be clear. If the reader is not completely in on what happened in a panel they may get lost in a story. This is a major difference from other art, as some want you to come up your own view of what their pieces mean. For example, in the picture of the DC trinity you can clearly tell that they are flying away from a city to some great adventure, you don't even need words to understand. In the piece under it however it is completely unclear what the artist wants you to see when you look at his piece.
Which do you like better, "regular" art or comic art? Let me know below!
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