I agree a lot of them do look the same, but for this story I don't quite agree though. I think the art style sets it apart and it has been fairly consistent throughout (although I may agree with you that they have gone more simple especially in the backdrops albeit only a little). I would, however, not compare to chapter 1 (sometimes 0) in any of those stories, as the initial chapter usually is the one to sell and impress. Sometimes it is even made by a different artist. I'd rather go by ch5-10 as comparison to later chapters.
If you want to see a story with different art choices may I suggest 'I'll Save this Damn Family!' - not the prettiest, but I find it darn charming once I got used to it.
On the proportions I am fine with what I see in this story, but then I am not as well versed in those matters. I would rather say: If I start to notice the proportions being off in a story, then that is usually one of the last art issues to be concerned about...
Peace! :)
I have to confess that I do notice these things rather quickly- especially when the proportions are just off, because I have been trained to do it right. and while I get your point about chp 1 being typically better/different art, for this story, sadly im not just comparing chp 1 I'm comparing it till mostly duchess blueport story line, which is a decent chapters in.
I distinctly remember being mesmerised at the duchess' face reveal because the art and the story were carrying so well together. but recently, maybe it's the translations being shit (the harimanga{?} ones?) along with the 360p panels that I end up truly feeling like it's degraded, especially with how even the storyline has become somewhat convoluted.
also random but I have read so many stories with a changed art style but good storyline (The princess imprints the traitor), you should check that out!
I think that is a fair point you noticing proportions with you having an art background. But I also get your point on the duchess blueport (that was truely a wonderful story arc) and the art development in later chapters.
If I may talk outside the proportions topic and just look at the general development during stories, I think this is not solely down to the artist. Sometimes the story material is lacking after the initial big arc, but also over time I imagine it to be quite taxing on the art team to keep up the initial high standard in the art alone (people, costumes, backdrops, etc.), especially seeing how many releases are once per week over multiple years with a few months hiatus (where work is actually done on the next season). Without actually *knowing* I would imagine the team having to take shortcuts or learn tricks to make it *seem* the same but simpler. People like me are usually none the wiser, but readers like you with art training, I imagine have an additional pain rather than 'just' the one from story degration. So I'll probably stick my neck out here a bit but I think there might be a difference in making a few panels or chapters to going all in to keeping the same, unchanged quality over multiple seasons.
May I ask - have you seen the same fall in art quality in a story, if it is around just 10-20 chapters? (not that I remember seeing many of those, if we're talking manwha styled ones)
That leads me to my overall view on story progression - I usually make my final verdict after ch 50 - can the story keep momentum? If I do notice a lowered art quality, I shudder to think what a pair of art trained eyes see. If the story keep that special style / small quirks that carried the story initially, I'll expect them to be there later on as well.
...yeah, I am easy to keep happy (￣∇￣")
And totally agree with you on this: 'I have read so many stories with a changed art style but good storyline'. There is one story (title escapes me atm), first season decent, slightly different style from usual cookie cutter styled characters. Then they changed artist (I think). In the end I hated the art, but the story was good. The story you mention, I think I started reading, buuut... probably got lost somewhere, as I have way too many series I'm kinda keeping track of :D :D
Anyways, sorry for my kinda rambling. I think I'll go reread that Blueport story arc, while waiting for the next big character to show actually himself in the story (I ahve been waiting for that for quite some time now ;) )
its genuinely sad how so many goddamn comics these days are degrading their unique art style to make it more mainstream so it "sells" more. because that's the only explanation. from this one to "The princess imprinted the traitor" and "Lucia" it's setting me off istg. the worst part is that they are trying so hard and still failing terribly by getting basic proportions wrong. I'm saying this as someone studying art. how are the proportions so off? what happened to the art from chapter 1? god so frustrating