Problems with Representation

I've been advised to keep a journal about my graphic-novel writing process. Considering that I've been working on it for the past three months(ish) and haven't posted anything except for the previous sketch, I thought I'd take a moment to jot down my thoughts.

I have three friends in two states (which two states those are depends on the time of year you talk to them), all three of whom have been kind enough to lend their likenesses to my artistic endeavor and would doubtlessly be okay with me posting their likenesses on this blog.

My idea was to base three different characters in two different graphic novels on my three friends, but as I practiced my portraiture skills, I arrived at a realization.

In sequential art, likeness is not as important as repeatability.

That is, the closer I got to capturing the likeness of each friend, the more difficult it was to draw said friend over and over again. In the context of a comic book, it is best if the face in a panel resembles the same face in the next panel, even if it does not resemble the face in real life.

This is the dilemma I face. As will any problem though, seeking the solution is exhilarating.