Behave to be...
I am struggling with something... I want to make good living professional comic artist. Preferably doing my own graphic novel but I would be happy just making a good living... (maybe even just a living). Recently, I was given some advice by a successful artist. Some of it was very good. He said a saying someone else told him, "Write your goal in pen and your path in pencil". This made a lot of sense to me. I have the first part, but here is where I struggle... how do I get there? What do I need to get started AND what are the action steps to get the snowball rolling as well as keep it rolling/building?
Here's what I have so far...
1. Act like you are already a professional comic artist
- I changed my pricing scheme ( not there yet but its a start )
- Developed a better understanding of how a professional works
2. ?
If any of you have any advice/experience you could share with me it would be greatly appreciated!!
Here's what I have so far...
1. Act like you are already a professional comic artist
- I changed my pricing scheme ( not there yet but its a start )
- Developed a better understanding of how a professional works
2. ?
If any of you have any advice/experience you could share with me it would be greatly appreciated!!
Labels: Jeff Wamester
posted by Jeff Wamester at
12:54 PM
4 Comments:
Honestly Jeff,
If you want to do comics, do comics.
My advice would be to skip all the low paying comic jobs out there (and there are plenty of them - that is, of course, unless your doing a comic for me, heh) and do your own graphic novel.
I've been told over and over again that the best way to make a splash in the industry is to do it by putting out an amazing book yourself. I talked to Mike Huddleston at a con once (The Coffin was his big indy book that got him noticed and last I heard, he was working for DC) and that was the advice he gave me. Back when I was really wanting to get into comics. I've actually also heard that from a few other people.
I would also venture to say - decide WHAT you want to do in comics. If you really want to do superheroes (BLEH) and work for DC or Marvel, start doing samples for them also (aside from your graphic novel).
If you would rather do your own stories, I am feeling more and more that the best route to go is webcomics. Or, you could approach Dark Horse, ASP Comics, or Image to publish. But, you'll need to have at least the first full issue done and a solid outline for the rest of the story.
Really, with comics, as with all art, the key is just doing it. That's the hard part (at least, I've found). I've been following your various blogs and websites for a while now and to be brutally honest, you talk allot about wanting to do comics, but I don't very often see comic pages. I see some cool charater drawings or pinups, but no comic pages. If you need help with the writing, I know people that can help. If you need a colorist to work with, I can help. But, when it comes down to doing the art, that's all you and you just have to sit down, suck it up, and do the work.
And that's mostly why I've moved more toward illustration than comics. I don't like that massive work load hanging over my head. I also try to keep my work load at a managable level so I don't get overwhelmed. I'm still working on that, though - it's not easy.
Oh, and making a living doing comics is not an easy thing to do. It's really hard unless your working for DC or Marvel. That's why everybody I know who does comics does it as a labor of love. This is one of the hardest fields to make money in - there are just too many comics out there and you have to be the one in a thousand to really get noticed.
Anyway, I've rambled allot here. I don't mean to discourage you at all. If you want something bad enough, you'll figure out a way to make it happen. The main thing is - you just have to do it!
Jeremy,
I truly appreciate your frankness! And I think you are right. I am certainly not going to get there talking about it am I? I need to stop "preparing" and just sit my ass down and start producing!
Done AND DONE!
I think Jeremy said it all jEFF. I have far less experience, so I have no advice to offer, but for sure I can commiserate about the uncertainty, the need to earn a living, and the desire to have that living come from comics. All I'm sure of is that it's a tough row to hoe.
Hey Jeff --
I don't know if you remember me but back about 2/3 years ago we e-mailed back and forth, talking about WMD (although I don't think it was called that at the time)so you could solidify the story in your mind. Its good to see you are still working on breaking into the industry. I have alway thought that you had an awesome style and I still think you will do well in the industry. Congrats on the baby as well!!!
Josh Garner (osidhe)
Post a Comment
<< Home