A group for fans of British Comics
Drawing Comics: Useful Web Sites and Advice
The Emperor posted some really useful links about guides to Creating Comics as part of our ongoing discussion about Promoting Comics. I think I must have mis-interpreted one of his earlier suggestions, because he did suggest we have separate threads for creating comics devoted to specific aspects of the form and I was having a 'thick' day and didn't get what he meant. Anyway: here are the links he posted for artists, please feel free to chip in.
"For artists, I think this is the minimum, the key is honing your craft," he says, offering some 2000AD-specific links "http://2000adonline.com/forum/index.php/topic,24971.msg430094.html
There is also the artdroids Yahoogroup:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artdroids/
"Once you have got to grips with sequential storytelling (and getting some constructive criticism from the communities you have joined previously and if you ask then they will let you know) then you should drop a note to one of the British small press anthologies (or chat to them at a conference).
"Perhaps the big one is to develop your own style - if you draw like everyone else then there is no reason for anyone to hire you ;) If you look at the 2000AD artists they almost always have their own distinctive style, and they are usually the ones who get snapped up by the American market.
"...If you are looking for artist for a project then you'll need to do some searching. DeviantArt is good and you could look through here:
www.digitalwebbing.com/talent/
"I have also found Sweatdrop Studios to be useful for manga work (although bear in mind that most OEL manga creators writer their own material too. so it can be trickier)
www.sweatdrop.com/forum/
"This has a British slant on it and without an impressive combination of talent and luck it might not get you to the point of a paying gig. For that you need to keep honing your craft, pitching to companies (please read their guidelines carefully or your work could be binned or returned unread), networking, grapevining and getting your work out there and seen.
"Also keep an eye out for opportunities to stand out and get your work seen.
"There are also competitions writers and artists can contribute to. These change but there is Comic Book Idol and Small Press Idol. The manga ones are usually posted and discussed on Sweatdrop, like the RSOM (although check those terms and conditions as they got really controversial).
"There is also Zuda, which is a real chance to get some paid work for DC and it can get you serious attention, although because of this you really need to bring your A game because it attracts a lot of pro/semi-pro creators (and you should be in the position to put in heavy online promotion of your comic and if you can get into some local media all the better - the BBC is a good one, going via their regional divisions)."
"For artists, I think this is the minimum, the key is honing your craft," he says, offering some 2000AD-specific links "http://2000adonline.com/forum/index.php/topic,24971.msg430094.html
There is also the artdroids Yahoogroup:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artdroids/
"Once you have got to grips with sequential storytelling (and getting some constructive criticism from the communities you have joined previously and if you ask then they will let you know) then you should drop a note to one of the British small press anthologies (or chat to them at a conference).
"Perhaps the big one is to develop your own style - if you draw like everyone else then there is no reason for anyone to hire you ;) If you look at the 2000AD artists they almost always have their own distinctive style, and they are usually the ones who get snapped up by the American market.
"...If you are looking for artist for a project then you'll need to do some searching. DeviantArt is good and you could look through here:
www.digitalwebbing.com/talent/
"I have also found Sweatdrop Studios to be useful for manga work (although bear in mind that most OEL manga creators writer their own material too. so it can be trickier)
www.sweatdrop.com/forum/
"This has a British slant on it and without an impressive combination of talent and luck it might not get you to the point of a paying gig. For that you need to keep honing your craft, pitching to companies (please read their guidelines carefully or your work could be binned or returned unread), networking, grapevining and getting your work out there and seen.
"Also keep an eye out for opportunities to stand out and get your work seen.
"There are also competitions writers and artists can contribute to. These change but there is Comic Book Idol and Small Press Idol. The manga ones are usually posted and discussed on Sweatdrop, like the RSOM (although check those terms and conditions as they got really controversial).
"There is also Zuda, which is a real chance to get some paid work for DC and it can get you serious attention, although because of this you really need to bring your A game because it attracts a lot of pro/semi-pro creators (and you should be in the position to put in heavy online promotion of your comic and if you can get into some local media all the better - the BBC is a good one, going via their regional divisions)."
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by The Emperor on -
Digital image software is now a vital part of the creative process these days but Photoshop, the tool of choice, is an awfully lot of cash. Luckily the open source (free!!) graphics software has been adapted to work like Photoshop:
Details onGIMPshop and GimPhoto here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIMPshop
If you are going to be drawing straight into your computer you will need a graphics tablet and Wacom is the leading company in this field.
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