Tropes are storytelling devices. Used well, they enrich a story; used badly, they result in the dreaded cliché. This series of articles takes a closer look at some major tropes relevant to comics and the pitfalls they may present. (more…)
Posts Tagged: inspiration
TYPE CRIMES THAT WILL GET YOU SENT TO THE “WEEKEND HOBBYIST” JAIL
If you’re using letters to convey language in a graphic context then it’s a good idea to learn about some basic typographic rules, or you run the risk of making major mistakes known as “type crimes”. Comic lettering, while different from traditional typography, shares many of the same rules and benefits as its cousin. (more…)
CON AT CONS: HOW TO LURE ATTENDEES WITH YOUR FREE ITEM
Okay, you paid lots of dough to have a table at a con because you want your work to be noticed. But having a table doesn’t mean each registered attendee is going to automatically walk up. Sorry, but the real world “stumble upon” isn’t as efficient. Now, you’ve got to get the convention goers’ attention. And the best way of doing this is offering your free item. (I will go in depth in another post on free item ideas.) (more…)
So You Wanna Publish A Webcomic? – Part 1
The internet has transformed independent comics and given creators an easy way to get their stories out to the public. There are a lot of different ways to publish your work online, but two of the most popular are WordPress and WordPress running ComicPress. (more…)
You Have a New Idea! So What?
No one ever says to the surgeon, “You know, I think I’d really like to try performing a kidney transplant sometime.” Meanwhile, there is no professional or aspiring professional writer who has not heard, at least once, upon explaining his or her vocation, “You know, I think I’ve got a novel in me, somewhere.” It’s infuriating. (more…)
Comic Review Checklist Part 1: The Flow
Hi everyone! For my first articles I’ll be sharing my comic review checklist. It has three parts: everything that relates to the “flow” of the pages, everything that relates to the words on the pages, and then everything else. This is part one! (more…)
Hand Lettering A Digital Comic, Part 3
Once you have your lines of text set out, it’s time to launch into the final stage of lettering a page: composing your text on the page, and this is where I think hand-lettering shows a great advantage over font or mechanical lettering: flexibility.
10: Jeremy Rock – MakingComics.com Gutter Talk Podcast
It took two tries because of a little technology mishap but that second time turned out to be a gem. Adam and Devin hang out with Jeremy Rock, the artist of eye-popping (and sometimes literally!) horror and zombie comics Luther and The Eighth Seal (among others) and discuss the world of digital comics. Take a listen and hear what Jeremy has to say about the future of comics in an ever-growing digital world, as well as what it takes to remain true to yourself and your art.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:05:00 — 89.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS
Creativity
The most common question that creative people get asked by “normal” people may well be, “Where do you get your ideas?” It’s a difficult question to answer, because it assumes there is an easy answer, some kind of tangible oasis that transforms visitors into brilliant artists. In my experience, ideas for comics (and other art forms) aren’t found in one place, but in EVERY place. And if one wants to be a creator, then one should constantly be seeking out new experiences in life and art alike, actively seeking inspiration instead of expecting it to arrive.
[Tweet “Ideas for comics aren’t found in one place, but in EVERY place.”]
The Tools
Be they traditional or digital, your tools are an extension of yourself. They are the vehicle that communicates story, expresses feelings or ideas, and connects you to the humanity at the core of us all. I’m not going to tell you what tools are the better than others, or whether I think you should focus your efforts on digital over print. I’m not opinionated enough for that kind of talk. I am, however, very passionate about comics. I will therefore discuss my thoughts on tools, with the understanding that these are choices that were formed based on personal experience.