Comics for Beginners

How to Write & Draw Comics

Palle Schmidt

Get To The Finish Line

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finishing-your-comic

The most important thing about making comics, is finishing what you start. No one will get anything out of a half-finished story, least of all you!

Be aware that when you are working on a project, it can be very tempting to bail when problems arise. You get stuck on some aspect of the story or things that are hard to draw. That other story you have brewing somewhere in the back of your mind suddenly seems way more attractive. You feel like that’s the one you should really be working on.

But with every new story, comes new problems! You just don’t see them now, because you are not deep in the story yet. It is simply the dream of what it could be, so much better than what you are currently working on.

And of course you can work on any story you feel like. I would just advice that you finish them eventually. One by one.

Another thing that happens as you’re working, is that you learn. You grow. You look at the work you’ve already done, and you think you could do better. If you go back and change that particular scene or redraw that particular panel.

My advice? DON’T!

You’ll end up re-drawing the same three pages over and over again.

Finish the story. Then go back. If it still needs some work. 9 times out of ten, what seemed hopeless and bad during the process, will seem irrelevant and pretty OK after you have finished the story.

The most important thing to gain by finishing a project, is the confidence you build. Making comics is a lenghty and often gruelling process. It’s easy to feel like it’s all for nothing. You start beating yourself up. You feel you are not good enough, that nobody cares.

Having something finished changes that. Now you can show it to others, get feedback, respect. You have achieved! You are a success!

Abandoning a project half way through has the opposite effect; You feel like a failure. Do you think feeling like a failure helps your productivity?

The short answer is NO.

You learn more from one finished comic, even a three page one, than from ten projects that are halfway done.

Get to the finish line. Even if you have to stagger or crawl to get there.

Bonus Vid – Sketching a page of Thomas Alsop

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Another look into the my process as I sketch a page of Thomas Alsop (out now from BOOM! Studios).

For more on Thomas Alsop go to http://thomasalsop.com/.

ProFile: Jason Copland

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ProFile-Jason-CoplandJason Copland has produced art for various companies, including illustrating The Perhapanauts: Molly’s Story for Image and short stories from Trickster: Native American Tales and Postcards: True Stories that Never Happened. He recently provided art for a story in Ed Brisson’s Murder Book, and is currently working on the online comic Kill All Monsters. He also runs an experimental comics blog called Poutine alongside fellow artist Noel Tuazon.

What made you decide to work in the medium of comics?

The discovery of comics at age 13. There was so much awesome work coming out from artists like Frank Miller, Walt Simonson and John Byrne that it inspired me to start drawing comics. Miller’s RONIN in particular really opened my eyes to what could be done in comics.

What part of the process is the most challenging or frustrating to you?

Inking. I try to do most of my drawing in the inking phase. I keep my layouts/pencils pretty loose and then start inking over those so that the lines I put down are more spontaneous. I think the act of drawing should have a little fear infused into it. There should be risks taken. Needless to say, I use a lot of whiteout.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring comics creator, what would that be?

Don’t be afraid to fail. Drawing is an adventure and should have the risk of failure present. Don’t let mistakes stop you from pushing on. It’s only lines on paper; there is nothing to worry about.

More at http://jasoncopland.com/

8 Steps to Comics Success – Comics for Beginners podcast episode 24

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As you may know, my first monthly book Thomas Alsop is out from BOOM! Studios and is doing very well. Hooray! But how do you get there? In the first episode of this podcast, I discussed the three biggest mistakes of my comics career. But it was a different time back then. In this episode I go into what I would do if I was starting out making comics today. Follow these 8 simple steps and your comics career is guaranteed! Er, no… But there are some good tips in this episode, that’s a promise.

Related podcast: The Three Biggest Mistakes of my Comics Career

 

Finding time to do comics

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A lot of us struggle finding the time to make comics. There just aren’t enough hours in the day!

Though some of us are richer or more talented than others, there is one area were we are all equal: we all have the same 24 hours in day. Here are a few tips on how to make your comics hours count.

Get up earlier.
An hour a day can really make a world of difference. Small steps towards your goal is better than none.

Plan ahead.
Before you go to sleep at night, decide what piece of the big picture (page, panel, scene, character) you will be working on the next day – Or whenever you get a time slot. Oftentimes small breaks pop up during the day, which we end up wasting on Twitter or goofing around. Have something ready that you can just pick up and work on whenever the opportunity arises.

Focus on one little step at a time.
When we think of our comics as a whole, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of work that lies ahead; outlining, scripting, thumbnails, rough sketches, research, more sketches, character design, pencils, inks, color, lettering, promotion… Arrgh!

Stop, take a deep breath and focus. One thing at a time.

Just say no.
If we all have the same amount of hours in the day, how come some people get more done than others? My guess: They either have enough money that they don’t have to spend all their time shovelling coal. Or: they prioritize. If you really want to make comics, you will probably have to sacrifice some things to clear your schedule. If you can’t cut down on working hours, maybe cut down on the hours you spend playing videogames or watching tv.

What are your tips for making more of the time you have available? Please share!

Related podcast: Getting Stuff Done

Thomas Alsop released!

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Big day for me, as the monthly book I’ve been working on for almost a year is finally released TODAY from BOOM! Studios.

Thomas Alsop is the current Hand of the Island. A title that’s been passed down from generation to generation of the Alsop family since Richard Alsop was cursed in 1699 by an Indian tribe to become the supernatural protector for all of New York. Ever since that day, members of the Alsop Family have battled against every type of darkness in the service of the Island, a mysterious woman who guides them all, but only reveals herself in their dreams. The book is written by Chris Miskiewicz and illustrated by yours truly.

Here’s what the first review of issue #1 says:

Thomas is a whiskey-soaked hipster who just happens to also be a warlock… In a great twist of irony, in order to remain inconspicuous, Thomas must be part of a reality TV show with a supernatural theme. It’s a great premise and this comics series looks like it’s up to the challenge.

Read the rest of the review at Comics Grinder.

Thomas Alsop is for sale in comics stores in the US and everywhere else. If your local store can’t order it for you, you can order it directly from BOOM!. If you’re in New York tonight, be sure to swing by Forbidden Planet and get a signed copy from the writer, Chris Miskiewicz, who’ll be there alongside Paul Pope, Nick Bertozzi and Dean Haspiel.

Follow TheRealThomasAlsop on Facebook and visit thomasalsop.com for the live action trailer and more news and reviews.