I can't wait for your book! I know it's gonna be a reality and I'm manifesting it for all of us! Thank you for this brilliant post. That last comic especially, so poignant.
Another great exercise, thank you! Of course, I need to discipline myself to ACTUALLY DO THEM at some point but they're always inspiring and get me thinking.
I think it's great that your exercises don't necessarily focus on style, and that they aren't super prescriptive. They show tools, techniques, things to think about and try without promising anything other than "you'll learn whether or not this works for you, and hopefully have a little fun in the process."
Thanks Josh. I totally get that. Honestly, that's why I'm on the fence about addressing style. But maybe it's not about style, maybe it's about visual approach? I am a firm believer that people should make comics in whatever way feels right to them. Comics are hard enough without feeling like "you're doing it wrong" if you don't use a traditional technique. BUT! I do think trying new ways of making stuff is important too. "Learning curve forever", is what what I say!
I am very happy to hear you are making all these exercises into a book - they are brilliant! I am constantly recommending your newsletter to my comics students. Just this week we were all agreeing how very very funny the bikini one was that you posted a couple of weeks back... best of luck with the book, it's one I'd buy for sure!
Thanks so much, Jane! I so appreciate your support and kind words. Us comic teachers have to stick together!!!
Would love to chat sometime about teaching comics if you'd be up for that? So keen to know how other people approach it because everyone seems to mostly make it up for themselves.
I just love this exercise! I get so stuck when I have to figure out the location and the situation and get lost in the million options and possibilities. And you solve and relief the pressure from that and give a very clear simple setup to follow. That makes it that much easier to do the exercise.
I am slowly going through the older posts but wanted to share how much I enjoy this. A book with such exercises would be a gem to have!
Thanks so much Svetla! I totally get what you mean about options and possibilities. I get totally overwhelmed and try to keep things as simple (and fast) as possible so I actually manage to make things! Haha.
Ah man, haha, I've tried so many things! My current favourite white out is... white post-it notes! I found some from Diaso that are sticky across almost the entire back and I just tear a bit of those and stick them over my screw ups.
But yeah... opaque white ink that isn't awful remains just a beautiful dream.
I’ve just ordered a bottle of something called Magic Ink ( a sucker born every day, right?) in the hopes that it does what it says on the bottle. Opaque acrylic ink? Could this be the One? I’ll report back once it’s been through rigorous product testing at my International Shedquarters!
I can't wait for your book! I know it's gonna be a reality and I'm manifesting it for all of us! Thank you for this brilliant post. That last comic especially, so poignant.
Haha! Thanks Volta! I'm so much better at small projects. I appreciate the help manifesting the book (and the kind words).
Another great exercise, thank you! Of course, I need to discipline myself to ACTUALLY DO THEM at some point but they're always inspiring and get me thinking.
I think it's great that your exercises don't necessarily focus on style, and that they aren't super prescriptive. They show tools, techniques, things to think about and try without promising anything other than "you'll learn whether or not this works for you, and hopefully have a little fun in the process."
Looking forward to the book!
Thanks Josh. I totally get that. Honestly, that's why I'm on the fence about addressing style. But maybe it's not about style, maybe it's about visual approach? I am a firm believer that people should make comics in whatever way feels right to them. Comics are hard enough without feeling like "you're doing it wrong" if you don't use a traditional technique. BUT! I do think trying new ways of making stuff is important too. "Learning curve forever", is what what I say!
I am very happy to hear you are making all these exercises into a book - they are brilliant! I am constantly recommending your newsletter to my comics students. Just this week we were all agreeing how very very funny the bikini one was that you posted a couple of weeks back... best of luck with the book, it's one I'd buy for sure!
Thanks so much, Jane! I so appreciate your support and kind words. Us comic teachers have to stick together!!!
Would love to chat sometime about teaching comics if you'd be up for that? So keen to know how other people approach it because everyone seems to mostly make it up for themselves.
That's my pleasure, you are really inspiring! And I would definitely be up for a chat (and yes I am making it up for myself...) - let's do that!
Yes! I’d love that. What timezone are you in? I’m in Sydney Australia.
I'm in the UK so I think 11 hours behind you - I'll message you privately!
I will pre-order when you get to that point. Your teaching skills are fantastic!
Thank you! Woot!
I just love this exercise! I get so stuck when I have to figure out the location and the situation and get lost in the million options and possibilities. And you solve and relief the pressure from that and give a very clear simple setup to follow. That makes it that much easier to do the exercise.
I am slowly going through the older posts but wanted to share how much I enjoy this. A book with such exercises would be a gem to have!
Thanks so much Svetla! I totally get what you mean about options and possibilities. I get totally overwhelmed and try to keep things as simple (and fast) as possible so I actually manage to make things! Haha.
I’d love to see what you end up making!
Thank you for these great exercises. Definitely going to use this!
Ah, great to hear! Would love to see it if you do!
You had me at ‘opaque white ink, if there is such a thing’
As an analogue dinosaur, opaque white is as achievable as the Holy Grail.
Sigh.
Ah man, haha, I've tried so many things! My current favourite white out is... white post-it notes! I found some from Diaso that are sticky across almost the entire back and I just tear a bit of those and stick them over my screw ups.
But yeah... opaque white ink that isn't awful remains just a beautiful dream.
I’ve just ordered a bottle of something called Magic Ink ( a sucker born every day, right?) in the hopes that it does what it says on the bottle. Opaque acrylic ink? Could this be the One? I’ll report back once it’s been through rigorous product testing at my International Shedquarters!
Haha! If it ends up being the fabled unicorn we’ve been looking for, let me know. I want to believe!
Love these exercises, thank you!
Thanks Caroline!