Drawing Funny

Show notes: I'm solo again for this 40th episode. Lately I've seen a lot of comics creators online ask, "Where do I begin?" Well, "Just start making comics." seems like the most honest answer, but I know that there's a lot more to that question. I don't have all the answers, but I do share my my comics origin story and thoughts on creating comics. I offer up some advice, resources, cautionary tales, and more about making comics and getting them out there to readers. Lots of ways to make comics these days, and lots of ways to read comics, too. I've seen the pros and cons of doing cons. I don't offer any real advice on breaking into comics, because like writer/editor/publisher Mark Waid has said, "Breaking into comics is like breaking out of jail: once you find a way, that way is closed forever." It's different for everyone. I do however encourage making comics- and hope the info shared in this episode will help you not only avoid the pitfalls I did creating my own comics, but also enjoy similar positive experiences like I did. Looking back they far outweighed the negative. If you have any questions I didn't cover feel free to stop by one of the MSCA monthly dinner meetings at the U of M Garibaldi's Pizza (1st Tuesday of the month, 7pm), or drop me a line. If you'd like to share your experiences creating comics I'd love to have you on the show. Stay well, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny, good buddy!

LINKS:

Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA (Memphis, TN) - www.midsouthcartoonists.org

My art website - www.linworkman.com

Clip Studio Paint - www.clipstudio.net/en/

Free Comic Book Day - www.freecomicbookday.com

Steam Crow/Monster Rangers - wwwsteamcrow.com/

"Bushi Tales" CGS Ep. 286 (Comic Geek Speak podcast) - www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes/comic_geek_speak-407.php

CGSSS'11: Breaking Into Comics Panel - www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes/comic_geek_speak-1362.php

CGSSS'10: Creating Independent Comics Panel - www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes/comic_geek_speak-1117.php

WC11: Breaking into Comics the Marvel Way - www.cbr.com/wc11-breaking-into-comics-the-marvel-way/

C2E2: Breaking Into Comics the Marvel Way - www.cbr.com/c2e2-breaking-into-comics-the-marvel-way/

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist” by Steve Oxen. ©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission. Please DO NOT add this audio content to the Youtube Content ID System. I have used background music which is owned by Fesliyan Studios.

Movie quotes and additional sounds from 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 58min 11sec

Show notes: In this solo episode I have some MSCA member/meeting news, more updates on upcoming conventions/events such as Free Comic Book Day and the Memphis Comic Expo(DonnieCon), as well as some memories of mine and Nicki's Saturday in midtown Memphis visiting The Art Center, attending MidTown Con at Black Lodge, seeing a photo exhibit at Crosstown Arts, discovering the Memphis Listening Lab at Crosstown Concourse, and shopping at The Cellar and Comics & Collectibles. Plus I talk about Antonio Johnson's Clip Studio Paint demo at the April MSCA dinner meet-up, and me sliding by 901 Comics, Goner Records, and Burke's Bookstore in the Cooper-Young neighborhood. Also feature the Little House Art Project and their current Autism Awareness art show with the Southaven Arts Council (which runs through April at the Southaven Library), the DeSoto Camera Club's latest photo display at the Hernando Library, plus other mid-south art happenings. The back-half of the episode is about a Facebook post I shared about "high functioning anxiety". I discuss my anxiety/depression/health issues. If you want to skip that part of the show, the local art/event news is at the front ("Anxiety" section begins at 40min 50sec). If you are dealing with any mental or physical issues I hope that you listen to the whole episode and that my sharing what's going on in my head and hands these days helps you. Definitely therapeutic for me to talk out loud about it. Please don't keep whatever you're going through to yourself.- talk to someone and/or seek help(988). Stay well, stay tooned, and keep drawing funny!

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist” by Steve Oxen. ©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc.– music and sound effects used by permission. Movie quotes/add. sounds - 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 1hr 44min 17sec

Show notes: In this solo episode I have some MSCA member news, updates on upcoming conventions and events, as well as info on our president Kevin L. Williams being interviewed recently about the Mid-South Cartoonists Association's 35th anniversary for WMC TV5's "Bluff City Life". I also discuss some I CREATE COMIC BOOKS Facebook group threads and share my opinions on impostor syndrome, social/anti-social media, being social in person, making time for positive things, and editing out toxic people and situations that are in our lives.

BIG NEWS- after meeting virtually on Zoom for the last two years due to the pandemic, we were happy to return to in-person meetings at Garibaldi's Pizza this month...and we'll be back on the first Tuesday in April! We had a great turn out- about a dozen members or so. Zoom meetings were great to keep in touch, but it was awesome to see and talk to everyone in person and not through a computer screen. Stay well, stay tooned, and hope to see you in person at Garibaldi's on April 5th..!

LINKS:

Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA (Memphis, TN) - www.midsouthcartoonists.org

Kevin L. Williams (Muley The Mule & Friends) - www.muleythemule.com

Lonnie Easterling "Spud Toons" - www.spudtoons.com

“The Dragon Templar” – www.dragontemplar.wordpress.com/

I CREATE COMIC BOOKS (Facebook Group) - www.facebook.com/groups/1586726261559854

Germantown Community Theatre - www.gctcomeplay.org

Garibaldi's Pizza - www.garibaldispizza.com

WMC TV 5 "Bluff City Life" - www.actionnews5.com/programming/bluff-city-life

MidTownCon - www.blacklodgememphis.com

MidSouthCon - www.midsouthcon.org

Memphis Comic Expo/MCX - www.memphiscomicexpo.com

Metropolis Superman Celebration - www.supermancelebration.net

Metropolis marks 50 years of Superman - www.metropolisplanet.com

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist”  and background music by Steve Oxen and David Fesliyan. ©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission.

Movie quotes and additional sounds from 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 47min 21sec

Show notes: In this solo episode I have an update and details on the current MSCA art show at the Germantown Community Theatre. It and the play "The Complete History Of America (abridged)" can be seen February 17-27, 2022. This is one of our 35th anniversary events, and we're working on a couple more (additional announcements coming soon). BIG NEWS- after meeting virtually on Zoom for the last two years due to the pandemic, we're happy to announce our return to in-person meetings at Garibaldi's Pizza (3530 Walker Ave. Memphis, Tn 38111)...we'll be back on the first Tuesday in March! I also share some Mid-South Cartoonists Association history in our first MSCA Fun Facts segment, and unfortunately there's some more sad MSCA member news.

If you stop by The Cellar out in Bartlett, TN be sure to snag some free Drawing Funny podcast and MSCA swag. Lots of buttons, stickers and sketchcard blanks are available while they last. If you have any ideas for ways for us to celebrate our MSCA anniversary, or would like to be on this podcast please contact me at podcast (at) drawingfunny (dot) com. I'd love to hear from you. Stay well, stay tooned, and hope to see you in person this March..!

LINKS:

Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA (Memphis, TN) - www.midsouthcartoonists.org

My art website - www.linworkman.com

Germantown Community Theatre - www.gctcomeplay.org

Garibaldi's Pizza - www.garibaldispizza.com (901) 327-6111

The Cellar (Bartlett, TN) - www.comiccellaronline.com

#supportyourlocalartists

#supportyourlocalcomicshops

#msca

#midsouthcartoonistsassociation

#germantowncommunitytheatre

#cartoonist

#linworkmanart

#sketchcards

#drawingfunnypodcast

#drawingfunny

#podcast

#podperson

#staytooned

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist”  and background music "Drum Commercial C" by Steve Oxen. "Fancy Date" by David Fesliyan.

©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission.

Please DO NOT add this audio content to the Youtube Content ID System. I have used background music which is owned by FesliyanStudios.

Movie quotes and additional sounds from 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 22min 45sec

Show Notes: In this episode my fellow Mid-South Cartoonists Association members Kevin L. Williams, Greg Cravens and I pay respect and share stories about our friend and cartoonist Sam Ray who passed away in December, 2021. I've been wanting to get together with some of the local cartooning gang to record a tribute to Sam, and in spite of some technical difficulties we were able to record for a bit during the MSCA monthly zoom call this week (thanks to some quick thinking by Kev.) Another left-hander, Sam was a great cartoonist/writer & created his “Business As Usual” comic strips which were published in The Commercial Appeal, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Boy’s Life, Reader’s Digest, Barron’s, Woman’s World, Forbes, and our first MSCA comic anthology. He was also a writer on the "Hagar The Horrible" comic strip for 6 years. Sam was a soft-spoken artist who was always willing to talk toons and swap stories with other cartoonists at our meetings and events. He was part of the MSCA since it's creation in the late '80s, and will be greatly missed.

2022 represents the MSCA’s 35th year of “drawing funny” and I got a recorded state of the association address from MSCA prez Kevin. He mentions some club history and discusses his future plans for our milestone anniversary year. One of which is the upcoming group art show “’Murica”, which will be presented February 17 – 27, 2022, at Germantown Community Theater alongside the comedy play, “The Complete History of America (Abridged).” This art show shares a variation of art styles and techniques from different members Terence Washington, Jim Palmer, Dale Martin, Greg Cravens, Kevin Williams, and Lin Workman (me). For more info, links, and pics please check out the MSCA website at www.midsouthcartoonists.org, or previous episodes at www.drawingfunny.com. If you'd like to be a part of the show, you can contact me (Lin) at: podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com.

Stay safe, and "stay tooned"..!

LINKS:

Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA (Memphis, TN) - www.midsouthcartoonists.org

My art website - www.linworkman.com

Greg Cravens - www.gocomics.com/thebuckets

Kevin L. Williams - www.kevinlwilliams.com

Germantown Community Theatre - www.gctcomeplay.org

"Drawing Funny" podcast - www.drawingfunny.com

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist” by Steve Oxen, "Slick Move" by David Renda.

©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission.

Movie quotes from 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 41min 35sec

Show Notes: "RELEASE THE DRAGON!" MSCA member Dale Martin has released a new ongoing comic series with local writer Brad Starnes: THE DRAGON TEMPLAR!

Set in the depths of the Middle Ages, during the era of the Crusades, this medieval adventure comic follows a band of Knights Templar, Rome's agents on the ground as the Universal Church tries to lay claim to the Holy Land. The band of knights deploy their talents for war protecting Rome's interests and traveling pilgrims alike … all the while harboring in their midst a power they can’t fully understand!

“The Dragon Templar” is an ongoing series by Dale Martin and Brad Starnes. Issues feature 12 black & “white” pages (interiors are on ivory paper) with full-color covers. First issue is available now at 901 Comics (Memphis and Cordova), The Cellar Tabletop Games & Comics (Bartlett), as well as Chicago Comics and Quimby’s (Chicago), with more outlets to come! Also available direct from the creators at www.dragontemplar.com. Dale Martin is a Memphis-based artist/writer/publisher best known for his Watusi the Talking Dog comics (both in print and online). He’s handcrafted comics featuring his original creations since the 1980s and doesn’t see any reason to stop now! He’s also the editor and a contributing artist to our MSCA zine– The Good, The Bad, And The Sketchy. Brad Starnes was first published in the 901 Comics Anthology (with his brother, artist Skoot Starnes), and has written comics in a variety of genres since then.

Stay tooned..!

LINKS:

"The Dragon Templar" - www.dragontemplar.wordpress.com/

Dale Martin Online - www.smearysoapboxpress.com/

Broot Studios Comics (Brad & Skoot Starnes) - www.instagram.com/broot_studios_comics/

901 Comics - www.901-comics.business.site/

The Cellar (Bartlett, TN) - www.comiccellaronline.com

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist” by Steve Oxen, "Dark Fog" by David Fesliyan. ©2022 Fesliyan Studios Inc.

Run Time: 1hr 6min 10sec

Show notes: "The Show Must Go On...Later" In this solo episode we have an update and details on the upcoming MSCA art show at the Germantown Community Theatre. Bad news, it and the play "The Complete History Of America (abridged)" have been pushed back until February due to COVID. Good news- that means any interested Mid-South Cartoonists Association members still have a couple extra weeks to get their art in. The show will be hung the first week of next month and available for viewing February 17-27, 2022. This is one of our 35th anniversary events, and we're working on a couple more. If you have any ideas for ways for us to celebrate, or would like to be on this podcast please contact me at podcast (at) drawingfunny (dot) com. I'd love to hear from you.

Some sad news to share, as I was finishing up this episode I learned that Mid-South Cartoonists Association founding member Sam Ray died back in December, 2021. Sam was a great cartoonist/writer & created his “Business As Usual” comic strips which were published in The Commercial Appeal, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Boy’s Life, Reader’s Digest, Barron’s, Woman’s World, Forbes, and the first MSCA anthology comic book. He was also a ghost-writer on the "Hagar The Horrible" strip for six years, illustrated the book “Sane Investing For The Non-Financial”, and self-published a collection of his Business As Usual cartoons. He was incredibly laid back & known to offer friendly advice with soft-spoken words to his fellow cartoonists at many an MSCA dinner meeting- usually while drawing a funny chicken, duck or penguin. Sam and his talent will be missed. 

If you stop by The Cellar in Bartlett, TN be sure to snag some free Drawing Funny podcast and MSCA swag. Lots of buttons, stickers and sketchcard blanks are available while they last. Stay warm, and stay tooned..!

LINKS:

Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA (Memphis, TN) - www.midsouthcartoonists.org

My art website - www.linworkman.com

Germantown Community Theatre - www.gctcomeplay.org

The Cellar (Bartlett, TN) - www.comiccellaronline.com

#msca

#midsouthcartoonistsassociation

#samray

#cartoonist

#linworkmanart

#sketchcards

#drawingfunnypodcast

#drawingfunny

#podcast

#podperson

#staytooned

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist” by Steve Oxen.

©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission.

Movie quotes and additional sounds from 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 16min 40sec

Show notes: "How much is that art in the window?" In this solo episode I discuss pricing and selling- or not selling my art, and what some folks have thought about the prices I charge and if my work is worth the cost. I've talked before about how I got into drawing funny for a living and how I've set up at conventions and art shows, but really haven't mentioned why I charge what I do for my sketchcards, sketchcovers, paintings, prints, tees and more. I also talk a bit more on how I create my own art, where I've sold it over the years, and what expenses I've experienced. Plus if you've wondered what exactly is a sketchcard and/or a sketchcover, wanted to know how to get into doing them, or how much they pay- I talk about that as well. I don't have all the answers by a long shot, but if you're struggling with what to charge for your work maybe this will help you understand art pricing and some possible avenues for selling and buying art. If you have any ideas or stories on selling art and/or how you price things, please give me a yell at podcast (at) drawingfunny (dot) com. I'd love to hear from you.

Shameless plug alert: I have several of my hand drawn sketchcards and a few sketchcovers available for sale at a comic shop here in Memphis- The Cellar. There are both official artist returns cards from companies like Topps, Breygent, Cryptozoic, and RRParks Cards and personal sketch cards drawn on my own custom blanks- with more to come after the holidays. If you’re interested in buying any of these please contact the shop. I don’t do commission work so this is the only way to currently purchase/collect any of my art from me. Oh, and if you stop by The Cellar in person be sure to snag some free Drawing Funny podcast and MSCA swag. Lots of buttons and stickers are available while they last, plus they make great stocking stuffers!

Stay tooned, and happy holidays!

LINKS:

Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA (Memphis, TN) - www.midsouthcartoonists.org

My art website - www.linworkman.com

Adam B. Shaw art - www.abshaw.com

Steam Crow Press - www.steamcrow.com

DeSoto Arts Council - www.desotoartscouncil.com

The Cellar (Bartlett, TN) - www.comiccellaronline.com

#midsouthcartoonistsassociation

#linworkmanart

#drawingfunnypodcast

#drawingfunny

#podcast

#podperson

#staytooned

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist” by Steve Oxen.

©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission.

Movie quotes and additional sounds from 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 1hr 30sec

Show notes: Hey, Dudes and Dudettes. In this episode I discuss my opinions on using photo reference, taking or giving advice, and more discussion on not feeling like a tool for using tools like lightboxes and projectors to get the job done Also share some MSCA news, info on some upcoming DeSoto Arts Council's kids/teen art classes, and some sad news about legendary comics creator George Pérez and his cancer diagnosis. My best to "Uncle George" and his family, friends, and fans.

LINKS:

Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA (Memphis, TN) - www.midsouthcartoonists.org

My art website - www.linworkman.com

My geek travel blog/webtoon website - www.havegeekwilltravel.com

A.G. Howard - www.howardart.weebly.com

Greg Cravens - www.cravenscartoonist.com

Bob Kimball - www.greatbigrobot.com

Steve Stanley - www.twitter.com/stevestanleyart

901 Comics (Memphis, TN) - www.901-comics.business.site

Comics & Collectibles (Memphis, TN) - www.memphiscomics.com/wps

The Cellar (Bartlett, TN) - www.comiccellaronline.com

DeSoto Arts Council - www.desotoartscouncil.com

Angee Montgomery Studio - www.angeemontgomery.com

George Pérez - www.facebook.com/TheGeorgePerez

Sean "Cheeks" Galloway - www.tabletaffy.bigcartel.com

Steve "The Dude" Rude - www.steverude.com

Paasche Airbrush - www.paascheairbrush.com

DF Episode 31 : “What A Tool(s)” - www.drawingfunny.com/2021/11/12/episode-31-what-a-tools/

#drawingfunnypodcast

#linworkmanart

#msca

#midsouthcartoonistsassociation

#supportyourlocalartists

#supportcomics

#supportyourlocalcomicshops

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist” by Steve Oxen.

©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission.

Movie quotes and additional sounds from 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 37min 41sec

Show Notes: If you're wondering about the title for this episode, the Memphis and Southaven area near me are getting some new Whataburger locations, so I thought I'd play off that and discuss what tools and materials I use for producing my art. I'll be discussing my early days of airbrushing in malls in the '80s, literally cutting and pasting art, starting off on working digital, creating early webcomics in the '90s, my sculpting experiences, how I got into using markers, and some other ways I like to get the job done. Plus I send out some congrats to fellow podperson Joe Stuber for Comic Book Central's 400th episode/8th anniversary, and give you some info on former guest Sal Abbinanti's new Kickstarter campaign for his "Atomika" omnibus.

BTW: If after listening to this episode and still have art questions or have suggestions on what types of tools and materials you use, or would like to come on the show to discuss your techniques and/or just talk toons, please give me a shout. I'm happy to give you any answers I can, or hear about how you create your art. You can contact me (Lin) at: podcast(at)drawingfunny(dot)com - would love to read your email's and/or have you on as part of our second season!

LINKS:

www.drawingfunny.com

My art website - www.linworkman.com

My geek travel blog/webtoon website - www.havegeekwilltravel.com

Mid-South Cartoonists Association/MSCA (Memphis, TN) - www.midsouthcartoonists.org

A.G. Howard - www.howardart.weebly.com

Greg Cravens - www.cravenscartoonist.com

Bob Kimball - www.greatbigrobot.com

Steve Stanley - www.twitter.com/stevestanleyart

Art Center Memphis - www.artcentermemphis.com

Atomika/Sal Abbinanti - www.twitter.com/salabbinanti

Comic Book Central - www.comicbookcentral.net

#linworkmanart #airbrush #markers #screenprinting #silkscreen #cartoonist #webcomics #webtoons #selfpublishing #comics #drawingfunnypodcast #drawingfunny #talkingtoons #staytooned #podcast #podperson #sharethelair #atomika

Theme: “Silly Bank Heist” by Steve Oxen.

©2020 Fesliyan Studios Inc. – music and sound effects used by permission.

Movie quotes and additional sounds from 101soundboards.com.

Run time: 1hr 23min 10sec