How To Draw Comics

Where should you begin if you want to learn how to become a comic book artist, ?

There's vast oceans of information available online, but how do you sift through the fluff to get to the good stuff?

Art school and university seems notoriously ineffective, serving merely as an introductory taste into the extensive skill set one must acquire to become a successful comic book illustrator - plus it's extremely costly.

There's online courses and books, containing laser focused information designed to address the fundamental gaps in your drawing abilities - but which ones are best for a beginner?

In this weeks episode of the HTDC Podcast, we're joined by Co-Host Ed Foychuk to share our experiences as up and coming comic book artists - where we sourced our drawing knowledge and our highest recommendations for beginners who are looking for some direction in their learning.

Hope you enjoy the episode! Thanks for listening.

-Clayton

For comic art tutorials, videos, podcast episodes and courses, visit us at: https://www.howtodrawcomics.net/

In Episode 25 of the HTDC Podcast, Clayton Barton and Co-Host Ric Bulow are joined by special guest artist Vince Rodriguez to talk about his background in comic books and storyboard illustration - and what it takes to deliver the best possible product to your clients, on time.

Vince is an insanely talented artist who like many of us grew up adoring comic books. He was so inspired by artists like Jack Kirby that he pursued a career which allowed him to make the most of his artistic abilities. Throughout that journey, he's gained deep insights about what clients expect, how to juggle multiple jobs at once, and how to meet the intense deadlines that must be kept to keep ones reputation intact.

One of the things I admire most about Vince is his killer work ethic, and listening to him speak about some of the work he's undertaken and what it took to execute those projects was truly inspirational. It was an honor to have him join us on the show and hope that the knowledge and experience he brings to the table here gives you the confidence you need to step onto the field and hustle your way to the top!

Thanks for listening,

-Clayton

Want more comic art insights? Visit https://www.howtodrawcomics.net/ - for comic art tutorials, training videos and of course, more podcast episodes!

In this jam packed episode, we blow the lid off the age old question every aspiring comic book artist wants an answer to - should you be using references when you draw?... How much should you really depend on them and is it worse not to use them at all?

Find out in Episode 24 of the HTDC Podcast!

Want more comic advice, tips, tricks and tutorials? - visit us at http://www.howtodrawcomics.net/

In Episode 23 of the HTDC Podcast, Clayton and Ric revisit perfectionism vs getting your work finished!

There's certainly something to be said about honing your skills through mileage, but does perfectionism offer a chance to enhance your learning experience, and raise the quality of the work you produce to a higher level?

As most people do, we artist also strive to have a good and strong family life. Many have wives, kids and a day-job. So how are you supposed to have all that and still have time to work on your art? Moreso, how can you best jump from having that dayjob and go into focusing on being a freelance artist, if that is your end-goal, while you still have a family to care for?

In this episode hosts Ed Foychuk and Ric Bülow talks about these things and how they made the change work for them and their families as best possible. Furthermore they also take up an equally important subject and that's keeping healthy. As an artist, you tend to not move around alot while working, which can strain the muscles you're using while working alot and in the end cause great pains from it.

Success can mean many things to different people. But what remains true for all of us is the deep, core need to pursue a worthy cause that we find fulfilling. In our case, that's creating comics, and that's exactly what today's guest is setting out to do with his new studio.

To make our dreams a reality, mindset is everything. Because what you can and can't achieve all comes down to belief. If you believe in your potential as a comic book artist, that potential will become a promise. And vice versa - if you think it's an impossibility to become a true master of your craft, you'll never be motivated, or driven enough to do what needs to be done to succeed in the first place.

Tom Bilyeu is the man behind Impact Theory - a multi-media platform created to empower the minds and will of people to succeed in a world where most of us are born into a narrative that hinders what we're truly capable of. Interviewing some of the most successful people on the planet such as Tony Robbins, Gary Vanerchuck and many more, Tom aims to shed a light on the epitome of human potential.

But that's not the only vehicle Tom intends to use to inspire people.

As it turns out he's just launched the first title coming from Impact Theory Comics, Steve Aoki's 'Neon Future' (coming October) - His studio promising a plethora of original stories authored to pull people out of the matrix of negative mindsets and belief systems that blind their visions.

In this episode we talk with Tom about how his studio went from being an idea to becoming a reality, why he’s doing it after building companies like Quest into billion dollar successes - but most importantly I’ve invited Tom here today to talk about the mindset and determination he needed to pull it all off.

There's loads of value packed into this episode, and I sincerely hope you take away every last pearl of knowledge you can pull from it. Be sure to catch Tom and Impact Theory Comics at NYCC Oct. 4th - 7th at Booth number 236 - and if you'd like to follow Tom and find out more about Impact Theory Comics be sure to check out - https://impacttheory.com/

-Clayton

There's many things that set comics apart from other art forms. Not only must you be skilled in the traditional teachings of drawing, but you must also harness the ability to take the audience on a visual journey throughout your stories.

Comics are about guiding the reader through an immersive narrative and it's your job as the creator to cultivate that experience - an experience that makes them feel like they are right there inside the panel as they read.

This requires an in-depth knowledge of the hidden nuances that make a comic book work, and in Episode 20 of the HTDC Podcast, special guest artist Moti Friedman shows us the tip of the ice berg.

Moti has had his art published around the world since 1993, fulfilling his most recent role as co-writer and artist on Tom Raches Black Alpha Comic Book Series.

As well as honing his abilities as a practiced comic book artist, children's book illustrator, and writer - for almost three decades he’s developed courses and taught aspiring artists at numerous universities.

This episode is packed full of valuable insights for comic artists, beginners to advanced. We hope you enjoy it, and take home ton of value.

Thanks for listening,

-Clayton

Wouldn't it be great to wake up everyday and work at your passion? To put your time and energy into something that matters to you, something that you truly find fulfilling.

Maybe you've got characters to share and a story to tell in that future comic book series you've been thinking of creating. Imagine how surreal it would feel knowing that your fans have posters, collector cards, and T-Shirts of the titles you came up with.

It can happen.

But only if you get down to business. Because if you're creating art for more than just the love of it, that's exactly what you are - a business owner, your art, the product.

It's more than just a matter of mastering your drawing skills. You might be the best of the best when it comes to skill and raw talent, but if no one ever gets to see what you can do, they won't be able to pay you for it.

In this special, extended episode of the HTDC Podcast, I'm joined by Co-Host Ric Bulow and special guest artists Ed Foychuk and Deth Phimmasone to talk about the business side of being an artist.

This episode we'll share our ideas and experiences for earning money from your craft, revealing the tactics used to promote and sell our own products. In a techno-savvy world full of opportunity, that encourages creative entrepreneurs to pursue their endeavors - it's now more possible than ever to make a considerable amount of income from your art.

Cover Art By Deth Phimmasone

See more art from our featured artists at:

Ed Foychuk - https://www.facebook.com/JuggerthaArt/

Deth Phimmasone - https://www.instagram.com/dethdfyed/

When it comes to pursuing your passion, knowing your 'why' is everything. You must have a powerful enough reason to break through the challenges, self doubt, and fear you'll face on the road to mastery. Without it as your compass, your goals are aimless.

In a very special, extended Episode 18 of the HTDC Podcast, we're joined by guest artist Caanan White to talk about the approach he took to developing a high level skill set that allowed him to create some of the most spectacular comic book art in the industry.

Having worked for multiple studios, including Marvel, Caanan's unrelenting drive pushed his ability to the epitome of it's potential - dangerously coming close to sacrificing everything for the love of his passion. The question is, was it all worth it?

This 1.5 hour episode is packed with loads of value as Caanan shares his experiences and wisdom gained from lessons learned over the years.

Don't miss it!

-Clayton

Check out Caanan White's art at: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtOfCaananWhite/

Do you prefer to create your art digitally or traditionally?

As the world of technology has evolved in our modern age, so have the creative tools we have at our disposal as comic book artists. A whole new array of mediums, processes and styles are now possible thanks to the advent of digital technology, but where does that leave the traditional ways of working we've held sacred for so long?

In Episode 17 of the HTDC Podcast, I'm joined once more by Co-Host Ric Bulow to discuss the pros and cons of traditional and digital methods of production for comic book illustration.

We hope you enjoy this episode! Thanks so much for listening and be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments. We all have so many different perspectives on the merits of digital and traditional ways of working - so lets get the conversation happening around this topic. How do you prefer to work and why?

-Clayton