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Every beginning cartoonist agonizes over drawing eyes! Why is that — and while we're at it, what's the right way to do it? Next, we'll talk about why we hate anthologies, and answer a listener who suspects his webhost is throttling his traffic.

Today's show

• How to draw eyes
• Susan MacTaggart's personal affirmation
• Dreamhost
• Anthologies
• "Is my host blocking my traffic??"

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar explore the nuances of cartooning, focusing on the art of drawing eyes and the importance of expressiveness in comics. They share personal anecdotes, discuss the evolution of their styles, and provide valuable insights for aspiring cartoonists. The discussion highlights the balance between maintaining a unique style and adapting to the needs of storytelling, emphasizing that style often emerges from solving artistic challenges over time. In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett explore various aspects of comic art, including the importance of flexibility in artistic style, the significance of character-specific design choices, and the challenges associated with comic anthologies. They emphasize the need for experimentation in developing a unique style and the forgiving nature of comics as a medium. The discussion also touches on personal affirmations, sponsorships, and the humorous dynamics between the hosts. In this conversation, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett delve into the complexities of anthologies in the comic industry, discussing the dynamics of collaboration, the challenges faced by creators, and the reader's perspective on anthologies. They also touch on the importance of portfolio sites and the misconceptions surrounding web traffic and SEO. The discussion highlights the frustrations and joys of comic creation, emphasizing the need for professionalism and the impact of collaboration on the final product.

Takeaways

• The way eyes are drawn can significantly impact a character's expressiveness.
• Cartoonists often obsess over how to draw eyes more than other features.
• Style in cartooning is often discovered in hindsight, not planned.
• Using simple eye representations can be effective in storytelling.
• Different expressions can be conveyed through variations in eye design.
• It's important to adapt eye styles based on the emotional context of the scene.
• The dot is a versatile starting point for drawing eyes in comics.
• Cartooning styles can evolve significantly over time.  Comics allow for flexibility and experimentation in art.
• Don't lock yourself into a specific style too early.
• Your artistic style will evolve over time.
• Character design should reflect the moment and emotion.
• Comics can be forgiving in terms of artistic rules.
• Anthologies can be challenging due to varying contributor commitment.
• It's important to find what works best for your characters.
• Trust your instincts and do what looks best in the moment. Anthologies often succeed when creators are in a specific career stage.
• The dynamics of collaboration can lead to frustration in anthologies.
• Reader experiences with anthologies can vary widely.
• Portfolio sites serve a different purpose than high-traffic sites.
• SEO may not be the primary issue for low traffic on portfolio sites.
• Social media can drive traffic to portfolio sites effectively.
• The quality of contributions in anthologies can greatly affect the overall product.
• Professionalism and deadlines are crucial in collaborative projects.
• The importance of having a clear theme in anthologies is often overlooked.
• Creatives should focus on their own work rather than anthologies.

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Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.