Where am I going with cartooning?

Stinkywigfiddle · Post by **Stinkywigfiddle** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 3:53 pm

Drawing and creating stories is pretty much the only thing I enjoy doing. I've known that I wanted to be a cartoonist all my life.
But how does one get a job or make a career with drawing?
I really like having a website to show my work, but I can't make a living off of it. I really have no other skills.
I don't know where my life is going right now or what kind of future I have.

Not damonk · Post by **Not damonk** » Tue Mar 12, 2002 5:15 pm

well, there are a few ways you can go, Daniel...

Lots of writers and/or artists start out by working at something else, and doing their "passion" on the side. Some of these people manage to self-publish, and eventually get noticed, and a rare few even get to one day make a living doing what they love. Look at Pete Abrams and Scott Kurtz. They started by doign their comics on the side, and now both can eke out a living by only working on their comics.

The jopb you choose doesn't necessarily have to be realted to your passion, either. (i know of a kickass poet who's actually a university mathematician, and who never really took any "english lit" or "creative writing" classes!!)

Others try to tap directly into the market by say, studying said field. In your case, you could study art, or animation, etc. Then you could go look for work for an animation studio, or at a comics company as a low-level lackey to start.

If you're asking how to get magically noticed, there's no set formula, and certainly no guarantee.

It's a mix of luck, timing, the quality of your skills, the demand for your "product", and loooots of tenacious patience.

But if it's a dream of yours, I see no reason to stop working for it.

Hell, that's what *I'm* doing, man.

<small>(you could also sell your soul to someone, but i figure that may cause problems in the long-term)</small>

ZOMBIE USER 3098 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 3098** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:49 am

A few approaches into this that I read about:

Some people get an art degree and then work in a studio in the lowest of ranks or become assistants to other artists. In their spare time, they work on their cartoons and then send it off w/ high hopes. I know many cartoonists who did this.

Others like my uncle got a degree on computer science, later on, when he finished his major, he took computer graphics courses so that he could follow his dream of being a toonist.

Some people are freelance artists. Not all of 'em are high paid or anything, but it still gets them a kind of career or living.

The last method I could ever think of is to work on a cartoon or comic gung ho and then send it off. Not a path that's highly recommended as it lacks stability economy wise.

Well, that's all I could say about the path of drawing and art. Lots of luck, skills, hard work, patience, and endurence are needed. Seriously, from all that I've read, you really got the talent for this (me? I'm just a puny craftsman!). I wish you luck on this path.

-Albrecht
http://ntnation.keenspace.com

Stinkywigfiddle · Post by **Stinkywigfiddle** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 8:44 am

I've wanted to go to an art school. But I quit normal college and have not graduated.
I don't know how to prepare a portfolio.
I've been thinking about self-publishing. That has some disadvantages, but it's better than nothing, I guess.
I don't know how to go about working for anyone either. Not having any kind of degree probably doesn't help.

Loserz Erik · Post by **Loserz Erik** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 10:27 am

I want to look into independant comic books when I get through with school. I've got some ideas that hopefully an indie company like Slave Labor Graphics or some similar publisher would like. And perhaps if my webcomic ever becomes popular enough I might be able to make some donation money off that. But I don't plan on depending on it.

That is, if I don't have a heart attack from all these FUCKING SERVER OUTAGES AT KEENSPACE!!!

*deep breaths* sorry, I used up all my patience during the server move and I'm not in a good mood at all today.

Not damonk · Post by **Not damonk** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:48 pm

Daniel, if you want to know how to prepare a portfolio, rest easy knowing that it really ain't that hard. Heck, I could prolly give your pointers, but actually, why not write to Paul Roustan, who draws Untitled Again? He's currently attending the Chicago School of Art or something like that. If anyone would know the specifics, it would be him.

His public email is pauly@untitledagain.com so write to him and ask what a portfolio should consist of -- tell him that Damonk sent ya and I'm sure that he'll be only too help to help ya out... Pauly's one helluva nice guy.

If the email doesn't work, write to me, and I'll make sure he gets the message, okay?

(Another alternative is to ask Chris Daily, who draws Striptease -- another art school guy! His public address is podart@hotmail.com and he's also a really nice guy who i'm sure would only too happy to help you out with suggestions and advice!

And good luck, if this is the road you decide to embark upon!

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 3:44 pm

And there are two pretty discouraging things about becoming a pro:

1. You gotta draw like hell! When you draw a couple of pages and compare them with profesional comics, you have to see no difference in quality of drawing. Especially in America, you'll find people who are used to trace any weak spot (for example, many drowars have problems with hands, so publishers like to look especially at hands, and judge by that).
In Europe, things are a little less tough, but first you gotta live there, and second, you've gotta have... I don't know... the inner shine in your comics, I guess.

2. Wherever you go, you'll probably only have to work what they say to you: script on hands, you draw it, and then your part is over - I mean, nobody asdks you nothin. In Europe is, again, different, it's much easyer to get to do on your own ideas, but still you'll probably have to wait to become really famous for that.
But this might not be such a problem after all, especially if you like making comics by itself - you might just be happy with working and not asking too much questions. I know I wouldn't be, but I know some people who are.

I guess practice, art classes of any kind and lots of obstinacy, and even if you're from the lost corner of the world (like me), you could make it big.

Srdjan
http://mcduffies.keenspace.com

Shoe · Post by **Shoe** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 5:26 pm

My friend's doing a comic for free. He's spending like $100 or so on the publishing, and then he's going to give it out to comic store owners. Most are indeed ASSHOLEs (note, fuck you McGrady), but some are nice enough to put it in their store.

Princessmadashelly · Post by **Princessmadashelly** » Wed Mar 13, 2002 6:31 pm

If you want to try to get it published dark horse does alot of independant comics. But you may have to be careful that they dont just steal your ideas and turn you down.
if you wanna try though you can send some ideas to:
Diana Schutz (senior editor)
10956 SE Main Street
Milwaukie,OR 97222
1-503-652-8815 x 304
fax:503-654-9440
e-mail: dianas@dhorse.com

Well good luck to you no matter what you do.
bye!!

Stinkywigfiddle · Post by **Stinkywigfiddle** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 9:28 pm

A friend and fellow cartoonist suggested to me that I try selling prints of some drawings to people.
But I don't know how to go about doing that.

Odd1 · Post by **Odd1** » Thu Mar 14, 2002 10:53 pm

Many great American funny-paper cartoonists started off working at marketing agencies ^_^ I know this sounds weird, but at times it's just as important to know where and how to sell your product, as it is to know how to create it. Because when you've reached an above average level in cartooning, it's a neck to neck race to the publishers.

There's always going to be someone who's better at what you do, so you better know how to sell your art better than the rest ^_~

- Liz

Sss · Post by **Sss** » Thu Mar 21, 2002 10:19 am

Med School Baby!!!!!
I just use comics as a way to releive the pressure before the big exam on Apr. 20th
Actually its a good study aid at times!