Until you get your head round this, it’s quite hard for a comic artist to approach the application form. You’re coming at it as someone who wants money to fund the time it takes to sit at your desk for weeks or months on end, and as far as you’re concerned, the end product is the comic.
Category Archives: Graphic Novels
2022 in review: the protest book
This time last year, I was using my Christmas holiday to frantically draw some of the most complex crowd scenes I’ve ever depicted, true to my absolutely typical habit of thinking ‘Oh, this single picture won’t take long’ – before finding I’m chained to my desk for two days straight.
2022 in review: the Workers
While I’m writing these 2022 roundup posts, there’s one topic that can’t be ignored, The year brought something really special: it introduced me to the Workers Gallery and the people behind it, Chris and Gayle. When I first read the email asking if I’d be interested in exhibiting, I had no idea that it wouldContinue reading “2022 in review: the Workers”
Book of the year
This is the year I discovered Swedish comic maker Anneli Furmark. I picked up ‘Red Winter’ in January, attracted by the loose style. Now and again I just fall for a book, and this was this year’s grand passion. It’s difficult to say exactly what hit me so hard – certainly not a satisfyingly wrappedContinue reading “Book of the year”
Zines and Bungaroosh
I’ve been trying out making zines, and helping form a local comics collective.
How much do you really see when you read a comic?
Not a way I’ve ever spent a day before and possibly not a way I’ll spend a day again.
Two takes on one subject
We go to London and accidentally engage in artwork about suicide. Plus, more comics developments.
Success?!
This week I’ve been setting up a new online shop and figuring out ISBN numbers, but there are also some crumbs of interesting content in the post as well. :)
Print prep and comics doings
The protest comic gets ever closer to print, and I read two transporting books.
It is the new year
In which I look back at a year of making comics and forward to what I hope to achive next year… in a highly maudlin fashion. Sorry ’bout that.
Draw The Line books are here
In this week’s blog post I unpack a brand new box of delicious books, muse on my hatred of making comics, and point toward the best holiday gift list I’ve seen so far this year.
What’s happening this week?
Today was the last day of Inktober. In as much as it is a challenge, I guess I aced it? It was good to post something every day, plus, Instagram likes that too so I saw my follower numbers and engagement etc go up, for what it’s worth. The downside, of course, is that timeContinue reading “What’s happening this week?”
The Nib, Comics Up Close, Kendal and Inktober – whew!
Reporting back from LICAF in Kendal, as well as lots of comics news and links from elsewhere.
Comics thoughts, tweets and links
Tweet life I lived on Twitter quite a bit this week. First, while waiting at the opticians for an eye test, I happened to see playwright Molly Naylor tweeting about the new book she authored for Lizzy Stewart to illustrate. I love Lizzy’s style: she came and talked at our local comics meetup Cartoon CountyContinue reading “Comics thoughts, tweets and links”
Inspirations and Comics up Close
Podcasts are a great accompaniment to drawing – you can enjoy them without having to look away from the page – and sometimes they can even inform your work. This week I listened to a long chat with Wayne Hussey, who as a member of Sisters of Mercy, The Mission and Dead or Alive wasContinue reading “Inspirations and Comics up Close”
Telling someone else’s story
Last week I’d started drafting page 74 of Satin and Tat, and this week I’m about four fifths of the way through finishing it. Not very fast progress, but my excuse is that we’ve got a new kitten – kitten! – and my time has been spent fishing her out of plant pots and savingContinue reading “Telling someone else’s story”
Graphic memoir as social history
Last week I had just finished page 70. This week I’ve made a good start on page 73, so I’m making progress but am shortly going to put Satin and Tat aside for a short while as I’ve had a commission elsewhere. (Yay!) I’ve been listening to a really excellent podcast recently, as recommended byContinue reading “Graphic memoir as social history”
Draw the Line in the USA and other comics stuff
This week’s half-hour roundup, on the editorial process of having a comic book published, planning graphic novels and surprising myself by making a pitch.
30 minutes on comics
I’ve got a big, seemingly insurmountable problem, that I keep turning over, poking at, and carrying on regardless: that problem is time.
Shortlisted for the Myriad First Graphic Novel competition
My work in progress, Satin and Tat, has been shortlisted for the Myriad First Graphic Novel prize. Surprised? Not as surprised as me. You should have seen me squawk when I got the email. It means a lot, and here’s why: Since lockdown began, I haven’t been able to draw any comics at all. IContinue reading “Shortlisted for the Myriad First Graphic Novel competition”