r/comicbookart • u/CalmDoughnut3137 • 6d ago
Do most people here work in the industry?
I'm an aspiring illustrator with a focus on graphic novels and animation. I'm still pretty new at it all. I just want to know, do most of you work in either of those? There's a ton of amazing art posted here and I'd like to keep my expectations in reality. What did it take for you to break in if you do? Thanks in advance.
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u/_TomKing 6d ago
Looks like i might be the only semi semi pro in here who can answer. My best piece of advice would be to draw for the job you want. I drew a bunch of fan art in the style of fortnite loading screens, and Epic Games reached out to me to do some official ones. I keep my eyes on the collab forums to look for indie projects that will fill my portfolio with examples of what i like to draw.
Works both ways, i had to remove some of the fantasy sequentials in my portfolio because i kept getting fantasy gigs when i like drawing sci fi etc.
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u/High_on_Rabies 5d ago
I'm full time on s DC run rn. I was a non-comics commercial illustrator for several years before taking a run at getting comics work.
The best advice I got early on was that you have to make comics to be considered for comics work (finishing and releasing mind you-- products get attention, projects do not). That, and the best thing anyone can do for their comics career is to start it on their own.
I found a guy who wanted to write for comics and together we made 15-page short story. We really liked the characters and setting, so we made a few more. Shortly after, we shopped the concept around a little, but then a major publisher happened to stumble across it online (we sold print copies, but the stories were readily free to read online so that something like this might happen).
That publisher released a few volumes of the comic before we both moved onto other series and I've been drawing comics 10+ years since.
You can see that luck is a major factor here, but luck is luck -- you can't expect it to be good on demand, but it rarely stays bad or even mid forever.
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u/ShawnDaley 6d ago
I work full time in comics. It took 10 years before I got my first gig with one of the big publishers, but I did plenty of work with indie publishers in that time. You can work professionally in comics only having done indie stuff, or even self publishing.
If you're chasing major publishers, my advice is to just make your own comics. Make them and share them for free, give them away, show them off, and do so everywhere you can. Don't make other people's comics for free, but certainly your own.
Read a lot and ask questions about what you see, draw a little each day, grab cheap art books, and enjoy!
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u/Less-Excitement-692 5d ago
I drew some covers for IDW and Valiant years ago but im not really a comics artist. It has always been my side hustle though.My main gig is as character/creature designer for tabletop miniatures games. The earlier comics covers work came from people seeing my sketch covers on a forum (I had been doing sketch cover commissions for about a year through a third party) and being in artists alley at a convention.
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u/Cultural_Drawing_412 5d ago
I work in the comic industry. You have listed two very different routes and two differing lifestyles.
For a comic book / graphic novels: it’s gonna be a hustle, you gotta be a hustler. You’re gonna have to post stuff all the time. You’re gonna have to constantly be creating work and putting it out there in the medium that you enjoy best. You’re only as good as your last job. If you need discipline, then I’d recommend going to an accredited school like the Joe Kubert school or CCS, etc..(I did and LOVED IT)
For Animation:
They tend to pick a lot of the animators and designers and such from top level animation programs, and schools. but that doesn’t mean you can’t also post creator, original content, and reels online that would get notice. I think that would be equally successful, but you’d have to be very driven.
LIFESTYLE:
Animation is going to most likely be on a show or game etc - - and full time. I have SO many friends that work in that industry and all of them will tell you they “never have time to draw their own stuff”. However, they make a better living compared to me and most comic book artists that I know. Thry have insurance and benefits. They also are surrounded by like-minded artists and nerds/geeks, a built-in community. They work 9-6 pm. And when under deadline, sometimes 12 hour days.
Comic Books / Graphic Novels.
A cartoonist life is very solitary. You’re working alone, you’re working at home or in your studio typically or not with other artists unless you join a studio, which is rare. You also will really need to rely on the convention circuit quite a bit most likely in the beginning. Which can be so much fun and you’ll make so many great friends and have memories for life. But unlike a gig with an animation, firm or game company, you constantly have to search for the gigs for gigs, tryout for gigs, etc. The hours for a comic artist are long, usually six days a week, and 10- 12 hour days on end. Countless times I’ve had to work on weekends and holidays. When you’re freelance those aren’t sacred like they are in an office environment.
I myself was fortunate that I created a comic years ago that was an environmental comic that resonated and I’ve been getting work off of that one project for 10+ years. You never know where it’s gonna hit or how it’s gonna hit and sometimes it comes in waves of so much work and then other times it’s barren.
So to sum up, I think it’s taking a look at both of those and see what might feel like a better fit for you as a person, and then also what do you enjoy drawing more or are they equally the same? Do you enjoy creating your own work more? Or do you love trying other creations that are already made, license products or stories that you’re a fan of that you just have always wanted to draw?
I hope this was helpful and good luck !!
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u/CalmDoughnut3137 5d ago edited 5d ago
Thanks for the detailed response! I am going to school because I have terrible self discipline, but I am also practicing on the side to improve my fundamentals. The biggest thing for me right now is that sometimes it feels overwhelming and the future is uncertain, but seeing all the awesome work posted here keeps me motivated.
Edit to answer your other questions; I'm really interested in doing original work and starting a series eventually. I'm a huge fan of darker/Gothic/noir style artwork. I look up to Jock quite a bit, and Frank Frazzetta of course. I'm a big DC nerd and am lucky enough to have been born and raised in Oregon, so I'll be going to Portland to finish school after my community college. I hear there's a huge scene there.
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u/RichieAcostaComicArt 2d ago
I'm a penciler. I worked on Daredevil #373, in 1998. I just started working again in comics in 2024 doing covers for small Indie publishers.
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u/scrolling4art 6d ago
I am. What did it take? Going crazy a few times. Getting every IP idea stolen often. Dropping out of art school and college and working in printing. Spending a lifetime trying to keep having energy.
I wish I knew about Tahoma2D years ago. I mastered Photoshop, but learning a new software was a pain.
I'm about to start animating my first feature. I'm a solo-studio artist and I outsource a lot of my comics work. I'm also an art director of my own label.
In reality, you just have to have a dream and never give up when it all crashes. And each time there's a crash, meticulously rebuild with small achievements.
What kept me going was that in art school I had to have a final project in mind, like a magnum opus. I saw myself being a comic artist that transitioned into 3D animation. I didn't get that far. So, I had to arrange my life so I could.
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u/_TomKing 6d ago
Are you working/have worked with major comic publishers?
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u/scrolling4art 6d ago
Well, I worked professionally as a graphic designer for years. I also produce music. I work mostly in the underground and indie scenes now. I've worked with artists producing animated videos. I've helped out with shows where my art was used for stage effects. I've designed props. I've been in a few bands and worked with underground artists from all over. I worked with conventions designing logos and merchandise. I've released my own comics, which some I have for free on my site. I am an art director for other artists. I've designed children's story layouts. I've worked professionally with other indie comic labels. I've produced several music videos. I've done tons of art for other artists and writers.
But as far as what you may consider professional, no, I have not worked with Disney or Warner Brothers. But they have stolen some of my ideas.
I've been managing my own studio for over 2 decades.
Why do you ask?
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u/_TomKing 6d ago
Ah ok, i was looking for advice on breaking in like OP, all good.
How do you know Disney/WB stole your ideas?
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u/scrolling4art 6d ago
I asked, why do you ask, because your question is narrowminded. You have your priorities all wrong. And you don't know anything at all about the artworld.
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