Comics for Beginners

listen to ‘The Monthly Grind - Comics for Beginners podcast episode 21’ on Audioboo // The rabbit is out of the hat! BOOM! Studios is releasing the first issue of creator-owned book Thomas Alsop in June 2014, an occult New York story, written by Chris Miskiewicz and drawn by yours truly. Bleeding Cool did a nice little write up here: http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/03/12/are-you-missing-hellblazer-here-comes-thomas-alsop/. I've obviously known about this for a while, even recorded an interview with my friend and mentor Peter Snejbjerg (http://www.snejbjerg.com) on the topic of working on a monthly book. Listen for more details. You can read a 12-page short featuring Thomas Alsop here: http://welcometotripcity.com/2013/05/thomas-alsop-the-case-of-dead-uncle/ and watch the live action promo at http://welcometotripcity.com/2013/05/thomas-alsop-the-hand-of-the-island-official-trailer/

listen to ‘Colorful sex with Jason Little - Comics for Beginners Podcast episode 20’ on Audioboo // Jason Little is a Brooklyn-based indie comics creator, most famous for his Bee books, such as Shutterbug Follies. Although his style is colorful and uses clean lines, the books are NOT for kids - something the US audience seems to disagree with. Besides having the most impressive sideburns I've ever seen, Jason is extremely talented and eloquent speaking. Take a listen and see if you agree, and check out Jason's work at http://www.beecomix.com and on his blog http://beecomix.blogspot.com. Also in this podcast: news and more news! For tutorial videos and more on how to write and draw comics, go to http://www.comicsforbeginners.com/

listen to ‘Working from home - Comics for Beginners podcast episode 19’ on Audioboo // Working out of your house can be tough - especially if you have a demanding family with little or no respect for your need to be drawing comics all the time. In this episode I offer some tips how to make it work, and some ideas how to get out of the house if it doesn't. Related post: What if I can't afford a studio space?

listen to ‘Seth Kushner and Nathan Schreiber - Comics for Beginners podcast - Episode 18’ on Audioboo // Seth Kushner (http://www.sethkushner.com/) is a photographer and writer, known for his awesome portraits in Leaping Tall Buildings: The Origins of American Comics and his Schmuck series and photocomics on Trip City. Nathan Schreiber (http://www.nathanschreiber.com/) is an Eisner and Harvey Awards nominated artist, whose own book Power Out won a Xeric award in 2009. I talked to both Seth and Nathan about the art and craft while I was in New York this fall, only later realizing what a great double feature the two interviews would make, as they worked together on Seth Kushners Schmuck! Their collaboration on the Schmuck series can be found at http://welcometotripcity.com/2013/10/schmuck-14-size-11/

listen to ‘Drawing Every Day - Comics for Beginners podcast episode 17’ on Audioboo // In this episode I share some tips and suggestions for becoming a better artist. Drawing every day and everywhere is one thing, but what if you find yourself hating the end result? How do you get good at drawing and make it a habit? Well, click play and find out!

listen to ‘Hard Choices with Palle Schmidt - Comics for Begginners Podcast episode 16’ on Audioboo // Last week I taught a comics class at the Animation Workhop in Viborg. This week's podcast is a summary of some of the things I taught - and learned myself! The main theme is choice: what kind of choices you need to make before you start drawing, and what you can do to make the process easier for yourself. As usual, your host is writer/artist Palle Schmidt.

listen to ‘Dean Haspiel Short Cuts to Making Better Comics - Comics for Beginners podcast episode 15’ on Audioboo // Emmy-award winning artist Dean Haspiel gives some insights on the craft and business of comics, the benefits of being part of a studio community and his current work on the series The Fox with writer Mark Waid. Dean also shares what he believes to be the secret to making better comics: It's all about hair! For more about Haspiel's work, check out http://www.deanhaspiel.com and http://www.tripcity.net .

listen to ‘Peter Snejbjerg on making comics in France and the US - Comics for Beginners podcast episode 14’ on Audioboo // At the French festival Quai Des Bulles (http://www.quaidesbulles.com/) I talked to seasoned comics professional Peter Snejbjerg (http://www.snejbjerg.com/) known for his work on Starman, Books of Magic, A God Somewhere, Preacher, BPRD and the recent French album series World War X. We talk about the differences between the French and the US comics scene, formats and advice for aspiring comic book artists. No one speaks French in this episode, that's a promise!

listen to ‘Hanging low in Saint-Malo - Comics for Beginners podcast episode 13’ on Audioboo // Another comic convention, another trip abroad for this tired cartoonist, reporting semi-live from Saint-Malo, France. This episode is mostly impressions from day 1 and some tips from locals on where to go for conventions in France. For more on the festival I'm at, go to http://www.quaidesbulles.com. Salut!

listen to ‘Talking Bad Karma with Seth Peck - Comics for Beginners podcast episode 12’ on Audioboo // At NYCC I talked to Seth Peck about the Bad Karma writing collective, the succesful Kickstarter campaign behind the book Bad Karma Vol. 1 and about the importance of having partners in crime. For more info on Bad Karma and to get books and merchandice go to http://badkarmacreative.com/

listen to ‘Tom Lyle and his Inner Voice - Comics for Beginners podcast episode 11’ on Audioboo // We're often told to listen to the voice inside ourselves. But what if that voice is preventing you from working on the thing you love most? This morning I went back to the New York Comic Con to talk to Tom Lyle (tomlyle.blogspot.com), comics artist known for his work on Spiderman and Batman & Robin and teacher at the Savannah College of Art & Design (https://www.scad.edu/). And I was surprised and encouraged by the fact that this 28-year comics veteran also hears voices. So it's not just me! Give it a listen and leave comments below.

listen to ‘Great Advice from Comics Writer Jim Jub - Comics for Beginners episode 10’ on Audioboo // I met Jim Zub, writer of Skullkickers, Samurai Jack and the Pathfinder comics at the New York Comic Con and grilled him about why he is letting everyone in on the secret to making comics. Turns out it's all because of roleplaying! For more of Zub's great advice, go to http://www.jimzub.com or follow @jimzub on Twitter.