3 answers
3 answers
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Hi, Diarus
I'll add some notes to the comments above.
Superhero books come in lots of shapes and sizes. Do you want to draw for the big two (Marvel and DC)? If so - you can find submission guidelines on their websites - or check YouTube for videos. Marvel editor-in-chief CB Cebulski posted a video about two weeks ago called "Is Your Portfolio Good Enough To Get You Hired At Marvel" - you can find it on the Proko channel.
People say practice - which is important - but practice drawing lots of different things. A superhero book isn't just folks in capes fighting - it's Peter Parker taking photos for the newspaper, or Lois Lane chasing down a story. You will need to be able to draw real life and superheroic situations. Making sure you practice drawing buildings as often as you draw heroes will make your comics really leap off the page, because people will believe your heroes live in their world.
If you want to make your own characters and comics - just start doing that. The only thing you need to be a comic artist... is to have drawn a comic book.
The industry is really hard to break in - so don't be disheartened if you get rejections. Build a portfolio, and take it to a comic convention. Lots of artists and editors will review a portfolio and give you feedback. Follow that feedback - no one likes hearing critical things about their work - but editors have a job to help you get better, so be sure you listen to them... and show them work the next time they're in your town. Show them you've taken feedback and grown.
Practice, practice, practice - and good luck!
I'll add some notes to the comments above.
Superhero books come in lots of shapes and sizes. Do you want to draw for the big two (Marvel and DC)? If so - you can find submission guidelines on their websites - or check YouTube for videos. Marvel editor-in-chief CB Cebulski posted a video about two weeks ago called "Is Your Portfolio Good Enough To Get You Hired At Marvel" - you can find it on the Proko channel.
People say practice - which is important - but practice drawing lots of different things. A superhero book isn't just folks in capes fighting - it's Peter Parker taking photos for the newspaper, or Lois Lane chasing down a story. You will need to be able to draw real life and superheroic situations. Making sure you practice drawing buildings as often as you draw heroes will make your comics really leap off the page, because people will believe your heroes live in their world.
If you want to make your own characters and comics - just start doing that. The only thing you need to be a comic artist... is to have drawn a comic book.
The industry is really hard to break in - so don't be disheartened if you get rejections. Build a portfolio, and take it to a comic convention. Lots of artists and editors will review a portfolio and give you feedback. Follow that feedback - no one likes hearing critical things about their work - but editors have a job to help you get better, so be sure you listen to them... and show them work the next time they're in your town. Show them you've taken feedback and grown.
Practice, practice, practice - and good luck!
Updated
Vince’s Answer
The best answer I have ever seen to this question is simple: practice! If you want to see results, it is important to try new things, assess the results and then try again while making adjustments. Of course, I would also suggest two other important elements. The first would be a formal course (if that is available to you) and also viewing content with an eye toward whether it fits your personal style. I have seen comic books with very detailed pages that speak to be and more simple styles that are just as expressive. It is all down to what you want your "look" to be.
If you are also interested in writing your own books, I would also suggest reading some good newswriting and feature stories from magazines and newspapers. Both the comics and newswriting formats share similar skillsets in terms of the need for concise telling and you can learn a lot from how efficient writers on both sides of that coin are. Good luck!
If you are also interested in writing your own books, I would also suggest reading some good newswriting and feature stories from magazines and newspapers. Both the comics and newswriting formats share similar skillsets in terms of the need for concise telling and you can learn a lot from how efficient writers on both sides of that coin are. Good luck!
Updated
Mike’s Answer
There are a lot of things that you can do now that also don't require a ton of up front cost. There are great tutorials from industry vets and other talented creators on YouTube. On the topic of tutorials, always invest in the fundamentals (i.e Anatomy, perspective, color theory). Strong fundamentals will take your art to new levels and push your skills further. It's also important to know that studies are important, but also make sure that you time dedicated to fun. Take what you've learned from your studies and implement it into fun little projects. If you start to realize it's in fact what you want to do, make sure that you are building a portfolio and show it to as many people in the industry. Take the constructive feedback and implement it. Good luck and enjoy the journey!