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6 years ago
General
There will be no art summary 2019 or yearly book reviews, due to catastrophic health problems that hit me this fall and dropped my art production to zero for several months. I'm still not up to doing much art, although I'll have a couple of pieces done in about a week to accompany some writing I did before I got sick. I don't know when or if I'll be back up to speed art-wise.
But just to get something new here, I present my Ten Tips from 30 years in Business, my response to this http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9363474/
1.) Don't expect to make money or get famous doing comics. It's a shit-ton of work, that you should only do if you're completely nuts about comics and have no social life.
1a.) Which is why there's so many multi-volume graphic novels that vanish after volume one.
2.) If you absolutely want to make good money in furry comics, you'll have to do porn. Deal with it.
3.) Talent will only get you so far. A lot (maybe most) of success is based on networking, self-promotion and social skills. Which kind of sucks because so many artists are introverts and lack decent social skills. Which is why there's so many starving artists.
4.) If you want to do comics or furry art, make sure to hook up with a spouse or significant other who can provide a stable income and (in the US) health insurance.
5.) If you want to get something done, you'll have to do it yourself. Learn to do it all-- including lettering, inking and coloring. Then you'll never be held hostage to someone else's whim.
6.) Finished is always better than perfect. It doesn't matter if it's not perfect. Get it done. The most brilliant thing in the world doesn't count for shit if it sits unfinished.
7.) Stay away from any and all video games. They're poison to productivity.
8.) Tastes change. Be prepared for the eventuality of your work going out of style, and other artists taking your place at the top of the heap. It can be a nasty shock. And it happens to everybody.
9.) If you don't rabidly read comics, your comics will show it. It's one thing to do pretty pictures, another to tell a story in comic format. People don't seem to get that.
10.) Do your story, don't just talk about doing it. As they say, talk is cheap.
But just to get something new here, I present my Ten Tips from 30 years in Business, my response to this http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/9363474/
1.) Don't expect to make money or get famous doing comics. It's a shit-ton of work, that you should only do if you're completely nuts about comics and have no social life.
1a.) Which is why there's so many multi-volume graphic novels that vanish after volume one.
2.) If you absolutely want to make good money in furry comics, you'll have to do porn. Deal with it.
3.) Talent will only get you so far. A lot (maybe most) of success is based on networking, self-promotion and social skills. Which kind of sucks because so many artists are introverts and lack decent social skills. Which is why there's so many starving artists.
4.) If you want to do comics or furry art, make sure to hook up with a spouse or significant other who can provide a stable income and (in the US) health insurance.
5.) If you want to get something done, you'll have to do it yourself. Learn to do it all-- including lettering, inking and coloring. Then you'll never be held hostage to someone else's whim.
6.) Finished is always better than perfect. It doesn't matter if it's not perfect. Get it done. The most brilliant thing in the world doesn't count for shit if it sits unfinished.
7.) Stay away from any and all video games. They're poison to productivity.
8.) Tastes change. Be prepared for the eventuality of your work going out of style, and other artists taking your place at the top of the heap. It can be a nasty shock. And it happens to everybody.
9.) If you don't rabidly read comics, your comics will show it. It's one thing to do pretty pictures, another to tell a story in comic format. People don't seem to get that.
10.) Do your story, don't just talk about doing it. As they say, talk is cheap.
As for your ten points, they're almost painfully true. Listen to the wise sage Roz Gibson, wannabe artists - she knows whereof she speaks.
Yes! Absolutely!
There's a LOT of really good advice in here for other content creators as well.
Also, I LOVE 1a.
As I was reading your tips I was going 'Yup! MmHmm. Boy howdy! That's for sure...". These aren't just tips. These are hard RULES!
Sorry you're down.
Get well.
Hugs
Bunners
Sorry you've been ill, glad you're improving.
Numbers 6 and 10 are almost universal!
Good advice, all of it. I know my writing will ever generate me a dime (okay, someone sent me four bucks for Ko-Fi, I think it was as much a friend thing as anything). I can't draw a straight line without a steel rule and a sharp crayon, so you won't see me filling your In-Box with YCH offers this year.
Hope you're better, and keep getting better.
the only self-published comic that was completed I know of is Cerebus. and it doesn't look like the creator had a live besides creating...
as for furry stuff... of all the stories in Furrlough that are not still dragging on the only one that was completed I think, was "Here Comes A Candle", which was later published as a GN with all three chapters in it. everything else didn't seem to survive after episode #13...
and if I'm not mistaken you published your comics yourself?
anyway, get well soon!
You've been a major influence on my art ever since I first saw your art in... I believe it was 1996 or so. Insofar as I have an art style, there's a lot of you in it.
I don't know what ails you and it's none of my business so I'll content myself with wishing you a reasonably speedy and complete recovery from whatever it is. Your art has delighted and inspired me for decades and I would be very sad if something happened to you.
Rest up and get well!
#3 is why I have decided, as of 2020, to stop trying to get my comics any kind of readership. I crazy-adore making them (your #1) and aim to keep making them for years to come, but I no longer am going to worry about sharing them places.
Currently, FA and Patreon are the only "social" places left I post (I like maintaining my own websites, so shall continue doing that), and both FA and Patreon (especially FA) are currently on my chopping block. I love creating, but I sure don't love posting.
Sorry, I made my comment all about me.
Anyway, I really like your Ten Tips list, and am sorry that you also got hit with some serious ailment. I hope you get better soon, and appreciate the hard work you've done in comics and art over the years... decades.
#3 is for pretty much any business. The amount of networking via groups, trade shows, online posts, etc, is barely enough to keep my business afloat... and my business (instrument repair) is primarily word-of-mouth.
#4. This. Hubby has been amazingly supportive, both financially and emotionally.
#5. Soooo true, not just for art. Learn how to do invoices, sales taxes, inventory management, etc. Hiring a lawyer and an accountant will be invaluable, but for the day-to-day business, it's all you.
I'm not going to touch #7, but yeah.... *coughs in World of Warcraft*
Good advice, Roz! I hope to see you at AC this year! *hugs*
I was wondering why your posts almost ceased in FA, but one day
Also looking forward for the day the next Griffin Ranger stuff comes out to the world.... whenever it may be or how long does it takes..
And thank you for the wise reminders.
I hope you will be getting better eventually. Health is the most important thing we have so look out for yourself.