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As far as comics are concerned, some of us are fans, and some of
us are wannabe's. Then there are yet others who successfully make the
transition from fan to wannabe to artist. Breaking into comics as an
artist is never easy. But there are some who have the gumption and
the endurance to never take their eyes off the goal. I asked one such
person how she made the transition from fan to a paid and published
artist. Her name is Jeanette Atwood, who's website can be found at
www.tg-studios.com (being revamped),
and she is an up-and-coming artist who is finally getting paid to do what she loves.
Noelle:
When did you decide you wanted to pursue a career in cartooning?
Jeanette (Jet for short):
I knew when I was six years old I was going to be an artist when I grew up. I fell in love with animation then and discovered comic books when I was an early teen thanks to an older brother. I was also made the high school cartoonist and got enough notoriety that it pretty much sealed the deal.
Many of my friends have commented on how cool they think it is I actually do what I said I was going to do, but honestly...there was never any other option. I've had to have other jobs to pay the bills...but I'll always be a cartoonist.
Noelle:
What are some of the things/classes you took/ courses, etc. you have done to prepare?
Jet:
It's funny. I only took one art class in junior high where I think I was given a B...and then wasn't let into the advanced art class because I would be "a waste of space and definitely should NOT pursue a career in art." I was thirteen years old and the older I get, the more appalled I am at that art teacher. I took a bunch of art classes in high school but most of them were on the silly side of DUH.
Most of my training came from a lot of drawing on my own as well as reading. The two books that I credit with really rocketing my art forward are "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and "How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way." Another book that blew my little mind was Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud. For animation, hands down it would have to be Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson's "The Illusion of Life." I went to Sheridan College taking the Classical Animation program and that stretched far beyond anything I had been able to do before. The then 3 year course was the toughest thing I've ever had to survive and the most rewarding.
Seriously though, the best thing you can do is just draw, draw, draw! I always carry around a scrap of paper and a pencil to jot down doodles and ideas. And then DO them.
Noelle:
Any advice you would give an up and coming wannabe cartoon or comic artist?
Jet:
Start something! I did an online comic strip based on Xena: Warrior Princess and while I certainly did NOT make my self imposed weekly deadline it is a good idea to give yourself some sort of deadline/framework in which to work. Few things inspire more creativity than a deadline. Also don't be afraid of feedback. Finish a cartoon or comic and then publish it! Just put it on a website or on a live journal...someplace people can see it. The ability to FINISH things is a great skill to have. So many people (myself included) have half drawn ideas, unfinished comics...for someone to finish something and put it out there says a lot about the person.
Also, write, write, write! Write down your dreams, ideas for stories, cheesy little poems. I've started writing silly bits of poetry because I have found that it helps spark other ideas.
Noelle:
Tell us about your new job (and add any shameless plugs).
Jet:
I am working as an animator for a new game company, Smartbomb Interactive. We're quite new so we haven't worked on anything that anybody would have seen but it's a lot of fun. I'm making the transition from 2D to 3D animation and am having fun learning Maya. With that I am working on a compilation of LDS cartoons. There has been a lot of interest in them and a few people (myself included) think it's high time for a new Mormon cartoonist (especially a GIRL) to break into the scene.
In my copious spare time (haha) I am also developing out a new comic strip called Red Sparrow. I'm really excited about it and hope to launch it near the end of September. I think it'll be a lot of fun. I'm having a ball already writing and drawing it.
Noelle:
Are there any sites you recommend to visit?
Jet:
keenspot.com is always good to see different comic strips. I really believe the best stuff for comic strips is out on the web. The world of newspaper syndication is a tough biz and the slots don't go to the best and the brightest. If that were the case Garfield would have been outed 20 years ago. I also like to check out Scott McClouds site.
www.scottmccloud.com I don't always agree with everything he has to say but it always makes me think. One of these days I would like to try his 24 hour challenge...to write and draw a 24 page comic in 24 hours. Whew and all that!
Also, because I am shameless, you can check out my now retired comic at
www.xenafan.com/battleon/ It's fun for me to go back and look at it on occassion because it's almost a journal for me. I can look at every comic and remember where I was when I drew it and see all the different things I was trying artistically and see how the strip evolved.
Noelle:
Who is your favorite comic book artist?
Jet:
I'm a big fan of Terry Moore. He can actually DRAW people...that aren't utterly idealized, that have definite features, that can flux in weight and are still recognizable...and he has a line quality to die for.
Noelle:
What about him/her inspires you?
Jet:
Well, with the aforementioned stuff, he also has to be highly motivated, seeings as how he cranks out an issue a month, (writes, draws, letters AND inks) and still does a few other projects on the side. And he writes so WELL.
Noelle:
Who is your favorite classical artist?
Jet:
Michelangelo. That guy knew FORM.
Noelle:
Jet:
Again, I think it's really important to be open to feedback. It's always a risk to put your stuff out but without other people to see it, it almost renders your work meaningless.
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