And opening a new chapter! Plus my top advice on inking comics
This week I started a new chapter of my life. For the past decade, I’ve been working part-time as a freelance graphic designer, and part-time making graphic novels.
In 2023, I scaled back on graphic design since I have a graphic novel book deal, and this year, I decided to leave it entirely to try to focus on making graphic novels and developing a new business focused around art-related virtual workshops.
I’m still in the process of figuring out exactly what that workshop business will look like–will it be more about creating habits/structure to enable making art? Emotional skills that will help with being an artist writer (i.e. self-compassion)? Or technical comics skills?
Since my graphic novel is due to my publisher in April, I’m spending the next few months planning and brainstorming. Let me know if there’s something you’d like a workshop on!
Comics Advice for Inking: Stop multitasking
Watch this video for more:
I’m almost 200 pages into inking my middle grade graphic novel and I wanted to share my top inking advice: stop multitasking while inking.
I realize this is probably not a popular stance–my understanding is that most cartoonists love inking because they listen to audio books or podcasts while doing it. And if that process works for you, certainly keep doing it!
But multitasking doesn’t work for me and I find it’s really important to my quality of work, enjoyment, and speed to be present with the page and little else.