Comics Artist — How To Find Dream Job
Written by Michael on October 7, 2006 – 11:31 am -
In the 15th of my new Ask-A-Pro series, I’d like to present you with Anthony Pearce, comics artist and all things graphical entertainment.
In the Ask-A-Pro format, I’ll tell you a little about the author and how-to-find-your-dream-job expert . . . then via the Comments section to this post, please feel free to ask a specific question about the career or job in question.Anyone (expert or not) is free to post responses to your query, and I or the author/how-to-find-your-dream-job pro may chime in as well. This is your chance to get unbiased advice from a real, honest-to-goodness-been-there-done-that dream job professional.So, here goes . . . Anythony Pearce and the entertainment writing and graphics business.A graduate of the School of Creative Arts in San Diego, Anthony Pearce has been living and breathing comics since he could walk. He has been writing freelance articles for Wizard, The Comics Magazine and its subsidiaries since 1995, including a feature on the correspondence course offered by the Joe Kubert School of Cartooning. As an artist he’s provided advertising illustrations for companies like Victoria’s Secret, Home Depot, Origins, and the graciously short-lived Beer-In-A-Bag. His penciled comics include She, Jordan, Furberg, Hairoine, Writer’s Bloc, and the upcoming Crazy-8’s.
Dream Jobs To Go Title
How To Break In As A Comics Artist
Current Profession
Screenwriter/ Illustrator/Storyboard Artist/ Production Designer/ Producer
Websites or Blogs You’d Like Us To Know About
http://www.myspace.com/gothkgrafx and http://imdb.com/name/nm2000423/
What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Writer/Illustrator?
I wear so many hats in the entertainment field, but if I was unable to do any of them I would probably be working in some aspect of marine biology. I’m fascinated by sea life.
Life Philosophy
Every step towards your goal leaves your competition one step further behind.
Favorite Food
My wife’s oven-baked parmesan chicken. The one food I could honestly gorge myself to death on.
Favorite Read
Neverwhere, Apt Pupil, Return to Sodom and Gamorrah, Elements of Style, and Breakfast with Sharks
Favorite Authors
Harlan Ellison, Charles Pelligrino, Carl Sagan, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, Alan MooreÂ
Favorite Travel Destination
Grand Cayman, for the incredible diving.
Favorite Music
Goth/Industrial, 80’s New Wave, anything that makes me think, laugh, or move.
Favorite Movie
Exorcist 3. There are thousands of others, but that’s #1.
Favorite City
Portland, OR
Your Hobbies
Collecting . . . movies, comics, books, music, images, and all the wonderful, magical things that clutter my art studio.Â
Favorite Websites (Other Than Your Own)
IMDB.com, boxofficemojo.com, comics2film.com, youtube.com, superherohype.com, feardetention.com
Favorite Quotation
The world is my country, science my religion. Christian Huygens
Favorite Drink
Pepsi One
Why Do You Live Where You Do?
I work in movies. The Hollywood area was mandatory.
If You Could Live Anywhere You Wanted, Where Would It Be? Why?
Portland was my favorite city to live in, but LA’s been good to me. My dream home? Near tropical waters, I guess. Maybe Hawaii.
The Greatest Things About Being A Writer/Illustrator
Making my own hours and working from home. The freedom to pick my gigs is incredibly liberating. I keep everyday different. I don’t storyboard two feature films back to back, or draw consecutive comic issues. I’d rather split them up, enjoy them more, and not burn out.
The Worst Thing About Being A Writer/Illustrator
Freelancing can be feast or famine. Even with an established clientele and a ton of referrals you can still go through dry spells. It’s hard to go back to farming for jobs, but if you like to work the lulls are pretty brief. Enjoy a little down time, work on your own projects, and be ready for that next big gig.
If A Young Person Approached You About Getting Into Comic Book Illustration What Would You Say?
It’s a good career, but don’t limit yourself. Video game designers, storyboard artists, illustrators, they all do essentially the same thing. So learn from sources outside comics to be a better comic artist AND be prepared for other opportunities that come along.
If An Older, Career-Changer Approach You About Getting Into Comic Book Illustration, What Would You Say?
It’s a big field. Maybe some publishers are more eager to scoop up young flavor-of-the-month kids that are easier to control, but others appreciate an artist who’s a mature professional, who delivers on time, and who understands that it’s a business as well as a fantasy come true.
The Most Important Piece Of Advice Anyone Ever Gave You About Art
Violate the page. You never keep the first mark you make anyway, so take control of the blank canvas, or the blank page, and roll forward.
Any Other Advice You’d Like To Share With People Who’re Thinking About Getting Into Comic Book Illustration?
Draw, draw, draw. Sure, everyone says that, but that’s because the only way to be a better artist is to draw, draw, draw. And that doesn’t mean stagnate repeating the same stylistic errors you’ve always made because they’re too much work to change. It means learn, learn, learn. Identify your weaknesses, accept them, attack them head on, conquer them, check them off your list, and move on to the next one.Â
Any Other Comments About the World Of Work You’d Like To Share?
Communicate clearly and honestly. Lies and misunderstandings lead to heartache. This means don’t miss deadlines and never hide from an editor/producer when you’re running behind. Fess up and then catch up. It means don’t be vague, know what you’re worth and ask for it. But first be worth what you’re asking. . . then, deliver. These industries can breed dishonesty and you may find, as I have, that straight shooters are rare enough to make you invaluable if you’re just brave enough to be honest.
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Posted in Art-Related, Ask-A-Pro |
October 30th, 2006 at 4:23 pm
I’m not interested in a career in comics (well, I’m one of those jack-of-all-trades types who has considered just about every possibility, so it has crossed my mind, but not seriously). BUT one thing you said really hit me. “Violate the page.” I think all of us, in one way or another, need the courage to “violate the page” and just stop analyzing and take action.
I appreciate the ask-a-pro series and all the “pros” who are answering when “asked.”
Julinda
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:11 am
I am an artist who has worked as a graphic designer for 10 years and now for the State as an Internet Webmaster. I would love to be a comic artist. What would be the first step to such an indevoar? I am middle aged. I also write and am working on my freelance website and a book. Any suggestions?
Issy