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Comics 101
Art tips and techniques, reviews and interviews from my studio. Archived here and at World Famous Comics.

Comics 101 Archives

Comics 101 for 11/20/2003
Book Recommendations for Comic Book Artists and Creators
Dear Mr Corroney,

I just discovered your website through Tony Isabella's column and was wondering if you might devote one or two columns to books for the wanna be comic book artist. Books, that say give a guide to proportioning, anatomy, reference,just the kind of books that would be a help to readers. I mean your columns are very good and informative (not wanting to sound like I'm sucking up) but I like how you tell the story when it comes to your comic book work, straight to the point (ie, does not go overboard), yet still very stylish. BTW, I am thinking of taking out a subscription to Sketch, but I am kinda worried that I may have missed something important or that it may not contain the information I need. Could you give me some advice and info about the mag if you have the time.

Thanks for reading this, and these are only suggestions, I won't stop reading the column if you'd rather not implement them.

Sean
Hi Sean,

I'm glad you discovered me through Tony's Isabella's column. It means your reading both of us and it always makes me feel special to be mentioned in the same sentence with a gifted writer and a pro like Tony.

There are indeed some good books out there for comic book artists looking to get their foot in the door or improve their work. It was recently recommended to me by one of my students that HOW TO BREAK-IN TO THE COMIC BOOK BUSINESS! published by Blue Line Pro is a very good reads and is also very informative.

Here's the lowdown on the book...
There's a lot more to getting started in the comics business then writing, drawing and coloring! Learn the dos (and many don'ts) of becoming a professional comic book creator. From the first con visit to self-publishing to guiding the adventures of your favorite character, this book will show you the inside info you need in order to stand out from the crowd and realize your dreams. Get practical tips from established pros and struggling newcomers. Follow the story of three aspiring creators as they make their journey from fans to professionals. Issue #2 picks up where the first left off and focuses on the mecca of comic book meeting places: the convention. Get practical tips on how to present yourself to your peers, make valuable contacts, and build a solid fan base. Whether you plan to be a full-time comic pro or just want to see a glimpse behind the scenes, How To BREAK-IN to the Comic Book Business! will both entertain and inform. 32 pg. B&W $5.95
You can purchase both issue #1 and #2 of this book at the Blue Line Pro website here...

http://www.bluelinepro.com/

If you are serious about acquiring as much knowledge as possible about the comic book industry then you should really check out Sketch magazine. The information comes from real creators in the business so you can't beat that.

But if you are worried you may have missed something in a previous issue but don't want to shell out the cash for all of them or have trouble tracking a certain copy down then you should pick up a copy of THE BEST OF SKETCH MAGAZINE VOLUME #1 from my Stuff to Buy section. At a whopping 144 pages it contains a new interview with Top Cow artist Michael Turner along with selected re-mastered tutorials from some of Sketch's greatest issues which have been collected for this essential volume of instructional comic-book techniques. This timely information includes articles on penciling, digital coloring and inking as well as an early in-depth interview with the creator of Kabuki, the great David Mack.

For more specific reference books that I use in my everyday work and recommend to my own comic book class students, you should definitely check these out at your local library or pick them up if you have the funds since the information contained in these will serve you for years to come...
And it would benefit you to have an instructional perspective drawing workbook on hand at all times. In my comic book illustration course, along with figure drawing, I really stress the emphasis of perspective and structural drawing in comic books. The book that I use is published by our school but there are number of books out there you can find on the subject as well, and they are specifically geared for comic book artists.

Blue Line Pro also publishes such a book by comic book artist Patt Quinn called PERSPECTIVE FOR COMICS. It's a 48 page full color volume that reveals the mystery behind the techniques and principles of perceptive and fully breaks it down with step by step visuals. Simple concepts such as vanishing points and horizon lines are demonstrated as the basic framework for placing anything in perspective as well as creating time honored dynamic storytelling effects. All of this is achieved with complete and precise narratives complimented with hundreds of step by step illustrations that combine to construct a full understanding of perspective in comics. It retails for $12.95 and can also be purchased directly from the Blue Line Pro website.

Hope this information helps and puts you on track towards your comic book goals. And thanks for checking out my column!

Good luck!

-Joe

<< 11/13/2003 | 11/20/2003 | 11/27/2003 >>

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Archives >>

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