Something always comes up, but it means I can really stack up all the fun updates before you hear from me again.
I recently moved from Orange County, CA to Brooklyn, NY! So the total silence has been because I've been real busy packing and downsizing from a house to a cosy apartment. I also ended up getting acute appendicitis days after we landed and got to speed run NYC's hospitals, or as I like to tell people, I got the Bringing Out the Dead interactive experience. (I have still yet to meet someone who gets this reference...)
I'm feeling much better now, so here's some stuff I'd like to share!
Cold Hands, Cold Heart is available to read online for free!
Check out the first 5 pages of Cold Hands, Cold Heart chapter 1 on InfernallyEmployed.com. A new page will be uploaded every Monday.
If you're dying to read ahead or prefer print media, the first two chapters are available as risograph comic zines that can be purchased from my online store.
I'm on Patreon now!
You can also read Cold Hands, Cold Heart comics on my Patreon. The reason why I decided to hop onto this platform is because I wanted a space to dive deeper on each page of Cold Hands. For each page, I wanted to share the thought process into the set and character design, the Japanese mythology covered, and more.
There's also a LOT more I'm offering there, so here's an intro post on what to expect as a free or paid member.
Sharing as much creative tech knowledge as I can
You may have noticed there's also a couple of tutorials and comics resources floating around on my Patreon.
I have been toying with the idea of expanding my teaching efforts beyond the very small handful of clients whose comics I consult on. My dear friend Suzan, who's also on Patreon, has always pushed me to recognise that technology doesn't faze me in the slightest and that I should use this "superpower" to help others who are struggling to make their comics digitally.
This is not an issue of me hoarding my knowledge, but more so not being confident in myself to teach other people properly.
So with my first step in the right direction, I have some goodies for you today.
Create a Digital Comic Template in 5 Easy Steps: mini zine and full guide
If you've ever struggled with getting your comic in the right size for print, you'll love this mini zine! I'll be handing out free copies at SPX for newsletter subscribers, new and existing (just let me know if you stop by).
For those not going to SPX, you can find the PDF for this zine on my Patreon - all you have to do is join for free to access the download link. Feel free to print and distribute this zine to your heart's content.
There is an expanded version of Create a Digital Comic Template in 5 Easy Steps which is also free to read, because you can only fit so much info on a tiny 8-page zine without making the text miniscule.
Digest-sized comic page templates for those who just want to dive into drawing
I finally got around to cleaning up my personal template that I have always used when creating digest-sized comic zines!
For Procreate and Clip Studio Paint artists who don't want the stress and hassle of making sure their page is sized - I got you! Template files are available for download for paid members on Patreon (or you can buy the template outright). I recommend doing this on your computer so you don't get hit with higher prices due to Apple's iOS in-app purchase fees.
And if you're still stuck and want help...
Think of me as your comics "IT Support". I can work with you to ensure your template is correct. Or, I can even work with you before your pages go to print, to make sure you're not about to drop good money on misprinted comic zines!
Whatever you need help with, reach out to me and I'll see what we can do.
Paying it forward
My cartoonist friends have been busy doing cool things that I don't want to shut up about:
- Suzan Colón, whom I mentioned earlier in this newsletter, launched her Patreon recently! Join her and a huge cohort of folks participating in #Selfietember, an annual 30-day self-portrait drawing party. As a member, you'll also be notified every time there's new pages of her WRASSLIN' CENTAURS comic.
- Matthew Shultz aka toadyco will be launching a fundraiser soon for a digest collection of his Teeny Weeny Ziney comics. The fundraiser is still in progress, but in the meantime subscribe to his newsletter to be notified when it launches.
- Andi Spark recently won the Solstice Magazine's Summer Writing Contest under the Graphic Lit category for her short comic, Sans Peur. It's a beautiful comic where she reflects on an aspect of her childhood.
- Linda Watson, creator of the Our Turning webcomic series, set up a zine box for the Evelyn Jackson Wild Life Garden! If you're in the area, you can pick up the first zine available that she made titled Who Lives Here? Monarchs!.
- Lynn Dimick relaunched her Patreon recently where you can read pages of her webcomic, Epilogue; she's currently occupied with many other creative pursuits, but it's worth keeping an eye on her Patreon in case she works on more paeges in the future!
Upcoming events
Small Press Expo (September 12-13): I'm tabling with my friend Zareen Choudhury at table N4! (Suzan Colón unfortunately can no longer make it, but we will be selling her works at our table regardless.)
SPX runs from 11am-7pm on September 12 and noon-6pm on September 13.
Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville, MD 20852.
