writer seeking artist for webcomic (no pay)

[clyons]

Hello, I would love for an artist to email me for us to create a webcomic.

If interested email corey244@live.com
I will tell you the details when emailed.

[Ruyei]

Um, I'm guessing you're new here. Here's a few tips from a relative veteran who, as a writer, has gotten plenty of artist through Zwol and continues to use from time to time.

Here's the thing, you will be judged by your project pitch. On your forum post I see nothing at all, few artists if any are going to go through the extra effort to e-mail you. The fact is that here on the forum we are inundated by amateur writers and a good bunch don't get paired up with an artist due to their being so many more writers than even rudimentary artists. Still, you made an admirable first step, you put yourself out there. Now you have to complete that step and not only represent yourself but your actual project. I know a lot of writers here are afraid that their idea will be stolen but truthfully I feel that a "thief" of your ideas would only steal your initial concept. What's groundbreaking about many concepts is how they are approached, not what they are. So in other words the "thief" would still your rudimentary basic concept (If he would care to) and not the most important thing. And that would be you, the writer.

Now definitely describe your idea in detail, most importantly imparting the essence of your story so that the artist truly understands what it will be like drawing the story. This doesn't need a 20 page story bible though, you could probably summarize it within one to three paragraphs. It also wouldn't hurt to explain your writing background if you have any, as well as linking to some of your best work or to even show a script. I would highly recommend the latter since I feel it's a shame that artists have to show their work and writers don't. But this is optionally, simply presenting your story well should get you an artist.

Here's the thing though, you're just starting out and you're not paying, this means that you're not going to get a professional style artist. You're probably going to get a talented newcomer like yourself. There are PLENTY of things wrong with being a talented newcomer on both the artist and writing sides. Note that your artists may exhibit these habits and make sure that you don't yourself

1. The artist will probably be very slow. An example I have from my own experience is an artist taking close to a year to finish his 12 page piece. Do NOT be slow. Stay ahead of your artist scriptwise so that your artist always has story to transcribe visually. As for your slow artist, there's nothing you can do about it really, just be prepared for it and continually check up on him at around once every two weeks or so.

2. The artist may get busy and not contact you for a month. Even worse, the artist would be very excited at first and then forget about you and will never respond to you again. This happens to artists too! So stay in contact with your artist even if you yourself have things on your plate

3. Sorta falls into number 2 but, the artist may lose interest in the project and drop out. This may because he's become busy, artist's block, or simply doesn't like your style and wants to work with someone else. All three have happened to me and don't take it personally unless you get consistent feedback pertaining to problems they have with you that keep on popping up. On the same token if you start to lose interest in the project or get writer's block note that doing so will mean you have failed and will call into question your very ability to make a comic in the first place. If this does happen to you think a little bit before starting on something new, mature as a writer a bit so that it doesn't happen again.

So yeah, be prepared, making comics is not as easy as you think it's going to be, both pushing yourself and your communication skills to the limits. You will meet many failures but if you find you like the craft, keep at it.

Here's one last note though...please please please don't do a webcomic. You're just starting out and a webcomic is a huge commitment, mostly for an artist more than you. In order to make a webcomic you need to develop a strong enough relationship with an artist in order to work long term, and you won't make that relationship through one post on Zwol. Work on short projects at first and get to know artists. In other words, do a short 10 page chapter first and if you guys like each other go for the gold.

Sincerely,
Ruyei

[neuralclone]

Ruyei, as always, offers some sound advice.

I've been making comics for just over a year now and what I've come to learn is money talks, or in this case draws. You can find really great artists who will pencil/ink for as low as 30 per page. If you're serious about making a comic it's a worthwhile investment. I work with an art studio in Brazil on several of my comics, if you're interested in contracting them PM me and I can give you their contact info.