Amateur fantasy author looking for female artist

[thealmightygord]

Howdy!

I'm working on a fantasy serial (short episodes instead of one long Tolkien), and it occurs to me that it could easily translate into comic format.

The vision is an episodic fantasy series, a very long-term one. The basic premise involves a clan of nomads trying to survive in a world of magic and monsters; they are under constant threat from the denizens of the "Dawnless Woods," but they also thrive by hunting those same threats. Of course, even for this savage family concerned only with survival, nothing is as simple as it seems.

First, though, the female thing is important for me. I'm very aware of the current status quo, and I don't like it. There are legions of female comic fans out there that have been tolerating stories designed for teenage boys. I may be a teenage boy at heart (at 29, however pathetic that is), but I don't want to alienate the teenage girls. I'm looking for not only an artist, but someone to help me keep my characters believable, and the stories interesting to both genders.

The bechdel test ain't enough. I want your perspective.

I'm not published yet and I don't expect you to be either. I've done some research on storyboarding and writing for comics, but I have a lot to learn. It's perfectly fine if you have lots to learn too.

I'm going to carry on with this project whether it's illustrated or not; as such, I have the first draft of the first episode done. It's a first draft for a reason, we can change everything if you like what you see.

http://www.protagonize.com/story/a-harv ... ter-book-1

The pros of working with me: I'm super flexible, and since I'm working another job to pay the bills, you're more likely to be giving me deadlines than vice-versa. Not only am I flexible with time, I'm flexible with content. If you like everything except (whatever), we can find a compromise on (whatever).

The cons: I'm not established. I have ambition and I take this seriously, but all I have to show for my work is that work. You'd be starting from scratch with me. Plus, I gotta pay dem bills. I may have a head start on ya, and I've been keeping a good pace on the second episode, but there may be times I run out of things for you to do.

[Ruyei]

There aren't a lot of female artists in general so you may be shooting too high. But if you find one lurking best of luck to ya! The female artists I've found tend to draw in a cartoony style and are often doing it for fun rather than for profit. This can lead sadly to the artists not following through.

Artists in general are hard to keep on a project unless you pay them, something to keep in mind.

Sincerely,
Ruyei

[thealmightygord]

Thanks for the input. I think you're right, I may be lookin' for unicorns. Figure ya can't know unless ya try, right?

I'm not lookin' for a specific style, and my schedule is very lax, so I tricked myself into hoping it's possible ^_^

[cabepfir]

The female artists I've found tend to draw in a cartoony style and are often doing it for fun rather than for profit.

This is a rather gross generalization. While it's true that female artists are still fewer than men, they are still professionals and their style varies as those of male artists. Just think of Fiona Staples, Emma Rios, Claire Wendling, Rebecca Guay, Becky Cloonan, Amy Reeder, Amanda Connor; and outside the USA, Laura Zuccheri, Lucilla Stellato, Sara Pichelli, just to name a few.

I am a professional female artist, I work for profit and I don't have a particularly cartoony style. Please don't spread sexist generalizations.

[thealmightygord]

^_^

[Ruyei]

Just going off my own experience. Judging by the artists I've worked with (although I did work one with a more "american" style) all the female artists I've worked with have a "cartoon" or "manga" slant. It's like the trend with male artists to draw women who are "seductive" with exaggerated figures and more objectified. I personally like working with female artists because this objectification is often less prevalent and is often a good break from working with an artist who likes posing his characters in titillating positions. As much as it seems to make sense to say that men and women are "equal" in a general sense male and female cultures differentiate just as cultures differentiate across cultures. I'm not saying there aren't women who break the mold, in fact I have seen men who draw very much like what I would expect from a woman in regards to a more realistic feminine figure. However I am speaking generally, there will always be acceptance to "rules" and generalizations will always be false to differing extents. However generalizations still have truth in them that if you were to take a female comic artist I feel you'd be most likely to see an artist with cartoon or manga elements in her work. Again, I'm speaking mostly from the artists I'm working with. It is indeed true that women and men come in all shapes and sizes artistically. I was merely commenting on a trend I noticed that defines most of the female artists I've come in contact with. Stereotypes are usually only bad when talking to someone who is making assumptions secondhand.

Sorry for offending (though I admit this isn't much of an apology)
Sincerely
Ruyei

[cabepfir]

I have worked both with female and male writers, and I'd never dream of saying that female writers do that "just for fun" (implying that they are not professional in their approach) or that they only write about girly themes, for example.

Discouraging thealmightygord from looking for female artists and belittling female artists at the same time - it is implied that because since they draw cartoonishly, as you say, they are not fit for a fantasy story - is incredibly disparaging. Even if you believe you are not denigrating female writers and artists, you are certainly not encouraging their presence and not building the ground for more female artists and writers to step into the industry. If you like working with female artists, as you say, you should demonstrate so by defending their place in the comic world. Especially since you act as a moderator in this forum, I'd expect more respect from your part.

Thealmightygord, I saw that you received good advice on reddit about translating your story into a script format. I wish you to find a good female artist of your choice, and good luck!

[Ruyei]

I was discouraging him to ONLY look for female artists due to how few they are. There aren't many artists out there to begin with and looking just for that criteria is severely limiting.

I have nothing against female artists and do believe there are professional ones out there. It's just in my experience there aren't that many and those I have found in the past...well...to be honest a lot of male artists bail as well and I admit it may have something to do with the low amount of female artists I find compared to male ones if we were to use statistics. I do stand by the statistic however that female artists are more inclined do use manga and cartoon elements in their work however, and that looking for exclusively female artists may be limiting ones options. Some new writers may only get one to three artists respond, and none of them female, especially on this forum. If female artists is what he wants trying other forums helps in addition to this one (Don't know why I didn't think of this before). Smackjeeves is a good bet (though you'll going to get artists below pro) and digital webbing simply has a larger audience than Zwol.

I think this will be my final reply on this thread.
Sincerely,
Ruyei

[liminalsoup]

If the book is created by an all female team, there may be way more marketing potential. The comic will stand out a little, get reviews, get publicity, etc. It's not a terrible idea (as long as you have no moral qualms about discriminating against men and just want to make $$$).

[thealmightygord]

I love everyone.

[Staarkednav]

Hi, I hear you. I am trying to make a difference in the comic world by joining the ranks. Please have a look at my online portfolio www.klv.carbonmade.com

~Nameste