Sage Stossel - Cartoonist Survey #143

Executive editor of The Atlantic Monthly Online and cartoonist, Sage Stossel grew up in the Boston area and majored in English and American Literature and Languages at Harvard University. While at Harvard she drew the weekly strip about college life, “Jody” for the Harvard Crimson newspaper. After college she took a temporary job at The Atlantic Monthly and soon became a full time employee, contributing Web site reviews, authoring interviews, illustrating, hosting message boards and producing the digital edition of The Atlantic on the Web.

Her weekly editorial cartoon which appears on The Atlantic Monthly Online, “Sage Ink” was launched on Election Day in 1996. Sage’s cartoons have been featured by CNN Headline News, The Boston Globe, The Provincetown Banner, the New York Times Week in Review, Cartoon Arts International/The New York Times Syndicate, The Palm Beach Post, Nieman Reports and many others places. She has created two children’s books, "We’re Off to Harvard Square" and "On the Loose in Boston". Her work is also in, "Attack of the Political Cartoonists" and the 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010 editions of the "Best Editorial Cartoons of the Year" books. Sage works in Boston and lives in Cambridge, MA. You can see many of her cartoons on her website and over at The Atlantic Monthly Online.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Uniball Roller Grip 0.5mm

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I use standard pencils (I can’t seem to draw with a mechanical pencil without breaking the lead.)
Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
By hand, but sometimes I make adjustments afterwards in Photoshop.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Usually watercolor.

What type of paper do you use?
Regular printer paper.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
I especially dislike drawing cars, which I'm embarrassingly ignorant about. Earlier this year, an editor sent a cartoon back to me because I’d accidentally drawn a car's door opening backwards.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
I like to go to the store in person.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
I entice the cat over to keep me company.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
I usually listen to NPR on my laptop.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I was into Peanuts and Garfield and the Asterix books.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Probably Peanuts.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I used to love a book called the Christmas Cat, by Tasha Tudor and her daughter Efner Tudor Holmes. I also loved Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. (I still have copies of both.)

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
No formal training, but after college (where it hadn’t occurred to me to take art classes) I took some adult education classes at the Museum School in Boston.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
It can be an addictive time-sink, and it's certainly taken its toll on the publishing industry, but I can't imagine not being able to look things up instantly, or work on projects and collaborate with people remotely.

Did either of your parents draw?
No, but my father’s mother was an illustrator.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My Dad started egging me on to do cartooning after I made him a humorous comic book for his birthday when I was twelve.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
I usually have a Mead 4 x 6" spiral-bound book of index cards (blank on one side) in my bag or coat pocket.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I taught cartooning to junior high and high school kids a few years ago. It was nerve-wracking, because the junior-high kids would get crushes on each other and express it by hitting each other over the head and so forth. But I learned a lot in the course of preparing to teach them about different facets of cartooning, and gathering examples. I also learned from the kids - like about Manga, which most of them were really into. And one kid was a graffiti artist, who would tell me about the world of tagging. He wanted to develop signature characters that could be drawn with a flowing line really quickly (presumably before the police could catch him). So I brought in a book of Al Hirschfeld caricatures for him to look at, which he loved. (He was convinced that Hirschfeld must have been a master tagger.)

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
I think it takes a combination.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Nothing intentionally, though I do end up with a lot of books.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Maybe Casper.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
My non-cartooning job is as an editor, which I enjoy.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
I sit or lie on the living room floor, with pens, pencils, erasers, and scratch paper spread out around me, and my laptop nearby.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I used to play the piano, but I don't have one at the moment.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Do other things, too, so it’s not just you and the Blank Page.

Who is your favorite artist?
I like Ed Sorel, Sempe, Red Grooms, Maira Kalman, Ludwig Bemmelmans, Winslow Homer, John Sloan, and lots of others, but I don’t have one favorite.


Thank you very much Sage.

Up next is Stephen DeStefano, storyboard artist, character designer and cartoonist.

Do You Keep A Sketchbook? - Cartoonist Survey Answers Compiled

Here are the compiled answers to the question, Do You Keep A Sketchbook?

The results are based on the answers provided by the first 100 cartoonists/artists.

Do You Keep A Sketchbook?

Yes - 67
No - 33

“My sketchbook is a witness of what I am experiencing, scribbling things whenever they happen.” – Vincent van Gogh

"You can't do sketches enough. Sketch everything and keep your curiosity fresh." - John Singer Sargent

"Do not fail, as you go on, to draw something every day, for no matter how little it is it will be well worth while, and it will do you a world of good." - Cennini

Jeff Corriveau - Cartoonist Survey #142

Television comedy writer turned cartoonist, Jeff Corriveau grew up in a small New England town. Like many kids his age, he spent hours poring over ‘Peanuts’ collections dreaming of creating his own strip. After graduating from college Jeff moved to Los Angeles and spent some time working in a couple of mystery theaters, while at the same time writing comedy. He sent out some of his writing and within a few weeks he heard back from Craig Kilborne, then Saturday Night Live and Jay Leno. Soon he got his big break and was hired as head writer for the Emmy-winning cable comedy show, Talk Soup. Jeff has written for many celebrities including, Sarah Silverman, Kevin Nealon, Jaime Pressley, Colin Quinn, Brooke Burke, Jenny McCarthy and many more.

While still a head writer for Talk Soup and contributing to SNL’s “Weekend Update”, he realized he wanted something more. He began working on his own comic strip and in 2006 DeFlocked made its debut in the La Canada Valley Sun newspaper in California. DeFlocked is set on an old farm and follows the adventures of Mamet, a self-absorbed sheep, Cobb the dog, Rupert his younger brother and Tucker, an 8-year-old boy who was raised by the dogs. The strip is based on Jeff’s love of ‘Peanuts’ and Norman Lear’s, ‘All in the Family’ sit-com. Syndicated by King Features in May of 2008, DeFlocked is still going strong and has gained a large fan base. Being a strong supporter of animal rights, Jeff has created a spin-off strip, ‘10% Wool’ exclusively for PETA and their campaign to end the abuse of sheep in Australia. '10% Wool' appears biweekly and can be seen here on PETA’s blog. Jeff currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. See more of DeFlocked here on the official website and also over at King Features.

What is your favorite pen to use?
I use mostly Microns to do my drawing, and Rotring lettering pens for my dialogue. My favorite pen is this fat ink stick buried in my art box called a Permaball. It’s the first rollerball pen to use permanent ink, and it truly is like writing on water. The ink is very dark and rich. I have the extra-bold 1.3mm version, which is impossible to find, unfortunately. I use it for loud dialogue or visuals that need a lot of extra emphasis.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
I’ve used the same purple plastic mechanical pencil since I started writing my strip. It cost 99 cents, it’s dirty, with a chip missing off the point, but I can’t let go of it. It’s a very abusive relationship. I don’t use a regular pencil, because I couldn’t imagine having to stop every five minutes to sharpen it.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
All Photoshop, man. It’s what allows me get 5 hours of sleep a night instead of four. I hear there are some guys who still hand-color their strips, though. Which astounds me.

What type of paper do you use?
2-ply Bristol Board. Rough finish. It holds the ink well without looking too “perfect.”

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Humans and cars. My inability to design a decent-looking homosapien is why I originally chose to populate my strip with animals. If you look through my first two years of strips, every human character looks like they were drawn by a different person. I’ve tried so many different styles. And cars are just maddening. If I don’t have a reference picture in front of me, all my cars look like they’re being driven backwards. I hear most people iron out these issues long before being professionally published, but I never like to follow the herd. I can’t draw herds either.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
There’s this big independently-owned art store in my town where I buy most of my stuff. They’re a little more expensive, but they have big twice-yearly sales where I get to stock up on all my kneaded erasers and Hello Kitty notepads.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
I’m not much into rituals. I would hate to be in an art form where you’re conditioned to do the same thing day after day after day.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Drawing is a mechanical process for me, so I can do just about anything. But the writing and penciling are a different story. It has to be like a crypt in my head before I can write anything I’d sign my name to. I have a ferocious self-editor, and it would be a lot tougher if he had to fight for my attentions with the lyrics of Right Said Fred’s “I’m too Sexy.” Just as an example.

I’ve heard of people who like to work in public places like malls or have the stereo blasting while they create. And, to a person, I can always tell. Their work generally seems more distracted and the writing more obvious.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I loved newspaper comics as a kid. Like most people, I had a set routine of which comics I read, in which order, and which comics I didn’t even glance at. I honestly can’t remember what one was my favorite, but I do recall having a very strong affinity to Fred Bassett. Which is shocking to my fans, who know my kind of dark pop-culture humor. But, coming from a broken home, I think I was drawn to the comfy hominess that always seemed to pervade that strip. Plus, the dog looked sad. I don’t think more than a handful of American papers even carry that strip anymore.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Peanuts is why I made the choice to do my own strip. It was an indelible part of my childhood. I devoured those books, checking the same ones out of the library week after week, and buying any new paperbacks I’d see in the stores. I discovered Calvin & Hobbes in college, long after I’d stopped reading comics, and it gave me those same feelings I had as a kid. Before puberty, of course.

But Peanuts is like that favorite old shirt that you can’t ever throw away, no matter how dated and tattered it is. It’s a part of my literary and emotional fabric. And DeFlocked was my tribute to Charles Schulz’s masterwork. I actually received a very nice note from Jeanne Schulz – Charles’ widow – when my strip premiered.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
“Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing,” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Two amazing pieces of storytelling. I don’t think I have my childhood versions, but whenever I visit my old hometown in Massachusetts, I visit the local library which still has the dog-eared 1970’s copy of “Charlie,” which I grew to adore. There are some benefits to local municipalities being broke.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
None. And now cue the chorus of comic fans chanting “True Dat!” I actually had a lot of drawing talent when I was a kid, but, like my ability to nail a birch tree at 30 yards with a shuriken, some things didn’t transcend into my adulthood. Like Neil Young said, “You can’t be twenty on Sugar Mountain.” Someone should put that idea into song.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Like most paradigm shifts, you can’t fully assess them without a full generation or two of context. It’s obviously hurting newspapers, and, by extension, comics. See me again when we can read emails by wealthy Nigerian princes straight from our corneas.

Did either of your parents draw?
My mom drew a little when she was younger. She was good, too. Her style was very cartoony. I never saw any of that growing up, though.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
I had a Jr. High art teacher named Mr. Devine who used to shake his head whenever he would see me walk by in the hallway. I later learned from others that he was so disappointed that I was throwing away my natural artistic talent by not seriously pursuing art. I guess that’s a kind of support. Sort of like those girls who punch you because they secretly like you. I had a lot of secret admirers.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
I do, but it’s filled with writing instead of art. I have four books filled with material for DeFlocked. But I’m constantly adding to it, so I never get to go back and mine the gold. Or at least the gypsum.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I would report any parent who let their child learn to draw from me.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
There are a lot of unsuccessful talented people in the world. Less so unsuccessful passionate people. For the most part, you can learn talent.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
I used to collect old books and toys from my youth – 70’s and 80’s. But then I became a Dad. So now I don’t have to live vicariously through myself anymore.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Jeckle from “Heckle and Jeckle.” My other passion is singing minstrel songs in a Southern black accent. You’d be surprised how few outlets there are for that kind of talent.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
I traveled a lot of the country in my 20’s, and I happened upon this Amish community in the heart of rural Ohio. I was greatly affected by this visit. I was taken by the strong community these people engendered and the simplicity in which they lived their lives. And the amazing part is that their numbers are growing, not dwindling like you’d expect. I felt very much at peace there. As if it was a reminder of what we all once had and subsequently lost. If I didn’t yearn like a vampire to become a millionaire through my art, I’d probably turn Amish and build houses and plant crops for a living.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Portable drawing board. Dining room table. Crap everywhere.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I played drums in high school.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Whenever I take on a goal in life, I always approach it like the Vikings who used to burn their ships behind them when they went into battle, so they couldn’t retreat. I have to be the best at whatever it is I do. And it’s helped me attain most of what I’ve accomplished in my professional journeys. If you truly want to do this, you have to approach it like a serious life choice. You have to be all in. You must tell yourself, “I’m going to be the best comic book illustrator. Or greeting card cartoonist. Or oil painter.” And then do that very thing. And if you need training or other areas of help to achieve that, do it. I mentioned a vampire analogy before, and it’s true. You have to have a bloodthirst for this stuff. And I don’t necessarily mean financial success. You have to be the very best at your vocation. No excuses. Anything less is called fry cook.

Who is your favorite artist?
Grandma Moses. I love her work. The way she approached folk art was incredible. I look at her paintings and they stir me. And her grandson Will later developed a similar style that evoked her sublime talents. He still paints today.


Thank you very much Jeff!

Up next is Sage Stossel, editor and cartoonist for the Atlantic Monthly Online.

Harvey Pekar 1939 - 2010

Very sad news today...underground comics writer Harvey Pekar has passed away.

Drew Brophy - Cartoonist/Artist Survey #141

Renowned surf artist Drew Brophy was born in Myrtle Beach, SC in 1971. Self-taught, he got his start as a young boy painting surfboards and dreaming of becoming a professional surfer. Drew traveled the world surfing and created artwork to offset the cost of his trips. He spent several years living and surfing in Hawaii until he moving to California in 1996 where he now lives with his wife Maria and their son Dylan. Known as the artist who pioneered the artwork of surfboard painting his art is recognized and collected internationally. His surfboards are sold in stores and art galleries around the globe and are collected by people such as Eddie Vedder, Uncle Cracker, Kid Rock and Vince Neil from Motley Crue.

Drew licenses his art to over 30 companies who print his artwork on greeting cards, t-shirts, stickers, fabric designs, tattoos, CD covers, shoes and much more. He has painted everything from large wall murals to guitars, motorcycles and cars. Managed and represented by Son of the Sea, Inc., a family owned business, Drew creates the art and his wife Maria runs the business. Often giving seminars and workshops at schools & colleges, Drew loves sharing his painting techniques and secrets of success. His recently published book, “How to Draw with Drew Brophy” is a great introduction to Drew’s style. See much more of his work here on his website, and visit Maria’s site often, for tips and advice on selling your artwork.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Uni Posca paint pens.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Any pencil on my desk. Usually standard.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer? Most everything is done by hand.
Computer work isn’t fun for me!

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Uni Posca water based paint pens. They are awesome. Once you try them, you’ll be hooked.

What type of paper do you use?
Most of my work is on large canvas or wood. I don’t work on paper too much.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
People’s dogs! And anything that I don’t like. I’m fortunate that most all my clients hire me to paint what I enjoy.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?Most of my supplies are from San Clemente Art Supply, a local store near my studio. For big jobs, I’ll buy wholesale online at SLS Arts.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
I listen to music. I’ll choose a song or an album for a project, and then listen to it over and over again until the job is complete. Drive my wife nuts!

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Rock and metal. Led Zeppelin’s my favorite. Right now I’m listening to AS I LAY DYING, a California metal band.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I’m a surfer, so I really liked Rick Griffin’s comics in Surfer Magazine.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
My favorite is BALDO. Read it every week in the paper.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
As a kid my parents had a huge stack of National Geographic magazines – like a hundred of them. I loved to read those. I have a subscription to National Geographic now, and it’s still my favorite read. A book that made big impact on me out of high school, and I still have it, is CREATIVE VISUALIZATION by Shakti Gawain. You could say it changed my life and I probably owe my career to it. You’ll have to read it to see what I mean…

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
No, although I was accepted into some good art schools. Just couldn’t afford them. So instead I took a job painting surfboards in Hawaii. It was the right decision for me at the time.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Absolute blessing. Before the Internet it was very difficult to reach people who liked my art. It’s a million times easier now. It’s a million times easier for everybody – so if you do the work to reach people, your art career will take off.

Did either of your parents draw?
My mother’s a pianist and my dad is a great artist. But he didn’t go in the art direction. He got into the flooring business instead. He still draws incredibly well.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My wife, Maria. She’s my business partner and I get to sleep with her! Seriously, though, she has always seen my greater potential, even when I didn’t. She pushes me to be better and better.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
I always have sketchbooks lying around with no real organization to them. I’ve always kept a written journal, too.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I give “Paint Pen Techniques” workshops a couple times a year for adults and then drawing classes for kids. I never planned to teach people, but I sort of got drawn into it. And then my wife and I give business of art lectures at trade shows and other venues.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Both are important. Without passion, you’re missing life. Someone can be a technical artist and have all the skill in the world to paint beautifully, but their paintings can be dead, lacking life and energy. I see this all the time. And then you can see a passionate child with crayons create a masterpiece with all the expression in the world.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Surfboards – I have about 40 right now. Some are works of art on the wall; some are collectors’ items and the rest I ride.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
I’ll have to think about this one for awhile….I’ll get back you on it!

Are you a righty or lefty?
Right handed.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
I’d mow lawns!

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
I draw where I’m comfortable, usually the couch in my studio.

Do you play any musical instruments?
I play the guitar, both electric and acoustic.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Don’t give yourself a plan B. Without a Plan B, you’ll be forced to make your plan to be an artist work. And get yourself educated on business. It’s as important as the art itself.

Who is your favorite artist?
My 8 year old son, Dylan. He’s getting good.


Thanks Drew!

Jeff Corriveau, television comedy writer and cartoonist for the strip DeFlocked, shares his answers next.

Austin Kleon - Cartoonist Survey #140

Austin Kleon is a writer, cartoonist and designer who grew up in southern Ohio. He graduated from Miami University in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. As a cartoonist, Austin draws and takes visual notes at live events such as the South by Southwest (SXSW) festivals, Austin City Limits and TEDxAustin. He is best known for his Newspaper Blackout Poems, which he creates by eliminating words from newspaper articles with a permanent marker. He started creating these in 2005 as a way to get through a period of writer’s block. Since then they have been featured in Toronto’s National Post, on NPR’s Morning Edition and all over the Internet. In April of this year Harper Perennial published a collection of his poems in the book, “Newspaper Blackout.” Austin enjoys using the web as a medium, designing websites, blogging and making videos. He loves to teach about writing, drawing, and creating better work through visual thinking and play. At his book signings and speaking engagements he covers a wide range of topics including, drawing basics, visual note-taking, Blackout poetry and blogging for creative people. Austin lives and works in Austin, Texas with his wife Meghan and their dog Milo. Be sure to check out Austin’s website which is loaded with samples of his work, how-to’s, videos and blog posts.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Fine Point Sharpie.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Nope!

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
Depends.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Probably plain-old Crayola crayons.

What type of paper do you use?
Whatever's on sale.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Cars! I hate drawing cars.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Both. Stuff like Pentel Brush Pens you hafta get online from JetPens or someplace like that. I often hit up Jerry's Artarama here in Austin.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Pet my dog? Drink a beer?

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I read newspaper comics and loved those Garfield paperback collections.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Peanuts.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?Ernie's Big Mess. It's probably still at my Mom's house.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
I took a few drawing classes at Miami University in Ohio.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
A blessing when it comes to getting your work out there, a curse to actually getting it done.

Did either of your parents draw?
No, but they gave me lots of supplies.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My wife.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yep!

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
I have. I love to teach.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Yes. I collect unread books.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Righty.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
I'm *am* an artist, and most of my money comes from my day job, designing websites.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Yes. Piano, guitar, and drums.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Don't. Get a day job you can stand and keep it.

Who is your favorite artist?
Dead: Saul Steinberg. Living: Lynda Barry.


Thanks again Austin.

Next time on David Wasting Paper is surf artist extraordinaire, Drew Brophy.

Developing a Price Sheet and Proposal

There is a great post over at MariaBrophy.com about developing a price sheet and proposal. Anyone who sells their artwork should definitely give it a read through.

Dylan Horrocks - Cartoonist Survey #139

Comic book writer and artist, Dylan Horrocks was born in 1966, in Auckland, New Zealand. While attending the University of Auckland his weekly strip, “Tisco George” ran in the student magazine, Craccum. In the late 80’s he had work published in both Australia’s ‘Fox Comics’ and the United States’ ‘The Dead Muse’ (Fantagraphics). Dylan moved to the United Kingdom and self-published several mini-comics including, ‘The Last Fox Story’ and ‘Opposite Equinoxes’. While in the UK he also co-founded the comics annual, Le Roquet. Returning to New Zealand in the mid-90’s he had a half-page color strip called 'Milo's Week' which appeared in the New Zealand Listener magazine. During this time his comic book, ‘Pickle’ was being published and ran for 10 issues until 1997.

In 1998 his graphic novel Hicksville, a tale about a town in New Zealand that is completely devoted to comics, was released by Black Eye Books. Hicksville, reprinted by Drawn and Quarterly, went on to win an Eisner Award in 2002 and has been translated into French, Italian and Spanish. In addition to winning the Eisner his work has been nominated for a number of Ignatz Awards, Harvey Awards and Prix d'Alph'Art. Dylan has written comics for Vertigo and DC Comics, including 25 issues of Hunter: the Age of Magic, 19 issues of Batgirl and 3 issues of Legends of the Dark Knight. He has also written about comics for magazines in New Zealand and America and has taught cartooning and comics history courses. He currently lives near Auckland with his wife and two sons. You can read much more about Dylan here at the Hicksville website and the Hicksville Comics website. Buy something from his store and make him happy. There is also a Dylan Horrocks page over at Drawn and Quarterly.

What is your favorite pen to use?
The Tombow GCD-111 (a felt tip pen from Japan). I'm also very fond of the Pentel GFPK Brush Pen (also from Japan).

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Mechanical pencil - usually with a 2H lead.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
Until recently, I did all my colouring digitally. But I've just started hand-colouring again, and I love it. From here on, I'll probably hand-colour most things (although some things will still be digital).

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Watercolour and gouache. Sometimes a little touch of coloured pencil.

What type of paper do you use?
Fabriano A3 cartridge paper (the Accademia Schizzi pads).

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Cars and horses. Actually, any form of transportation gives me trouble. I wish my characters just stayed where they were...

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
Usually a local one, but some things (like the Pentel brush pen) I get online from overseas.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
No, but I probably need to try using one. I'm very slow to get started. From seeing other people's warm-up drawings, I think I might start doing that.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Hell yeah. A wide variety of stuff (basically I put thousands of tracks on shuffle): mostly alternative, folk, some contemporary classical...

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
I read far too many comics as a kid. Tintin was probably my number one.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?Probably Peanuts. Of course, I love Krazy Kat and a lot of current alternative strips (Kaz, Lynda Barry, Tom Tomorrow, Lloyd Dangle [Cartoonist Survey #132], etc), but Peanuts is a masterpiece.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
A toss up between the Tintin books (couldn't choose one) and Tove Jansson's Moomin novels (ditto). And yes, I do.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
Only at high school, and it wasn't very good. My marks weren't good enough to go to art school after that, so I studied English instead. Sometimes I wish I had received more formal art training. I really don't know what the hell I'm doing...

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
Both. Mostly a blessing. But it can be quite the distraction.

Did either of your parents draw?
Yes, my father used to draw now and then. In fact, when he was a teenager, he considered taking up cartooning as a career. Once, when I was away with my mother for a few months, he drew me a whole comic book and tucked it into a letter. It was about a New Zealand farmer carrying out a commando raid on Hitler's bunker. I lost it years ago, but I can still remember what it looked like. I wish I could draw like that...

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My parents have always been totally supportive. My father would often bring me strange and wonderful comics he'd found (French BD, underground comics, etc). And my mother bought me my first Rapidographs and my first drawing board. Also my wife, who persuaded me to quit my day job years ago, and has supported what I do through thick and thin. She's pretty fabulous...

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yes, but not always. Sometimes a single sketchbook will last me several years. Other times only a couple of months. I tend to fill notebooks much more quickly, with writing and notes and doodles. But at the moment I'm drawing (and painting) in my sketchbook most days.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Yes, I teach quite often - usually guest lectures at design schools or English departments, plus workshops in schools and at festivals. I just taught a week-long workshop in Australia for a dozen really interesting cartoonists. That was the most challenging but also the most rewarding teaching I've ever done. I get a lot of satisfaction from it, but it is exhausting.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion. Definitely. Talent can make things a lot easier, but it can also make you lazy and your drawings facile. I'm often attracted to drawings that have a lot of personality and even awkwardness; slick virtuoso stuff usually turns me off. But sometimes, of course, people with enormous talent knock me dead (people like Craig Thompson, Blutch, etc).

Do you collect anything and if so what?
Role-playing games (Dungeons & Dragons etc). Rather obsessively. I mean, I play them too, but many of them I buy just to read and have on the shelf.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
Um... I'd like to say someone from a Miyazaki film, but actually I'm probably more like Donald Duck.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Lefty. And green. But I'm a big believer in tolerance and compassion.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
I'd love to be a librarian. Very cool job.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Cramped! I have a tiny workroom with a drawing board and a computer desk and another small desk with scanner etc. It tends to get very messy and cluttered, but I recently got rid of a lot of junk and took everything off the walls so it would be bare and peaceful. Visually peaceful, I mean; there's also a great big 20-year old stereo in one corner that I've plugged into the computer.

Do you play any musical instruments?
Guitar. Badly...

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Just draw all the time. And don't be afraid of making bad drawings - just draw and draw and draw and stay true to your own drawing voice. Also: enjoy it. If it's horribly painful and makes you unhappy, why are you doing it? For the money? What money?

Who is your favorite artist?
That's almost impossible to answer. Right now I'm obsessing over Sharyn Boyle's work in Kramer's Ergot. But there are so many... Throughout my life, maybe Tove Jansson.


Thank you again for answering my questions Dylan!

Up next is writer, cartoonist and designer, Austin Kleon.

Happy 4th of July!

In case you want to make your very own decorations for the 4th, here is a quick video which shows you how to draw a "dynamic eagle" step by step.



Have fun and be safe!

Howard Tayler - Cartoonist Survey #138

Howard Tayler was born in Florida in 1968 and is the creator of the very successful webcomic Schlock Mercenary. He graduated from high school in 1985 and moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University. After studying there for two years Howard volunteered to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He spent two years as a missionary before finishing up his Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition. Putting his music degree to good use, he co-founded the independent record label Sanctus Records which was primarily aimed at the Latter-day Saints market. Howard also worked for Novell, a multinational software and services corporation as a project manager. In 2000 he started publishing his webcomic, Schlock Mercenary and four years later he was able to quit his job at Novell to work full-time as a cartoonist and writer. Schlock Mercenary, which has been nominated twice for a Hugo Award and has won multiple Web Cartoonists’ Choice Awards, follows the adventures of a mercenary company aboard a starship in a 31st-century space opera setting. Since February 10, 2008, Howard has been producing a weekly writing tips podcast with best-selling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson and horror author Dan Wells. You can listen to these 15-minute fun and informative podcasts here on the Writing Excuses website. I have been listening to some of the podcasts while preparing this post and they are very good. Howard lives in Provo, Utah with his wife Sandra and their 4 children. Visit the official Schlock Mercenary website, store and blog. You can also read Howard’s Ramblings of a Happy Cartoonist livejournal.

What is your favorite pen to use?
Staedtler Pigment liners, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7. Gotta have all four or I can't get any work done.

Do you draw in pencil first and if so do you use a standard pencil or a mechanical one?
Mechanical pencils first. Soft lead.

Do you do your coloring by hand or on the computer?
Computer coloring for strips, hired out to Travis Walton who does brilliant work. Hand-coloring for some pieces of margin art, sketch cards, etc.

If you do your coloring by hand, what do you use?
Copic Sketch markers. I've got a full set.

What type of paper do you use?
8.5"x 14" 20lb bright white legal paper.

What thing(s) do you hate to draw?
Everything, if I'm in a hurry. When I'm not in a hurry I love to draw everything. Usually I'm in a hurry right about the time the backgrounds need to be added.

Do you buy your supplies from big chain art store catalogues/websites or a local one that you physically go to?
A bit of both.

Are there any rituals that you do before starting to draw?
Make sure I'm not going to need to get out of the chair for at least an hour or two.

Do you listen to music while you draw and if so what genre?
Yes. Electronica, atmospheric, movie soundtracks (Zimmer, Elfman, others), video game remixes, and occasionally pop/rock.

Did you read comics as a kid and if so what was your favorite?
You mean comic books? I didn't read any of those.

What is or was your favorite comic strip?
Bloom County, with Calvin & Hobbes and The Far Side tied for second.

What was your favorite book as a child and do you still own a copy of it?
I'm not really sure. I've been reading since age 4. There were too many books for me to play favorites.

Did you have any formal art training and if so where did you receive it?
One basic penciling class in college, Brigham Young University. No other formal training in visual arts. I majored in Music Composition with an emphasis in Sound Recording Technology.

Do you feel that the Internet is a blessing or a curse?
This question should be reworded." For instance: What do you see as the top three benefits of the Internet? Top three problems? Or: Some say the Internet is a blessing. Others say it is a curse. How do you respond to these statements?

Did either of your parents draw?
Not to my knowledge. My Grandmother painted extensively, though.

Who in your life is/was the most supportive of your art?
My wife.

Do you keep a sketchbook?
Yes.

Have you ever taught cartooning/drawing and if so did you enjoy the experience?
Yes, and yes.

Do you feel that talent or passion is more important in drawing?
Passion. Talent is irrelevant.

Do you collect anything and if so what?
28mm miniatures from Privateer Press. I paint them.

If you were an animated cartoon character who do you think you would be?
I don't identify with animated cartoon characters, or at least not with one in particular. If I see elements of my own personality in a particular character, that reflects the genius of the writers and the animators as they've made their characters accessible.

Are you a righty or lefty?
Ambidextrous, but I've trained my right hand for drawing. I throw and kick left-handed, but throw darts equally well right or left.

If you weren't an artist what would you want to do for work?
Write. Or maybe write music.

In one or two sentences describe your drawing area.
Inclined table with all tools close at hand, as well as a source of music and someplace to set my drink.

Do you play any musical instruments?
At one point in time I played over a dozen. These days I can sing well, but I'm out of practice on pretty much everything else.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who wants to pursue drawing as a career what would it be?
Draw something every day, and let that guide you. If you love it, you'll be great at it.

Who is your favorite artist?
Too many to choose from. I love James Christensen's work, as well as Frank Frazetta, Michael Whelan, Alex Ross, and Boris Vallejo.


Thank you very much for your time Howard!

Next on David Wasting Paper is Eisner Award winning, New Zealand cartoonist, Dylan Horrocks.