I read a post by Seth Godin a couple of weeks ago, and in it, he mentions that:
“No one reads a comic strip because it’s drawn well.”
I almost yelled out a loud “YES!” (barred only by the fact that I was in a public place at the time) because that’s one of the main things I keep harping on and on about whenever I speak to students or people who tell me that their work isn’t good enough to be shown.
It’s not about coloring in the lines, nor making that perfect technically executed piece.
It’s not about making sure you’ve dotted out all your i’s and crossed all your t’s.
It’s not about comparing yourself to others, nor putting yourself up to impeccable standards set by others.
I’ve come across so many different illustrations, comics and graphic novels that might not be fit into the mainstream standard of “pretty” – but are powerful, thought-provoking and edgy. Here are a few examples:
Avoid This – a collection of illustrations by Brian Rea (who also regular on the NYTimes, illustrating a segment called Modern Love)
Allie Brosh illustrates how dogs don’t understand basic concepts at Hyperbole and a Half
Excerpt from The Bun Field (published by Drawn & Quarterly) – a collection of five stories by Amanda Vähämäki
Historical figures with a twist of humor by the inimitable Kate Beaton
The Oatmeal – a webcomic by Matthew Inman that pokes fun at almost everything under the sun.
Ryan North draws dinosaurs that talk in Dinosaur comics
Rob DenBleyker for Cyanide & Happiness
It’s all about the story behind them that makes them stand out.
Just think about it:
What makes you want to scribble your thoughts down so quickly that you don’t mind the messiness of the process? What experiences, thoughts and things that you want to say that you find yourself continuing your lines right off the edges of your sketchbook – just so you won’t have to turn the page and lose that train of thought?
What propels you get your ideas out there as fast as possible?
Great illustrations/stories/comics start with ideas first, execution second. If your idea doesn’t resonate with others, no amount of great execution can help – and on the other hand, if you have a great idea, execution is secondary to the transmission of the idea itself.
Your fans (or non-fans) will figure it out sooner or later, no matter if it’s the former or the latter.
More: Cyanide & Happiness
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