An artist looking for writers

Floofy

I wasn't sure where to write this- I considered putting it into the Writer's block but I've not lurked very much there and I'm not sure whether it'd be appropriate or come across as trolling.

In a nutshell- I'm an artist with an interest in creating comics, but I'm not much of a writer myself. I'm in the second year of a Visual communications degree with an emphasis on Illustration. What I'm looking for is either a community of comic writers or individual writers looking to collaborate on comics. I want to expand my portfolio significantly before graduating, so I'm not particularly looking for paid commissions at this point, but a project with someone equally enthusiastic about the medium of comics/graphic novels, and with an itch for telling interesting stories.

Does anyone know of forums/communities for hooking up comic artists with writers? Any past experiences?


Aaaanything?

Cheers.

Preacher

Well I have 0 artistic talent, but I can write somewhat. What type of comics were you looking to draw? Did you have some ideas on what to draw just need someone to fill in the words?

Scooter

I've written some stuff around characters I've made in City of Heroes (comics-based MMO if you didn't know), I've always said they'd be comics if it wasn't for me having zero art talent. But still, I've never given it serious thought and the stuff I've got would need serious cleaning up, so I dunno if it'd be the sort of thing you'd be interested in. At least I have, like, dozens of character concepts you could use if you wanted.


Just wondering, do you have any of your work online?

jotate

I'm pretty hilarious. What kind of comedic writing are you looking for? Not that I have any particular style that would be matched by whatever your answer may be.

I think Tycho is exuberantly long winded in his blogs, if that's something you're interested in.

Seriously though, I'm hilarious. This one time, my mother laughed so hard at a joke I told, she almost choked on her milk. Another time, she bought me a toy because I was so witty. Not witty enough to make her put down the bottle, though. Who can compete with those damned Budweiser frogs?

Oh wait, you're British. That could complicate things.

RocketSauce

You really just have to shop it around to people. I'm sure there are plenty of people looking to get attached to comics, or find a way to jump in the game. Most writers don't have the talent to illustrate, so you won't have a problem finding a decent writer to work with you. Best advice would be to share samples with others. Ask for writing samples, and give some of your art samples to interested parties. Hopefully you'll get a match.

Grid System

I think you should take this to The Writer's Block. If you give us a sample or two of your work, and an idea of where you want to go, then I'm sure some of us will be more than happy to put together a piece or two of writing for you to consider.

One of the regs in TWB, Gredavin, is already working on writing a comic (or two) and he seems to know his way around various comic-creation communities, so if nothing else he may be able to point you in the right direction.

Scooter

I suppose an important distinction is, do you mean super hero type comics or something more "serious"?

Floofy

Thanks for the replies so far, and I suppose I could help things by mentioning the sort of graphic novels/comics I aspire to- my favourites are Sandman (which got me into the whole thing to start with), Transmetropolitan, From Hell, and Watchmen. I'm definitely more interested in working on a horror/fantasy/mythic based sort of project.

I have a limited portfolio up on deviantart, though I'll be putting together a personal online portfolio type website this year. For now, http://cantus-corvidae.deviantart.com/gallery/ has a few examples. If anyone is interested it might be best to take it to PMs.

Preacher

I sent you a pm about it. Thank you for your time floofy.

Thanatos

You should try asking in the "questions" thread of the AC. Most people are in the opposite position (writers looking for artists), so you should have a lot of choice in who you want to work for. You should also seriously consider charging for your services.

Scooter

I'll admit, I've been trying to get free artwork of my characters for years


I'll get you next time Comic Artist Man!

Raziel

Finding a writer isn't as easy as, "Hey, I draw. Do you write? Cool. Wanna work on a comic?"

You have to find someone whose artistic vision for the piece matches your own, and more importantly, someone who is going to stick with it and not flake out. Get a sample page if you can, and be willing to work with the writer to put together a story you're both happy with. It's a tough proposition whenever you start a creative project with someone.

That is, assuming you want the project to go anywhere. If you're not worried about how/where you're going to publish it, then check out the Writer's Block. Put a thing into the chat thread and you may get some replies.


That said, I really like your shit. Can you do steampunk? If so, I have a story you might be interested in. PM me.

gredavin

I second what Raz said. It's amazing the difference you'll see if you really jive as an artist/writer team. It doesn't just boil down to commitment either (though, that is a significant factor), it also is very dependant on whether the writer works with your strengths and the artist can really grasp what the writer envisions.

I've had ridiculous luck finding like minded artists willing to collaborate on a hope of publication. I have no idea how I've managed to fall in with them.

ViolentChemistry

Raziel wrote: »

Finding a writer isn't as easy as, "Hey, I draw. Do you write? Cool. Wanna work on a comic?"

You have to find someone whose artistic vision for the piece matches your own, and more importantly, someone who is going to stick with it and not flake out. Get a sample page if you can, and be willing to work with the writer to put together a story you're both happy with. It's a tough proposition whenever you start a creative project with someone.

That is, assuming you want the project to go anywhere. If you're not worried about how/where you're going to publish it, then check out the Writer's Block. Put a thing into the chat thread and you may get some replies.


That said, I really like your shit. Can you do steampunk? If so, I have a story you might be interested in. PM me.

The limed is the problem I've been having trying to find someone to do art for any number of closet-projects I've been wanting to do. I know lots of people who can draw, but none who are either wanting (not willing, willing isn't enough unless you start offering payment) to draw the sorts of stories I like to and want to write. Ergo the limed is something you should pay a lot of mind to.