5 Hard-Learned Lessons from My Comix Grind
Straight from the Trenches
How goes it, RAW! fam? I’ve been filling up my sketchbook these past few weeks putting in reps. I’ve really been digging Line of Action for timed gesture studies as a warmup. I’ve been drawing for decades and their 15-minute tutorial helped recalibrate some things in my brain. I’ve been doing it at least once a week, then working on anatomy, expressions, and style studies, but mainly focusing on concept designs and page layouts for a 4-page story I’m drawing written by Narjes Ruyan.
Our story is a sci-fi take on the classic Frog Prince fairy tale for the Wish Upon A Star anthology from Limit Break Comics. Real talk, I’m pretty stressed out about getting it finished in time with the holidays coming up, but I’ve learned that I tend to thrive best under pressure. Hopefully my dumb optimism carries me across the finish line. I’ve just been trying to say “yes” to as much as I can without falling behind or letting too much get left by the wayside, ya’ know?
I guess that’s what got me thinking about the topic of this newsletter. I’m still slowly trying to break into comics, but I’m learning and growing as I go. Hopefully these five lil’ nuggets prove useful to anyone else out their on their comix journey.
So without further ado, let’s get it. 👊🏽💥
1. Make Connections Before You Make It Big
Comic cons, anthology gigs, random zine fests—they’re not just about the art. They’re about connecting with people. I landed my first cover gig for Space Pop Cats just by following Stellar 9 Studios on Instagram. A follow back, some mutual vibes, and bam—I was in. But, to be fair, by then, I had a steady flow of work under my belt just from reaching out and making connections. Put yourself out there! Through networking at some of the conventions I tabled at, I’ve found even more anthology opportunities and landed a few paid gigs!
ProTip: Don’t just hand over a business card—talk, vibe, swap stories. Maybe hit up karaoke or the afterparty if you’re feeling it. (Comic folks can get surprisingly wild behind the mic, just sayin’.)
2. Get Critiqued by Artists You Respect
Look, I get it. Nobody loves critique, but if you want to level up, you’ve gotta be open to it. I walked into my portfolio review at C2E2 with nerves on blast, but hearing pros like Babs Tarr and Katie Kubert break down my work was worth every second. Their advice? Total game-changer. I highly recommend taking your portfolio to Artist Alley at a con near you, but there are plenty of great Discord groups for artist that offer critique. I’m personally a big fan of the community at EnterVoid.com.
ProTip: Don’t hide from critique—seek it out. Keep showing up with new work, and they’ll remember you.
3. Say Yes—Especially When It’s Scary
I’m not gonna lie, some of the gigs I said “yes” to this year were low-key terrifying. My first official cover? My first paid coloring gig? An eight-page full-color story on a tight deadline? They all stretched me in ways I didn’t see coming, but that’s the only way you grow. If it scares you a little, it’s probably worth it. Plus, it's the only way to really know what you're capable of, you know?
Get the Full Scoop in the Next Issue 🔥
I’ve got a deeper dive coming up, where I’ll break down the feedback I got from those portfolio reviews and show you my “before and after” art. If you’re on your own grind and want some tips straight from the trenches, you’re gonna want to stick around. Subscribe now if you haven’t already and get it the second it drops.
4. Just Finish Something (Even When It’s Tough)
One of the hardest things in the creative game is crossing that finish line. Trust me, I know the struggle. I've been stuck in that loop where ideas just keep spinning around and you accumulate massive Google Docs filled with worldbuilding and character lore and a sketchbook of unfinished concept art. But joining anthologies helped break that cycle. Having those deadlines forced me to get focused, condense my stories, and build a real workflow.
tl;dr: Keeping up with a steady flow of short projects helped me level up way faster than I would’ve just wrestling with endless ideas. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of done—there’s real power in getting things out the door.
5. Build That Discipline Muscle, Yo!
Discipline doesn’t always come naturally (and I’m definitely still working on it myself), but it’s becoming my secret weapon. I’m spending more time with my sketchbook, pushing myself to do traditional studies and free sketches to keep the skills sharp and the ideas flowing. But it’s more than that—I’m getting regimented, making myself show up for these big projects that have been in the works for years. I’m not getting any younger, and tomorrow’s never promised. So, here’s to the grind—to showing up, putting in the work, and bringing these stories to life while we still can.
Alright, that’s a wrap. Hope you dug these tips, whether you’re out there hustling on your own comic journey or just here for the behind-the-scenes. Big thanks for tagging along on this wild ride. Stick around ‘cause there’s more art, more chaos, and a whole lotta rawness coming your way. 2025’s got no idea what’s about to hit it!
Stay RAW and keep pushing,
—✌🏽RAW!
P.S. Know someone else on the comic grind? Pass this along—they might just vibe with it too.
Lots of great advice here!! Thank you so much for sharing. Excited to read the deep dive on your portfolio review! I find Discord excellent for networking, too.