Interview with Robyn Champan author of Drawing Comics Lab

Today I have an interview with Robyn Chapman author of the new book Drawing Comics Lab: 52 Exercises on Characters, Panels, Storytelling, Publishing & Professional Practices.

And before you read all about this amazing author, how about a GIVEAWAY of her book? 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. By leaving a comment you are also joining the Craftside family email newsletter list.

 

1. What does your workspace/ design space look like?

 

My boyfriend and I share a 1-bedroom apartment in Queens. We moved the TV into the bedroom and threw out the couch, so now our living room is our art studio. For space-strapped artists, I think it’s a good way to go. But it’s important to keep the studio a pure workspace. Get rid of the couch, TV, and anything else that distracts you. Moving it to next room might be enough to keep you focused.

My laptop and light box are always on my drafting table, as I jump between those two tools most often. I use the light box for cartooning and collage work.

I also have a screen printing set-up in the corner. I got a good deal on a small kitchen island from Ikea (it was a floor display) and I made that my printing station. The height is just right for screen printing.

2. Do you save your mistakes/or designs you don't love right away -or ditch them?

 

I do. I have a scrap pile near my screen printing station. It’s handy if I need a random scrap of paper or if I want to do a test print.

3. What's on your "next to try" list?

 

I’m on the hunt for the smoothest Brisol board in the land. I like the surface of Borden & Riley Paris Bleedproof Paper For Pens, but the paper itself is flimsy. I hear Canson is pretty sooth. 

4. Do you ever work with recycled materials?

Yes, in my collage and decoupage work. I look for cheap lots of silver age romance comics and old women’s magazines on eBay. Whenever possible, I try to buy damaged comics and magazines. I feel some guilt about turning these artifacts into art, because they’re destroyed in the process.

 
5. What music do you listen to when designing?

 

Lately, it’s been 60s garage rock or very, very old country music.

6. How long does a design take you to create?

 

It’s impossible to say, but I’m a very slow cartoonist. The decoupage crafts I make usually take a half hour or so.

7. How do you organize your supplies?

 

I’m a thrifty New Yorker, so a lot of my shelving is made of milk crates and other abandoned junk. I have clear plastic tubs for storing collage materials.

8. What books/magazines do you read?

I’m getting serious about editing and self-publishing, so I’m reading several books on grammar. I have the Chicago Manual of Style, Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing, and The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation. And I just finished a great graphic novel by Luke Pearson called Everything We Miss.

9. How would you describe your personal style?
 

Simple, honest, typically auto-biographical, somewhat cute.

10. How do you determine what a design is going to be made with?

In terms of collage and decoupage, I use materials I have respect for. I have a respect for old romance comics and vintage illustrated advertisements. I think they have beauty and value. In a way, I’m trying to pay tribute to that.

11. Do you have a collection of anything?

I collect hand made, self-published comics (also known as minicomics). I especially like ones that are hand crafted in a unique and artful way.

To read what one of Robyn's contributors shared about the book pop on over to Steve Bissette's blog SRBisette.

 12. How did your book come to be made?

 

Quarry discovered me through The Center for Cartoon Studies, where I worked and taught for five years. Quarry asked me to do a cartooning book and I couldn’t say no!

13. And the all important question (from Ravelry) what is your favorite swear word?

I don’t have a clear favorite, though a certain four-letter word that begins with F is pretty utilitarian (though perhaps a boring choice).

OH and Robyn's list of 10 things no one else has probably done:

1. Worked at a cat hotel (The Cat's Pajamas in Long Island City, New York).

2. Created a serious comics anthology all about poop (see Make: Comics
About an Intimate Act).
http://makecomics.wordpress.com/2010/09/19/make-a-closer-look/

3. Created a series of zines all about eye glasses (see: Hey, 4-Eyes!)
http://paperrocketcomics.com/shop/

4. Was the first ever fellow at The Center for Cartoon Studies.

5. Had a grandma who was a cartoonist, self-publisher, and a Marine.

6. Followed in my grandma's footsteps as cartoonist and self-publisher
(though not as a Marine).

7. Got a job in children's publisher after co-creating a comic called True Porn.

8. Grew up in Wasilla, Alaska, and made it to the Big Apple (and got a
job in the Empire State Building, even!)

9.  Makes jewelry and home decore out of vintage romance comics.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PaperRobyn

10. Studies minicomic history and republishes out-of-print minicomics
(see: The Complete Deep Girl).
http://paperrocketcomics.com/2013/02/16/deep-girl-release-party-at-desert-island/

Thanks Robyn for taking a few minutes to share a bit about yourself, your creativity and workspace!

More about the new Quarry book:

Drawing Comics Lab:

52 Exercises on Characters, Panels, Storytelling, Publishing & Professional Practices

by

Robyn Chapman

Do you dream of becoming a comic artist? Drawing Comics Lab covers all of the basic steps necessary to produce a comic, from the first doodle to the finished publication. This easy-to-follow book is designed for the beginning or aspiring cartoonist; both children and adults will find the techniques to be engaging and highly accessible. Featured artists include: - James Sturm - Tom Hart - Jessica Abel - Matt Madden - Eddie Campbell - And many others Start your comic adventures today with Drawing Comics Lab!

Robyn Chapman has studied cartooning at two of the medium’s finest institutions, receiving her BFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design and her MFA from The Center for Cartoon Studies. In 2005 she became The Center for Cartoon Studies’ first fellow, and spent the next five years as their program coordinator and a faculty member. She has built and managed the curriculum for their successful Create Comics and Cartooning Studio workshops. Her cartooning courses, workshops, and lectures have brought her to classrooms at The New School, Wellesley College, The University of Iowa, and the 92nd Street Y. She lives in New York City. Visit her online at http://paperrocketcomics.com/.

     

Comments

[Genevieve]

This looks like a great book, but (sigh!) I wonder if you could put the phrase "U.S. residents only" before the Rafflecopter window instead of after.

[Regina]

oh my son is trying so hard to draw his own comics and this would help SOOOO much!

[Sandra C]

My favorite thing to draw is botanicals.

Thanks for the chance to win!

[MelodyJ]

I like to draw flowers and shapes.

[Gilly Crews]

What a great idea!

[Michelle]

Great tips. My crafts shop is in queens too, space is at such a premium, but luckily my place has high ceilings so I can build up. Before I got married I had a loft bed which meant I had a lot more space. Now my husband has one room for comic creation and I have one room for my knitting and computer work, we meet in the kitchen or bed room which works great for us, but having guests over became such a hassle we just stopped. :)

[Jacilynn]

I like drawing doodles for the kids, they are always an appreciative audience. :)

[Anne in NC]

My favorite thing to draw is flowers, but my favorite drawings are the geometric "doodles" my father made for me 40 years ago. Thanks for the giveaway!

[Mary Mac]

My favorite things to draw are flowers.

[Michelle Mathey - POMI]

I love to draw faces- - my older son is taking Cartooning as an elective in high school and this would be just the thing to help him along!

[kathi shelley]

I've been a decorative painter most of my adult life, but have also been in advertising and window display, education(special Ed teacher) and a cartoonist for a local teacher's newsletter. Presently I'm working on a child's rocking chair,painting zoo animals on it. My "studio" is in my basement, along with the furnace,storage,water heater,and the Christmas tree!

[wenmc]

Looks like a great book - I love the entire Lab series!