Issue 179

BACK THE KICKSTARTER TODAY!

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BACK THE KICKSTARTER TODAY!

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Hello,

It is the last day to back my kickstarter! We are at over 1000 backers and at $59k in funding. Hoping we can cross over that $60k threshold so we can lock in that Robot Sticker stretch goal.

I'm so excited to be making this book!

Here's 5 things I thought you'd find interesting this weekend.

Enjoy!

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STAYING IN THE LOOP:

• Livestream: 🔴 LIVE - Drawing Robots Hang Out​
• Livestream: 🔴 LIVE - Drawing Giant Robot Hellboy​
• Podcast Episode 170: Making Money Online as an Illustrator​
• Podcast Episode 171: How To Be Prolific with Benji Davies​
• Podcast Episode 172: Am I In The Right Illustration Field?​
• I'll be at the Tucson Comic Con in September: LINK​
• I'll have a table at LIGHTBOX in October: LINK​

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1) The Dragon and the Robot

From the Special Projects Unit

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Drew this dragon and robot last night for the livestream. Took a lot of great questions and talked about what you should focus on in highschool as an artist, reasons you should have a table at a convention. Plus you get to hear my wife's voice as she reacts to the comments section.

You can watch it here: LINK​

🔴Next livestream is this afternoon: LINK​

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2) Above the Clouds Postman​
​From the Film and Animation Division

This is some pre-production art for this rad little short about a couple girls who deliver mail by air.

It's just a 3 minute animation test for a possible anime series. There's not a lot of information online about who made this. It just kind of popped up one day. I really hope they get the funding or whatever they need to flesh this world out some more.

Watch the short here: LINK​

(via @Catsuka)

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3) Why Bill Watterson Vanished

From the Comics Division

I found a fascinating read about why Watterson retired, never to return (in a real way) to the medium of comics.

The article was some retread of the story I already know, about how the constant battles with the syndicate he signed on with for creative control and autonomy. However, the article shed some light on a few blind spots for me, specifically what he was like in college and the years in between graduation and CandH. And also the absolute GRIND is was to do Calvin and Hobbes at the level he was doing it for a decade.

I remember when Bill Watterson retired from Calvin and Hobbes. I was 17 or 18 years old and I just KNEW he was cooking up a project that was even better than Calvin and Hobbes to share with the world in a few years.

Well, those years came and went, and for almost 30 years I never quite forgave him for just dipping out (even though he left us with the most wonderful comic strip ever created).

​This article gave me some closure and empathy for the guy. I get it, Bill. Live your life.

Read the whole article here: LINK​

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4) Dream Quest by Alfred Liu

From the Illustrators Division

Australian artist Alfred Liu is a master of miniature marvels. There's enough detail and story happening in each of his intricate illustrations to fill a book.

Here's his artist's statement:

In the land of dreams, portals open and close leading to different times and places throughout the universe.

Karzelek monks travelling through the east to spread the holy word; the Ixian gate opens; adventurers, creatures and familiars make their way to distant lands. A wise cat rides a donkey helping all those he comes across or playing tricks on them.

As these portals fade, another opens and a mysterious red robed figure beckons you to come in.

RAD.

You can see more of his work over on his website: LINK​

Instagram: LINK​

And at the Outre Gallery who is hosting a show of his until September 17: LINK​

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5) On comparison fuel

From the Inspirational Thought Unit

I was having a conversation with a friend of mine about the merits and dangers of comparing yourself to other creators.

On the one hand seeing one of your peers having success can help you reevaluate what's working and what's broken in your own process and work. You can use their success as fuel to help you level up and reach that next goal of yours.

On the other hand you can look at a peer's success and get into a downward spiral of thinking you'll never be good enough or you are doing the wrong thing with your life, or give you feelings like you've gone too far down the wrong path.

Like gasoline, comparing yourself to others can fuel you to the next destination, or if mishandled it can burn you to the ground.

How then, to properly use comparison fuel?

First: Awareness

Second: Intention

Awareness is making sure you are in your lane and recognizing that who you are measuring success with is in their lane. You can do anything you want with all your creative ability, but you can't do everything. Find the thing that you are uniquely good at doing.

And intention is doing it. In every step, every fork in the road you face, every decision in the day, make sure you are creating the thing that your heart really needs to create.

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That's all for this week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and hope you have a great weekend!

-Jake

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I'd appreciate any of these when you can. Thanks!

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BACK THE KICKSTARTER TODAY!