40 Comments

thanks for posting these high res sketches, they are fun to ink

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Hey Joe

A real tonic. Very interested in the technical insights. Love the family stories. Really hitting home with us. I say us, because Iv'e been telling my wife about your newsletter and she put her slice of toast down.

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Eric, thanks so much for the kind words. Glad you're enjoying the newsletter, I'm having a blast writing it. And are you saying that you're wife is thinking of, or has subscribed?

Well, if she has then WELCOME, and if she's on the fence, please ask her what's she is she waiting for? A personal invitation?

That's easy, consider this it!

Drawing The Line Somewhere: Bringing families together ;^)

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😂 I see an award and an invitation to the Whitehouse ahead of you Joe. You almost succeeded with the personal touch, but I think I blew it by snatching the toast when she put it down. Perhaps more puppy pics. She's not yet ready for the gritty world we comic fans walk in. Keep it all coming though.

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Great articles Joe. Love the story about your daughter. And yes, I'm very jealous of the winners of the contest, but congrats to them!

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Neil, I promise we'll have another one soon.

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I loved this week’s column. The story about your daughter really hit me. My 11 year old stepdaughter has been in my life since she was 2 and one of things that we bonded with was drawing together. She really shows promise at a young age. Last week, she asked “do you have moments where no matter what, you feel like you can’t draw what you see in your head and just get frustrated?” I was like “all the time, but you let that drive you to become better”, her and I have bonded even more recently when it comes to comics, she’s recently discovered manga. She’s amazing and used her art to channel her pain and feelings these past 2 years after she lost her father to COVID

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Dave, in a future newsletter I'm going to talk about those moments we all have when we can't draw. It happens to every artist and writer (see writer's block). I've found my own workarounds that have help me dig out immediately. Stay tuned.

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Just curious, what did you film Fly on? By which I mean what kind of camera? I ask in part because I know some festivals who might be interested.

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Hey, Andrew, with the exception of the aerial shots, FLY was shot on a Red.

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Nice. I imagine it looks great and hope to see it at some point. I have less access to people who might be interested in that but I am happy to try and spread the word.

My connections are more in the realm of film festivals that have movies shot on smartphones. But I have made connections in the broader film festival world too.

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This is so good! Couldn't agree more!

I believe in the ritual of showing up. I believe in sitting at my desk. Even if that’s all it is. Even if that’s all I do. I believe in searching and scouring. I believe in gathering wool. It is as much a series of scribbles in the margins as it is the structured sequence of words. The former lends itself to the latter. The perpetual give and take.

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Thanks, Duane, and it's obvious you know what I'm getting at.

It was only a couple of months ago where I heard someone online arguing that all of this hard work business was an old fashion paradigm. That no one should suffer for their art. Sigh.

I'm always reminded of something I heard Sting (from the Police) say in reference to one hit wonders. I'm paraphrasing, but I think it's true. You're time at the top directly correlates to how much time you spent struggling at the bottom.

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Thank you for the great post and this incredible reply. As I was typing up this response it started to become something between a TED talk and a rant. My apologies in advance lol.

You don't have to suffer for your art. You don't have to do anything. Suffering is a choice. Suffering is something that you choose.

Suffering is what happens when you choose greed, hatred, and delusion. When you choose craving, aversion, and ignorance. Suffering is what happens when you choose instant gratification, easy satisfaction. When you choose cheap grace over the cost of what it takes to become something more.

Suffering is what happens when you try to avoid the blisters. When you despise the work.

Suffering is what happens when you think you're above it all. When you choose to believe that the rules of sowing and reaping don't apply to you. Suffering is what happens when you choose to think you deserve something you haven't earned. When you fail to recognize that nothing worth anything gets handed out or given away. That nothing comes easy. That nothing is for free.

You don't have to suffer for your art. Suffering is a choice. It's something that you choose.

It's not suffering when you choose the pain over the profit. When you choose the process over the goal. When chooses calluses over tenderness. It's not suffering when you want the hurt more than the reward.

It's not suffering when you love it. All of it. Every-fucking-thing.

You don't have to suffer for your art. Suffering is a choice. It's something that you choose.

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This is the first post I’ve read of yours and that will not be the last. Loved this. Thank you for sharing. You’ve got a new reader!

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Cynthia, that's really kind of you. Glad to have you join the gang. I'm having such a blast writing this newsletter, so it makes me smile to know that people are enjoying it.

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A lovely newsletter. My father was a pro footballer and I did not inherited his physicality and balance, but found my own gifts teaching, writing and being a Headmaster. I still would like to draw like Alan Davis but appreciate I don’t have the patience.

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Thanks for writing, David.

My daughter was a competitive figure skater up until a year or so ago. She had great coaches, some who went to the olympics and medaled. I was surprised at how many of them had kids who didn't gravitate to the sport, but by watching their parents dedication to a discipline and then carried those lessons with them to their chosen fields. I've learned that kids learn more from their parents actions than their words.

BTW, who wouldn't want to draw like Alan Davis. Get in line buddy.

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Met Alan Davis at the NICE Con in England three weeks ago. He noticed I had a pick line in for my chemotherapy and did a sketch of Captain Britain for me half price! What a lovely guy, really genuine. The sketch is now on my study wall. Thanks for replying.

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Joe,

Having met your daughter for about 1 minute, she is a beautiful, smart and obviously a talented person. You did really good sir!

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Thanks, Serge, that's really nice of you to say. She's a good kid, I'm very proud of her.

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Hi Joe,

This was a lovely post. Thanks for the reminder of daily drawing and writing. It’s true.

That Magik is magic! Such a great sketch.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and art. And congratulations to your daughter!

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Kim, thanks for the kind word, and glad your diggin' the newsletter.

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Needed this today, thank you!! ✊🏾👍🏾

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Sep 29, 2023·edited Sep 29, 2023Author

BOB, glad it was of help. Go, make stuff!

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That Magik sketch is killer, Joe. Do more X-Men!

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Thanks, Chuck. Let's see if there are any more X-Men in the cards for me in the future.

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Obviously drawing everyday helped you. Your drawing is 🔥 to say the least. That means I like it. Cool reading about your daughter trying to imitate you. Enjoying these reads. Like Schwarzenegger I'll be back

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Kevin, that's what I love to hear. Glad your enjoying the newsletter.

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Hey Joe, thanks for running the contest and thanks everyone who voted for me. Much appreciated.

I also have a picture of my son still in his baby carrier sitting at my feet while I’m on the drafting table. Fortunately for me he absolutely loves drawing and is light years beyond where I was at his age. Honestly if he really pursued it I could see him growing into being a professional. But he wants to be a machinist. Just started at job at an incredible machine shop and he’s only 16. He’s actually copied a few of your Spider-Man drawings and loves your Iron Man covers, especially from the run you wrote. Much the way your heart swells with pride for your daughter, I feel that same way about my son for simply pursuing something out of the sheer love of it.

Big congrats to Carlie! Since she only met me when she was a baby, you’ll just have to let her know a lot of complete strangers are proud of her accomplishments!

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Brian, that's awesome news about your son. And...

I have a photo of when you met Carlie. She wasn't even a year old yet.

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I would definitely buy a book of vomit drafts. I think it would be cool to see and also a good motivation for people to know what a daily grind can do.

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I’d love a true sketchbook as well.

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Awesome read! Glad to join you here Joe!!

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Thanks, Cody! Glad you're here too.

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