Drawing comics is intense work, but it’s also the most fun and creative job one could ever have.
What could be better than getting paid to draw ripped super heroes, sultry vixens or cool gadgets, like awe inspiring space fantasy vehicles?
There’s no other vehicle that allows one person to have so much control.
Some people were just born to draw but most just don’t appreciate their skills, and they don’t put their talent to work.
There are so many good reasons why one would want to start an art business. Besides the fact that you don’t need staff, you can set up office anywhere, set your own hours, do it part time or even full time.
Nosi Motlalenkwe, a Motswana comic artist based in New York, is a true authority on comic books.
He never had the chance to attend university, though he grew up in the USA.
“I regard it as sheer luck to be where I am,” he said.
Motlalenkwe draws voluptuous heroines and heinous monsters to earn a decent living. He has, through trial and error, managed to use his drawing techniques to realize his dream of becoming a cartoonist. He has worked on several best-selling titles, including the likes of Peter Parker.
“I eventually discovered how to effectively produce comic work,” he says. “I developed a really good functional method.”
He says that producing comics is like making your own film.
On the other hand, one wouldn’t blame good comic book artists, because the downside is that they have to deal directly with clients. This, under normal circumstances, goes against the loner nature of the comic book artist.
People who don’t appreciate, but want the comic art, will expect artists to give them a lot of content for a small amount of money.
There are a number of associations which comic book artists can join. The National Museum hosts some exhibitions and Thapong Visual Arts Centre is one such place where they appreciate and work with comic book artists.
They showcase local talent, which may include drawings, illustrations, sculptures and other images, such as photography.
Hopefully, this year comic book art will get more recognition. Becoming a comic book artist and practicing it can be a very lucrative business, because you can charge per art piece. If you work hard and fast enough, then you could end up making a good living.