Have you ever wanted to illustrate your story? Not just write it, but make it visual?
I'm offering a new training to help you do just that. If you're interested, hit reply with a "yes" and I'll share the details with you.
We've been telling stories with art since we figured out how to make marks on cave walls. The way our lives turn out amaze us, and we want to share that amazement. It's why we gossip with friends, write memoirs, and repeat news articles: we want others to mirror our reactions. It's also why we draw, paint, and create visual things. Whether we're producing a narrative illustration or an abstract painting, we're trying to say something in a unique way.
A page from one of 6 many comics I developed with a writing partner
I've been telling stories with my artwork my whole life. From drawing historical battles as a kid to graphic novels, it bubbles out of me, I can't keep it down. I took every training I could find to learn how to do it better. And now, I share those skills with others.
Here's the most important thing I learned: it starts with the art.
I rarely write the story first. I sketch characters, and they take the narrative where it's supposed to go.
Have you ever tried that? Just drew a character or scene and suddenly got an idea for a whole new world?
Early sketches of a tailless dragon character (long BEFORE "How to Train Your Dragon" came out).
If you've taken my Draw Like You Mean It training, you know that I'm big on systems. I don't think people should have to work for Disney for 30 years or study with a dozen teachers or get an MFA in Graphic Novels (like I did) to achieve mastery in their craft. The knowledge should be accessible to anyone who wants them.
So I created a simple system to share the principles of narrative art. The title is clear: Illustrate Your Story. That's exactly what you'll learn to do. You'll clarify what you want to share, develop your own illustration style, and lay out all the pages—all in a way that's simple, fun, and appealing to readers.
And it's available to all levels. The building blocks are the same across mediums and genres. Story beats, compositional flow, personal style—anyone can learn them. The only requirement is a burning desire to share your tale. The stronger the burn, the faster you'll learn!
If you're burning to illustrate your story, let me know and I'll send you the info about the training.
A page from a graphic novel series I created
On the Easel
Starting a new Sunday section here, where I feature work-in-progress and student work. This is a portrait commission of my friend and tattoo artist Alexis, almost done. He's the sweetest man and an amazing artist.
