Comic Book Artist/Writer
Jamie McKelvie, 28, Comic Book Artist/Writer
How did you get into the job: I started drawing when I was 21 after reading a comic book called 'Sandman'. I realised that it was the sort of thing that I wanted to do. I started learning to draw and went online and found some comic book communities. There are often message boards on publisher's websites and I got to know people in the industry this way. I went to comic book conventions and showed my artwork to writers and editors. I was at a show in New York in 2004 and luckily met someone who was interested in working with me and we produced a graphic novel together.
Best and worst bits: It's a fantastic profession for creativity and there are so many challenges to overcome. Every day is different and you're always drawing new characters, creating storylines and locations. I enjoy working from home and avoiding rush-hour traffic. There's also lots of travel involved and you get to meet a wide range of people from all over the world. I've recently been on work trips to San Diego and New York and I'm going to Toronto next month.
It can be very long hours. When there's a deadline I can be working up to 14 hours a day, so it's very demanding sometimes. The pay varies depending on the type of job you're doing. Some are paid extremely well whilst you can be paid pittance for others. It's not a regular income as with most freelance jobs, so you have to take your finances into account.
A typical day: I start work at around 11am and go through the scripts that I've got and decide on a plan for the day. I'll do some research about the story and then sit down and start drawing. At the moment I'm working on a comic called 'Phonogram' and work very closely with the writer. I send off the pencil work to him for approval before inking the final pages. I usually finish drawing at 12am, so it's a long day.
Advice for wannabes: The important thing is to make comics. Even if you haven't got a publisher, you can make mini comics and sell them at conventions. If you're a writer it's important to get your comics drawn, so you can learn what you're doing wrong. You can learn more from one script that's been drawn than writing 10 scripts which haven't been drawn.
Application Process
The great thing about comics is that you don't need any qualifications. It's all about your ability and how well you can draw. It's a level-playing field and it doesn't matter if you've been to university or not.
Skills/experience/training
There are lots of techniques that you need to learn, but you can develop these skills through researching and practicing them. Working in comics is more than just drawing - you need to create a good plot and be a good storyteller. There are plenty of reference books that can teach you how to do this.
Personality/Who would suit it
If you're creative and enjoy drawing and telling stories, then you will be suited to a job in comics. It can be immensely rewarding when a project is complete, though you need a lot of patience in the process. It's important to be able to work to deadlines.
A grasp of what makes a good story is important, a creative eye and the ability to use your imagination. You also need to be extremely dedicated - a lot of people come into the industry thinking it's an easy job when it's really not. There are lots of long hours.
Career Prospects
Most comic book artists in Britain start off doing mini comics, which is when you create it all yourself and sell them at shows or through mail order. Then you can work your way up to drawing for companies like Marvel Comics and DC Comics, working on the big projects like Batman, X-Men or Spiderman.
If you decide to work on independent comics and create your own material, which you own the rights to, then there's the option to work with other industries like selling options to make them into movies.
Updated: 25/09/2009
