Ask Loston (Dr. Stupid Jr)...

[Ace Corona]

There are theories out there that say that I takes around 10,000 hours to master any given subject.

I'm not sure about being a master at that point, but sure as heck you'd better be decent after all that time.

To put that in perspective, when I was 19 I had to do 200 hours of community service. That was five consecutive weeks of 40 hour work days. One-thousand hours would be five times that amount of time, or 25 weeks. Multiply that by ten and you get 250 weeks of 40 hour work-weeks. So I guess we're looking at five years. Thanks Juggertha, that helps me put this into perspective.

[sirandal]

that 10,000 hours thing is popular to quote but bear in mind it cant just be aimless hours in pursuit of something. You need to be relatively focused and *instructed*. Of course that could be self-instruction via books, videos, etc. But I think you get my drift.

[Bruce Lee]

Anyone else have another question to ask?

[DDeal12]

Anyone else have another question to ask?

What are your favorite independent comics series? Are there some you don't pick up on a regular basis, just whether or not they look interesting?
also...
Have you ever bought comics just for their art, even if the story is just horrible?

[Zippy]

Weird Mystery or Tales of the Unexpected?

[Juggertha]

Anyone else have another question to ask?

What are the best ways for a freelance artist to get himself out there?

I mean, do you figure an online presence is best? Hitting the Con circuit? Advertising directly?

[brokenhill]

Yes . If a south going Zaks meets a North going Zaks head on who moves too the side?

Anyone else have another question to ask?

[The P.R. Man]

depends on if there are any starbellied sneeches around. they have stars upon thars.

[Bruce Lee]

What are your favorite independent comics series?

ROCKETEER. NEXUS. XENOZOIC TALES.

Are there some you don't pick up on a regular basis, just whether or not they look interesting?

I honestly don't pick up too many modern comics. I do pick up trades of BPRD and HELLBOY on occasion. I mostly collect comics from the 1960s-1980s these days. Every now and then a new series or many series will catch my fancy.

also...
Have you ever bought comics just for their art, even if the story is just horrible?

Sure. I think every issue of the Warren VAMPIRELLA probably would qualify. Heh. Those Vampi stories were never all that much to write home about, to be honest. Most are just okay, but never were they truly astounding. I first bought issues of VAMPIRELLA in the 1980s. I bought them for the amazing artwork inside the covers. Artists like jose Gonzales, Rudy Nebres, and Estaban Maroto were a rare treat back in the '80s, because they were comic book illustrators--not just your typical run of the mill penciller. If Jose Gonzales did a Vampi story, he did 100% of the art chores--- the pencils and the inks. Often tonal rendering things with washers or with conte pencils, etc. That just wasn't something that was done at Marvel and DC at all. Warren artists did top notch work, and had more freedom to draw the way they wanted too, and the results usually lead to superior illustrative sequential pages. It was easy to buy those books for the art alone.

An example of a VAMPIRELLA opening page by Jose Gonzales:


Today I wouldn't buy a comic just for the artwork alone, or just for the story alone. Comics are just too expensive as it is. I'd feel like I was wasting my money if I didn't get quality on both fronts. Gotta have good art and story to shell out bucks for it these days.

[Bruce Lee]

What are the best ways for a freelance artist to get himself out there?

I mean, do you figure an online presence is best? Hitting the Con circuit? Advertising directly?

You have to do everything, Ed, in this day and age. The competition is too fierce, and the jobs too few. If you want to be a successful freelancer you really need to have an online presence, to go to conventions and meet people, and to be persistent in trying to get work. Submit portfolio submissions whenever you can, and where ever you can. Visit online forums and take advantage of social media.

Think of it this way: If you want apples, you have to shake some apple trees. Waiting for apples to fall to the ground might eventually pay off....but you might starve in the meantime.