Thunder Punch Daily 136 – Spine Up, Spine Down

Today I share a simplified way of thinking about approaching gestures and body language in your stories. Breaking emotions into two categories and corresponding them to “spine up” and “spine down” is a slick little way to get some good acting moments out of your characters. [private] [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Right-click [...]

Video: Through Line Demo

In this video I demonstrate how I like to think of the “through line” when building poses for my characters. I create two action poses and show how I like to think of the spine and the point of thrust as the inroads to building a pose that has weight and dynamism. I also segue [...]

Mark of the Beast 103 – Progression

Talking about the continuing journey of my Dagon graphic novel adaptation and spitball about a Kickstarter campaign a bit. Also talked about the Tombs of the Blind Date book. Check out the trailer I discussed,  here. Music by Primordial “No Grave Deep Enough“. Follow Mark on Twitter! Discuss this in the Forum! Can’t see the [...]

Thunder Punch Daily 117 – The Art of Conversation

Today I share an exercise I’ve used in my classrooms to teach some vital comics storytelling skills. By drawing a conversation sequence, we explore moment choices, scenery, emotional context, acting moments, and best of all, word balloon placement! Also mentioned some great lettering tutorials over at Balloon Tales. [private] [Audio clip: view full post to [...]

Thunder Punch Daily 113 – Shape, Size, & Line

Continuing my series of TPDs recorded on my drive to Grant, Michigan for the Kids Read Comics Super Fun Tour, I ruminate on some classroom interactions I’ve been having lately that remind me of some of the basic concepts of comics storytelling. Three key ingredients seem to be Shape, Size, and Line. [private] [Audio clip: [...]

Thunder Punch Daily 109 – Tablet Drawlin’

Today I share some initial thoughts on drawing on the iPad, having sketched a bit on the device lately. I talk about my experience using Sketchbook Pro, the Pogo stylus, and the BoxWave stylus, and do my best to determine who would be best served by drawing on this device. Examples of my iPad sketches [...]

Mark of the Beast 93 – Captor

Talking about doing caricatures as suggested by Calmplex Locust. Here’s some caricatures I talked about. Check out my new sketch blog and My Life With a Meteor Hunter. Music by Slayer “Captor of Sin”. Follow Mark on Twitter! Discuss this in the Forum! Can’t see the audio player? Log in or register here! [private] [Audio clip: [...]

Art & Story 169 – The Big Mini-Comic

[private]This week we leap off of some discussion that’s been going on around the Mini-Comics Dump Truck to cover why we think making mini-comics are so helpful for the cartoonist in a funk as well as the beginning cartoonist. We highlight some of the benefits to creating a short form mini-comic story: how finishing a [...]

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Thunder Punch Daily 98 – One Week Later Observations

Sharing a few thoughts on what I learned and what I fought against in making a mini-comic in a week! Surprises, sadness, and finding my courage to press on. By the way, the mini-comic is complete! You can read it here. [private] [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Right-click or Control-click to Download Supreme [...]

Thunder Punch Daily 91 – Cooperative Storytelling

I recently tweeted a bit about my disappointment with the new Transformers TV show, and my specific problems with the show, reminded me of a distinct advantage that comics has over moving visual storytelling. I use the fantastic Manga Twin Spica to round out my point. [private] [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Right-click [...]

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