This is weird for me.
about 3 years ago
– Tue, Jan 18, 2022 at 07:55:57 PM
So... True confessions time. It took me a looonnngg time to become OK with launching a sketchbook project like Mind Astray.
Part of it was that it just didn't make rational sense to me. People like my finished art and that's great! I've put a lot of time and effort into refining my work and getting good at creating a finished piece quickly. But I always thought it was weird that people enjoyed seeing the sketches. In my mind it was kind of like walking into a cool house and then asking to see the blueprints, or if there are any pictures of just the frame, pre-dry wall.
The other thing I'll cop to is some good ol' fashioned artist self-deprecation with a side of imposter syndrome.
"Ugh. Nobody's going to want to see that!"
"That's nothing! You just pooped that out in half an hour!"
"People will think you're a cheater if they find out how much photo reference you use."
But then, as I shared process pages in the Impure Blood books, and started doing Daily Drawing Drawings as part of the Kickstarter campaign, I slowly began to accept that people do want to see the rough drawings and they do like the things I can just do in 15 minutes.
And then the answer came to me: It's all about vulnerability.
When it comes to our work, creatives are just like anyone else. Presenting our best finished product and hiding the parts that we think people won't like or accept. Having the good stuff out front is easy (although some are even shy about that). It takes an act of faith, trust, or confidence to show people the rough stuff underneath. Some of us aren't even wiling to show our soft underbellies even to the people closest to us. The irony is, that only by showing others the totality of ourselves can we gain the acceptance we desire.
So Mind Astray is an act of vulnerability for me, but not just because I'm sharing how the sausage is made. I'm also sharing some of the things that come out when I let my thoughts wander, hence the title. Those random collisions of ideas that come in quiet moments before sleep, or in the car, or the bathroom. I have collected the ones that I have managed to capture and pin down and I'm putting them out there for you.
So, I would be flattered if you would CLICK HERE and hit the "Notify Me on Launch" button.
The campaign goes live this weekend. Pledging early helps insure the strongest possible launch, and helps to boost a project in those ever important Kickstarter algorithms.
And if you can't back, no problem. I get it. Sharing the campaign with your friends or on social media is also a great way to help.
Thanks so much for backing my projects. It means the world to me. I could not do what I do without you.
More soon.
Be good!
But not too good 😉
- Nathan
You're gonna love this...
about 3 years ago
– Thu, Jan 13, 2022 at 02:27:43 PM
Hey Guys!
Exciting news!
Are you a process junky? Do you like seeing how the art sausage gets made? Do you want to see some of my favorite drawing from 2021 that most folks have never seen before?
Well guess what...
My first ever sketchbook collection is coming to Kickstarter on January 22nd!
CLICK HERE for the prelaunch page!
50 pages worth of my sketches, doodles, concepts, comics, illustrations, and random brain fart art from the past year. All collected together in this handy-dandy little tome.
Here's just a sample of what will be in it:
But here's the best thing:
You can get your book personalized with a custom commission from yours truly! Making your book totally unique! No two will be alike!
And, since you've seen my past Kickstarters, you know I like to do a little somethin' somethin' for the early birds.
The first 100 backers will be getting this bonus collection of comics added to their reward:
So here's that link on more time. CLICK HERE
And don't forget to hit that "Notify me on launch button".
It does what it says it does.
Thanks again for your patronage! I know you'll enjoy all the things I have in store for you.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and be good!
But not too good 😉
- Nathan
Impure Blood, Vol.4 is half over!
over 3 years ago
– Fri, Oct 29, 2021 at 04:29:04 PM
Just wanted to give you a quick heads up that the Impure Blood, Vol.4 Kickstarter is half over! Or half done, depending on whether you're an optimist or a pessimist.
We're doing great, we've cleared the first stretch goal, and we've got about 55 hardcopies of Impure Blood going to ComicBooks For Kids!
The only thing that could possibly make it better is you. You have been an integral part of Impure Blood since I launched the campaign for Volume 1 waaaaayyy back in February of 2020. I could not have gotten this far without you, so I want to make sure that you have every opportunity to help bring it home.
CLICK HERE to be a part of the exciting conclusion.
My eternal gratitude.
More soon.
Till then, be good!
But not too good 😉
- Nathan
IMPURE BLOOD, VOL.4 HAS LAUNCHED!!!
over 3 years ago
– Sat, Oct 16, 2021 at 09:07:17 PM
That's right!
IMPURE BLOOD VOL.4 HAS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!!!
Just CLICK HERE, do the thing, then kick back and enjoy the ride!
And don't forget, If we can make our funding goal by noon tomorrow (October 17th), I will shave my beard into mutton chops and keep it that way for the entirety of the campaign.
So if you want to pick up some awesome comics, and see me sport a couple of stylish cheek-sweaters for the next 30 days, I cannot offer you a better opportunity than this.
And since launching a Kickstarter this weekend wasn't enough, I'm also going to be at MetaCon in Minneapolis this weekend.
Stop by, say hi! And, I have a little something special for you if you back the Kickstarter in front of me at the convention. What is it? Gonna have to come find me to find out!
We're off to the races and I can't wait to see what happens! I have a feeling this is going to be a good one!
More soon!
Till then, be good!
But not too good 😉
- Nathan
Impure Blood, Volume 4
over 3 years ago
– Tue, Oct 05, 2021 at 04:25:59 PM
The Kickstarter page for the fourth and final volume of Impure Blood is up!
CLICK HERE to get notified as soon as we launch!
