Login with Patreon
Login with Patreon

Check it out: Dave’s Favorite from *THIS DAY* in the Archives!

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2013! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

This week’s ComicLab is live!

Pals! Every week my cartooning pal Brad Guigar and I fire up the mics to talk about comics. It’s half shop talk, half how-to, and half friendship. That’s right: WE SQUEEZED IN THREE HALVES. It’s tips and tricks and all the joys of cartooning as a pro!

And here’s a summary of this week’s show, which just went live! 

———

LINK: https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-start-in-119777237

TITLE: How to start a webcomic in 2025

Start your webcomic using the latest platforms, monetization methods, and social media strategies. If you’re launching a new comic in 2025, this episode has all the information you’ll need to get it off the ground! 

How to start a webcomic in 2025

  • Don’t try to “game” your readership. Write about what YOU like
  • Building readership takes time and consistency. Creating for love is essential in the early years. 
  • Focus on writing as the core of comic creation. Focus on creating comics for the love of the craft. The first comics may only be seen by you; embrace the process.
  • Mistakes in the early stages are recoverable.
  • Copyright
  • Own and control your work
  • You do NOT need to be on Webtoon/Tapas
  • Social media presence is important for comic creators. Today, that’s Bluesky and Substack. ComicLab has Collections that provide strategies for each platform. They’re free to members and available at a one-time fee for others.
  • Be active on social media to build your audience. Four Cs
  • How many updates FCS
  • Persistence is key; it’s a marathon, not a sprint. If you need a schedule to post regularly, set a schedule and stick to it. 
  • Don’t rush into monetization; it takes time to build a following. Starting on Patreon or Kickstarter too soon is a common problem that derails a lot of creators.
  • Develop your aesthetic by studying good comics.
  • You don’t need a website immediately, but you’ll need one eventually. Start planning now.
  • Seek honest feedback to improve your work.
  • Reach out to other comics creators who are doing stuff that’s similar to yours and build networks.
  • Do it for love

Summary

In this episode of ComicLab, hosts Dave Kellett and Brad Guigar discuss the importance of passion in creating comics, the challenges of building a readership, and the necessity of starting your comic journey despite fears and anxieties. The conversation emphasizes the value of maintaining independence as creators and finding an audience that resonates with your unique themes rather than chasing trends. They address the challenges and strategies for comic artists navigating social media. They emphasize the importance of choosing the right platforms, such as Bluesky and Substack, over TikTok for comic promotion. The hosts introduce the ‘Four C’s’ of social media—Content, Curation, Commercial, and Kindness—as essential for building an audience. They also share acronyms like SWIG and FCS to guide effective promotion and posting frequency. The conversation concludes with a reminder that building a successful comic takes time and persistence, likening it to a marathon rather than a sprint. They emphasize the importance of focusing on the craft before monetization, developing a unique aesthetic, and the necessity of having a personal website. The hosts also highlight the value of networking, seeking feedback from peers in the comic community, and navigating the evolving landscape of social media and comic publishing.

Check it out: Dave’s Favorite from *THIS DAY* in the Archives!

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2017! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

Check it out: Dave’s Favorite from *THIS DAY* in the Archives!

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2021! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

Check it out: Dave’s Favorite from *THIS DAY* in the Archives!

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2021! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

Check it out: Dave’s Favorite from *THIS DAY* in the Archives!

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2021! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

Check it out: Dave’s Favorite from *THIS DAY* in the Archives!

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2010! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

This week’s ComicLab is live!

Pals! Every week my cartooning pal Brad Guigar and I fire up the mics to talk about comics. It’s half shop talk, half how-to, and half friendship. That’s right: WE SQUEEZED IN THREE HALVES. It’s tips and tricks and all the joys of cartooning as a pro!

And here’s a summary of this week’s show, which just went live! 

———

LINK: https://www.patreon.com/posts/introducing-way-119284533

TITLE: Introducing: The Wrong Way!

Cartoonists Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett and Kevin McShane are teaming up on a new show — The Wrong Way! We’ll teach you how to draw your favorite cartoon characters without getting sued over copyright theft! Along the way, we’ll share tips, tell stories, and roast each other mercilessly. Pay attention, and you might learn how to draw The Wrong Way!

Today’s Show

  • Wrong way
  • Clever vs funny

Summary

In this episode, Brad Guigar and Dave Kellett introduce fellow cartoonist Kevin McShane, and announce their new YouTube show, ‘The Wrong Way,’ where they draw beloved characters in a legally safe manner. The conversation delves into the creative process behind the show, the dynamics of their friendship, and how they engage with their audience through Patreon, offering insights into the art of cartooning and the importance of community. In this conversation, the hosts delve into various themes surrounding their creative process, the audience for their new show, and the importance of learning from each other. They discuss the technical aspects of drawing, the competitive spirit that drives them to improve, and the launch of their new project, The Wrong Way Show, including its crowdfunding strategy. The conversation culminates in discussing the nuances of humor writing, specifically the difference between cleverness and funniness. In this conversation, the hosts explore the nuances of humor, particularly the distinction between cleverness and funniness. They discuss the importance of surprise in humor, the different levels of humor, and how experience shapes a comedian’s ability to write effectively. The dialogue emphasizes the need for continuous improvement and the role of audience feedback in developing comedic skills.

Check it out: Dave’s Favorite from *THIS DAY* in the Archives!

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2014! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

Check it out: Dave’s Favorite from *THIS DAY* in the Archives!

Pals! Here’s my favorite Sheldon comic from THIS DAY IN 2020! 

If you’re a Patreon Pal, you can log in and check out 5,000 more comics in the archives!

And if you’re not yet a pal on Patreon…JOIN US! You’ll get immediate access to:

– Over 5,000 comics!

– Plus all the themed collections! (Including “Dave’s Faves”, “Pugs”, “Coffee”, and more!)

– Plus weekly giveaways of original art!

– It’s so dang cool: JOIN US!

A single panel comic of a brown dog on a worn-looking background, similar to butchers’ diagram of cuts of beef. The dog’s mouth is open in a wide smile with large, excited eyes.

Along the dog’s neck: Pooch Smoochers
Top of the shoulders: Scritches
Along it’s back: Tender Scritches
Top of the butt: Rump Thumps
Tail: Tub Thumper
Butt: Avoid
Neck and chest: Hug Frenz, Snugs
Ribs: Oh das nice
Flank: Soff boi
Top of the front legs: Snug shanks
Under carriage: Memory foam
Under chest: Pillow
Above back legs: Flank thumps
Front legs: Lil’ tenders
Back legs: Rump Tenders

——
Want 5,000 more comics like this? Join us at Patreon.com/sheldoncomics for the *FULL* Sheldon archives, art giveaways, fun community, and more! Sheldon Comics copyright Dave Kellett. Colors by Beth Reidmiller