The Terrible Anvil: Episode 2 - Lean into the worst. In the Comics FLOW + PUBLISH group we asked around: how do you lean in when the going gets weird? What parts are EXTRA UNFUN, and how do you navigate it?

We spoke on all these topics, as well as the role of ritual and community in answering these three questions. We cooked up ideas on how to make a home there in the ruins, being okay with badly-drawn hands, what to embrace when we're working.

Jess Ruliffson and I are starting our live discussion series, The Terrible Anvil, tomorrow , Jan 11, 2024 in the Sequential Artists Workshop Flow Community and this post is an invite (you can sign up for a free 2 week trial here: https://learn.sawcomics.org/courses/comics-flow-group )

Conversation is a part of life. Let's bring readers into the life of our comics. It comes up a lot where people think maybe they have too much dialogue, too many “talking heads". It can happen, but it doesn’t always happen.

The famous way out of this is Wally Wood’s “22 panels that always work when some dumb writer has a bunch of lame characters sitting around and talking for page after page…”

Sowing, reaping, and resting in our art. A post by Jess Ruliffson.

Our next Pro-Call is with Jamila Rowser! Come join us in our most affordable, online ongoing-community SAW FLOW + PUBLISH MEMBERSHIP GROUP (comes with a two-week free trial) to join in on MONTHLY PRO-CALLS!

We bring in comic professionals from all walks of life to guest speak (virtually) at SAW. These guest speakers give SAW students/members some insight from their personal experiences throughout their comics career and welcome questions at the end of each session. Come join us!

I’ve been thinking about the ideas of Getting Seen and also Getting Good, and why we tend to worry about doing it in the “right” order. That is, we are so certain we have to be GOOD, BEFORE we are SEEN.

The first mistake everyone makes when writing for comics...

We're so excited to have cartoonist, Shelly Bond, for our next PRO-CALL! Join us in our most affordable, online ongoing-community SAW FLOW + PUBLISH MEMBERSHIP GROUP (comes with a two-week free trial) to join in on MONTHLY PRO-CALLS!

Upcoming IN-PERSON events for September 2023! Kicking off September, SAW alums host a FREE in-person Draw Jam on Sept. 2 in the SAW Studio (and on the first Saturday of every month)! Mid-September we have an in-person course with M.S. Harkness, a FREE Live Comics Reading, and a FREE Drink + Draw Jam @drinkndrawgnv. And starting at the end of September, teens can join us in the SAW Studio for 10 weeks of intensive comics-making for our Fall Open Studio with Carly Shooster @hunger_eating_munch!

Join us July 28th for a Field Guide to Graphic Literature Book Launch in Gainesville, FL with Tom Hart!

The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Graphic Literature gives readers unprecedented insight into the techniques of 28 of today’s most innovative creators of poetry comics, graphic narratives, and image-text hybrids. With original craft essays, corresponding exercises, and full-color examples of their work, each contributor offers reflection and instruction informed by their own methods and processes. Edited by Tom Hart @hutchowen and Kelcey Ervick @kelcey.parker.ervick@thirdhousebooks

Replay Video of Unexpected Fiction workshop with MJ Robinson!

If you missed our most recent *WE BELIEVE IN COMICS* Friday Night Workshop, catch the replay below! 

"We had an amazing time with November Garcia who had us writing out our problems, but drawing the opposite expressions.  Very therapeutic! We went deep, had fun, dealt with some real woes. Thanks to Ms. Garcia for helping us work this stuff out!"

This October, we have TWO Pro-Calls and we're inviting everyone to this one.

SAW Pro-Call with Wendy Pini! | Monday October 17, 2022 @ 2PM EASTERN TIME

Recent success from SAW Artist Resident Alumni, Andi Santagata!

FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: FAZBEAR FRIGHTS Graphic Novel Collection #1 is #1 in hot New Releases for Teen and Young Adult Comics and Graphic Novels on Amazon and a Bookseller Favorite. Published by Graphix.

Get your copy wherever books are sold and keep making comics!

This months SAW Student Interview by Donna Druchunas features David Wagenfeld and talks about everything comics from process to consumption. Thanks Donna! Thanks David!

An interview between SAW online members Donna Druchunas and Jennifer Shiman about comics making, reading and enjoying.

The SAW Year-Long Intensive Program students recently created Photo Comics projects for their 3rd quarter assignments. Shown below is just one of the many examples from our students. Check out this Photo Novella by student, Betsy Hudson! Have you created a photo comic, or, Photo Collage, before? Why not try it out? Even if it’s just one panel. Check out this Youtube video of Tom Hart going over Photo Novels.

Do you ever have trouble celebrating your milestones? Your achievements? No matter how “small” they may seem? See what SAW Instructor and friend, Jess Ruliffson, shared about her thoughts about these feelings.

Come join us in our most affordable, online ongoing-community SAW FLOW + PUBLISH MEMBERSHIP GROUP (comes with a two-week free trial) to join in on MONTHLY PRO-CALLS!

A personal comic by SAW member and Alumni, Kevin Curley, regarding process, growth, and identity as a cartoonist.