Bored Panda reached out to Jody Zellman to learn more about his creative process and himself. We were curious to know whether there are any recurring themes or topics in Zellman's comics that are particularly close to his heart or that he enjoys exploring the most. The artist shared that he doesn't have any strict rules for the themes or topics he draws. "Whatever comes out of my brain is fair game. That said, I avoid crude and shock humor and try to not rely on puns or overdone jokes."
By the way, Zellman hides Iggy, his chameleon pal, in every cartoon. Have you managed to spot it?
Let's take a closer look at Zellman's creative process. "For many years, I would start with a pencil and paper to sketch out my ideas," the artist shared. "Once I had an idea, I would create a 7" x 7" square and draw the cartoon within it. Afterward, I'd finalize it with a pen before scanning and coloring the cartoon using Photoshop.
In the past year, I've transitioned to using an iPad and Procreate. I'm still adjusting, but working digitally makes it easier to draw while on the go. Additionally, I have numerous boxes of cartoons taking up precious space, and I don't want to burden my descendants, who will eventually have to clean out my attic.
Today, the most challenging aspect is finding the time to draw. The comic has been on hiatus for the past year, and that hiatus is lasting longer than expected because I'm struggling to regain my discipline."
Talking about his recent achievements and experiences, the artist shared that in 2022, he was recruited to join the first artist cohort for Reddit’s Collectible Avatars program. "That’s been a great opportunity to focus my energy on a new medium for a new audience." You can find his (and other talented artists’) avatars in the Reddit shop.
"In 2020, I had two cartoons published in The New Yorker. That was a major achievement after submitting for ten years.
Today, with social media platforms prioritizing short video content, it’s harder for drawn art to find an audience. However, that change has helped me refocus on my primary goal of submitting my work to The New Yorker. My hometown newspaper, The Spokesman Review, continues to publish Earth To Planet once a week. I’m grateful for their continued support and enthusiasm," Zellman added.
If you're an aspiring comic artist, here are some tips from Zellman! "The best advice I received is to produce, produce, produce. Consistent production is the only way to improve the quality of your work and increase your chances of finding success."
The artist added a funny twist, saying, "The same advice should be heeded with caution when it comes to having kids."
