Issue 214
Hello!
Guys, I’m am up to my eyeballs in freelance work right now, so I’m going to keep this part short and get back to work.
As we wrap up this year I just want to thank you for reading this newsletter. I get emails from readers every time I send them and I love reading them, though I don’t have the bandwidth to reply back to all of them.
2025 has been an incredible yet daunting year with the Parker family move to Virginia, my daughter getting married, and a hit book on the best sellers lists. I have a TON to be grateful for and I do not take it all for granted.
I’ll be back in your inbox next month, until then I hope you have a joyful holiday season, and very happy new year.
Alright, lots to share today so…let’s jump into it!
STAYING IN THE LOOP:
🎙️3PP Podcast: Too Many Ideas, Not Enough Time
🎙️3PP Podcast: You Know What Grinds My Grits?
🔴 SVS Live: Making the Darkstalker graphic novel
1) Graphic Novel Pro
From the Office of Online Education
Graphic Novel Pro is BACK!
Hear me out…what if 2026 was the year you actually made your graphic novel?
To make that happen you need:
clear direction
a solid plan
a group of peers cheering you on
a mentor you can reach out to for guidance
We’ve hard wired these things into Graphic Novel Pro so that you don’t have to do this on your own.
The class doesn’t start until January 22th but we are letting a few people in before Christmas because:
It’s a great present for that creative comic nerd in your life
Or you can treat yourself since you are a creative comic nerd and your ideas deserve to be drawn and published
It’s a tax write-off for 2025 (ask your accountant, I’m not a tax pro, but Professional Development is a legit use of your money)
And to that point, getting really good at your craft is what your future you will be glad you did in 2026
I know it all comes down to you putting in the reps and drawing page after page, but why do that in a vacuum? Why go it alone without any direction?
We hope to see you in class!
Register Here: LINK
2) New Download Editions!
From the Making Comics Division
I make digital editions of all my books so that people who missed the print run can still have access to them. I just loaded up the shop with a bunch of new downloads and a deal to get ALL my books at a massive discount.
Here’s my planner (and one extra I made for my son-in-law, by request) ready to be trimmed and spiral bound.
This is a planner for deliberate creators.
It’s been tested and refined in the creative furnace of my own chaotic workdays.
Built to help you organize your process, finish what you start, and move your work into the world.
Order the file here: LINK
3) The Refined Style of Matias Basla
From the Illustrators Division
Just want to bring your attention to a comic artist with impeccable style and killer compositional instincts. Matias Basla has worked on a few cool projects but I’m struggling to find where he’s based and what he’s currently doing.
Projects of note: Sparrowhawk, Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, Blitmap
Tumblr: LINK
Instagram: LINK
4) Truss Wall House
From the Architecture Desk
Designed by Eisaku Ushida & Katherine Findlay the house was built in Japan in 1993. If that isn’t something out of a Star War. Don’t how practical it would be to live here, but the design is incredible.
Drawings and concepts here: LINK
More photos here: LINK
5) Never Forget How Much Dazzle Camouflage Ruled
From the Department of Graphic Design
Sometimes I forget that this was a thing and I love how the military just gave artist free reign over their fleet for a war. I know radar made this obsolete, but think we should go back to this just because it looks so dang cool.
That's all for now. Thank you for reading this newsletter and hope you have a great weekend!
-Jake
My sponsor for this newsletter is…me. It's me, because I'm not accepting sponsors for my email list, and don't plan to any time soon. Really, I'd just like people to buy stuff from my shop. If you like this newsletter, you can support it a few ways:
Order something from the shop (Best)
Back a kickstarter when I launch one (Also Best)
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I'd appreciate any of these when you can. Thanks!
Currently reading:
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
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Congrats on all your success! Thanks for sharing Matias - very inspirational. Happy Holidays!
The draws of the illustrators division are amazing
Full of life
Very narrative