Bill Nichols’ Prescription:
Comics 10ccs of the Process with
Quinton Bedwell

Quinton is on of the many talented creators worling on Roland Mann’s relaunched comics line Silverline Comics.

What inspires you to create and keeps you going?

Writing and drawing the things I write has always been a release for more. I liken it to a mental reality vacation where anything is possible. It truly is therapy for me.

 

Do you have a set routine?

I do have routines worked out but they are normally guided by what time the kids get their homework done and in the bed.

 

What kind of output do you try to achieve?

With working a full time job and doing this on the side I strive for one page a week penciled and inked and I have been able to stay with that for the most part.

 

What inspires you WHEN you create? Music? Noise? Silence?

It truly depends in which stage of development I’m in. Once I figure out the mental and creative direction I’m going I will listen to podcasts or music to do the more mechanical aspects.

 

Who was the first comic book creator that influenced you to pursue this?

I’m not sure about a particular creator but I’ll say my love for it has pushed me to and I’ve met some really cool people along the way who have definitely encouraged and helped me on the journey.

 

When did you realize you could follow this path yourself?

Gonna sound crazy but the first time I picked up a bad comic with bad art. “If these guys can do this, I CAN DO IT.” was my thought.

 

What do you find to be a challenge in creating?

Probably getting out of the tunnel vision long enough to walk away and come back to see if it actually was what I was going for or it seemed to be at the time when I was wrapped up in the doing of it. Things need a fresh look and sometimes you cant trust yourself until after yo can put fresh eyes on it. Late at night or when you’ve been working on some stuff intensely and haven’t come up for air….you can really turn out bad art or writing but at the time its Genius. Walk away and comeback or wait till the next day and see if it holds up.

 

What else do you have to learn?

So much to learn. I try not to think to hard about it and just do it and learn as I go because there is so many bit and baubles of information one could get overwhelmed with it all not to mention waste to much time learning and not learning by doing.

 

What keeps you motivated to get better?

Every piece motivates me because as hard as I try there is rarely a time when I can honestly say I’m 100% happy with this or that. Sometimes when certain parts come out exceptional I get really excited and a little bit of a rush. Those moments spur me on.

 

Can you turn your brain (creativity) off (and on)?

I don’t think I can turn it off but it can get interrupted….I’ll sometimes be deep in the Zone of the worlds I’m constructing or in the scenes of dramas that are unfolding in my head and then BOOM….Interruption…(((CUT))) Lets start again from the Top.

 

 

Booster Shots

 

What advice do you have for aspiring creators?

Plot a direction and start traveling…. Have fun doing it because it sometimes is the only redeeming factor of this type of venture…. Be nice… Be on time with deadlines… Be your best.

 

Do you ever worry about running out of ideas?

Not at all. I believe if one does it’s time to move on because its not ideas you run out of but rather its interest.

 

How do you handle the slow times?

There really isn’t with me… If I’m not working on others things I have my own. Other times I’m trying to get the attention of certain individuals of groups to open me up to more potential avenues.

 

How do you feel about the industry?

I feel that the comic industry (or what I perceived it to be)  that I fell in love with is long gone years ago. On the same hand that is not all bad because that model was very closed and very hard to enter where as what we have now is one that is open to all who are willing to make the sacrifices and to work hard. With that being the case, we can make a comic industry for ourselves that encapsulates all the notions of what we thought OR PERCEIVED was good about the old and bring it into the new. If you want to do comics, go make a comic but you will also have to Market it sell it and keep it going even when its not fun. It will only live as long as you allow it by doing the work.

 

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed by the above creator are theirs. This interview may not 

be reprinted or reposted without permission.