Today, we're in conversation with Isabelle Arné! She's got an amazing comic coming out in our newest anthology, AFAR. Not to mention how she's a great illustrator and artist in general. Let's get to it right away!
How did comics making start for you?
I recently threw away some very old art, and I must say there was a lot of storytelling and even small comic in it. Some go back from when I was 10 and younger. So I guess It came from a very long time ago, I can only say I've been doing comics forever! But I think I came to comic more seriously in high school, I discovered manga around that time and It was a true inspiration and motivation for me. It was also the time when the internet became accessible to me and I joined communities to share my comic and even do fanzines.
What do you think are some differences between the European comic scene and the North American comic scene?
I'm not too sure, I feel like the North American community is more free more energetic. It's not that there isn't fanzines or self-published authors here in Europe but I think people fear more starting seriously comics because being edited and making a living out of comics is difficult. I also feel like in Europe there is a more closed circle of artist " bankable " because we have a lot of artists that are here in place since 20 or 30 years and editors wants artists that fit a certain drawing style that is once more bankable. I may not know enough the comic scene in both continents but it's the feeling I have.
How did you begin Radiant?
I was just fed up of client work at one point. I was doing art that was not pleasing me, and I had this story lying around that needed some time and energy that I was willing to put into. Radiant was a great thing to me because it affirmed my drawing style and keeps challenging me. It also forced me to be more visible, which I had great difficulties at that point in my life.
Any favorite works you’d recommend to other people?
There is a comic that I have been waiting for a while, I'm really expecting it, it's called Northern by the French comic artist Orpheelin, I've been follower her for a very long time and bought a few of her comic in conventions. Her art is awesome and when she did her Kickstarter I jumped to get a copy! http://kck.st/2fvPUGT The book is a bit late but I will wait! Another one I really love is Nameless and the scientist by Amei Zhao http://nameless.ameizhao.com/ I own the 2 first books and it's amazing, a true inspiration for me.
How did you approach the theme of ‘distance’ in your comic for AFAR?
I once heard a writer say, it's easier to talk about things you know, I forgot his name, sorry, but he talked the truth and it's exactly what I did here, I used my own experience to write the story.
What’s your comic in AFAR exactly about?
Trains is about living in a different place from your boyfriend, it's about the difficulty of waking up in the morning and seeing that you are alone, that your world is not totally colored or totally lit with such a cold, loveless wake. When you live apart from someone you love, cosy mornings with him/her are a rare and blissful thing.
Ideas on future themes you’d like to pursue?
This I am not sure, I'd like to focus on Radiant for now. I had a lot of exciting projects that took me away from it so it's time to put it back into my priorities.
What advice would you give someone who wants to get into comics?
Just start! there is nothing more difficult than starting a comic, there is no excuse not to start, your drawing skill is the least of it. When you do a comic you'll see how much it will bring you in terms of skills and fun! Just do it! ( like a very inspired person said one day XD
What is the one thing that you want to accomplish before this year’s over?
I love having books printed so I'd like to do more books, always more books with my illustrations and drawings that I can stack ahah !
Many thanks to Isabelle who gave us this wonderful interview.
Would you like to see her 6 page comic coming up in AFAR? Click the banner below!
