Thought Bubble Festival and why I should have gone years ago.

My first comic conventions, the MCM London Comic Con and the London Film &Comic Con were hugely disappointing. I would call them pop culture festivals and were more about buying branded superhero merchandise than comics. I mentioned this to an exhibitor and his advice was to go to Thought Bubble in Leeds.

I went for the first time this last weekend and the festival was everything I could have wanted. There were hundreds of artists, great speakers, feedback and a perfect example of how amazing the comic community is.

There were amazing talks by artists on their work and the industry. It’s always great to see how humble and down to earth most artists are. I got some great advice on establishing myself in the industry and making a profession out of comics.

Speaking to artists and writer was an incredible resource. I learned some tricks of the trade and think I’ve been sold on the program formerly known as Manga Studio. Photoshop is just too cumbersome for the pace that I need to work.

The feedback and insights I got from established editors and publishers was invaluable. I had my portfolio reviewed by Shelly Bond of Vertigo and got to watch portfolio reviews from the 2000AD art competition.

There was a whole host of other workshops, fringe events and more that I would have gone to were there more hours in the day.
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Basically Thought Bubble is everything you want and need in life if you’re into comics. Go!