For a long time, I’ve been inspired by Sarah Graley, who is an illustrator and comic artist.

Her art is sweet and heavily stylised. She uses round shapes and exaggerated expressions to draw about her life and partner, as well as having multiple side comics. Below is an example of her work, taken from instagram:

I copied the lineart of a couple of her cats because I was taken by them.

I then used the proportions and shapes from Graley’s art to make some of my own art. My cat is called Mittens and she always looks like she’s cross, even though she’s really very sweet.

Each iteration experimented with placement of facial features, colour and her proportions or gestures.

Graley focuses more on the feeling and message of the comics than making them perfect.

What am I going to take away from this? I like Graley’s expressions a lot. The shape of the eyes might find it’s way into my own work. The relaxed anatomy appeals to me, e.g. lack of real wrist or arm anatomy in some cases even though the joints are clearly suggested. I continually seesaw back and forth between pedantism and relaxation in terms of how realistic my proportions are, but I know that’s just a case of finding a style.

There’s also less literal advice I could take from her. As an illustrator, her online presence is consistent and so is her style and content (Our Super Adventure, her main comic, has been continuing for years). She regularly attends cons (I met her other half Stef at ComicCon this may!) and tables there selling prints and comics. Her side projects will also bring her exposure and widen her portfolio.

Finally, I feel obliged to attach a picture of Mittens for you all to enjoy. I know the perfect one.