ZINE BY MEEE

Hey everyone! I've been getting so many questions lately about how I put together my character zine, and I absolutely love sharing my creative journey with you all. It's more than just a collection of drawings; it's a little piece of my artistic soul, featuring characters like 'Adrian' and many others I've poured my heart into. Creating a character zine is such a rewarding experience, especially when you want to showcase your unique original characters (OCs). For me, it started with wanting to bring my digital art to life in a tangible way. You saw glimpses of my 'wlw aliens' Zara and Florence, with their vibrant pink and blue skin tones, and characters from my 'Saltbone book'. Each one has a story, and a zine is the perfect canvas to tell it. When you're thinking about starting your own character zine, here are a few things I learned along the way: Define Your Theme: My zine, titled 'Original Characters by Adrian', clearly focused on OCs. You could focus on a specific universe, a particular art style (like my new rough coloring art style), or even a collection of characters based on a theme, like 'odd skin tones'. Having a clear theme helps guide your selection and creation process. Gather Your OCs: Look through your sketchbook, digital files, and even old doodles. Which characters resonate with you the most? Which ones have compelling backstories or designs you're proud of? I made sure to include fan favorites like Raveennn from 'Hollow Crown' because I know you guys love her! Think About Presentation: How do you want your characters to be seen? For Zara and Florence, I chose a vibrant, dynamic spread. For others, I included character sheets or even tiny snippets of their world. Don't be afraid to experiment with layouts. I even added personal touches like Japanese phrases for some of my characters to hint at their background or inspiration. Consider the 'Behind the Scenes': On the back cover, I included a 'BEHIND THE ART' section. This is a fantastic way to connect with your audience. Share a little about yourself, your inspirations, or your creative process. It makes the zine feel more personal and gives readers insight into the artist behind the work. Printing and Binding: This can seem daunting, but there are many affordable options. For my zine, I kept it simple, focusing on the content. Whether you're doing saddle-stitch, perfect bound, or even stapling it yourself, the key is to choose something that complements your art and budget. Remember, a zine is often about raw, independent creation! Making this zine was a fantastic way to celebrate my OCs and share them with the world. It’s a tangible representation of my artistic growth, showing a mix of my established characters and my evolving digital art techniques. I hope this gives you some inspiration to start your own character zine and explore the wonderful world of independent publishing!