Today we’d like to introduce you to Chad Thomas.
Chad, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I loved drawing when I was a kid but I can remember getting my hands on my very first comic books and knowing that THESE were what I wanted to draw. I’m one of the lucky few that just knew exactly what they wanted to do at an early age and pursued it pretty relentlessly! I always loved comic books and the Turtles just hit me at the right age for me to really get into them. I remember my goal when I was probably 8 or 9 was to someday draw the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book, and I’m still shocked that it’s something I’ve been able to do over the last five years.
Being a cartoonist and getting into comics is crazy difficult and I was extremely lucky to have and amazing mom and dad that encouraged what they saw as a real gift and helped me find other mentors and opportunities for me to develop as an artist at an early age. They drove me to the comic store on a regular basis, took me to art classes, and never once in my life ever said that maybe I should do something different. They saw what it was that I had a real passion for and encouraged it full stop. And on that same front my wife now is massively supportive of me. This job and my career would be impossible without her support.
I was able to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design and graduate in 2003 with a BFA in Sequential Art but it still wasn’t until 2008 that I was able to get my foot in the door, and not until early 2014 that I was finally able to do comics full time. It’s hard work. It can be grueling and a lot of time I’m still doing other illustration work alongside it, but I get to DRAW and create every day. I love it. I mean…there are days when it sucks and you’re frustrated and it’s a JOB. But it’s what I want to do. Wouldn’t have it any other way…. except maybe some easier deadlines.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I draw cartoons! I don’t know how much more I can say than that! I have a very cartoony style that has its influences from Disney, anime, the Bruce Timm designed Batman cartoons and so many other places. I think early on in my life as an artist I was inclined to do some more detailed stuff but as I’ve progressed I feel like my style has gotten more animated and expressive. I want to draw books and make art that anybody can read. My stuff is very kid friendly but I think the term “all ages” applies as I hope it’s not JUST for kids but can be (and hopefully is!) enjoyed by everyone.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Makes friends in your field. Encourage your peers. But mostly…. keep at it. I feel like that’s the old standard thing to say, right? But it’s true. It took me over 10 years to be able to break into this full time and I still have to grind day to day and job to job to keep it rolling.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have worked with IDW for the past five years on their all ages Ninja Turtles Comics and have just started work on the brand-new series Rise of the TMNT that will be coming out this September. Alongside that, I’ve also had the chance to work on my other huge love, Star Wars, and IDW’s all ages comic Star Wars Adventures.
The best way to support ME is of course heading to your local comic shop and picking up some of the work that I have out of the stands! But honestly, if the TMNT aren’t your thing, just going to the shop and finding a comic that you love and might be interested in is just as good. I think a lot of people look at comics as JUST superhero stuff and it is absolutely not. There are hundreds of different and amazing books in any genre that might be more up your alley. So, go buy a comic! Or a few! I know your local shop would appreciate it and the industry as a whole would be better for it, too.
Contact Info:
- Email: chadat@me.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadat/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChadThomasArt/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChadAThomas
Image Credit:
Colors on the Star Wars comics by Jordan Boyd. Colors on Rise of the TMNT by Heather Breckel.
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