I blame the tools

[spqrblues]

A minor rant on packaging of supplies for comics artists, with boobs.

This is the old packaging for the illustration board I usually use to draw the comic.

Simple, professional, and you don't have to feel goofy when you buy it, because you are totally a serious artist, and stuff.


And this is the boobified new packaging.

While I understand the marketing reasoning for going with the gigantic eyes and the water-balloon boobs, I'd never pick this up in a comic store, an art-supplies store, or from a convention table. But, of course, I'm not the demographic they're marketing to.

It's not a cheap product (though it looks cheap, now—ooh, see how I used the two connotations of the word—burn). I'd think if you need the more expensive stuff (it holds up pretty well to eraser abuse), you wouldn't need boobages to attract you to the product, you'd simply buy what you need. But maybe they'd like to get artists who don't consider themselves professional level to upgrade to the heavier stuff; one-ply Bristol Board being a gateway drug, and all. In fact, I don't know why they don't just indicate the ply of the paper by the size of the cup.

Good thing there's mail order. I guess.

Comments

[pikku-gen.livejournal.com]

*headpalm*

I can totally sympathize. I wouldn't want to be seen buying that. Or be seen dead with it, as it happens.

Which reminds me... got to learn to draw. :P

[telophase.livejournal.com]

That makes me feel slightly better that the paper I like to use is packaged with a picture of a catboy on it. Luckily, I buy by mail-order so I don't have to look anyone in the eye and disclaim making catboy doujinshi.

[viistar.livejournal.com]

i just use smooth bristol pads that i cut myself... (non-professional much? :P)
O_O... there's a balloon on the front... but not two of em XD

that's just like saying that women don't make comics... regardless of demographic, cause paper isn't specifically for boyz or gurlz...

pro-boards 4 teh FAIL. >_<**
*thumbs down*

[barbaricyawp.livejournal.com]

Ack! That's so annoying. What's the deal with alienating their women customers? You won't be the only dissatisfied user. I bet someone seriously underestimated their customer demographic. Idiots...

When I was in DC and wanting to learn how to draw better, I saw a book on figure drawing at the National Gallery of Art. Nearly all of the naked bodies in the book are female, and some of them are in just ridiculous poses. The very few men are Ward Cleaver types -- stiff, stalwart and boring. I ended up buying it reluctantly because there wasn't anything else suitable, but it was annoying.

My great aunt Nell was an artist, and I have a print of hers from the 1940's era, a watercolor of a naked man wearing a jock strap. I bet she made the sketch at one of those figure drawing classes. She was a seriously cool woman.

Where are the figure-drawing books for people who'd rather draw men's bodies? Somebody start marketing stuff to ME, dammit!

You know, some artist could really make a bundle by writing a 'figure-drawing' guide with mostly naked men.

The girl probably has to wear two bras, and sill gets a backache...

[etako.livejournal.com]

Write the company. I've done that in the past for art supplies I like, and once even for a certain knitting catalogue. (It was for women, but what the women were wearing meant to me that the catalogue belonged in a male's hands.) Not that I encourage you to be one of the obnoxious raging feminists. Rather, I encourage you to be a sensible one. In the worst case scenario they'll pat you on the head and give you free paper.
As has also happened to me. :D

[wintersweet.livejournal.com]

They're called "BOARDZ"...I don't think I could have bought from them in the first place. ;p

[(Anonymous)]

I really can't gnash my teeth and beat my-er-breast over this packaging er-affront, because as you point out, it is in the realm of comics which have a um-- genetic predisposition to this uh-trait, but it is bad taste + bad drawing, I mean that looks like a case of capsular contracture and she should be suing not only PRO Boardz, but also Dow Corning.

[ndgmtlcd.livejournal.com]

When I clicked on that link after the "minor rant" warning I thought it would lead to another one of your "lady artist and cat" adventures. It turned out to be something else. You're always full of surprises!

I was curious enough about the origin of the marketing style change to make a few google searches. It turns out that the owners come from the comics collector supply business. They're used to selling plastic covers to fanboys. Sorry, I mean fanboyz. Looks like they just hired one of the boyz to design the new packaging.

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

*palm/head*

Ugh...yeah it's sad they have to Market to the XTREME! for all those Anime fanboyeez.

it's as uncomfortable as trying to get any Human Anatomy for the Artist or 'drawing the nude' book.

I don't understand the contortionist or BDSM poses they have women pose in some of those anatomy books...It's just painful! If you need to stare at a [woman] in such a wacky pose, then you're in the wrong profession!

SIGH

[amberdulen.livejournal.com]

PRO Boards (tm): Perfect for drawing your own porn!