We were lucky to catch up with Jeffrey recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeffrey, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

It all started in school. Since taking elective classes in middle school, up until graduating college with a Bachelors in Art and Animation. I owe what I learned to the classes I wanted, classes that weren’t English, Math, or Social Sciences. Art classes is how I learned to draw, but post graduation is where I learned to express myself and develop my craft. At some point I dedicated to making a drawing a day challenge called “Draw or Die”. No matter how good or bad the drawing came out I had to create something in my sketchbook, or work on a page in my comic. It got the ball rolling with momentum and from that I noticed a lot of improvement in my craft and my peers noticed too.

It all boils down to how much time you put into your craft. Like anything in life, talent is the result of how much time you put into your interests. Knowing what I know now, I wish I had given more time to draw instead of gaming. What I mean by that is that I was 18 years old when I started college and decided that animation/art would be my career. In the same time I was getting into competitive gaming and going to tournaments and practicing over at friend’s houses for hours on end. So that’s how I split my time. When I was at school I would practice my art with assignments and homework, and outside of school I would practice with friends for tournaments. At some point though the balance of the two was in favor of competitive gaming, without seeing a real return in investment. If I can go back and trade the time I put into practicing for tournaments for practicing how to draw faces, developing my characters, and creating a network of other artists that would help me improve, I would. I didn’t know any better, I treated art like homework. Something to be graded at the end of the day. I don’t blame myself for having other hobbies and interests, we all have multiple hobbies, but I wish that I would have brought my sketch book with me when I went over a friends house or to a tournament. It would have made up for lost time drawing.
All this to say really is to draw more. Had I dedicated all my time into drawing, the learning process would have sped up for me.

I think everything I learned in college were really essential, but to get into specifics; Anatomy, construction, drafting, and composition are the most important skills I use to this day. As someone who created their own comic book and illustrations, having good anatomy and a strong composition carried my projects, and hid some of my biggest weaknesses, that being perspective and architecture. When I got into painting after using alcohol based markers, color theory was something that clicked with me that was just as important as my other skills (I was never good at coloring in college). It’s all essential in becoming a great artist, its just that some artists are stronger in some areas than others. I may not be a strong technical artist when it comes to architecture or perspective, but that doesn’t discredit how essential it is to my craft when I incorporate it.

Ah the obstacles. Where do I start. Well when I was learning in college how to draw, it did feel like I was way behind than most others in the same year as me. Where I was struggling to learn figure drawing, other artists (they weren’t students in my eyes, they were already artists) seemed to understand the anatomy more comprehensively. When it came to critiques, it seemed like most of my peers already had an identity of what their art was about. Comparison was the devil for me when I was at school. There were so many talented students, it gave me an overwhelming sense of imposter syndrome that I didn’t belong in the same league as them (some were professional level artists that dropped out because they found work in the industry!). It never helped that my self confidence at that age was nonexistent. I never believed in myself, and for the longest, I thought I was worse than I actually was. Now upon reflection that isn’t fair to myself to think like that. I was there to learn, not to compete with others. In fact in the community I met through my peers, there was one that believed in me the most (She was the one who recommended me for this interview. I can’t thank you enough Liz). At the end of it all though, the biggest obstacle that stood in the way of me learning more, was me. The mental blockade I put that kept me from believing in myself, from meeting others with the same interests, or that pushed me to learn outside of school and practice. Regardless, I still had school to complete and eventually I found my strengths to be in ink illustrations like comics or old graphic novel illustrations, because that’s where my interests lie in.
After graduating, I still struggled with my confidence in my art. Animation studios in SoCal didn’t take interest in my college portfolio, so I ended up making the art I wanted to make. Some obstacles I had to get over was just finding the time to make art after getting a full time job. I was working fulltime as a line cook at a failing restaurant getting paid less than minimum wage. Yet somehow, I made the time in my lunch breaks to draw and finishing sketchbooks, sometimes skipping out on my meals just to finish a drawing (definition of a starving artist). When I was delivering for Amazon it was the same thing too, I would find a restaurant or café, or hell even in the delivery van and take my mind off work just to draw in my sketchbook for 30 minutes. It wasn’t the ideal office or work space to draw, but I can’t lie, I made some of my best drawings there.
If I had advice for anyone going to school with the same obstacles or mental blocks I had at my age, it be to just keep going. We all learn at different paces. Some learn faster than others, and for some it clicks much later. You may not have learned it, but your brain did. Give it some time. I promise. Study your favorite artist, take figure drawing, make fan art, make original art, or make bad art. Fail faster so you can learn faster. The point is to keep creating to develop who you are, and if you run into an art block like most of us have, give your mind and body a break. It’s the chrysalis period, and you’ll know when you’re ready when the itch to create is there again.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Jeffrey Cerna. A few years ago I would’ve called myself a Comic Book Illustrator/Artist. Prior to that maybe an Animator. These days however, I think I’m considering myself to be just a Freelance Artist because I’ve been dabbling with various mediums lately. I always worked with calligraphy ink, a dip pen, and a brush, everything on smooth Bristol Board, but recently I’ve been going out of my comfort zone and started using other mediums like Acrylic Paint, Gouache, and Water Color on Canvas’, to Dry Wall, and even Buildings!

I first got into this “business” or this line of work because I wanted to make my own cartoons. I am not kidding. That’s what I wanted to go to school for, to learn how to animate. I ended up graduating with a portfolio focused on story boarding and was applying to almost every available animation studio in Southern California. It didn’t work out for me because my portfolio didn’t pick up any interest. Without a reliable PC or money to spend I couldn’t work on my digital portfolio so I went with the next best thing, creating comics on Bristol boards. If I couldn’t story board my ideas, I thought that composing sequences would benefit me more.

I began to craft my identity as a Comic Book Artist, focusing on striking Black and White Imagery, with highly detailed cross-hatching, and expressive and engaging characters. After working on the first issue of my comic, I started developing an interest in Fine Arts where I developed a series called, “The Big Ones”. To set me apart from other artists I didn’t want to work on something that was a standard size, instead opting to use 19x24inch Bristol Board to convey the scale of magnitude of the universe and world I wanted to create. “The Observer of the Cosmos” piece is the first where I started to develop my own artistic identity in the world fine arts, using the same techniques I used when creating my comic book. It shows an interest in the vast infinity of Space, and the unknown giant beings that exist. It tells the story of these giant detailed celestial creatures roaming the universe in search of who they truly are.

My Services is always to create an image or framed illustration that some one can own and display proudly at their home. If I’m not commissioned, I’m looking for markets to sell various sizes of prints I made, copies of my comic, paintings, and recently some stickers. However when I am commissioned… It’s been interesting recently.

What’s made me distinct is my ability to work with my client outside of my comfort zone. My most recent commissions have been something I’ve been honestly the most proud of so far. I thought that creating a comic was my most proud, then I created my “Observer of the Cosmos” piece I was proud of that. But nothing compares to when I got into Mural making. My first Mural project in 2023 was given to me by the Mayor of Pearblossom at the side of his office building but that was still in Black and White as I was not comfortable working with colors, yet. I got a chance to finish a Mural for a Mexican Bar, depicting a scene where a Cantador is serenading a Senora in the rocky valley of Mexico. It’s where I had to figure out so much on the job, how to work with Acrylics, how fast I had to work, and most importantly, how incorporate color theory into my work. And while I got the job done, I can see where improvements can be made for the next mural project.

So I’d say my brand is my versatility. I love making ink art. I enjoy making comic book illustrations, but if you need something more specific with color, in grander scale, I’m learning to do that too.

How did you build your audience on social media?

That’s a tough one because I’m still building my audience or making a social media presence. I’m just under 1k followers on Instagram, and I’m growing slowly but surely. One thing that helped me get a boost in followers is honestly just talking to people in Artist’s Alley’s or markets where I get to hear their opinion on my art. I make an effort to let them know they can always follow me on Instagram and I found most success growing my platform through this way. When I try to post daily or consistent it’s always a toss up. I get an average of 20-30 likes on my art posts, which just includes the finished drawing or piece, and it rarely gives new followers. It’s strange, the pieces I feel like should get the most attention get the least traction, and randomly I’d get a boost in viewers or likes for something I wasn’t aware of. However, as I look at my art page and see what was my most viewed or liked post was to get inspiration to write this, it always featured some sort of human element that got the most attention. I think people are more interested in the artist behind the art. and they want to see the personality, either coming through their art, the video editing, or just a face. My most liked post right now is a picture of me in front of my “Serenade” mural, my biggest project I’ve done yet, and before that was me with a group of artists in our small gallery show. So it leads me to believe that audiences want to see who we are, not just the art.

I’m not in every social media platform that exists though. My main social media platform is Instagram, I don’t really use TikTok, which became the biggest social media platform in the world in the last 5 years. I missed out on that wagon. You can’t deny it’s influence however on the rest of the social media world. Almost every platform adopted the short reels format, which helps with viewer retention. Regardless, it’s difficult to post on every social media platform that exists without a team, so I put my focus on a handful like Instagram and YouTube. Start with one and build your audience from there.
Now about the algorithm and it’s myths; there’s no real way to gain the system. Algorithms are built to not favor anyone specifically, so it’s impossible for you to “cheat” or “hack the system” and get more views, likes, or followers. If you chase trends and post content everyday, not only would you just burn out, your content will be buried along with the millions of others that posted at the same time you did. For example, if I make fan art for Spider-Man because it’s trending that day and post it with hashtags that tag Marvel and anything relating to it, I’d have the same chance to go viral as anyone else who posted Spider-Man art that same day. In fact, I’d be helping the search page boost the most popular and viral posts. You’re base audience would see it directly on their feed, and there’d be a chance for new viewers to see it under the most popular drawing that day. Going viral is almost like hitting the lottery. You’d need the right amount of talent, timing, and a whole lot of luck. If people like it, they will like it.
So focus on creating quality original content or art, but more importantly, make something for YOU. Make content you have always wanted to see, dabble with video editing, and never stop improving your craft. It’s gonna be discouraging at first when you don’t immediately get recognition, but no one has to validate your art with numbers. There is nothing wrong with you if other people don’t see your art. That art is for you.
I’m happy with my niche audience, and the community of other creators and friends I garnered that will share and support my content.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Tons of moments where I had to pivot to be honest, and I don’t think that’s going to change in the future.

As I mentioned beforehand, things did not work out for me after graduation in 2018. As much as I applied to animation studios in SoCal, I never got the attention of the hiring managers from my college portfolio. The plan to work in animation studios as a story board artist fell through and I had to look at other avenues for money. I’ve always been told in college that if things don’t work out, it just means you aren’t ready for that path yet. So I trusted that. Instead of making it big working in a studio, I was flipping chicken for less than minimum wage in 2018. Sometimes scheduled to work 12 hour shifts, opening to close. It was the worst job I ever had, but I had to get paid so I can make my art. All of the boards and animations I made in college I used the equipment from school that I didn’t have at home. I did not have a reliable PC to run an animation program, nor did I have the funds to pay monthly for any subscription based programs. One of my story board projects in my portfolio was an action based story I’ve been dreaming to make at the start of college. Since I couldn’t work on any digital programs, I went with the next best option; I would create a comic book like how they used to before computers, based on that story board I made previously. I would invest in inking tools like pens, brushes, Bristol boards, rulers, I bought a drafting table, and various inking tools just to see what I liked working with. The problem then became when am I going to find time to work on my comic? Working for 12 hours and coming home tired isn’t ideal, so to get more drawings done, I’d take my comic boards with me to work. During my lunch breaks, I’d do 20-30 minutes power drawing sessions and finish as much as I can, sometimes even skipping my meals to do so. I became known for that at work and with my friends.

I should mention that around fall 2019 I started going to Art Walks, Artist Alley’s, Art festivals, and Art markets, and it was the first time I had the opportunity to show and sell my art to the public. The drawings I made in my lunch breaks at work became prints the public would get to buy. So there was a lot I was doing to invest in my art. In 2021 I finally finished the first issue of my comic, “Beta Hero”. It was so overwhelming to finalize that at some point I wanted to give up entirely. I didn’t think anyone would want to read this crap. I ended up just committing to what I had and I made prints of Beta Hero for the next market I had lined up that year. To my surprise, the response was positive. Looking back and reflecting on it, a lot of people were excited for what I had made, and that was relieving to hear.

Unfortunately, that be the only issue of Beta Hero I’d release. I knew at some point I had to leave my restaurant job, it was just not paying enough, it never did. With some motivation from my co-worker who was also leaving, I left too. She told me that I was worth more than that job. “You deserve better.” is what she said, and that was all the words I needed to hear from her. I still was not finding work in any animation studio like Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Disney, or even Titmouse. Where I did get hired was delivering for Amazon in late 2021 (the hiring manager liked my handwriting. Go figure), and something about that transition left Beta Hero behind. I tried to take my comic boards with me like I did in my last job but something about the constant movement of delivering left me with little desire to draw comics. I took smaller boards and sketchbooks with me and took it easy drawing on the job, more like a distraction or decompression from the delivering. Yet, my interest in working on Beta Hero waned. Maybe it was the correlation of my old job where I worked obsessively over it that I wanted to leave it behind entirely. I hated that job and wanted nothing to do with it anymore. Thinking about it now, I think that also involved Beta Hero sadly. I was ready to move on. I had new ideas, new interests in making art and illustrations. A desire to make personal, fine art. I like statues and religious symbols, and I kept finding inspiration on route from the statues I’d see in customer’s yards. So I started creating more illustrations that I wanted to create using new inspirations, new mediums like acrylics. I wanted to define who I was in the world of art.

In the summer of 2023 I would be let go from my job delivering for Amazon. The entire delivery service partner contracted by Amazon I was in was completely shut down by Amazon and was removed before the contract was expired. I was out of the job. I was yet at another cross road/pivot of my life. Do I find another job? Do I work for Amazon again for another delivery service partner, the same Amazon that let my entire division go before? Or do I finally go all in becoming a full time Freelance Artist/Content Creator? Some of my best friends doubted my decision, but I trusted myself, and that’s all who I listened to. Sometimes, you got to go through with some bad decisions.

Since then it’s been difficult to get some traction, but it’s also been an interesting experience. I’ve been getting more involved with my community at home, participating in markets and gallery shows featuring my art. Two significant moments happened in the last two years however. The mayor of Pearblossom caught the attention of me at an artist market in 2023 and presented an opportunity to create a mural. He was specifically was looking for artists that never had experience making a mural. I never made one and so when we got to meet he gave me a spot on the side of his office building to work on. I never saw myself ever doing a mural, I made comic book art. Now I had some experience working as a muralist. This all ties in a year later when I meet someone at a party that’s planning to open a bar. He saw my sketchbook and got my contact info because he had plans for a future business venture. In the Summer of 2024, he contacts me and 3 other artists to contract us to make murals that would decorate the bar. Everything I had learned led up to this moment to put my skills to the test. Eventually when we were sketching out our murals, the location changes, and I would be the only artist that was contracted because they liked my sketch/work the most. Late 2024 was the biggest challenge, finishing this mural. Working with colors and paints, something I was incredibly inexperienced with. But I finished it. To a point I can actually be proud and take that confidence with me for the next project I work on.

That’s where I’m at right now. Currently taking some commissions, traveling outside the country, and getting involved more with my community showing my art. My life is always pivoting to a new direction. I’ve always said I would go back to my comic book, but every time I seem to work on something else that gets my attention, much to the dismay of my best friend’s request that I get the second issue out. Will I ever go back to making Beta Hero? Will I ever go back into animating and storyboarding? I’ll have to see it out to be honest. In the future I’d love to have my own booth in the amateur’s Artist Alley at L.A. Comic Con, but for that I need to finish more issues of my comic. I still have the dream to work in movie’s and TV animation. I just have to keep going, or for once, zero in and focus on one specialty. But I don’t think I’d want that. I’d lose interest and want to move on to learn something new.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theawkwardpenguin9.wixsite.com/cernaboards
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jc_comics24/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.cerna/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cerna-252094b7
• Twitter: https://x.com/JComics24
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@NeffJeff95