Meet the Artist – Nate Schroeder
When did you start drawing?
When I was 4 years old, I would go with my parents to Bible Studies and sit on different people’s laps. As soon as I got their attention, I would say “Draw Tractor,” and they’d do a rough sketch of a tractor. I’d look at it and say “Draw it Bettah.” I guess that also started my battles with perfectionism, trying to create the illusion of life.
What are your favorite things to draw?
If I had to sum up what I like to draw, it would probably fall into two categories: one being anything odd or different interpretations of classic norms/tropes (i.e. vampires, mutants, zombies, etc.), and animals, or animals and typography.
Who are some of your artistic inspirations?
My number one is Berke Breathed (Bloom County) who’s my influence on how to create, such as the form of the characters. Two has to go to Sean Gordon Murphy (Joe the Barbarian, Batman White Knight). He’s a huge influence on form for me and how a panels work with each other into a page or even pages. Three is Jeff Lemire (Sweet tooth, A.D. After Death) and then his work with Dustin Nguyen (Descender). (Yeah I know I said three, give me a break.)
Any projects you’re working on or looking forward to working on?
I’m doing the album art and graphic design and starting the animation process for the band Italian Stallion Battalion. Check them out by Youtubing (is that how you say it?) “Italian Stallion Battalion D-E-L-R-I-O.”
What’s a good way for fans to check out your work?
You can find me on Instagram @schroeder_the_animator to see any of the weird things i’m drawing and the ol’ Tweet space @nate_animates for my thoughts on living with hypochondria, music, and also some art stuff.
And just real quick, I just want to give three big shout outs to my friends Mike Garcia (who got me looking at comics seriously), Raf Napoleon (who keeps me up to date on all the comic lore I’ve missed out on… and also are huge debates on who’s better: Batman or Green Arrow–Green Arrow, obviously), and Rachel Custer (who’s not afraid to say, “yeah you should redraw this because it’s gonna look way better in the long run).
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