You Are An Artist

Aurélia Durand shares her path from art school to internationally recognized artist, and how you can start your creative journey.

Aurélia Durand has been published in The New Yorker, worked with massive brands, and illustrated the #1 New York Times Bestseller This Book Is Anti-Racist, so she knows a thing or two about honing her craft, challenging herself, and making dreams come true. Inspired by questions she is regularly asked, she shares how she did it, the lessons she and her artist friends have learned along the way, and how you can do it too.

Each chapter explores a different area of creativity and brand building, from developing your creative vision and creating a portfolio of work to using social media to your advantage and how to build a sustainable business. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to find your style and build your brand but didn’t know who to ask, Aurélia’s got you covered.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs