SP talked to Meghan Turbitt, @ripmeghan, whose “Overheard At…” comics series captures conversations she overhears at notable Philly locals like the Philadlephia Musem of Art and Rittenthouse Square. Now available as limited edition prints!
🗣️How do you capture all the info for the comics?
✌️TBH I’m super focused on the assignment. I take pictures of what I see with my phone and write down what I hear in a sketchbook.
🗣️The drawings of are full of specific details and they always seem like particular individuals, never generic. Do you eyeball certain people who you want to draw?
✌️Yes, exactly! I eyeball people who I think are interesting and listen to what they say and vice versa.
🗣️Do you have to be sneaky for this, or are people so wrapped up in their own thing that they don’t notice you’re observing them?
✌️Both. I have a very unusual skill of being able to talk to literally anyone, especially strangers. My Mom has the same skill. So sometimes I go right up to people I’m “observing” and talk to them about what they’re up to. Other times, I’m sneaky and I’ll take photos and then write down dialogue in my sketchbook. All depends on what’s happening in the moment.
🗣️Do you tend to gather more intel on the scene than you can use in the comics? Or are you able to just get the good stuff in the moment?
✌️I do tend to gather more intel than I can use in the comics AND I’m able to get the good stuff in the moment if that makes sense. I’ve had to edit a couple of things because of space and time issues. I have forgotten to include things out of sheer coincidence.
🗣️What makes a good quote or conversation for the comics, what are you looking for?
✌️My friend @kurtbraunohler, who is a standup comedian, writer, actor, and hilarious person, once told me years ago that you should always use as few words as possible when writing or telling a joke. That has always stuck with me and I think it’s a good method for jokes and writing in comics in general. Also twitter used to be a good place to edit jokes because you only had a certain number of characters.
🗣️Have you ever overheard something that was too “hot” to use?
✌️Maybe, lol!
🗣️How did you connect with the @phillyinquirer ?
✌️Firstly, for two straight years I have been begging The Inquirer to let me follow Michael Klein (their food guy) around and make comics about him. There have been phone calls and texts between Michael and I about this. No go.
I heard there was a new art guy at the Inquirer, Anton Klausner. I emailed him to introduce myself and pitched him a few ideas. He came back to me with this idea of “Overheard at the PMA.” Luckily the @philamuseum had worked out a contract with the @pma_union, so I was happy to go there again : )
He gave me no direction really for the Overheard at the PMA. He suggested colorful, incorporate the art, the people, the fashion. Literally zero other direction. I needed to hear that! That’s how I work : )
He’s been wonderful to work with and super supportive! We’ve collaborated on choosing the places so far.
🗣️If someone spots you gathering material, should they and act like they don’t see you, so they don’t blow your cover?
✌️I love talking to people and I always want people to talk to me : )
🗣️What tools are you using to create the comics?
✌️When I received a @koyamaprovides grant a couple of years ago, I spent the money on an Ipad with the little keyboard and the little pen. It was the first time I’ve ever owned a brand new Ipad or laptop or computer. I’d always just inherited old computers from ex boyfriends when we broke up.
I taught myself how to use Procreate (which I highly recommend!) It’s kind of like an art video game, an updated version of Mario Paint.
Last year I bought some risograph brushes and color palettes from @retrosupply. I have never looked back. I use those brushes and versions of those palettes for everything. And now my comics are looking exactly like the paintings I was making in art school in 2002!!!!
Prints of Overheard now avail at meghanturbitt.com/store and at @partersandson! While supplies last!