The Art of Making Graphic Novels with Aron Steinke

Aron Nels Steinke is a celebrated Eisner Award-winning cartoonist best known for his best-selling children’s graphic novel series Mr. Wolf's Class and his latest work, Speechless. Formerly an elementary school teacher, Aron channels his experiences into stories that resonate with young readers and inspire literacy through visual storytelling. His creative journey spans over two decades, marked by persistence, growth, and a steady passion for comics. Now a full-time author based in Portland, Oregon, he continues to visit schools, sharing his love for comics and encouraging the next generation of readers and artists.

 

What You'll Learn:

• Aron's transition from animation school to teaching and eventually to full-time comics creator
• How Speechless was crafted over three years and why it’s his proudest work yet
• The unique production process behind Mr. Wolf's Class and why he still draws large
• Insight into working with colorists and learning to let go of control in creative collaborations
• Practical advice for aspiring graphic novelists: start small, focus on storytelling, and iterate
• How style naturally emerges from repeated practice and experimentation
• Why motivation and support from mentors like Marv Newland can be transformative

 

“You can't be afraid of failure. Making mistakes and failing aren't exactly the same thing... but you have to be willing for it to all go wrong.” - Aron Nels Steinke

The fear of failure often blocks people from ever starting. Aron's reminder that mistakes are part of the process - and not synonymous with failure - encourages creators to persist, take risks, and let growth happen through doing, not just planning.

 

Overview:

Hey friends, Carl here. I had an incredible time talking with Aron Nels Steinke on this episode of Pixel Retentive. Aron walked us through his creative journey - from aspiring animator to self-published cartoonist to Scholastic author - and dropped some seriously grounded wisdom along the way. We talked about his process, the challenges of balancing multiple careers, and what it really takes to make a graphic novel that sticks. If you’re a creator navigating the path from idea to execution (especially in comics), this one’s packed with gold. Let’s get inspired to keep drawing, keep writing, and keep showing up.