Hamm Tips Volume 2: is this $4 stack worth it for Comics & Graphic Novels?
The 95-page cartooning reference that lives in your browser tab
You have probably scrolled past hundreds of “draw better” tips on Twitter, X, or Instagram. You saved a few to your camera roll, maybe pinned one or two, and then life happened. The problem with micro-content is that it is fragmented; a tip on anatomy from 2015 gets lost in the noise of a tip on marketing from 2017. If you are a working artist or a hobbyist trying to build a consistent style, you don’t need another random tweet. You need a library. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
Hamm Tips Volume 2 is the second installment of a three-volume PDF collection by Jesse Alan Hamm, a cartoonist who has been sharing instructional snippets with a community of over 13,000 followers since 2013. At just $4, it is a low-friction way to get 95 pages of organized, subject-specific advice on everything from animal anatomy to the business side of art. It is not a step-by-step course; it is a dense, searchable reference book for the problems that pop up while you are actually working.
Quick answer
| Best for | Cartoonists and illustrators who want a structured reference for anatomy, faces, and art theory without buying a $100 course. |
| Skip if | You are looking for a beginner’s “how to hold a pencil” tutorial or a video-based learning experience. |
| Price | $4 |
| Format | 95-page PDF (4.04 MB) |
| One-line take | A dense, $4 reference book that organizes years of scattered cartooning tips into a searchable, practical guide. |
What you’re actually buying
You are getting a 95-page PDF that feels less like a pamphlet and more like a field manual. The file is only 4.04 MB, which means it loads instantly on any device, but the content is dense. Hamm has taken the first few years of his instructional tweets and organized them by subject, turning a chaotic feed into a coherent volume. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
This specific volume is the longest of the set, covering eight distinct pillars: anatomy, faces, animals, tools, writing, business, art theory, and the life of the artist. That last category is a standout feature. Most technical art books ignore the human element, but this section addresses self-care and the mental side of maintaining a creative practice. It is a rare combination of technical instruction (like how to structure a face) and professional survival advice (how to handle the business side of art). (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
The value here is in the curation. You are not paying for the raw tweets; you are paying for the organization. Having a single PDF where you can Ctrl+F for “animal anatomy” or “art theory” is a massive time-saver compared to digging through a decade-old social media timeline. It is a reference you keep open in a browser tab while you work, not a textbook you have to sit down and read cover-to-cover. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
Why it’s on our radar
This product is interesting because it solves the “scattered knowledge” problem for working artists. Most digital art resources are either expensive, long-form video courses that require hours of commitment, or free, unorganized social media posts that are hard to find later. Hamm Tips Volume 2 sits in the sweet spot: it is cheap enough to buy on a whim, but structured enough to serve as a permanent part of your reference library.
The inclusion of “business” and “life of the artist” alongside technical topics like “faces” and “animals” makes it a more complete package than a typical drawing guide. It acknowledges that being an artist is a job, not just a hobby. For the price of a coffee, you get a 95-page manual that covers the technical and the professional, which is a rare value proposition in the indie digital goods space. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
What actually matters
Before you click buy, keep these three things in mind to ensure this fits your workflow: (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
- It is a reference, not a course. If you are a complete beginner who needs to learn how to shade or how to draw a circle, this might be too advanced or too fragmented. It works best for someone who already draws and needs a second opinion or a specific tip on anatomy or composition. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
- Check the volume order. This is Volume 2 of a three-volume set. The description notes that Volume 1 was split into 1.1 and 1.2, making this the third physical file in the sequence. If you are new to the series, you might want to check if you have the earlier volumes to get the full context, though this volume stands on its own as a comprehensive guide. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
- The “Business” section is a hidden gem. If you are an illustrator trying to freelance or sell your work, the section on business and art theory is just as valuable as the drawing tips. It’s a quick read that can save you from common rookie mistakes in pricing or client communication. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
Mid-check
If you are ready to add a structured reference to your creative toolkit, you can grab the PDF for $4. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
FAQ
Is Hamm Tips Volume 2 suitable for beginners? It is best suited for intermediate artists or those who are already drawing regularly. The tips are specific and assume you have some familiarity with basic tools and concepts. If you are a total beginner, you might find the density a bit overwhelming without a foundational course.
What format is the file? It is a single PDF file, 4.04 MB in size. This makes it easy to download, share, and read on a tablet, e-reader, or desktop computer. It is not an interactive app or a video file. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
Does this include video tutorials? No, the content is text-based, compiled from written tips. The format is designed for quick reading and reference, not for step-by-step video demonstration. (Hamm Tips Volume 2)
Bottom line
If you are a working artist who is tired of losing good tips in the scroll, Hamm Tips Volume 2 is a no-brainer. For $4, you get 95 pages of organized, high-signal advice on the technical and business sides of cartooning. It is the kind of resource you buy once, keep forever, and refer to whenever you hit a creative wall. It is a small investment in a larger, more consistent practice.