Okay folks-- here it is-- the Worcester Art Museum is offering a year long class in comic art that I developed, that I alone hold the lesson plan to.
I've left WAM-- and they are still offering the class-- that's even my lesson description too-- I don't know who is going to teach it but it's not going to be the course as planned.
THAT course, ladies and gentlemen is right here.
Each class will meet six weeks ONLINE with TWO face to face sessions. Hear me out.
The final session, in the Fall, will meet online only for the first two classes, and then Face to Face.
First,
I know a lot of you are working on your own projects, and obviously
that's great. But I've built this course to make you a better and
stronger sequential artist and writer, so if you follow along with the
lessons it's more than just studio time (although that remains part of
it).
Second, I'm sure you're reluctant to commit to an online class-- let me tell you why this works. You can participate at your leisure in the comfort of your own home or studio. You can attend the "Live" session each Monday at 6pm or you can catch up with the class via the blog that will accompany it. This allows you to continue your studies despite hectic work schedules.
It
eliminates travel-- if you find you can't work in the comfort of your
home, take your laptop or tablet to a coffee shop with a solid wi-fi
connection and make a night of it.
Same goes for the Face to Face portion- if you can't make that you can still log in and follow along.
1.
I think this will actually be more productive. This is how comic
artists work, alone in their studios. This course will mimic that but
we will incorporate the social aspect through online connections while
we work. Each class will have a minimum 1 hour lecture and discussion
followed by an hour or two of social interaction while we work on both
our own projects and the week's assignment.
2.
The two face to face classes will allow us to crit the work in person,
catch up and discuss our progress. Obviously in the final session we'll
be in the same room for the majority of the class to look at how the
process worked.
3. With vacations, work
schedules, conventions schedules, the online option is ideal because all
you'll need to participate is your laptop or tablet and each class
lesson will be posted on a special private class blog which will allow
you to catch up if you can't make a session.
4.
I've been doing this model at Emerson (without the face to face aspect)
for four years now and I've got successfully published students all
over the world now. It's a model that works.
Descriptions follow; Sign Up information at the bottom of the post.
Part I- WINTER - Foundation 8wks Jan 26 - Mar 30 (No class Feb 16th and Mar 9) $190
Jan 26 - Mar 16 - Online Classroom
March 23 & March 30th - Face to Face Class Location TBD Mar 23rd includes a model for figure drawing.
Foundation
involves extensive figure drawing and body language. But don't
misunderstand that-- it's not about learning how to draw realistically,
it's about learning how to make figures work in whatever style you're
using.
After figure drawing and body language we will move
into facial structure and expression. A lengthy look at CAPTURING
emotion regardless of your style will encompass a good portion. How to
tell your story with pictures only (i.e. GET LESS WORDY) is also
covered.
We will also parallel a lesson on the
evolution of the comics industry with some limited amount of reading
(don't worry-- it's comic books not WAR AND PEACE), because by looking
at the creators from the Golden Age we can learn how the art form
developed and grew.
Part II- SPRING Thumbnails and Pages- 8wks Apr 13 - Jun 15 (No class Apr 20 & May 25) $190
Apr 13 - Jun 1 - Online Classroom
Jun 8 & Jun 15 - Face to Face Location TBD
The
Incredible importance of Thumbnails and Penciling-- figuring it out
BEFORE you start taking the pages to finish. Taking your plot or script
and breaking it down into effective pacing.
Section of creative productivity-- how to work smarter and faster.
We
will continue our study of the evolution of the comics industry with a
look at the era post WWII when Horror Comics took over eventually
leading to the birth of the Comics Code and the Silver Age.
Part III- Pages SUMMER Schedule 4 wks* Jun 29, Jul 13, 20, 27th $95
Spotting blacks and inking. Making your pages look (correctly) finished. Giving them weight, balance, texture and impact.
Heavy
Convention schedule-- it might be fun to attend Boston Comic Con as a
group. We'll see logistically how to make this happen.
Jun 29-Jul 13th Live Online Class
Jul 27th - Live Face To Face
Part IV - Lettering & Publishing FALL 8 wks Sept 14- Nov 2 $190
1st week Online demonstration of lettering
2nd week continuing online with SFX Lettering & Cover Design
3rd
week on Live Face to Face Classes closing out with cover design
critique, marketing & publishing demonstrations. How to price your
book, how to publish your book for no money. Digital Publishing options
and techniques.
The class will run if there is enough interest. Give it some thought.
If you have ANY questions, suggestions or comments give me a shout.
And as an aside-- good luck to whomever they get but ask them what their resume looks like-- here's part of mine: