Graphic Novel and Comix

In this course students will be introduced to one of the main elements that make up the compositional aspects of comics and graphic novels, that is the importance of layout in all comic books. They will learn how to design a typical page spread as relates to word balloons and frame pacing, and how important it is to the thread of the narrative. Students will also be introduced to the aspects of calligraphy and hand lettering as relates to composition and page design.

Photoshop is one of the most powerful and versatile tools for creating clean and professional digital illustrations. Over the first 6 weeks of this course, students will learn and practice a broad range of digital painting tools + techniques, which will lead to a series of project based assignments and a final project. Creative weekly exercises and real world project assignments will give students an opportunity to progress with confidence towards achieving a high level of painterly and polished illustrated imagery. Students will learn and practice the fundamental tools for working in the Photoshop environment, including the management of pixel-based layers, masks, vector graphics, colour palettes, brushes etc. Best practises and time saving shortcuts will help prepare the student for tight deadlines in the industry. Note: Students will need laptops and graphic tablets with stylus equipped with Adobe Photoshop software to take this course. (Wacom tablets are the most reliable brand for Adobe products)

In this third level of drawing for comics we will switch our focus from character development to the importance of creating believable and compelling environments with the study of two and three point perspective. All graphic novels rely on setting and Point of View (POV) and in this course students will develop the ability to create convincing worlds, both real and imagined, to better tell their stories and sell their concepts. Students will indulge in real world observation with field sketches and notebook studies.

In this second level of writing for comics you'll learn about both fiction and non-fiction aspects of comic book narrative. They will begin a term length project of creating a long script or series of shorter scripts of 32 pages in a theme of their choice. You can opt for an epic adventure single script or a short script/joke a week as in syndicated comics. You will also learn to create and edit dramatic and comical written content in both long and short form.

In this course students will learn colour theory in both traditional and digital media as relates directly to comic book art. You will develop an understanding of how mood is enhanced by the use of colour and tonality and be introduced to both conventional and non-conventional approaches of using colour. You will also continue to develop your own personal voice and style in the use of colour.

In this second intensive workshop students will be introduced to the specialized Photoshop tools and technology for the advanced creation of digital imagery for comics. Emphasis will be placed on aesthetics imagery creation for illustrative composites

In this next level of life drawing students will continue to study the forms and proportions of the human figure, as in Level 1, but with an illustration-based direction. With the life model as a source of reference there will be more emphasis on how figure drawing relates to illustration in a storytelling and narrative capacity. Students will work on exercises involving the human figure while continuing to learn the basics of anatomy and proportion. Various media ranging from graphite, watercolour, pastels, and acrylic will continue to be employed as students begin understanding how the figure relates to the environment it exists in.Note: A supply list will be emailed prior to start of class.

The use of sequential images to tell a story has a long tradition, from cave paintings to graphic novels. In this overview course to the Graphic Novel & Comix Certificate Program you will be introduced to the varied applications used in narrative art; media techniques, character-development, and story-telling. You will explore all forms of sequential art, from graphic novels and comic books to storyboarding for film and animation, and storybooks for children. You will discover the colourful history of narrative illustration through comics, story-boarding, and graphic novels. Note: A supply list will be emailed prior to start of class. Laptops (either Mac or PC), Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, & InDesign, as well as Clip Studio Paint Pro software is optional but highly recommended.

This course is not offered at this time. Please email jburgess@langara.ca for details.

In this first level of Writing for Graphic Novels & Comix you will be introduced to the elements necessary for creating a proper script. You will explore the tradition of the storytelling in comics and how to generate interest and keep a narrative alive on the page in written form. You will also learn the basic properties of how to format and compose a page properly and the elements that go into creating a simple storyline idea.A supply list will be emailed prior to the start of class.

This course is not offered at this time. Please email jburgess@langara.ca for details.

In this first level of Drawing for Graphic Novels & Comix you will learn essential drawing fundamentals as relates directly to the creation of comic books and graphic novels. As required in sequential narratives the importance of camera angles and Point of View (POV) will be introduced. You will also learn the importance of pacing in a story and the fundamentals of perspective when creating landscapes and backgrounds and how these elements enhance the narrative.A supply list will be emailed prior to the start of class.

This course is not offered at this time. Please email jburgess@langara.ca for details.

Adobe Illustrator is one of the most popular computer applications for computer illustration in the design industry. Learn Illustrators full capabilities for creating logo design, line art, or continuous tone illustrations, as well as using colour and photography and importing or exporting files for use with other graphic applications.Prerequisites: Mac or PC experience.Note: This course is taught on a Mac.