Graphic Novel and Comix

This life drawing course will be split into two sections. In the first half students will study the forms, proportions, and anatomy of the human figure with a more traditional approach. In the second half students will work in a more illustrative and comic book based direction with costumed models in expressive poses. The emphasis will be on placing the figure in real space and how the figure relates to illustration in a storytelling and narrative capacity.

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

In this course, writers and artists alike will learn the theory of storytelling, including building conflict, developing characters, and efficiently resolving narratives. This class places emphasis on a foundation of narrative theory, studying strong plots and tension. The class will also cover formatting for comics-writing, techniques for self-editing, and advice for working solo or as part of a collaborative team. Over this course, students will develop scripts for several long comics to be workshopped with the rest of the class.

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

In this drawing course students will learn the essential fundamentals as related to the development of unique and varied characters including animal anatomy and fantasy creatures that make up the standard graphic novel. Character creation can take on varied forms with unique methods such as ink blotting and drybrush. Students will develop a variety of unique characters that could eventually make up the cast of their own long form graphic novel using varied mediums and approaches. They also will study how to achieve different moods with body language and facial expressions when drawing their characters. They will also use their experience from Life Drawing to place their characters in different environments.

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

In this introductory course to the Graphic Novel & Comix Program students will explore all forms of sequential art making. They will be introduced to the varied techniques and approaches in the creation of sequential narratives from traditional pen and ink to digital mediums. They will learn how their own stories can be brought to life on the page and discover their own personal voices and styles of illustration and storytelling.

This course is not offered at this time. Please email jbalderston@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.

This is an intensive four-day workshop to concentrate on specific aspects of Adobe Illustrator as relates to the creation of those Illustrator graphics that go into digital comic book imagery. There will also be aspects of InDesign that relates to page making and layout for comics.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Clip Studio Paint Pro (formerly Manga Studio) has become one of the most popular pieces of software in comic book illustration. It is also one of the most powerful illustration products on the market and stands out for its affordable price. Together with Photoshop they offer a vast variety of capabilities to create the comic book and illustration art-forms by opening up many different options for the illustrator in todays industry. The course will enable students to work on real comic book situations and create with industry standard results in this advanced digital format while helping develop your individual stylistic approach to comic book illustration.

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

Sequential narrative has a long and colourful history starting back with the first cave paintings all the way through to the digital era we are currently in but the genre really took off in the 20th century. Students will discover the fascinating story of how the graphic novel evolved from a fledgling and fringe element of art and writing to a serious and important part of literature today. Students will learn about the diverse and different styles and practices from North America, Japan, Europe, and other parts of the world. They will also delve deeply into those individual creators that had a lasting influence on comics.

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

In this first of two workshop based courses students will get the opportunity to work on their final long form comics and get them ready for the next stage. This will be supervised studio and lab time with the instructor as guide over the 14 weeks of the course.

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

In this second of two workshop-based courses students will get the opportunity to complete their final long form comics and begin preparing their art for print and web. This will also be supervised studio and lab time with the instructor as guide over the course of the 14 weeks of the course. These two lab based courses will give students the optimum time to finish and complete their comics for graduation.

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

In this course students be introduced to the different aspects of publishing and promoting their work and will have finished and polished scripts. They will understand how to approach publishers for both print and online and will be introduced to aspects of self-publishing and getting their comic books out into the world through web design and various social media.

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