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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.