Comic book art and graphic novels
Time: 18:00 - 21:00
Location: Keeley Street
This course has now started
Course Code: VK449
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Duration: 5 sessions (over 5 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
On this course you will learn about the vibrant world of making and self-publishing mini comics and fanzines. You will explore the work of key comic and fanzine artists and create your own innovative publication.
Using a range of research, ideas and visual imagery, contribute to a collective class comic publication and participate in the vibrant underground movement of mini comics and fanzines. A great opportunity to communicate your visual and narrative ideas with the world.
What will we cover?
• Form and function of mini comics and fanzines
• Inspirational work of historical and contemporary key comic and fanzine artists
• Planning a short comic narrative
• Different methods of drawing, mark making and collage
• The relationship of text and image and how to create page layouts
• Different methods for creating text
• Printing a fanzine.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Explain the various forms and functions of mini comics and fanzines
• Have an awareness of the work of some key comic and fanzine artists
• Plan your own short comic narrative
• Plan the design of a mini comic or fanzine
• Prepare your mini comic or fanzine work for printing.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is ideal for beginners and those who have a personal interest in developing comic style illustrations and work.
You should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You will be encouraged to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught via practical demonstrations, workshop tasks, group discussion and critique, and individual tuition. You will be encouraged to contribute ideas and present your work.
Additional / extension tasks may be set for you to complete at home or outside of the course hours. Completion of additional tasks is encouraged to help you get the most out of the course. Where required your tutor will discuss these with you during each session.
This course is supported by Google Classroom as a Virtual Learning Environment. When you log on you will be able to access course material, presentations and handouts etc. and may be asked to complete learner progress records. You can find help via the student help centre on the Citylit website.
Please note it is important that you sign up and log in to your course Google classroom prior to the first session. Joining detail will be sent to you via email (check your junk/spam folder).
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise learners to bring an A4 or A3 sketchbook and notebook to record your ideas and any visual material they wish to work with as part of the course.
Other materials and equipment required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor during the first session.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencil to printing services, at 15% off.
To get 15% LGC discount, students will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment of them being a student at City Lit. You can apply in-store or by simply emailing info@londongraphics.co.uk with a scan or photo of relevant confirmation. The student discount does not apply to products that are already discounted or on offer. More information can be found here- https://www.londongraphics.co.uk/student-discounts/.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
We offer a range of courses and specialist workshops in graphic design and illustration. For more information about courses on offer, please visit our website.
Steve Marchant has taught comic art skills to students of all ages for the last 30 years at sites including City Lit, City University, Birkbeck, The Hayward Gallery, Tate Britain, The Arvon Foundation, The Black Cultural Archive, and is the full-time learning coordinator/senior tutor at The Cartoon Museum – where he is also its comic art consultant. He regularly teaches at schools and libraries across the UK and has taught in Hungary and Latvia for the British Council. Steve has produced numerous educational comics and cartoons for clients including the BBC’s ‘Bitesize’ website, the Learning Trust, Kingston Travel Awareness Unit, Lewisham Youth Service, the Who Cares? Trust, and Africaid, presenting topical information in a fun, accessible format. Other clients have included British Airways, Intel, Kogan Page, ITV, and South London Theatre. Steve is the author/illustrator of two books: The Cartoonist’s Workshop and The Computer Cartoon Kit. His personal work appears in the award-winning online comic Aces Weekly. https://stevemarchantblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/10/the-mighty-world-of-marchant/ www.acesweekly.com Facebook: Comic Creators Project at the Cartoon Museum
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.