Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters.
Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
On this course, you will work with a professional cartoonist to learn valuable techniques to bring your comic ideas to life, creating compelling characters, convincing backgrounds, and captivating narratives.
You will leave the course with new skills, confidence and a creative direction in enjoying how to start, develop and produce a comic strip or book.
The course will be taught in our dedicated Visual Communication studio which is equipped with macs and scanners, a range of Adobe software, drawing tablets, printers and a vast range of drawing and painting materials.
What will we cover?
• How to create cartoon characters, with expressive faces and bodies, and dynamic poses • Draw simple but effective backgrounds • Plan a sequence of images to create a comic-strip story • Consider page layout, panels, framing and modes of text
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Use the specific process, media or tool you have been studying - at least to a competent skill-level.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for beginner and intermediate learners.
English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may need 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?
Presentations
Demonstrations
Practical work
Individual and group tutoring
Group discussion
Additional/extension activities 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.
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 City Lit 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?
At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas and an A3 folder and/or a USB drive to transport work to and from City Lit. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required.
Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off.
To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and 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. 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 recommend looking at our range of workshops in graphic design, illustration, children’s book illustration and graphic novels.
For more information about any of the 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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/drawing-cartoons1178281Drawing cartoonshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/d/r/drawing-cartoons-vz407_1.jpg239239GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Graphic design & illustration/Illustration/Courses/Art & design/Graphic design & illustration/Courses/vm/Creative courses2285113211491163867312285113211631653<p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p>002539906Drawing cartoons239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/d/r/drawing-cartoons-vz407_1_2.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersApr 2026Art & designVZ468239239Drawing cartoons191155239Stephen Marchantdrawing-cartoons/vz468-2526<p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p>0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00<p>On this course, you will work with a professional cartoonist to learn valuable techniques to bring your comic ideas to life, creating compelling characters, convincing backgrounds, and captivating narratives.</p><p>You will leave the course with new skills, confidence and a creative direction in enjoying how to start, develop and produce a comic strip or book.</p><p>The course will be taught in our dedicated Visual Communication studio which is equipped with macs and scanners, a range of Adobe software, drawing tablets, printers and a vast range of drawing and painting materials.<br> </p><p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p><p>• How to create cartoon characters, with expressive faces and bodies, and dynamic poses <br>• Draw simple but effective backgrounds<br>• Plan a sequence of images to create a comic-strip story<br>• Consider page layout, panels, framing and modes of text</p>Use the specific process, media or tool you have been studying - at least to a competent skill-level.<p>This course is suitable for beginner and intermediate learners.</p><p><em>English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may need to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.</em><br> </p><ul><li>Presentations</li><li>Demonstrations</li><li>Practical work</li><li>Individual and group tutoring</li><li>Group discussion</li></ul><p>Additional/extension activities 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.</p><p><br><em>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 City Lit website.<br>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).</em><br> </p><p>At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas and an A3 folder and/or a USB drive to transport work to and from City Lit. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required. <br> <br>Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off. <br> <br>To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and 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. 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/ </p><p>We recommend looking at our range of workshops in graphic design, illustration, children’s book illustration and graphic novels.</p><p>For more information about any of the courses on offer, please visit our website.</p><p><a href="https://citylit.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://citylit.ac.uk/</a></p>Graphic design & illustrationIllustrationvirtual2539909Drawing cartoons239239https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/d/r/drawing-cartoons-vz407_1_3.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-29T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJun 2026Art & designVZ555239239Drawing cartoons191155239Stephen Marchantdrawing-cartoons/vz555-2526<p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p>0000-Available|2026-06-29 00:00:00<p>On this course, you will work with a professional cartoonist to learn valuable techniques to bring your comic ideas to life, creating compelling characters, convincing backgrounds, and captivating narratives.</p><p>You will leave the course with new skills, confidence and a creative direction in enjoying how to start, develop and produce a comic strip or book.</p><p>The course will be taught in our dedicated Visual Communication studio which is equipped with macs and scanners, a range of Adobe software, drawing tablets, printers and a vast range of drawing and painting materials.<br> </p><p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p><p>• How to create cartoon characters, with expressive faces and bodies, and dynamic poses <br>• Draw simple but effective backgrounds<br>• Plan a sequence of images to create a comic-strip story<br>• Consider page layout, panels, framing and modes of text</p>Use the specific process, media or tool you have been studying - at least to a competent skill-level.<p>This course is suitable for beginner and intermediate learners.</p><p><em>English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may need to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.</em><br> </p><ul><li>Presentations</li><li>Demonstrations</li><li>Practical work</li><li>Individual and group tutoring</li><li>Group discussion</li></ul><p>Additional/extension activities 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.</p><p><br><em>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 City Lit website.<br>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).</em><br> </p><p>At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas and an A3 folder and/or a USB drive to transport work to and from City Lit. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required. <br> <br>Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off. <br> <br>To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and 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. 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/ </p><p>We recommend looking at our range of workshops in graphic design, illustration, children’s book illustration and graphic novels.</p><p>For more information about any of the courses on offer, please visit our website.</p><p><a href="https://citylit.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://citylit.ac.uk/</a></p>Graphic design & illustrationIllustrationvirtual3030307Drawing cartoons259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/d/r/drawing-cartoons-vz407_1_4.jpgInStockEveningFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersSep 2026Art & designVZ407259259Drawing cartoons207168259Stephen Marchantdrawing-cartoons/vz407-2627<p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p>0000-Available|2026-09-18 00:00:00<p>On this course, you will work with a professional cartoonist to learn valuable techniques to bring your comic ideas to life, creating compelling characters, convincing backgrounds, and captivating narratives.</p><p>You will leave the course with new skills, confidence and a creative direction in enjoying how to start, develop and produce a comic strip or book.</p><p>The course will be taught in our dedicated Visual Communication studio which is equipped with macs and scanners, a range of Adobe software, drawing tablets, printers and a vast range of drawing and painting materials.<br></p><p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p><ul><li>How to create cartoon characters, with expressive faces and bodies, and dynamic poses</li><li>Draw simple but effective backgrounds</li><li>Plan a sequence of images to create a comic-strip story</li><li>Consider page layout, panels, framing and modes of text</li></ul>Use the specific process, media or tool you have been studying - at least to a competent skill-level.<p>This course is suitable for beginner and intermediate learners.</p><p>English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may need to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.<br></p><ul><li>Presentations</li><li>Demonstrations</li><li>Practical work</li><li>Individual and group tutoring</li><li>Group discussion</li></ul><p>Additional/extension activities 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.</p><p><br><em>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 City Lit website.<br>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).</em><br></p><p>At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas and an A3 folder and/or a USB drive to transport work to and from City Lit. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required. <br><br>Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off.<br><br>To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and 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. 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/</p><p>We recommend looking at our range of workshops in graphic design, illustration, children’s book illustration and graphic novels.</p><p>For more information about any of the courses on offer, please visit our website.</p><p><a href="https://citylit.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://citylit.ac.uk/</a></p>Graphic design & illustrationIllustrationvirtual191,207239,259155,168VZ468,VZ555,VZ407NONEFri,Mon24/04/26 - 22/05/2618:00 - 21:0018:0021:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksEveningWeekdayKSKeeley StreetStephen MarchantBeginnersAvailable courses2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00,2026-06-29T00:00:00+00:00,2026-09-18T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026,Jun 2026,Sep 2026Art & design239239,259Drawing cartoonsdrawing-cartoons/vz468-2526,drawing-cartoons/vz555-2526,drawing-cartoons/vz407-2627<p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p>,<p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p>0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00<p>On this course, you will work with a professional cartoonist to learn valuable techniques to bring your comic ideas to life, creating compelling characters, convincing backgrounds, and captivating narratives.</p><p>You will leave the course with new skills, confidence and a creative direction in enjoying how to start, develop and produce a comic strip or book.</p><p>The course will be taught in our dedicated Visual Communication studio which is equipped with macs and scanners, a range of Adobe software, drawing tablets, printers and a vast range of drawing and painting materials.<br> </p>,<p>On this course, you will work with a professional cartoonist to learn valuable techniques to bring your comic ideas to life, creating compelling characters, convincing backgrounds, and captivating narratives.</p><p>You will leave the course with new skills, confidence and a creative direction in enjoying how to start, develop and produce a comic strip or book.</p><p>The course will be taught in our dedicated Visual Communication studio which is equipped with macs and scanners, a range of Adobe software, drawing tablets, printers and a vast range of drawing and painting materials.<br></p><p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p>,<p>Learn the basics of cartoon drawing in this fun introductory course. Explore the fundamentals of drawing facial expressions, exaggerated features and body movements that will shape your characters. </p><p>Practice comic book creation, looking at frames, pacing and panelling that all add to the design of your very own comic strip or comic book. </p><p>• How to create cartoon characters, with expressive faces and bodies, and dynamic poses <br>• Draw simple but effective backgrounds<br>• Plan a sequence of images to create a comic-strip story<br>• Consider page layout, panels, framing and modes of text</p>,<ul><li>How to create cartoon characters, with expressive faces and bodies, and dynamic poses</li><li>Draw simple but effective backgrounds</li><li>Plan a sequence of images to create a comic-strip story</li><li>Consider page layout, panels, framing and modes of text</li></ul>Use the specific process, media or tool you have been studying - at least to a competent skill-level.<p>This course is suitable for beginner and intermediate learners.</p><p><em>English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may need to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.</em><br> </p>,<p>This course is suitable for beginner and intermediate learners.</p><p>English-language competency is required: you should be able to follow verbal and written instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. You may need to take short written notes for your own use and take part in group discussions.<br></p><ul><li>Presentations</li><li>Demonstrations</li><li>Practical work</li><li>Individual and group tutoring</li><li>Group discussion</li></ul><p>Additional/extension activities 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.</p><p><br><em>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 City Lit website.<br>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).</em><br> </p>,<ul><li>Presentations</li><li>Demonstrations</li><li>Practical work</li><li>Individual and group tutoring</li><li>Group discussion</li></ul><p>Additional/extension activities 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.</p><p><br><em>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 City Lit website.<br>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).</em><br></p><p>At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas and an A3 folder and/or a USB drive to transport work to and from City Lit. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required. <br> <br>Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off. <br> <br>To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and 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. 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/ </p>,<p>At City Lit, access to basic materials and resources are available as part of this course. We advise you to bring a A5/A4 sketchbook for the recording of ideas and an A3 folder and/or a USB drive to transport work to and from City Lit. Additional materials required as part of the course will be discussed by your tutor if required. <br><br>Need art supplies? Our partner London Graphic Centre has everything you need from pencils to printing services, at 15% off.<br><br>To get 15% LGC discount, you will need to show proof/ confirmation of enrolment and 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. 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/</p><p>We recommend looking at our range of workshops in graphic design, illustration, children’s book illustration and graphic novels.</p><p>For more information about any of the courses on offer, please visit our website.</p><p><a href="https://citylit.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://citylit.ac.uk/</a></p>Graphic design & illustrationIllustrationconfigurable
