ComicOut, an Italian organisation committed to the development of comic art, is to hold a virtual international workshop about storytelling in comics, with David Lloyd as host.

David Lloyd is the creator of V for Vendetta, which mask is today the symbol of a generation all around the world. In recent days, he is the publisher of Aces Weekly, the online comic book magazine with only original stories.

Titled Seeing Is Believing: Using Viewpoint and Light To Maximize Effective Storytelling, the workshop will demonstrate how to maximise the impact of a strip by focussing on essential elements through efficient composition, emphasizing authenticity or reality by copying how objects and people are in the real world.

Storytelling, the art of narration, is the backbone of the comic art and US comic creator and master storyteller Will Eisner once said comic art is the sequential art. From this starting point the workshop will show you how your drawing skills can be developed in the service of the storytelling.

The workshop will be held in English language through October 2013, split into four weekly virtual meetings. Similar to the other courses of ComicOut, the weekly lessons will be in the form of a blog post, with drawings and videos. The participants will communicate with the teacher, asking questions and posting comments and will also work on personal homework that will be corrected individually.

The workshop, limited to 20 participants, is tailored for comic book artists and illustrators who want to enhance their narrative potential – and students with a good knowledge of comic book drawing techniques. A working knowledge of the English language is required.

If you want to participate to the workshop, you will need to send by email to info@ascuoladifumetto-online.com the following:

• a short CV with age, place, studies and past experiences about illustrations or comic book drawing
• a presentation letter of no more than 50 words where you explain why you want to participate
• Four original complete artworks – with no less than two comic book pages
• Three or four sketches

Only after admission you can proceed to the enrollment.

The cost of this virtual workshop is €200 (about £170). If you are not a member of ComicOut, you will have to add €30 for membership 2013.

ComicOut is an Italian Non-Profit Non Government Organization whose aim is to help promote the comic art. They publish the bimontly Magazine Scuola di Fumetto, an Italian language title offering essays on comic books of historical importance. They also host the school A Scuola di fumetto online, the first totally online European school of comic book art.

The school’s students – who join from all over the world, not just Italy –  can follow the courses from their home when they want, with no restrictions, interacting with others participants and the teachers.

• More about ComicOut at www.comicout.com (Italian web site) or email: info@ascuoladifumetto-online.com

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: Comic Art, Comics Education News, Creating Comics

Tags: ComicOut, David Lloyd