BEANO artist Laura Howell is delivering a free online masterclass on Writing and Drawing for Kids Comics this Tuesday, 13th January 2026, as part of the Comics Youth “Comics Declassified” project.
Comics Declassified is a ten-month upskilling programme which launched last year, for marginalised comics creators (16-30) in the early stages of their careers. The project from Comics Youth, aims to remove barrier by making professional skills and industry knowledge uncomplicated so that young people can build long lasting careers within the UK comics sector.
Although the full programme offer is Merseyside-based, the online Masterclasses can be accessed from anywhere in the UK. The online masterclasses happen once a month on a Tuesday, 5.00 – 6.30 PM (UK time).
Walking Dead artist Charlie Adlard and Giant Days creator John Allison led the first two Masterclasses last year. (These were both recorded so presumably will feature on the Comics Youth YouTube at some point). Upcoming creators involved include Shazleen Khan, discussing Web Comics, RAMZEE on Writing for IP Publishing, Woodrow Phoenix on Lettering and Design, and more.
These free Masterclasses are livestreamed on Microsoft Teams with Q&A at the end. To participate, you must sign up.
If you’ve already signed up, you’ll receive your Microsoft Teams link for each Masterclass the day before.
Laura Howell likes making comics that make people laugh. In 2006 she became the first woman to draw for the BEANO, and is currently the artist in charge of everyone’s favourite pigtailed powerhouse Minnie the Minx.
She has drawn and written for many publications including Viz, The Dandy, MAD Magazine and The DFC, as well as comic adaptations of Angry Birds and Cartoon Network’s Regular Show and Uncle Grandpa. Her artwork was displayed in the 2021 “Beano: The Art of Breaking the Rules” exhibition in Somerset House, London, and can currently be seen in the V&A Museum in Dundee.
She’s also illustrated many books for children, including Where’s Gnasher?, first published in 2019, and Secret Agent Nessie, written by Gary Chudleigh, published by Floris Books, out in March.
When not drawing comics, Laura can frequently be found meeting fans and delivering talks at conventions and festivals, and in schools and libraries around the UK teaching kids how to draw comics of their own.
Comics Youth was founded in 2015 and is a creative community organisation led by young people, for young people. Its aim is to empower youth across Merseyside to flourish from the margins of society: harnessing their own narratives, finding confidence within an inclusive community, and developing the resilience to succeed on their own path.
Comics Youth offer a range of services designed to support and amplify the often diminished voices of marginalised young people aged eight to 25. From zine creation and comic book workshops to youth-led publishing hubs and social campaigns, the team believe young people deserve to have their voices discovered, distributed, and elevated.
• Check out the full Comics Declassified Online Masterclass Programme here
• The full Comics Declassified programme including in person events is here
• Comics Youth is online at comicsyouth.co.uk
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as 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, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events
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