An adult online comic creation course run by Rachael Ball, “Graphic Novel Your Life”, programming from the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, is still open for bookings. The latest 10-week run for this course starts on the 16th January.
On this 10-week online course, you’ll learn how to create an autobiographical or fictional graphic novel, inspired by your own life experiences. Guided by award-winning cartoonist Rachael Ball, you will breathe life into well-thought-out characters and create the key elements of a compelling plot.
Rachael will teach you the key fundamentals of great comics and graphic novels such as how to pace your story or use visual metaphors in order to evoke emotion and suspense. You’ll experiment with image-making and different media and learn to create beautiful comic page layouts.
By the end of the course, you will have created a strong plot, key character sheets, scripted pages, a storyboard, visual experiments, a story synopsis and a finished page of artwork. You’ll even learn how to approach a publisher with your graphic novel sample.
This course caters for beginners and skilled illustration practitioners alike. No prior experience of writing or drawing is necessary. A small class size of no more than 16 students will ensure you receive weekly personalised feedback from Rachael and the group, helping your work to progress in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Rachael Ball is an acclaimed cartoonist with 16 years of teaching experience. She started cartooning for cult comic Deadline in 1988. Rachael’s first graphic novel, The Inflatable Woman (Bloomsbury), was a Guardian Best Graphic Novel 2015 and her second, Wolf (SelfMadeHero), has been called “a timeless classic”. Rachael co-coordinates the London branch of Laydeez Do Comics.
“I really like to make the course cater for experienced and newcomers as it gives the course a fresh dynamic,” says Rachael.
“People always produce such great work. It’s a privilege to go so in-depth with peoples stories and then support them as they shape their ideas into graphic novel samples or stories.”
Previous artists who have taken part in Rachel’s course include Inna Gertsberg, whose graphic novel Tolstoy Was Here has just found a publisher, E.G Alonso, Sally Barnett and Miriam Oosterman.
• Rachel Ball, “Graphic Novel Your Life” – Online course for adults
16th January – 26th March 2024 | Tuesdays, 6.00 – 8.00pm UK Time (There is no class on 13th February 2024) | Full details and booking information here
Thanks to Tim Robins for the news tip
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, Creating Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News
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