This course will cover the basic techniques and skills needed to create a short comic. Each day you will learn about a different part of the comic-making process, with the opportunity to try different techniques on both paper, and Adobe Photoshop. You will learn how to design, compose, and colour a short story with the opportunity to learn new skills to create your final comic.

Day 1 - Character & Environment Creation

You will learn how to write a story and design a character using different techniques on paper, and then transfer them to a digital platform. You will design 3 versions of your character on paper, experimenting with shape, style, and posing then transfer your preferred design onto Photoshop where you will learn the basic tools for digital illustration.

Day 2 - Pencilling Comic

You will learn how to structure a comic page. You will look at panel layouts, different ways to divide your action, how to pose your character in the space, how to add speech bubbles in the appropriate places, and sound effects. You will then draw a rough version of your comic on paper, transfer it onto Photoshop and add text to your pages using the text tool.

Day 3 - Ink Comic Pages

You will have the opportunity to experiment with Photoshop and learn how to choose the appropriate brush for your comic, and how to change it to match your action. You will then start outlining your pages and adding detail.

Day 4 - Colour choices and discussion of comics and artists

You will learn how to choose suitable colours for your comic. You will look at limited colours, symbolic colours, and create your own colour pallet for your comic. You will then learn about the colouring process starting with flat colours and moving into patterns to create a finished page of your comic.

Day 5 - Lettering and finish comic pages ready for print

You will learn about the different types of backgrounds that can be used in graphic novels and how they are effective. You will then use the day to add backgrounds to your comic page and have the opportunity to finish off any of the previous elements that you didn’t finish or would like to improve on.

Learning outcomes

This course is specifically designed for teenagers and we have adapted the course so it is suitable for 8-12 year olds,  who have an interest in comic design and want to learn the processes and techniques involved in creating their own comics.

At the end of the course, you will leave with a short comic of your own design and have the skills to create comics independently.

Contact us

If you wish to discuss this or any other creative art short course please contact the short course team on 01707 285327 or ad-shortcourses@herts.ac.uk

 

Important information

Times

Signing in is from 9.20am and 9.25am each day in the Art Gallery and the summer workshops will start at 9.30. We finish at 15.30pm. You will need to be picked up promptly at 15.30pm, again from the Art Gallery. Parents and carers, if you have any problems and think that you may be late, please let us know by calling 01707 285327.

Where to find us

For directions to the campus site, please follow the link below where you can download a map of the College Lane Campus:

https://www.herts.ac.uk/contact-us/where-to-find-us/college-lane-maps-and-directions

Drop off/collection

The drop-off point is the Art Gallery, and you can find this through our wayfinding app here. We suggest you park in one of the bays around the nearby Lindop Building for drop-off. You can drop off anytime between 9.20am and 9.25am. Collection is promptly at 15.30. nb, there is free parking for 2 hours on campus.

The programme

We have an exciting programme of activities planned. You will find out more about art and design courses and you will be meet practising artists or designers.  Each group will have an assistant art tutor with them for the whole time you are here, and you will meet them on your first morning.  They can help you with any concerns you have while you are here.

Enrolment

Parents/Guardians: When registering, please enrol with your own details. There is a field on the enrolment paperwork where you can enter your son or daughter's name and age.

Emergency contact

We need contact numbers so we can contact parents/carers at any time.  These details need to be confirmed on the form attached to the email. Should you need to contact us please phone the Short Course Office on 01707 285327. It is very important that we know in advance if you cannot for any reason be collected on time at the end of the day.

Clothing

Wear suitable and comfortable clothes as you may get messy and dirty (that is what art is all about!).  An overall, apron or large shirt would be ideal.

Food & drink

You will need to bring your own packed lunch. Water will be available during breaks and lunchtime.

Materials

All materials needed for all the summer schools will be provided by the University.

Medicine

If you need to bring any medication with you, please make sure it is clearly labelled with your child’s name and any instructions. These can be administered by us provided the medical permission form enclosed has been signed by a parent or carer and handed in on arrival on your first day.