Cloudscape Cloudshops: workshops in creating comics 1

Once again the comic creators at Cloudscape are offering Cloudshops, various free workshops in which experienced comic creators teach aspiring cartoonists about the numerous aspects of the comics medium. Each Cloudshop is held at Cloudscape HQ (5955 Ross Street, Vancouver) from 7:30-9:00 on its  respective day, and provides a combination of lecture and workshopping,  allowing you to both hear from the expert and put their lessons into practice. It’s a great opportunity to develop your comic-creating talents in numerous directions.

The upcoming Cloudshops are as follows:

1. August 26 – Writing Characters for Comics with Bevan Thomas
   Learn how to build believable and dynamic characters whose strong needs will drive the plot of your comic or graphic novel. Compelling comics need compelling characters that readers will remember and care about.
2. August 30 – Drawing Characters with Strong Silhouettes with Reetta Linjama
   Practice drawing figures for your comics that have dynamic and distinctive shapes. A good character ought to be recognizable from just their outline and their body language. Learn tricks used by cartoonists and animators to get that job done. Attendees can, if they want to, bring (digitally or on paper) poses/characters that they want tips on.
3. September 6 – Panel Composition for Comics with Kaili
   Panel composition is one of the most important tools in comics. Hone your skills at panel organization and how to place in your panels for effective storytelling. Some topics includes: elements of a page, flow, things to consider before you start paneling and so on.
4. September 13 – Markers for Comics with Jonathon Dalton
   Learn the basics and some advanced techniques with markers (Copics, etc.) for colouring comics. Whether you use them for every page or just the occasional illustration, there’s a lot more to using markers than just colouring in the lines. Bring your own markers if you have them, otherwise materials will be provided.
5. September 20 – Watercolour tips and techniques with Hannah Myers
   Watercolours are notoriously difficult to control but this workshop will set you up for success. Learn about the best materials and tools to use as well as methods and process that make working with water colours fun.
6. September 27th – Acrylic tips and techniques with Lisa Lindsay
   Learn all about how to work with acrylic paints, from tips and techniques to tools and materials. Lisa Lindsay will walk you through her process including the work that happens before painting starts.
7. October 4th – How the HECK Do I Thumbnail a Graphic Novel??? with kgros
   So you’ve drawn a bunch of short comics & are ready to dive into something longer. Maybe you’ve got an idea for a story, and maybe you’ve started scripting it, but you’re not sure how to move onto the next step. This workshop will guide you through several different ways to bring your comic script from ideation to thumbnails. kgros will show you how to set yourself up for success before you start drawing your dream graphic novel!