March 2nd, 2015

Warm-Up: Complete the pre-test for the comic unit.

When you are finished, turn your paper in on the
podium.
After the pre-test, look at one or more of the comic
books on the table (you may need to share with
someone sitting next to you).
Ìn your journal: write three things that you notice or
find interesting in each book that you look at.
Ìf you have time, look at more than one book.
Introduction to Comics and Comic Art
What are some things that you know about
comics?
Where have you seen them?
Share your warm-up answers with others at
your table. We will then share our answers
together as a group.
Then. Watch this video clip and see if you
learn something new about how long "comics¨
have been around! [7:45 - 10:15]
History of Comics
As you can see from Scott McCloud's TED talk, comics
have been around for a time.
Some examples:
- Stone relief friezes
- Bayeux Tapestry
- Egyptian hieroglyphics
- Comics today (Marvel, DC Comics)
- Manga (Japanese comics)
Introduction to Comics and Comic Art
Comics are.
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What does this mean?
- It means that comics are created with lots
of smaller scenes. also called panels.
Anatomy of a Comic Page
Panel
Gutter
Speech
Balloon
Caption
C
ra
s
h
!
Sound Effect
What themes can comics have?
» Powerful memories or autobiography
» Historical or current events or controversies
What is in the news?
» Fantasy stories
» Alternate universes
» Re-using the story of an existing book
» Humorous
» Dark, serious
» Romantic
Jobs in Comic Creation
» Cartoonist: develops characters
» Penciller: draws initial pencil sketches and
designs of comic pages
» Inker: goes over pencil drawings of comic with
fine inking pens to create crisp lines
» Colorist: adds color and shading to inked lineart
» Writer: writes the story or narrative of the comic
**Think about: If you are working in a group, how
will you share these roles?
March 3rd, 2015
Warm-Up: From memory, draw a comic
character that you remember the best.
(Try to remember all of the little details about them!)
Then. write a reason why you think that
character sticks out in your mind.
What is interesting about them?
Are they part of a book or series? Television?
Manga? Comic strip? Something else?)
Sample Character
Sketch
Show multiple angles
· Front
· Back
· Side
Name?
Physical features?
Clothing?
Ìnteresting
marks/tattoos/etc.?
Personality?
Sample Landscape
Sketch
Show details of the landscape
· Are there bushes or trees?
· Ìs it rural or in a city?
Show a large amount of space -
pretend you are actually in the
landscape.
Tasks for Today
» Work on developing your storyline - make thumbnails
first, then start thinking about your layout.
» Work on your character sketches
· You should have one for every major character!
· 1 page per character, with written details
» Sketch out your setting(s) - what will you show in your
"big picture¨ environmental shots?
· Draw out every setting from at least one perspective
March 4th, 2015
Warm-Up: Write down some ideas that you
have decided so far for your comic:
- What is the plot?
- Who are the main characters?
- How many pages will your comic be?
Types of Panels: Close-Ups
» Use Close-Up panels to:
Show details of the scene
Show emotions on faces
Focus the viewer's attention
Types of Panels: Environmental Shots
» Use Environmental panels to:
Show the "big picture"
Set the scene or show the surrounding
environment
Change from one scene/setting to another
Also use gutter space to help with this!
Using Sound Effects
» Use sound effects to express noises or sounds
that you want the reader to feel!
» Different fonts have different effects:
ExampIe of a Sketch vs. Inked page:
Tasks for Today
» Work on developing your storyline - make thumbnails
first, then start thinking about your layout.
· What will the shapes of the panels be?
· How many panels are on each page?
· Will it read left to right? Right to left?
» Continue working on character sketches
» Sketch out your setting(s) - what will you show in your
"big picture¨ environmental shots?
March 9th, 2015
Warm-Up: What is one thing you find frustrating when
using normal (Crayola) markers?
then...
Watch this video tutorial for blending markers.
**Take notes on how to blend markers as part of your
warm-up.
Alcohol-based markers are used by a variety of
artists:
- Animators
- Fashion illustrators
- Manga or comic artists
- Designers
What do you notice about how the markers are used?
Some illustrators use smooth, blended gradients.
They also define very small details.
March 17th
Warm-up: Write down something that you remember about the
Critical Response Process. Check your earlier journal entry on
critical response if you need help.
Spend the first 15-20 minutes of today's class finishing up any
final things for your comic.
Learning Targets:
- Ì know and can use the Critical Response protocol when
evaluating art.
- Ì can give constructive feedback to my peers' work.
Today's Agenda - Part I
We will be looking at each other's comics and leaving Post-Ìt
notes as feedback.
Ìn the critique process, artists use constructive criticism to give
feedback to others. Think about how you will do this during
today's activities.
1. Lay out your comic, character sketch(es), and environmental
design at your desk.
2. Take 3 Post-Ìt notes and walk around the room.
3. Leave a Post-Ìt note on three different comics (you don't have to
write your name)
i. Offer positive feedback (compliment a strength) or
ii. Give constructive criticism (ideas for improvement)
Today's Agenda - Part II
We will be doing Critical Response on a peer's comic.
1. Choose another person's comic to answer the Critical Response
questions for. (Please make sure that all comics have someone
reading them!)
2. Answer each Critical Response question in your journal. Each
answer should have two or more complete sentences.
3. After answering those questions, answer these:
i. What are the strengths of the comic? (Story? Characters?
Panels and layout? Ìnking?)
ii. Where are some suggestions for improvement?
4. Please be thoughtful and respectful in your responses.
CriticaI Response Questions Turn in your projects for grading!
Please turn in your comics for grading if they
are finished. Make sure you have all parts of
the rubric completed:
» Character sketch(es)
» Environmental study
» Thumbnails or planning sketches of comic
» Final comic
· Ìnked
· Colored (if chosen)