About this course
Art of the Comic Book is a goal-orientated, college-level studio workshop for making comics with traditional ink-on-paper media. Exercises are based on real-world assignments. Fundamental comic book media techniques include storytelling, character design, working with scripts, hand lettering, inking with brushes and dip pens, figure drawing, sketchbook practice and group critiques. Technical elements include ruling pens and perspective drawing. Study the comic book industry's current production methods, business environment and history.
Your goals
When you have completed this course you should be able to do the following:
- Have a historically-based vocabulary and techniques of comics story-telling
- Understand how these techniques should be used
- Use basic media techniques and materials
- Understand fundamentals of sequential storytelling
- Apply anatomy, drafting, perspective, page layout, composition, panel arrangement
- Tell a variety of stories in a clear and interesting manner
- Develop creative solutions to unanticipated problems
- Draw on solutions by historical and contemporary artists
- Work in solo and collaborative projects
- Objectively critique your work, as well as the work of others
- Use currrent digital and traditional production techniques
- Be aware of professional opportunities and presenting your work
How It Works
Studio Workshop Format
Small class sizes with individual attention. Work on assignments during class time while receiving real-time feedback and guidance.
Real-World Assignments
Every exercise mirrors actual professional workâadapting scripts, creating sequential pages, inking finished artwork, and assembling portfolio-quality pieces.
Master the Process
Study how legendary artists like Harvey Kurtzman, Alex Toth, and Will Eisner approached their work. Understand different creative processes and find your own path.
Policies & procedures
| Grade | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A to A- | 100-90 | Excellent to very good; comprehensive knowledge and understanding of subject matter; marked perception and/or originality |
| B+ to B- | 89-75 | Good; moderately broad knowledge and understanding of subject matter; noticeable perception and/or originality |
| C+ to C- | 76-70 | Satisfactory; reasonable knowledge and understanding of subject matter; some perception and/or originality |
| D | 69-60 | Marginal; minimum of knowledge and understanding of subject matter; limited perception and/or originality |
| F | < 60 | Failing; unacceptable low level of knowledge and understanding of subject matter; severely limited perception and/or originality; absences in excess of allowable limit |
Your instructor
Marshall was published by Fantagraphics Books, SpiderBaby Graphix and FantaCo Enterprises. He is also a multiple participant of 24-Hour Comics Day. Through his one-man creative services company Marshall Art Studio, David provides web design + development, print design, illustration and overall content beautification.
David Marshall's formal teaching career began in 1995. In this capacity, his primary emphasis is clear content presentation, regardless of artistic media. Exercises for Art of the Comic Book leverage Mr. Marshall's vast knowledge of both traditional and digital tools for creating comic books. Classwork combines creative fundamentals (research, anatomy, perspective, composition, storytelling, etc.) with current production methods and business environment.
Outside resources
- My Comics
- Inky Stories is my collection of web comics of mostly short, self-contained stories. Genres include satire, horror, romance, sci-fi, and crime fiction.
- Read my comics
- Rodier Studio
- Short videos of Canadian artist Denis Rodier inking and drawing
- Watch Rodier's demos
- Boston Comics Roundtable
- Local creators of all levels meet online every week to share work, plan events, and publish
- Visit BCR today