An Introduction to Creating Graphic Novels - Further Information

This is a friendly and informal ten-week introduction to the art of creating graphic novels. The course runs with a one-week break in the middle for consolidation and independent work.

During the course you will be introduced to the exciting and innovative world of contemporary graphic novels/ comics. You do not have to have had any experience with graphic novels beforehand – all you need is a willingness to make pictures, and an interest in telling stories through text and image!

Topics covered include: graphic novels vs. comics; understanding sequential art; using observational drawing effectively; editing text; structuring a narrative; developing a character; storyboarding; making a dummy book. The course is not prescriptive with regard to technique or medium.

During this course you will:

 develop a character, structure a narrative and edit a text as professional illustrators do  explore sequential art, thumbnails and storyboarding  learn how to make a dummy book to send to publishers  learn about the graphic novel / comics industry

House of Illustration 2 Granary Square King’s Cross, London N1C 4BH 020 3696 2020 [email protected] www.houseofillustration.org.uk @IllustrationHQ

Course schedule

Week one  Introduction: Definitions & elements of the graphic novel.  Building a narrative: turning ideas into script. Identifying key characters. Week two  Character development & character sheets.  Page-level composition (panels; tiers; transitions); book level composition (thumbnails, roughs, penciling) Week three  Sequential art: Understanding sequence & book layout.  Creating storyboards. Week four  Reviewing sequence and pace.  Lettering / balloons  Creating pencil roughs Week five  Inking techniques  Title & cover design  Pencil roughs

BREAK (one week) Week six  Mid-course review of work  Making a dummy book  Pencil roughs Week seven  Colour application I: using watercolour & gouache  Panel design Week eight  Colour application II: other media (collage; acrylic; pencil; markers)  World creation: Building a world of objects & creating space Week nine  Reviewing structure and workflow  Next steps: The industry and approaching publishers Week ten  Group crit (a friendly review of work completed!)

For the first class please bring an A3 sketchbook and your own preferred selection of pencils and pens if you have them (others will be available in class).

Please also bring along an idea for a short story, written down in no more than 300 words. The story can be on any subject you choose, in any genre, and does not need to be fictional. Previous participants have created stories across a range of genres, including history, biography, crime fiction, and science fiction; some have worked on extracts of larger projects they have in mind. If you’re not sure what story you will be illustrating, don’t worry – the tutor will be able to make suggestions to you about possible topics and will help you generate narrative ideas throughout the course.

House of Illustration 2 Granary Square King’s Cross, London N1C 4BH 020 3696 2020 [email protected] www.houseofillustration.org.uk @IllustrationHQ

About the tutor

Carol Adlam is an author-illustrator specializing in children’s books, graphic novels, and reportage illustration, working in particular with museums and galleries. Her work was shortlisted in the World Illustration Awards (New Talent / Research and Knowledge Communication) in 2016 and 2015, and she has held residencies at Nottingham Lakeside Arts, The National Archives, London, National Army Museum, London, University of Derby, and Nottingham Castle Museums and Galleries. Her graphic novel titles are Thinking Room (2017); Amy in Love (2016); Ministry of Women (2016); Suzanne’s Story (2015); The New Wipers Times (2014). A Graduate of the Cambridge School of Art with a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration (distinction), she also holds a PhD in Russian and MA in International Relations. She has extensive experience as a lecturer and teacher, and currently teaches illustration at Nottingham Trent University.

House of Illustration 2 Granary Square King’s Cross, London N1C 4BH 020 3696 2020 [email protected] www.houseofillustration.org.uk @IllustrationHQ