CATS Academy Boston is a leading high school located on a brand new campus in the leafy
suburb of Braintree, just 10 miles from downtown Boston - and 10 miles from the beach!
About the Course
In this introductory course, students will develop skills across all phases of the comic book creation process. From writing to coloring, students will explore and experiment with the tools, formats, and mediums used by professionals.
Our Illustration & Comics course is taught by Kent Archer. Kent has taught art courses at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Sacred Heart High School in Kingston Massachusetts and numerous local art centers. He has worked in the field of comic books since 2005 when he co-launched the popular webcomic − Dr McNinja. His work has been published by Archie Comics, IDW Publishing, Dark Horse Comics, and Topps Trading Cards
Maximum class size of 18 students
Excursions to Boston
Full board residential accommodation
This course requires an Upper Intermediate - Advanced Level of English
Package Includes:
Students will take part in at least 25 hours of practical lectures and skills workshops. They will design, create and present a comic to their class..
Full board Residential Accommodation in single, en-suite rooms
A variety of onsite evening activities including sports, discos and team games.
Excursions allow students to really get to know the USA. Destinations such as Downtown Boston as a classroom, where students will find historic and cultural information through guided walking tours and visits to museums and other places of interest.
Educational visits provide the perfect complement to lectures and workshops and give a real world perspective to our courses. They include tours of the Harvard Museum of Natural History and comic shops in Harvard Square.
End of course Certificate Awarded for the successful completion of the course.
24 hour supervision and security
Placement test
Teaching materials
Comprehensive insurance
Return transfers from Boston Logan Airport (only on official arrival and departure days)
About the School
THE SCHOOL
CATS Academy Boston is a leading high school located on a brand new campus in the leafy suburb of Braintree, just 10 miles from downtown Boston - and 10 miles from the beach!
Residential accommodation
2 fitness areas
2 art studios
A theatre room
A yoga/dance studio
basketball court
For students who want to apply their drawing talents to the art of comic book storytelling. Learn about the many Influences comics, and their characters, have had on society. You will gain an understanding of effective visual storytelling techniques as well as best practices for the comic creation process. Using traditional materials such as pencil and ink, you will create a visual narrative accompanied by a written script
START DATES:
12 July
LEARN FROM PROFESSIONALS
This Illustration & Comics course is taught by Kent Archer. Kent has taught art courses at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Sacred Heart High School in Kingston Massachusetts and numerous local art centers. He has worked in the field of comic books since 2005 when he co-launched the popular webcomic − Dr McNinja. His work has been published by Archie Comics, IDW Publishing, Dark Horse Comics, and Topps Trading Cards
BROADEN YOUR SKILLS IN THE INDUSTRY
Kent Archer has studied under some of comics’ biggest and most successful artists, and his work has been published by mainstream comic companies. You will learn the process behind making comics as well as learn the secrets to being successful in the comic book business. This course will help you prepare for portfolio reviews with editors as well as emphasize the importance of meeting deadlines once you’re given your first comic book gig!
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS IN:
In this introductory course, students will develop skills across all phases of the comic book creation process. From writing to coloring, students will explore and experiment with the tools, formats, and mediums used by professionals.
SCRIPTWRITING
In the business of comics, it is often the case where one person writes the story and another draws the comic. Students will learn how to put their vision into words and write a detailed, professionally formatted script.
DEVELOPING CHARACTERS
What makes a character relatable and believable? Why do we care about characters and how do they affect our emotions? We will discuss these ideas and learn how to write multidimensional characters.
COMIC VOCABULARY
What is a panel? What are closure and juxtaposition? We will discuss the terminology in the universal language of comics.
DIGITAL COLORING
Capture the eye of the reader with brilliant colors using Adobe Photoshop. We will learn the importance of a limited color palette and how to effectively create mood and contrast.
PAGE LAYOUT AND COMPOSITION
Comics are a visual medium first and foremost. A visually enticing comic page can help effectively tell the story. The job of the artist is to create illustrations that capture the reader, tell the story and, simply put, look cool!
PERSPECTIVE
The ability to draw characters and environments in perspective is essential in creating the illusion of depth. This illusion helps create a believable three dimensional world on the comic page.
THE BUSINESS OF COMICS/ SELF-PUBLISHING & WEB COMICS
So, now you want to make comics for a living. We will discuss how to break into the mainstream business and work for the largest publishers as well as self-publishing your work in print or on the web.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
1. You will develop an understanding of the techniques used for storytelling in comic books.
2. You will develop your understanding through experimentation with a variety of drawing, inking and coloring techniques.
3. You will have the opportunity to discuss your work and share your ideas with your tutor who is an industry professional.
