Sequential Imagery, Comics and Storyboarding
Explore the potential of sequential storytelling as applied to a personal narrative. Students will be required to produce a 3-5 page comic book which relates to a personal experience, but can be re-imagined as science fiction, noir, gothic, superhero, horror or another genre. Students may also take a more straightforward approach if they choose. Class will focus on developing unique and personal means of expression as well as technique and appropriate style. Participation in class critiques and discussions will be an essential part of the class.
Required text: “Understanding Comics” by Scott McCloud (available on Amazon)
Required tools: t-square, non-repro blue pencils, 11″ x 17″ drawing surfaces, drafting triangle
Instructor
Kerry P. Talbott is an award-winning illustrator with over 20 years of experience as a newspaper artist, a children’s book artist and a sequential artist. He obtained his BFA with an illustration emphasis in 1986 and began working soon thereafter for Richmond Newspapers, Inc., winning many Virginia Press Association and Society of Newspaper Design awards. His client list includes DC Comics, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Bloomsbury Children’s Books USA, and National Business Employment Weekly to name just a few. Talbott has taught in VCU’s Communication Arts program for the past 11 years. To learn more about Talbott and his work visit kerrytalbottillustration.com.
Drawing From Observation
3 week course focused on developing realistic drawing skills based on observation, an essential skill necessary for creating a portfolio for college admissions. Through presentations and demos students will learn how to see by evaluating predictable patterns of light, and how to then process visual information in ways that aid image translation by the hand to two-dimensional surfaces. Subjects will include natural and man made objects and scenes in addition to the human form. Art history and creative deviations from realism will be explored. Students will keep a sketchbook for notes and will produce 3-5 large drawings.
Necessary Supplies: Please bring a 18″x24″ pad of Bristol vellum, pencils of various hardnesses, charcoal, Prismacolor colored pencils and a sketchbook about 8″x10″
Instructor
Sarah E. Faris, MA, CMI (Certified Medical Illustrator) grew up in the Richmond area where she received a BFA from the VCU Department of Communication Arts, and a MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine’s Department of Art As Applied to Medicine in Baltimore.
Ms. Faris is currently teaches a variety of courses in VCU’s Department of Communication Arts and is also the founder, and principle practicing certified medical illustrator of SciMed Studios where she works with doctors, scientists, attorneys and experts to create innovative educational images and materials for use in litigation, textbooks and scientific/medical journals. Ms. Faris has won numerous national awards and has exhibited successfully both nationally and internationally. Her work and artistic philosophy are rooted in problem solving, rational thinking, and observation, while also embracing the manipulation of essential elements for both realistic and desired effect.
