Instructor: Jen Wang 

Max: 20 Students

September 6th, 2025 / 1:30-5:30pm (including a 15 min. break)

(Please arrive 20 minutes early. Parking is ample and easy. )

Do you enjoy comics, manga, and graphic novels, and are interested in making one of your own?

Join author/illustrator Jen Wang in an intensive course covering all the basics of graphic novel creation. The first half of the class will go over how to craft a narrative and effectively communicate your story using simple writing techniques. The second half will focus on artistic techniques to enhance your story in the areas of character design, color, composition, and drawing environments. Students will participate in writing and drawing exercises that will allow them to practice and utilize techniques taught in class.

No experience necessary. All levels welcome!

Jen Wang is the award-winning cartoonist of several graphic novels for young readers including Ash’s Cabin, Stargazing, and The Princess And The Dressmaker.

THE WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE:

INTRODUCTION (30 min)

Instructor and class introductions as well as a short comic drawing exercise to warm up.

DEMO OF JEN’S PROCESS (30 min)

Presentation of Jen’s personal process of creating a graphic novel from start to finish. We cover the writing process, thumbnailing, art tools, and publishing.

PART ONE: HOW TO TELL A STORY (45 min)

A simple way of looking at storytelling and writing a narrative based on cause and effect that anyone, regardless of writing experience, can do. The class will collaborate on a short story together based on this technique.

—- BREAK —- (15 min)

PART TWO: CHARACTER CREATION (20 min)

We go over different ways to convey storytelling in a character design. Class will participate in a character design exercise.

PART THREE: APPLYING ART TO NARRATIVE (45 min)

How do you use art to enhance your story? We cover different art techniques that help guide readers to more effectively understand the story you’re trying to communicate. We discuss panel character creation, composition, color, pacing, and drawing environments.

PART FOUR: CLASS EXERCISE (45+ min)

The class will write a short paragraph based on a prompt and thumbnail a short comic based on the writing and art techniques learned in the class today. Optional show and tell afterwards.

Q&A (10 min)

Students are welcome to ask questions based on what we covered in class today or specific to their own personal projects.

RECOMMENDED MATERIALS

Any drawing materials will do but pencil, pen, and paper are highly recommended.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

If you need to cancel, please do so at least 3 days before the workshop. No refunds shorter than 3 days before class. If you cancel within a week, you are entitled to a full refund minus $25.