Instructor: Sam Alden

Max: 20 Students

February 7th, 2026 / 1:30-5:30pm (including a 15 min. break)

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

Do you have a short story that needs to be seen? 

Join illustrator Sam Alden in an intensive course covering the fundamentals of writing and drawing a graphic short story. The first half of the class we’ll examine what makes a short story effective, how to find and develop an idea, and how to “write with drawings”. The second half will focus on art techniques for comics, with an emphasis on panel layout, composition, environments, and character design. Students will participate in writing and drawing exercises that will allow them to practice and utilize techniques taught in class and will finish the class with the framework for a short comic.

No experience necessary. All levels welcome!

Sam Alden is the cartoonist of many award-winning short comics, whose books include It Never Happened Again, New Construction, Haunter, and Sledgehammer.

THE WORKSHOP WILL INCLUDE:

INTRODUCTION (15 min)

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

DEMO OF SAM’S PROCESS (30 min)

Presentation of Sam’s personal process for creating a short story, beginning from brainstormed ideas and ending with a finished comic. We cover the writing process, thumbnailing, art tools, and publishing.

PART ONE: DEVELOPING A STORY (45 min)

We’ll examine how to create a scenario which naturally generates a story, and how to use that story to explore a theme or an idea. The class will use a writing exercise to develop an idea for a short story into an outline.

—- BREAK —- (15 min)

PART TWO: BUILDING THE WORLD (45 min)

We go over what visual elements make up a comic: how to design a character, how to develop a visual language for a short story, and how to create an environment with a sense of place. Class will participate in a character design exercise.

PART THREE: VISUAL NARRATIVE (20 min)

How do you actually put all these elements together into a narrative? We discuss panel composition, pacing, and clarity in visual storytelling. 

PART FOUR: CLASS EXERCISE (45+ min)

Using the techniques they’ve learned, the class will begin work on a short story based on the techniques they’ve learned in the class. 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, firm drawing paper and a ruler 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.