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Comic Artists Forum with Cartoonist Jesse Hughes

by K.C.

Sunday November 3, 2013: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room

This event is intended for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).

CosmiCat creator Jesse Hughes will talk about developing expressive facial expressions and body language.

Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your next comics or graphic novel creation. Drawing supplies are provided, so drop in to draw, learn, and network with other cartoonists.

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A Sweeeeet Werewolf Romance

by K.C.

For those of you who love October for its end of the month holiday here is a little comedic horror story available as an online graphic novel to tickle your bones by artist and storyteller extraordinaire Ryan Estrada. David, a young professional, is out late barhopping with his work buddies in Royal Oak when he encounters Julia, a young woman, crouched and half naked in a nearby alley. She’s barefoot and bleeding and seems to be in a daze. David gallantly offers her his jacket and insists on driving her to the emergency room. Little does either know it but this is the start of a friendship that will bloom into romance. When David proclaims his undying love, Julia reveals she’s a werewolf. Though Julia tries to convince him to forget about her, David knows he’s met the love of his life, the woman with whom he wants to spend the rest of his days. There’s just that little problem of the full moon each month!

Read The Kind free online or name your own price and download your own copy with lots of extras. Did I mention it was originally planned as an animated work?

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Comic Artists Forum with Artist Justin Castaneda

by K.C.

Sunday October 6, 2013: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room

This event is intended for adults and teens (grade 6 and up).

Learn about visual storytelling and writing from life with artist Justin Castaneda. He has developed the When I Was Little children's book series and evolved it into more than just books.

Join the Forum to get fresh ideas for your graphic novel or next comics creation. Drawing supplies are provided, so drop in to draw, learn, and network with other cartoonists.

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My Dog: The Paradox

by K.C.

Having come out of a “doggy” summer, I picked up My Dog and enjoyed a good laugh. Creator Matthew Inman’s many years of observing his dogs, in particular Rambo to whom the book is dedicated, helped to serve as the inspiration for this ode to man’s best friend. He explores such questions as how is it that dogs are absolutely fearless in the face of trucks, animals four times their size, and thoroughly love to roll in horse droppings yet are unable to cope with a hair blow dryer and can’t make eye contact with cats?

Based on one of Inman’s online comics posted at The Oatmeal man’s best friend is simply yet colorfully portrayed in this little book not to be missed.

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Comic Artists Forum with Cartoonist Joshua Buchanan

by K.C.

Sunday September 8, 2013: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm -- Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room

To kick off another year of the Forum we have guest artist Joshua Buchanan who believes bringing characters to life is an art form in and of itself. Josh says, “As cartoonists and storytellers, we strive to give that life to our character so our readers will feel a part of the world and narrative in a personal way.” During his presentation he will shed light on the basic principles you can use to create lively anthropomorphic characters.

Joshua Buchanan is a graphic designer by day, comic artist by night. His latest work includes his self published comic book The Rocket, and the recent releases of the all ages comic Scratch9.

Get fresh ideas for your next graphic novel or comic creation at the Forum. Drop in to draw, learn and network with other cartoonists. Drawing supplies are provided.

Note: Cartoonist Jay Fosgitt originally scheduled for September 8 will present at the January 5 Comic Artists Forum.

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Drawing Lab: Perspective

by K.C.

Saturday, August 17, 2013 | 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm | Downtown Library | Multi-Purpose Room

The theory of perspective has been simplified over the decades. It is basically the notion that objects appear smaller the further away they are from the viewer. However, very few artists understand the mechanics of the theory. For the artist, there is a very specific process to follow to accurately represent the illusion of real space.

Illustrator, Joe Foo, will help you unlock the secrets of drawing accurate perspective the same way the old masters did. The tips and tricks will help you improve your landscapes and still life, with a small section discussing drawing figures in perspective.

Paper and pencil supplies will be on hand. Please join us for an afternoon of discovery.

This event is for adults and teens (grade 6 and up)

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Storytelling in Comics

by K.C.

Monday, August 12, 2013 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Malletts Creek Branch

You’ll be challenged to improve your visual storytelling skills using a variety of themes. For more ideas about storytelling check out the 22 rules of storytelling according to Pixar.

Collect a special series of video challenges! Become the supreme master of visual storytelling! ALSO, there will be a drawing for awesome items donated by 2013 Kids Read Comics artists!

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Trinity: A Graphic History of the First Atomic Bomb

by K.C.

Trinity by first time graphic novelist Jonathan Fetter-Vorm visualizes the steps that led to the destruction of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. His art and pacing draws readers into the excitement of discovering the atom and its power, onward through the development of the ultimate weapon, and finally resulting in the horrific outcome of its use upon the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

There are other works about the development and aftermath of the bomb’s use in graphic novels like Fallout: J. Robert Oppenheimer, Leo Szilard, and the political science of the atomic bomb by local author Jim Ottaviani and Barefoot Gen, the heart-breaking manga about Hiroshima by Keiji Nakazawa. Yet this compact 160-page work is worth the read for the science, history, politics and people involved.

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Comics: The Importance of Line

by K.C.

Monday, August 5 | 6-8 PM | Malletts Creek Branch

Lines are critical in comics defining characters, moods, actions, motion, and more. This week you will face three exciting challenges to improve your use of lines.

Come every week to collect a special series of video challenges! Become the supreme master of visual storytelling! ALSO, each week there’ll be a drawing for awesome items donated by 2013 Kids Read Comics artists!

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Comics - Panel Sequence and "Camera" Angles

by K.C.

Monday, July 29 | 6-8 p.m. | Malletts Creek

This week you’ll put on your director’s hat to determine the best sequence for telling your story and choose the best "camera" angles for the most effective visual storytelling. Master teacher Jerzy Drozd will pose three challenges that will have you looking at comics creation in a whole new way.

Come every week to collect a special series of video challenges! Become the supreme master of visual storytelling! ALSO, each week there’ll be a drawing for awesome items donated by 2013 Kids Read Comics artists!