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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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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!

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More Comics Fun at AADL!!

by K.C.

Mondays, July 8-August 12 | 6-8 PM | Malletts Creek

If Kids Read Comics inspired you to try your hand at making comics, then you’re ready for the SUPER COMICS CHALLENGE! Or, if you’ve been making comics for a while but looking for a creative boost, then by all means join us.

At this weekly series, you'll design dynamic fortresses, awesome heroes, lugubrious villains, and unlock achievements of the comics-storytelling masters! Each week you'll have two fun drawing challenges to level up your comics-making powers and get special Summer Game codes.

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 Character Challenge at AADL

by K.C.

Monday, July 15 | 6-8 PM | Malletts Creek

This week in the SUPER COMICS CHALLENGE get ready to conjure up some awesome heroes and lugubrious villains! Yes indeedy, cartoonist and teaching artist Jerzy Drozd’s challenges will loosen up both your brain and drawing arm.

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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Worldbuilding in Comics

by K.C.

Monday, July 22 | 6-8 PM | Malletts Creek

Worldbuilding is the challenge in this week's session. You will face four different challenges in creating the world that fits your characters and storyline. From imagining a fortress to an entire universe, these challenges will have your synapses firing like mad!

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

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Blog Post

if you want to see a whale

by manz

if you want to see a whale is a beautiful picture book written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by local artist & Caldecott Medal winner Erin Stead. In this book we learn that there are a few requirements if you want to see a whale. You’ll need a window, an ocean, time for waiting, a not-so-comfy chair, both eyes open, and a few other things. Oh, and your imagination! That’s the key to this story. Written in all lower-case, with full page illustrations, and barely any punctuation, it’s a charming book to read together.

Fogliano and Stead also teamed up for And Then It's Spring, which is another beauty.

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Kids Read Comics event June 22-23 at the Downtown Library

by K.C.

The free Kids Read Comics convention is just around the corner and promises tons of comics fun. Running both Saturday and Sunday, the convention will open with fun comics crafts at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Downtown Library. Everything really kicks off @ 11 a.m. when special guest Ben Hatke, creator of Zita the Spacegirl, will make a presentation. At 12 Noon the Artists Alley (3rd Floor) along with fun programming and hilarious Quick Draws get under way! Program details and the guest cartoonist list available at Kids Read Comics.

There will be a FREE photo booth (with a game code!) outside the Teen Room from 12:30-4:30! Bring your friends and get a strip of pictures!

FREE comic books will be given out of the 3rd Floor where all of the artists will be exhibiting!

Don't forget! AADL Summer gamers who come to KRC can collect a bucketful of game codes!

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Ann Arbor Observed: The Stories Behind the Ann Arbor Observer Covers

by manz

Ann Arbor Observed: The Stories Behind the Ann Arbor Observer Covers contains a mini collection of paintings that have graced the cover of the Ann Arbor Observer over the years, these ones all done by artist Katherine Larson. The paintings are a glimpse into the town and covers areas such as the parks, neighborhoods, University of Michigan, special events, and daily life in Ann Arbor. Each illustration is also accompanied by a decription of the artist’s motivation for that specific piece, as well as a few insights on her work process for it.

Katherine Larson’s artwork has appeared on the front of the Ann Arbor Observer more than any other artist. She has also painted murals, book covers, magazine covers, and children’s book illustrations.

If you’ve ever taken a look at the cover of the Observer after it arrives in your mailbox and wondered how the artist came up with that specific image, here you go!