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Comic Illustration Classes-- Coming in January 2027!

  • Clearwater Arts Center & Studios 223 Crowell Drive Northwest Concord, NC, 28025 United States (map)

SAVE THE DATES! Starting after July 2026, Registration will open for the three Comic Illustration classes coming in early 2027, described below. The single-day, pilot Family Workshop (Silly Sketch Saturday) is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2027 and, if there’s demand, may become a regular offering. The other two 3-week courses are for kids and teen-adult, respectively. All are conceived and offered, by LOCAL Comic book illustrator and artist, Jameson McCrann. We can’t wait!!

SHARE: Fliers can be downloaded as a single, 2-page PDF file: LearnTheCraft


OPTION 1: FAMILY WORKSHOP on Saturday Jan. 16:

Silly Sketch Saturday - Draw Cartoons with Family!

In a fun guided activity, the whole class will make up a silly comic strip from start to finish together! No drawing experience necessary - you'll be surprised at how easy and enjoyable cartooning really is for anyone.

All ages are welcome (please ensure children are accompanied by their parent/guardian).

Saturday, 01/16/2027, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

$35 fee per registered family unit

(limit of 4 children per unit; And, at least 1 parent/guardian required per family unit)

Required Materials (Students must bring own):

●       A regular sketch pad or sketch book

●       A regular pencil (bring your own lead if mechanical)

●       An eraser (if the pencil doesn't have one)

●       A black Magic Marker/Sharpie

●       Crayons, colored markers, or colored pencils

I will have a pencil sharpener available for use in class if needed.

Minimum Participants: 4 individuals (e.g., 2 child/parent pairs, or a pair of grandparents with their 2 grandchildren, etc.)

Maximum Participants: 20 individuals (e.g., 10 child/parent pairs, or 1 aunt with 19 nieces and nephews, etc.)


OPTION 2: 3-Week Course for Kids: Fridays, 01/22/2027 - 02/05/2027, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Comic Cartooning Crash Course for Kids:

In this engaging 3-week crash course, you'll learn how to draw ANYTHING using basic shapes, make up your own brand-new characters, the secrets to getting your reader to keep turning the pages of your story, and complete a whole comic book ALL BY YOURSELF to take home and show off! The best part? You probably already have all the drawing supplies you need!

Ages 5+ (children must be accompanied by their parent/guardian).

Fridays, 01/22/2027 - 02/05/2027, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

$150 fee per student

Required Materials (Students must bring own):

●       A regular sketch pad or sketch book

●       A regular pencil (bring your own lead if mechanical)

●       An eraser (if the pencil doesn't have one)

●       A black Magic Marker/Sharpie

●       Crayons, colored markers, or colored pencils

I will have a pencil sharpener, tape, a pair of scissors, and a stapler available for use in class if needed.

Minimum Participants: 4 students

Maximum Participants: 15 students


OPTION 3: 3-Week Course, Thursdays, 01/21/2027 - 02/04/2027, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm:

Comic Cartooning and Sequential Storytelling:

In this advanced 3-week crash course, you'll learn:

●       Drawing shortcuts your art teacher at school never taught you!

●       How to tell a story without needing a single word!

●       Tricks to make your characters look natural, in-motion, and 3-D!

●       How to grab and lead your reader's eye from panel to panel, page by page!

●       The purpose and proper method of inking (and why what you've heard is wrong)!

●       Why YouTube tutorials and digital tools are actually hurting, not helping!

●       How to recognize when you're getting ripped off!

●       The production process to get you started on making your own comics to self-publish!

… And so much more! Close the knowledge gap between yourself and your favorite comic artists/mangaka as their masterful secrets are exposed!

Ages 13+

Thursdays, 01/21/2027 - 02/04/2027, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

$175 fee per student

Required Materials (Students must bring own):

●       A regular sketch pad or sketch book

●       A regular pencil (bring your own lead if mechanical)

●       A separate, WHITE eraser (not pink)

●       A pad of white 11” x 17” Strathmore Bristol board paper [1]

●       An 18” ruler (not standard 12”)

●       A set of black archival ink technical pens, such as Microns [2]

●       An inkwell of Speedball Super Black India Ink [3]

●       A Pentel Arts Pocket Brush Pen (discard the ink cartridges) [4] OR a Kuretake Bimoji Fude Calligraphy Brush [5] - whichever is easier to get

●       A BIC White-Out Correctional Fluid Squeeze Pen (the regular White-Out Fluid that brushes on is also fine, but I find the pen version to be more convenient) [6]

●       An Ames Lettering Guide [7]

●       A portfolio large enough to carry your 11x17” boards

I will have a pencil sharpener, tape, and a pair of scissors available for use in class if needed.

[The numbers correspond with a visual reference supply key I've provided]

Minimum Participants: 4 students

Maximum Participants: 10 students