STORY AND ART

with

Kody Chamberlain


Learn to Create
Children’s Books and Comics
with a Career Professional.



Overview:

Join professional writer and artist Kody Chamberlain for a four week course on Storytelling and Graphic Art where you'll learn a highly versatile and in-demand skill set that includes concept development, outlining, story, scriptwriting, character design, storyboarding, art production, and business. The skills taught in this course will apply directly to things like children’s books, comic books, graphic novels, storyboarding, concept art, character design, web comics, newspaper strips, editorial illustration, entertainment design, editorial cartoons, manga, and more.

UPDATE 05.01.17 I had someone report an error they couldn't resolve while going through the checkout process. If you experience any kind of error that prevents you from signing up, please email me ASAP and we'll get it sorted out. Thanks!
[email protected]

Details:

  • Dates: Four Tuesdays in a row from May 23, 2017 through June 13, 2017.
  • Time: From 6:30pm to 8pm - Since our venue closes at exactly 8pm, we'll likely wrap up a few minutes early each evening.
  • Location: Hobby Lobby, 5622 Johnston St 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 (far right back corner of the building). Note, this class is hosted by Hobby Lobby, but they are not involved in the planning. Their staff may have the classroom schedule, but they will not be able to help you with any of the specifics of this course. Please email me directly with those questions or concerns: [email protected]
  • Limitations: Must be 10 or older to attend. Exceptions may be made if a parent or guardian attends with the student, please contact me about this before registering. Please, all minors must be signed in at the classroom by an adult, and must be signed out in the classroom.
  • Students must be able to read, write, and follow directions.
  • This is a live course, so you must be present to attend. There is currently no video or live streaming available.

About the Instructor:

Kody Chamberlain is a professional writer and artist with over twenty years experience creating cutting-edge work for comics, film, animation, video games, and television. He’s earned story and art credits at Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, HarperCollins, IDW Publishing, Image Comics, FOX, HALO, LucasArts, Marvel Comics, MTV, Sony Pictures, 12 Gauge Comics, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, and more.
Highlights and Accolades:

  • Original story and art for the hardcover HALO: Tales from Slipspace; 2016
  • Sweets utilized in English courses at UL Lafayette and LSU; 2013-2015
  • The Foundation optioned by 20th Century Fox for feature film development; 2014
  • Sweets won the Spinetingler Fiction Award; April 2011
  • Sweets included in CBR’s 50 best covers; 2010
  • McBain series featured on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS); 2010
  • Punks featured in Print Magazine; February 2008
  • Indiana Jones Heritage Card artist for TOPPS and LucasArts; 2007
  • Art demonstrations and guest speaker at HOW Design Live, CTN Animation Expo, Macworld, INNOV8, Comic Cons, AdFed, AIGA, and major universities across the country.

Requirements:

The first 3 items are needed for the first class, but please DO NOT buy the other supplies until we discuss options. I’ll have examples on hand to show.

Qty 100 - Index Cards, 3x5". Blank or ruled, your preference.

Qty 1 - Tray, box, or rubber band to hold your index cards.

Qty 2 - Sharpies - medium tip (or similar).


Remaining supplies (to be discussed):

Qty 2 - Drawing pencils (with sharpener), or Lead Pencils. most artists tend to prefer lead in the range of 2h to 4b, but feel free to pick what you like best. Faber-Castell, Koh-I-Noor and Blackwing are quality brands.

Qty 1 - Variety pack of Pitt or Pigma drawing pens, black.

Qty 1 - Moleskine Sketchbook, 5 x 8.25" (or similar). Moleskines lay perfectly flat when opened, that’s very helpful for sketching.

Qty 1 - Bristol board pad, 9 x 12" (or similar). Strathmore and Canson make nice bristol. Hot press is recommended.

Qty 1 - Small plastic mixing tray, ice tray, or similar. Will be used for watercolor and/or ink wash.

Qty 1 - Small bottle of India Ink (waterproof). Koh-I-Noor, Higgins, and Dr. Ph. Martin’s are good brands.

Qty 3 - Pentel Aquash Brushes (set of 3), Round Watercolor Brushes (sizes 1, 2, and 3), (or similar)*

Qty 1 - Metal ruler, 18" with cork back.

* If you have a preferred art medium for your project, please bring it in. We’ll do our best to make it work with the course.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do I need to know Photoshop (or other software) to take this course?

Absolutely not. This is not a course about computer power, this is a course about brain power. Many modern children's books, concept art, storyboards, and comics are created with absolutely no software at all. If/when software is needed, instruction and guidance will be given for that particular segment of the course. If you're interested in learning more about software, most of us look to YouTube for quick lessons on whatever task is at hand. Links may be provided as needed.

Q: Will you help me with my story?

Yes. The plan is for everyone to work on their own story. Lessons are customized as much as possible to suit each student's active project. In other words, I'll try and help guide your particular story along each and every week.

Q: Will there be homework?

Yes, because of time limitations, some work will be required outside of class, but if you're not excited about creating great stories and artwork with the skills you're learning, this probably isn't the right career choice for you. This is a deadline driven industry and self motivation is the single best advantage you'll have over the competition. Consider homework a litmus test for the career ahead.

Q: Is there a certificate, degree, or other documentation provided at the end of this course? And are credits transferrable to a college degree?

No. But it's important to note that this industry doesn't require a degree or a certificate. In my twenty years of doing this kind of work professionally, no one has ever asked to see my degree, nor have they asked if I ever got one. They only ask for my portfolio, sample work, and contact information. The only two things required to build that portfolio are skills and work ethic, and you'll get plenty of both in this course.

Q: What are your credentials to teach this course?

I'm not a full time teacher or professor and I make no such claims. I am a full time professional writer, artist, and designer with over twenty years of experience, and I feel I can offer substantial real-world information professionals like me use on a daily basis. Still, I do have a B.F.A. and I've been teaching these types of classes for about fifteen years. I've also included a bio and list of credits in the "About the Instructor" section that may prove helpful.

Q: Can you guarantee me a job when we're done?

Clearly not. The goal for this course isn't to give you a job, the goal is to teach the very things I wish I knew when I started doing this for a living. Many of the lessons I've learned were discovered by accident, through countless hours of trial and error, or by working closely with established professionals. Make no mistake, this course will teach you the basics, and future courses will cover these things in even more detail, but every creator has to earn their own stripes, and set their own goals. Constant practice and application are the keys to success. In the words of Bruce Lee, “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.” You must do.

Q: What if I don’t want to do this for a living?

You'll find the skills taught in this course translate well to just about any creative endeavor including non-fiction, game design, keynote presentations, graphic design, animation, business proposals, photography, motion graphics, and everything in between. The creative fundamentals being taught are universal in scope and application.

Q: What if I miss a class?

The information in each class will build toward lessons applied in future classes, so a missed class could become a problem. Our class time is limited, so if you miss a class, the best solution would be to partner up with someone else in the class to review the lessons and materials created.

Q: Can I get a refund if I miss or cancel?

In the event that the instructor and/or venue is unavailable, a makeup course will be offered at a later date. Since seating space is limited (and I do not overbook) refunds will not be given to individual students for missed classes or cancellations. Your tuition fee pays for your seat, whether or not you use it is totally up to you. To avoid scheduling conflicts, please double check your calendar and availability before booking this course.

Q: Why is it priced this way?

Based on my experience, recurring courses work best in the evenings but evenings are difficult to squeeze into an already busy production schedule. Because of that, I've put a premium on time away from home and family. Lessons will be tailored as much as possible, and theres no existing curriculum or textbook for the course. That means the workload for the instructor will be considerable. And finally, this is a skill set you can earn revenue with, I do believe there's added value in that.

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Fine Print:

Students can expect to encounter materials, language, and opinions that may differ from their own ideas and beliefs. Please know that ideas and opinions are at the heart of storytelling and will be discussed openly with civility and cooperation.

The materials and lessons may be altered at any time and without warning. Creativity is a dynamic process and it can't always be taught in a one-size-fits-all bubble. The instructor reserves the right to make changes, big or small, based on individual student needs and/or group learning.

I have reserved the room but I do not own this venue, so to some degree classroom availability is out of my control. If a location change is required I'll notify students as soon as possible.

Disruptive or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. I reserve the right to refuse entry (or remove) any student for any reason, as does the venue hosting this course.

  • Course # SA001


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