And finally, I've been lucky enough to have a slew of private art lessons booked during the summertime, lots of parents looking to keep their kids occupied I guess. This week, I start 5 sessions with an awesome group of 3 on comic illustration.
I haven't taught a comics class in a while, so I sat down today to review some material and man, is Scott McCloud the 800 pound gorilla in that arena. I got sucked back into reading Understanding Comics and Making Comics after only a couple panels. He's such a clear storyteller and his charts and theories are fascinating, as well as the simple little beats of humor he drops in every once in a while to keep you present. Reinventing Comics is a bit tougher read, but there are so many theoretical statements in it that countless people (myself included) used in that hazy bubbling ooze of early webcomics, that it's every bit as influential as the other two books.
His website is touting a 2-day comic making seminar in LA this month, I wish I had the time! YOU should totally go though!
For comic instruction comparison I also read through Making Comics the Marvel Way and the actual storytelling part of the instruction is pretty thin.
I AM going to practice the Drawing Women section though, cause I am terrible at that. Drawing teh pretty gurls.