2024SOLD OUT: Graphic Novel Your Life
Online course for adults
16 January – 26 March 2024
Tuesdays, 18:00 – 20:00 UK Time
There is no class on 13 February 2024
This course is underway. If you'd like to be notified when it runs again, email learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
On this 10-week course you’ll learn how to create an autobiographical or fictional graphic novel inspired by your own life experiences. Guided by award-winning cartoonist Rachael Ball, you will breathe life into well-thought-out characters and create the key elements of a compelling plot.
Rachael will teach you the key fundamentals of great comics and graphic novels such as how to pace your story or use visual metaphors in order to evoke emotion and suspense. You’ll experiment with image-making and different media and learn to create beautiful comic page layouts.
By the end of the course, you will have created a strong plot, key character sheets, scripted pages, a storyboard, visual experiments, a story synopsis and a finished page of artwork. You’ll even learn how to approach a publisher with your graphic novel sample.
This course caters for beginners and skilled illustration practitioners alike. No prior experience of writing or drawing is necessary. Our small class size of no more than 16 students will ensure you receive weekly personalised feedback from Rachael and the group, helping your work to progress in a relaxed and friendly environment.
About Rachael
Rachael Ball(opens in new window) is an acclaimed cartoonist with 16 years of teaching experience. She started cartooning for cult comic Deadline in 1988. Rachael's first graphic novel, The Inflatable Woman (Bloomsbury), was a Guardian Best Graphic Novel 2015 and her second, Wolf (SelfMadeHero), has been called “a timeless classic”. Rachael co-coordinates the London branch of Laydeez Do Comics.
What people say
“Great class and great instructor. Great content. I appreciated the expertise and the way the instructor delivered it. Excellent.”
“Rachael was such a fantastic tutor. I really feel like I understand the process and have the confidence to create my own.”
“It really pushed me up to a new level: Excellent”
“I learned a lot and I have more tools to continue my project. I also felt very inspired by the other participants.”
“The teacher gave everyone her attention and chance to speak and share their work and give others feedback. It was very high quality of teaching and packed with useful information.”
“This felt like a deep dive into the world of graphic novels, and really made me think and challenged me creatively.”
This course is underway. If you'd like to be notified when it runs again, email learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
Online classes take place each Tuesday from 18:00 – 20:00 (UK Time) from 16 January – 26 March 2024. There is no class on Tuesday 13 February.
If you are not UK-based you can use this time zone converter(opens in new window) to check your local time.
Full price: £425.00
Concessions: £340.00
Concessions are available for students, those on income-supporting benefits and early career illustrators (who have been practicing for under three years).
Disabled ticket holders can book a free ticket for their personal assistant or companion at the same time as their own full price or concessionary ticket.
Ticket bookings are subject to our terms and conditions(opens in new window).
This course caters for beginners and skilled illustration practitioners alike. No prior experience of writing or drawing is necessary.
If you have any questions about whether this course would be right for you, please contact us learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
Please note that this course is for attendees aged 18+ only.
You will need a computer or tablet with a camera and microphone and a stable internet connection. We use web platforms Zoom(opens in new window) and Padlet(opens in new window) to host sessions and share resources, but you do not need your own accounts to use them. You may like to print out the resources.
2B and 5B pencil
Eraser
Sharpener
Ruler
Biro
Sketchpad of good quality cartridge paper
Folder for keeping hand-outs and scrap imagery in order
Small notebook for collecting ideas
Photocopy paper
Post-it notes
Facilities to scan or photograph your artwork
Any favourite drawing or art materials such as pencil crayons, watercolours or pastels, or digital media
Online classes take place live on Zoom and include real-time exercises, tutorials, demonstrations, group discussion and feedback.
Course materials, including recordings of sessions and galleries are uploaded to a shared Padlet. You can also use the Padlet to upload your work for feedback.
You will receive course information and resources two weeks before the course start date and login details the day before. This will be sent to the email address you used to make your booking. Please contact us if you would like us to send course information to a different address learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
The course requires homework between sessions for which you should allow a minimum of two to three hours per week.
Our online events are held via video conferencing application Zoom with closed captioning enabled.
We record live classes. Recordings are uploaded the day after each class and are available until two weeks after the course finishes.
Disabled ticket holders can book a free ticket for their personal assistant or companion at the same time as their own full price or concessionary ticket via the booking link.
If you have any queries, or would like to discuss your access needs, please contact us access@qbcentre.org.uk.
Ticket concessions are available for students, those on income-supporting benefits and early career illustrators (under three years’ practice).
We want everyone to be able to participate in our activities. Please email us if cost is a barrier and you would like to discuss payment options learning@qbcentre.org.uk.
If you would like to gift a place on this workshop to someone, we can send you a personalised e-ticket for them by email.
How it works
Buy a ticket via the link above.
Forward your email booking confirmation to learning@qbcentre.org.uk, along with the name and email address of the person you will be gifting it to.
We will send you a personalised e-ticket by email within within 5 – 7 working days.
You can choose to print the voucher or email it to your recipient.
Our frequently asked questions page(opens in new window) has more information on our online courses.
Still have questions? Contact us learning@qbcentre.org.uk.