This week I’ve been teaching a comics storytelling at The Animation Workshop here in Viborg, Denmark, to the first year of students on the new graphic storytelling line. Meeting these talented young cartoonists has been very inspiring, and made me aware of a lot of things about the craft that I ussually don’t pay much attention to. It also confirmed a lot of things I already knew, like the importance of having a script before you start drawing!
Teaching storytelling and thumbnails has been my day job, while the nights have been spent mostly working on content for my tutorial site comicsforbeginners.com, both inspired by the learning environment at the school and the fact that my webmaster lives in the city, giving us chance to meet and work in person. Last night we uploaded a new site design that I hope you like. And hey, while you’re liking stuff, why not go to Facebook and like the page there?
My third job was as an artist. I had to do a liitle drawing of my own on a paid gig, while the students were hard at work. Basically just a few character sketches. Took a picture with my phone and sent it off for approval.
Fourth job: Writer. Not that I’ve been writing much this week, but I did get an email that the first draft of a YA novel I sent in a few weeks ago had been read AND greenlighted by the publisher. This will be the fourth YA novel I write, and also the fourth to get published. Not a bad hit rate, if I dare say so!
My fifth and final job is being a blogger, something I just now have the time for while I’m waiting for a student driver to take me to the airport.
This weekend: No plans other than hanging out with my family and doing some laundry.
| My first meeting with the school was a mild and foggy morning. |
| Everywhere in the buildings you find cool stuff from earlier productions or assignments, like these character models. |
| Got my own office! I LOVE THIS PLACE! |
| View from my corner of the classroom, while a video tutorial is playing. |
| Work spaces under the roof, each studio named after comics creators. This is “Kirby”. |
| The City of Viborg is not the most happening place after regular working hours. |
| Students evaluate each other’s work after a long day of thumbnailing. |
| My guest book sketch. Goodbye, guys! I miss you already! |