The evolution of the graphic novel over the last 60 years is complex, and the mainstream history of that evolution only scratches the surface of how independent writing/drawing, alternative perspectives and comics rooted in the art world, rather than the mainstream publishing/superhero sphere, have contributed to and inspired the way we think about comics in 2020. This course is an opportunity to study online with one of the most acclaimed pioneers of that underground tradition, https://gabriellebell.com/" target="_blank">Gabrielle Bell. It's about using the language of images and words together to create compelling stories based on your personal life. At the end of the session, you'll have accumulated several short comics, each one stronger than the previous, and a confidence that you can create a comic, from the beginning to the end, about whatever you like.

During the workshop, we will:

Learn and discuss an overview of the history of independent and autobiographical comics - read and discuss key examples, and gain a detailed image of the landscape of this compelling art-form;

Develop your comics drawing and writing skills in a holistic, integral way, using our own personal stories;

Explore character development - learn how to create complex and unique characters in your work;

Practice figure drawing, and drawing from the "right side of the brain"; and,

Explore design, layout, color and editing of pages.

All levels of experience are welcome. You don't need to know how to draw or write well - everyone from absolute beginners to experienced cartoonists can benefit from Gabrielle's workshop.

Brooklyn-based cartoonist Gabrielle Bell has made some of the most celebrated alternative comics of the last two decades, from her 2003 Ignatz Award-winning semi-autobiographical series "Lucky" to her 2012 globe-trotting epic "The Voyeurs". In 2017 she released "Everything is Flammable" to huge critical acclaim - the book chosen as one of the best graphic novels of 2017 by Entertainment Weekly, was a finalist for the 2017 Los Angeles Times Book Prize as Best Graphic Novel/Comic, and was nominated for a Broken Frontier Award for Best Graphic Non-Fiction.

Gabrielle collaborated with director Michel Gondry on a film adaptation of her book "Cecil and Jordan in New York", and also on "Kuruma Tohrimasu", a collection of drawings and photographs made during the production of the film.

Her work has been selected multiple times for Best American Comics and the Yale Anthology of Graphic Fiction, and she has contributed to McSweeneys, Bookforum, The Believer, and Vice Magazine.


This is an online course, but it involves realtime sessions and contact time with your tutor - it's not a "download these videos and watch them at your leisure" type of thing - it's a real workshop with live lectures, individual tuition, assignments and feedback sessions. We've tried to make this remote session as close as possible to the experience of an onsite workshop at CAMP.

The online course starts on 19/08/2020 and ends on 22/08/2020.

Full details, including booking and cost: https://www.campfr.com/online/gabriellebell">https://www.campfr.com/online/gabriellebell