She broke down how a graphic novel script is set out for authors and illustrators. Linda used her own amazing drawings and stories as examples as well as highlighting great how-to/helpful books to help you along with the process.

She then passed around some of her favorite comics and graphic novels to show the wide variety of subject matter and art style that one publication genre can accomodate.

All of these examples and process talk culminate in the realization that: THERE IS NO ONE WAY TO DO THIS. A good graphic novel depends on a GREAT story first, then the art. And the biggest learning curve of all, it seems to me, is reading comics and graphic novels and then actually getting your hands dirty in the production process. It is very similar to setting up a dummy for a picture book or story boarding a movie scene. Just with 10 times more drawings per page...

Linda taught sequential art at Savannah College of Art and Design and went over some of the things she taught her students to help us in the workshop. I can guarantee that those students received a once-in-a-lifetime FANTASTIC course on perspective and generally stellar illustration skill classes if they were taught by Linda. Portland would behoove itself to have her teaching SOMETHING and SOON.

If anyone had projects they were working on Linda gladly took the time to give her opinion one-on-one with the author or illustrator. Everyone seemed thrilled with her helpful feedback.

And THAT'S just the workshop!

Our SCBWI meeting that evening began with Joni Sensel's mini-session about blogging.
I was standing outside so I missed part of it. But Joni is a genius and hopefully she'll post part of her talk somewhere.

After that Drego Little, a doctorial candidate in the UW's Language, Literacy & Culture Program spoke as a teacher/literacy expert on kids and graphic novels that thrilled our audience. SCBWI rarely has non-author/illustrator/editors come to our group and it is wonderful to hear from people on the frontlines with kids as teachers and parents. Drego listed a whole slew of comic and graphic novel titles that I'll link to below.

Linda followed up Drego's talk with a wonderful breakdown of her illustration process. She's writing as she's drawing (Linda doesn't work from a formal script) so really, it was a peak at her entire story building process. As an illustrator I was floored by her brilliant use of photoshop and attention to detail. Linda ALSO shared her 'Perspective Secret Weapon.' Those of us at the day workshop and meeting last night will see a clear improvement in our perspective drawings. If you haven't checked out SCBWI WWA this is one of many reasons to go for it!

BESIDES all of this great stuff there are even more Seattle opportunities for you to learn about comic books and graphic novels. Here's what I found on the Fantagraphics blog concerning their BRAND NEW book shop:

All of this is happening with our Dec. 2nd GRAND OPENING in mind. Look for more news soon regarding that, which will include an inaugural art show and signing in our own space (essentially a smaller version of the acclaimed show that just closed at New York's Society of Illustrators), featuring Peter Bagge, Jim Woodring, Jim Blanchard, Ellen Forney, and many more, as well as an exhibition at the neighboring Belle & Wissel Gallery, featuring original artwork from Jacob Covey's forthcoming BEASTS! book. It's going to be a great weekend, so we hope all of you in the Great Northwest will mark your calendars.

FANTAGRAPHIC BOOKS
1201 South Vale Street (at Airport Way)
Seattle, WA 98108
Mon. - Sat 11:30 - 8
Sun 11:30 - 5
206-658-0110

Belle & Wissell is my most favorite gallery/studio in the world. The BEASTS! show mentioned above will be at the Belle & Wissell grand opening from 5 to 8 pm on that Saturday.

Don't forget to get involved with Castle Waiting--Volume One is out and installments of Volume Two are coming out now--all available at the new Fantagraphics bookshop.

Plus Linda makes super beautiful accoutrements and color plates for Volume One, all available directly from her on her website.

Titles recommended by Linda and Drego: