10/7/12 - 24-Hour Comics Day & Halloween Comics Fest - What a Combo!!

Wanted to alert/remind folks about these two October comics events. These will likely be hosted in comics stores and art schools all around the nation, as well as Louisville, Cincinnati, Nashville, Huntington, Columbus and Lexington.

What I like to do is post a master listing of what's being done locally and regionally on the CCG blog! So if you know of events in your area please send me the scoop and I will post it for all to see!

24-Hour Comic Book Day - can be shortened to a 4-Hour event or I have even heard of it being a 24-Day Comic event. Please follow the above link or visit Scott McCloud's site to understand the history of this challenge Scott made with his colleagues and friends  Steve Bissette and Neil Gaiman. The most important part is MAKING COMICS and breaking out of the inue of  thinking - to the state of doing! You can do this alone or with a group - but as Nike is fond of saying "Just Do It!" Then share it....

Here is a link to the official event locator: http://www.24hourcomicsday.com/content.aspx?page_id=2702&club_id=448232

Halloween ComicFest (Free Comic Book Day II) - This year we get a second FCBD! Because of Halloween and new comics day both falling on a Wednesday the ever thoughtful l Diamond Distributors came up with this new version to help promote sales in October. This is a chance not only to pick up free comics made for this event, but also for LOCAL creators to distribute (with the approval of the shops) their mini comics and other products. For COSPLAYERS this is a chance to strut their costuming prowess and compete in best Halloween Costume contests!! For artists this can then become a costumed life drawing event....the opportunities just continue to bloom!

Here is the link to the official event locator: http://www.halloweencomicfest.com/storelocator

As you now no doubt see these two events can feed into one another - as you share your comics made one week the following week as your own mini comic! Happy cartooning to all!

Stephen R Bissette - Comic Art Workshop - September 25th 2012

The CCG will be hosting a series of  comics storytelling presentations by Stephen R Bissette  at the NKU METS Center on Tuesday September 25th, 2012 from  9:15 am - 5:45 pm. On site registration begins at 9:00 am.

Facebook event here:
http://www.facebook.com/events/453613618011698/

Online registration here:
http://ccgstephenrbissetteseminar-eorg.eventbrite.com/

Here is the latest info on the content of those presentations . Contact CCG Coordinator for more info or to register. Space will be limited! :-)

1. Stephen R. Bissette: Horror Comics, Ghost Stories & Storytelling Staples

The Award-winning SWAMP THING artist, creator of TYRANT, and co-creator/editor/publisher of TABOO offers an illustrated lecture offering an overview of his career, his approach to storytelling, and some basics of the comics medium. Includes illustrated readings from two of Bissette's comics-format ghost stories and his serialized "day in the life of a dinosaur" graphic novel TYRANT.(All ages)

2. Stephen R. Bissette: Basics of Comics Storytelling

Using examples of his own work on comics like SWAMP THING, TYRANT, and self-contained short comics stories, the Award-winning vet SWAMP THING and TYRANT artist and Center for Cartoon Studies instructor discusses his philosophy of visual storytelling and step-by-step analysis of his process. Includes illustrated readings from SWAMP THING and TYRANT. (All ages)

3. Stephen R. Bissette: Stories on Storytelling

Using some of his most recent comics and short story creations, Award-winning cartoonist (SWAMP THING), writer (ALIENS: TRIBES), and editor/publisher (TABOO) Stephen R. Bissette workshops his own process of storytelling, specifically citing more introspective "story on story" devices, techniques, and dissection of process, including the use of dreams, pop culture artifacts, and more. Includes readings from recent stories, including "Tenderfoot," "Secrets & Lies, Windows & Wounds" and "Copper." (Adult audiences; ages 16 and up)

4. Area Premiere - Independent Documentary film "Cartoon College", (76 min , 2012, NR)

In the summer of 2007 filmmakers Josh Melrod and Tara Wray left New York City for the wilds of Vermont to begin shooting CARTOON COLLEGE. They spent the next three years following the lives of a few unique students at the Center for Cartoon Studies, the nation's premiere institution of higher learning for aspiring literary cartoonists and graphic novelists. Along the way they interviewed some of the most famous names in independent comics, including Lynda Barry, Charles Burns, Kim Deitch, Scott McCloud, Francoise Mouly, R. Sikoryak, Art Spiegelman, and Chris Ware, among others, in addition to traveling across the country to meet comic book store owners, museum curators, convention goers, critics, librarians, college professors, and fans to find out what it takes to make it in the world of indie comics. (With live intro and closing by Stephen R. Bissette, CSC Faculty)

Working Schedule:

Time	Location	Description	Notes:
9:00 am	Lobby	Arrival & Set up
9:00 - 9:30 am	Lobby	Registration and check in
9:30 - 9:45 am	Auditorium	Introduction and Welcome (TBA)
9:45 - 11:15 am	Auditorium	Presentation #1: SBR
11:15 - 11:30 am		Break
11:30 am - 1:00 pm	Auditorium	Presentation #2 SBR
End of Morning Session and All Ages presentations
1:00 - 2:30 pm		Lunch break
2:30 -4:00 pm	Auditorium	Presentation #3 SBR
4:00 - 4:10 pm		Break
4:10 - 4:20 pm	Auditorium	Introduction to Film by SBR
4:20 - 5:30pm	Auditorium	Cartoon College Documentary screening
5:30 - 5:45 pm	Auditorium	Q&A
5:45 pm		Dismissal
5:45 - 6:00 pm		Take down & departure

7/4/12 - Editorial: Independance Day #236

Benjamin Franklin is often quoted as saying:
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty
to purchase a little Temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

1776-2012: 236 Years of Freedom and Justice for All
Today we celebrate Independence Day - what does that mean to you?

Are we as free today as our forefather's were on that joyous day 236 years ago? Do we (you and I) work to make our country stronger, braver, with greater justice and even more freedom?

Have we (collectively as a society, and individually as citizens) preserved what some of our fathers, mothers, grandparents, great-grandparents, and on back - have DIED to protect and establish?

For those of us who have never been called to serve our country in time of need - how do we give back? Is this a time of need?

How do we continue and improve on the legacy of being a citizen in what is arguably, still the greatest country in the world (no offense to all our brothers and sisters across the planet - but this is still the place I CHOOSE to call home)? So once you realize how much we all have and the sense of gratitude washes over you, you start to wonder: how do we give back?

http://www.foundingfatherquotes.com/

6/26/12 - Larry Hama Sequential Art Seminar July 1st Louisville KY

Larry Hama is the 20011/2012 Artist in Residence at
the Asian/Pacific/American Institute of NYU

Larry Hama Seminar in Louisville Revisits Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art Lecture from 2011

Louisville KY June 26, 2012- Noted comics writer, artist and editor Larry Hama will be presenting at Kentucky School of Art, Spalding University campus this coming Sunday, July 1st.

The lecture will cover the same material Mr Hama presented at NYC's MoCCA Museum. Mr Hama has worked in the comics industry for over thirty years and has lectured widely in higher education - including a week long series of talks on storytelling for the Moscow School of Film. This lecture should appeal to comic fans, artists and writers, cartoonists, animators and film students.

This seminar will explore the process of getting the narrative onto the page clearly in a self-evident sequence of pictures. Main visual points of reference will be “Wally Wood’s 22 Panels” and GI Joe: A Real American Hero #21, “Silent Interlude.” There will be a frame-by-frame deconstruction and analysis of “Silent Interlude,” an exploration of techniques, and a Q & A.

Schedule: 

• 9:30-10am - late registration and check in
• 10 - noon - 1st half of presentation
• 12-1pm - lunch break (delivery or brown bag - can eat inside or outside in pavilion)
• 1-2:30 - 2nd half of presentation
• 2:30-3pm - Q&A

Seminar cost: $20 or $15 for Derby City Comic Con guests with proof of attendance. $10 for KSA students or Faculty. Cash only at door. Credit card use only for advance registration - email for assistance.

Lunch: Please sign up for a lunch delivery at registration or bring a lunch. We can eat inside or outside the library at one the picnic pavilions. We will only have one hour so we advise you plan to stay on campus for lunch.

Location: Library Lecture Lounge, Spalding University Kentucky School of Art • 845 South.Third Street, Louisville, KY 40203,  phone( 502).618.4600.

Contact: J. Gilpin, Coordinator, Lexington KY Comic Creators Group. email: lexkyccg@gmail.com, phone: (859) 276-5528, web: http://lexkyccg.blogspot.com.

Facebook event link: http://www.facebook.com/events/337440002977753/ 

This event would not be possible without the kind help of Kentucky School of Art (thanks Skylar, Kasey and Kelly!), Derby City Comic Con (thanks to Eric), Louisville Cartoonist Society (Ted, Rene and Phil -mucho gracias) and of course, the main man: Larry Hama!

6/21/12 - Brave Themed Life Drawing in Morning - Movie Tavern in Evening

'BRAVE' THEMED LIFE DRAWING Saturday June 23rd, 2012 9a - 12p UK Reynold Building Room 202B. Disney's "Brave" (Scottish Animated Epic) Themed Life Drawing session - $5 for artists. Will have at least one model in costume from movie (Medira - young red haired lead character). Get warmed up the Movie Tavern Event (Drink and Draw) later that night. Contact Ccg Coordinator at lexkyccg@gmail.com or call 276-5528 for more info! :-) Artists can work in pencil, pen, ink, watercolor or even oils. Pose lengths will be 1 min, 5min, 10 min, 20 min, and maybe one or two longer poses as time, energy and heat allow :-) Looking for extra models - artists come in costume and draw for free! (email to confirm)! Friends who can volunteer time as models, hlelpers or bring props are encouraged to do so! Email for more info about what we need.... This should be a lot of fun and really helpful for creating art/illustration based on fantasy characters but having some real world reference! Facebook event:

http://www.facebook.com/events/401671809869269/?notif_t=plan_user_invited

6/7/12 - Sculpting Resources

Sculpting is an art and science of it's own. But the sculpture can be used as reference for comic artists and illustrators (often used by James Gurney for paleo art). Maquettes have been produced for years as a sort of 3-D model sheet for animators. Locally we have Sam Greenwell who produces sculptures for both toy makers and finished pieces for comic companies.

With WonderFest (see earlier post) still on my mind I would like to post a few links for those interested in learning more and seeing how some contemporary sculptors work:

Tony Cipriano - http://characterdesignnotes.blogspot.com/2012/03/sculping-maquette-with-tony-cipriano.html
John Brown -  http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/store/category/99/
David Silva - http://creative-beast.com/

5/25/12 - WonderFest - This weekend in Louisville!

WonderFest is this weekend in Louisville! Today and tomorrow, May 26th & 27th. Surprisingly, a lot folks aren't aware of this little gem and it's been going on for more than twenty years! If you like kit models of your favorite horror/science fiction/fantasy characters then you will love WF! If you are interested in dinosaurs and movie monsters you will love WF! If you want to meet fellow artists like William Stout (cartoonists, movie production design, theme park design, illustrator, ecologist, muralist), Jay Liesten (local comics inker), David Silva (dinosaur sculptor),and Frank Dietz (animator, illustrator, caricaturist) - you will love WonderFest! Tons of dealer tables for kits, painted sculpture, art books, and sculpting/casting suppliles!

Info below from their website:

WonderFest 2012Saturday May 26th & Sunday May 27th  •  Show hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days
To be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 830 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209.

Admission Costs:

Adults:  $25 for 1-day, $33 for 2-day ticket
Ages 4 to 12:  $8 for 1-day  $11 for 2-day ticket
Ages 3 and under:  Free
Early Bird Admission (gets you in 2 hours early at 8 a.m. Saturday):  $55 2-day ticket

WonderFest admissions can only be purchased at the door; no advance tickets are available. We do not accept credit cards.

5/7/12 - Rundown of March Events - LCTC & McLeod Workshop

Illustrator Sal Villagran (left) at the CCG Table

March 2012 was very busy month near the end. The CCG set up at the very first Lexington Comic& Toy Convention. This was a pleasure to see and be part of - we now have a quality mid size comic show in our own hometown!

Thanks to Jarrod Greer and his many helpers for completing the trifecta (obligatory horse racing lingo for Kentucky folks). We now have three excellent comic shows within easy driving distance:  first, two years ago there was the Cincinnati Comic Expo (Andrew Satterfield and Matt Bredestege)
 and then last year Eric Bannister and his crew of merry elves pulled off a stellar start for the Louisville based Derby City Comic Con.

Thanks to Wizards of the Coast illustrator Sal Villagran for keeping me company at our table for a good part of the show.

 Thanks to everyone who stopped by and signed up for the CCG email list. Please email me if you have not been added. It was nice meeting some of of our newer members who have not attended a meeting yet - hope to have one soon!

Bob presented novel insights about Grapic Storytelling
and Inking during the one day workshop

Bob is a great teacher and demonstrated an
 amazing control over the tools of his trade!

One of the reasons this abundance of quality comic conventions in our area is so exciting for the CCG is that it brings comics industry professionals to our back door and opens possibilities for talks and workshops!.

Bob McLeod and I have been talking about something like this since we met in 2007 at the Baltimore Comic Con. But our group is just not big enough or have enough resources to cover complete travel costs - but thanks to Bob being invited to the LCTC a major hurdle was cleared for us.

Our next education event will be a presentation by Larry Hama in Louisville on Sunday July 1st. Our host venue will be the Kentucky School Of Art (thanks to Skylar Smith).

5/2/12 - Free Comic Book Day 2012 - Local Events

Saturday May 5th, 2012
What Is Free Comic Book Day?

Free Comic Book Day is a single day - the first Saturday in May each year - when participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely FREE* to anyone who comes into their stores. *Check with your local shop for their participation and rules.

Watch this space as we try and compile a regional list of events and participating stores! Information is as accurate as possible but may be subject to change.  Please note: quantities are limited for free comics! 

Central Kentucky Free Comic Book Day Events

Danville

• Comic Cosmos - 1560 Hustonville Rd # 101, Danville, KY 40422-2460 - (859) 236-3031 Hours 11a- -11p. Sidewalk sale, store-wide sale and blood drive!

Lexington

• A+ Comics - 123 Southland Drive, Lexington KY 40503 - (859) 276-1118 Special appearance by the Ghostbusters - call for info about sales and specials.

• Collectibles Etc,115 N Locust Hill Dr #106, Lexington, Kentucky  -  (859) 269-663  Call for information about specials and sales. Action Lab makes a store appearance.

•  Heroes Realm, 1624 Old Paris Road, Lexington KY 40505 - (859) 268-0097  Call for information about sales.

• Joseph Beth Booksellers - 161 Lexington Green Circle, Lexington, KY 40503 - (859) 273-2911 Call for info about specials.

• The Comic Interlude -393 Waller Ave # 10, Lexington, KY 40504-2914 - (859) 231-9237     - We'll be open 10Am to 7:30PM,- All Shelf books (single issues) will be 30% Off,- All Trade paperbacks will be 30% Off,- All Hardcovers will be 30$- All backstock issues will be 75% off, - And all toys will be 15% off
• Half Price Books - 2321 Sir Barton Way, Lexington, KY 40509 - (859) 264-0848  Call for information about sales.

• Quarantine Comics FCBD All-Day Live Art-A-Thon! (multiple locations)

Live art! Two chances to see artists draw and paint live! All are welcome and commissions are available.

3pm -6pm  - Collectibles, Etc.,115 N Locust Hill Dr #106, Lexington, KY, (859) 269-6633

6pm -10pm - Movie Tavern, 133 North Locust Hill Drive,Lexington, KY 40509-1532, (859) 266-4645

5/1/12 - Matt Madden Free Lecture and Workshop In Columbus

Matt Madden, co-author of Drawing Words & Writing Pictures and author of 99 Ways To Tell A Story will be doing a free talk (Friday 5/11) and  paid workshop (Saturday 5/12) in Columbus OH, at the Wexner Center on the Ohio State Campus. Here's a an excerpt from their listing for the lecture:

May 11, 2012 4:30 p.m.Wexner Center for the Arts Film/Video Theater 1871 N. High Street
Cartoonist Matt Madden, creator of 99 Ways to Tell a Story: Exercises in Style, talks about his work and how the arbitrary constraints of Oulipo have produced great art in all kinds of media.
Do you think you could make a comic where each panel would only show an extreme close-up of a hand? Or where each panel zooms in closer to a single object? A comic that you can read in more than one direction? Many great works of art begin from willfully perverse constraints or rules such as these. Drawing not just from comics but from literature, film, and music...

This is also the home of the Billy Ireland Comics Library and Museum - home of the largest collection of original comic art in the USA. Matt is a talented cartoonist and teacher (see his blog to see some his other numerous speaking and teaching engagements) and definately worth the drive! 


I've got my ticket for the workshop ($15/12 students + $1 ticket fee (boo hiss)). I hope to go for both days but might just be able to go Saturday.


http://cartoons.osu.edu/?q=events%2Fobstacle-course-oulipo-and-creative-potential-constraints

By the way, Matt and Jessca Abel have completed a follow up to DW&WP - it is called Mastering Comics,  due out May 8th! This new book continues where the first textbook left off - here's a link to a review.

4/25/12 - Higher Education Bubble - Has It Already Burst?

This sensationalized MSNBC news graphic comes as the result of a Georgetown University study -  to read more see this online story: http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2012/04/23/the-13-most-useless-majors-from-philosophy-to-journalism.html#slide1
Thanks to new Facebook friend and fellow artist, Francis Vallejo, for posting about this.

This attitude is indicative of the current mindset that capitalism will solve all our problems and meet our every need. Absolute nonsense. Okay, I am editorializing here.

So is there an educational bubble just like there was in real estate? Has it already burst? Are college degrees over valued? They are definitively overpriced.

Check out this post form all the way back in 2007 - Gannon Beck was on to it then. Open source education!
http://www.lexkyccg.blogspot.com/2007/11/110407-excellent-autodactic-posts-and.html

4/19/12 - Reminder: Need to hear from supporters of Larry Hama Seminar

Here's a little video based on Wally Wood's 22 Panels That Always Work (originally compiled by none other than Larry Hama).

Please email today if you are interested in attending a comic art lecture (see previous post for details) by Larry in Louisville on July 1st 2012.

This video version is fun and gets you thinking..compare it to the original!
.

4/13/12 - Themed Life Drawing Opportunities - Lexington Vintage Dance - Titanic Ball & Perfomances

Charles Dana Gibson - The Jury

This weekend will present some excellent opportunities for Themed Life Drawing! A fundraising ball and two free exhibition performances! Based on the dance and attire of the early 1900s and that ill fated sea voyage!

Lexington Vintage Dance is listed in the Kentucky Arts Council'sPerforming Arts Directory. See artscouncil.ky.gov. We are also listed in the Southern Arts Federation's Southern Artistry web site.

PerformancesIn commemoration of the voyage of the RMS Titanic 100 years ago, LVD presents a program of dances from the early 1900s, including music performed and dances done on that tragic trip. Come to one of these three performances:
Apr 13, 2012 - Lexington, KY.8:00 pm at Bell House.This is a fundraiser for Waveland Historic Home.
Apr 14, 2012 - Lexington, KY.Lexington Public Library downtown at 2:00 pm. Free.
Apr 15, 2012 - Georgetown, KY.Scott County Public Library, 104 S. Bradford Lane, at 5:30 pm. Free.

Comic Art Workshop II - Possilbly 7/1/12 with Larry Hama!

Larry Hama compiled this collection from Wally Wood's personal notes.

Comic creators (writers and artists) and fans of Larry Hama. Here's a chance to learn more about your craft from one knowledgeable guy!! Larry contributed to New Yorks first underground comic, assisted Wally Wood, worked as one of the "Crusty Bunkers" at Neil Adams studio, has worked for Atlas, Marvel and DC Comics.He is famous for his work on Iron Fist (Marvel Premiere), GI Joe, and Nth Man Ultimate Ninja. Larry has worked professionally in comics as a penciller, inker, writer and editor.

"Silent Interlude" from G.I. Joe #21 (March 1984).
Art by Larry Hama (breakdowns) and Steve Leialoha(finishes).

The Lexington KY Comic Creators Group (CCG) is exploring hosting Larry for a lecture/presentation the day after (Sunday July 1st,2012) the Derby City Comic Con (Saturday June 30th 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky). This one day (3-4hour) comic art workshop will be mostly theory and cover similar material to what Larry did at MOCCA's NYC master cartooning lecture (midway down page at this link:http://www.moccany.org/content/education). 


Please contact me: CCG Coordinator (lexkyccg@gmail.com) before 4/22/12 if you would like to attend this event in Louisville KY. Include name, email and phone as a minimum amount of contact info. We are currently measuring interest and support for this event before we commit to holding it. If this is something you want to happen we need to hear from you!

1/29/12 - Bob McLeod Comic Art Workshop Coming in March

(Revised 3/24/12)
3/24/12 -Last day of discounted registration - you will need to come the Lexington Comic & Toy Convention at the Lexington Convention Center, Heritage Hall East to pre-register ($45). The CCG will be setup at table #131 surrounded by good friends RD Hall, Mark Kidwell, Comic Related , and  A+Comics! Come by and see us while you're at the show! The CCG did early setup on Friday evening and I was amazed at how good the show looks! Kudo's to Jarrod Greer & gang on putting together an amazing first year comic con here in Lexington!

The CCG will be hosting veteran comic artist, children's book author and illustrator, magazine editor, and art educator Bob McLeod for a day of comic art instruction on Sunday March 25th, 2012 here in Lexington! The workshop will have two sessions: storytelling and inking. Those who pre-register will receive a packet of instructional information as well as a couple of sample scripts to create sample comic pages from. Pre-register and save on a single session ($25) or get both morning and afternoon ($45). At the door registration will be $30 per session or $60 for the day

Online flier: (added 3/14/12)

Bob McLeod: Visual Storytelling and Inking

Sunday March 25^th, 2012 

ArtsPlace*, 161 North Mill Street, Lexington KY 40507

Join us for a rare local learning opportunity. Bob McLeod is a veteran comic book artist working for Marvel and DC comics. He has edited the comic art magazine Rough Stuff, authored and illustrated a children’s book, and teaches art at the college level. Given Bob’s significant experience and prominent art and teaching skills this will be of interest to novice as well as experienced comic artists/cartoonists!

This workshop will have two segments – you can choose one or both

9:00 -9:30        Check in and late registration.

9:30 -12:30      Morning session – Visual Storytelling

Learn about layout of the page, pacing, clarity and focus. Bring your sample page (get sample scripts and tip sheets beforehand by pre-registering) and get expert advice and feedback from Bob.

12:30-1:45       Lunch

1:45 -2:00        Check in and late registration

2:00 -5:00        Afternoon session - Inking

Learn about line weight, texture, spotting blacks, and creating depth. Learn about the tools and their proper use (get suggested supply list when pre-registering).

Pre-register for $25 single session or attend both morning and afternoon sessions for $45.

Late registration is $30 per session. Pay by cash or check. Class size is limited - sign up now to reserve your spot!

We strongly encourage everyone to pre-register to get the most out of the workshop. Bob has graciously provided learning assets that will get you prepped for a premium learning experience during the workshop time. Registration preference will be given for those attending the full day. Please note, instruction will be tailored to the group at hand and accommodations for late registrants made as possible.

To register or for more information –

Contact us by email:. lexkyccg@gmail.com  or by phone: (859) 276-5528 or on the web:

CCG workshops – www.lexkyccg.blogspot.com

Bob McLeod  - www.bobmcleod.com

ArtsPlace – www.lexarts.com  *Workshop facilities generously provided by LexArts.

Suggested art supplies (added 3/14/12)

Essential:

¨     11" x 17" 2-ply 300-500 (400 recommended for inking) series Strathmore paper. Pre-lined paper is available from several places. The good stuff is well worth the price.

¨     pencil

¨     large white eraser

¨     18" ruler

¨     india ink,

¨     good quality brush (Raphael 8404 , size #2 or #3 recommended) a good brush is well worth the price

¨     pen nib and holder (Hunt 102 is the standard)

¨     rapidograph,

Optional, but handy to have: (all of these should have a raised inking edge)

¨     ellipse guides

¨     french curves

¨     T-squares

¨     triangles 

Brush Review (Added 3/19/12) - Here is a link to a web page by Mike Crowell that discusses the quality and characteristics of five popular brushes for inking - very helpful when you are making a $15-25 purchase!

Early registration is highly encouraged. Space is limited and you will get a richer learning experience if you have had time to work with the instructional packet and create sample pages from the scripts. Anyone interested in attending or wanting to learn more should contact the CCG Coordinator  (email: lexkyccg@gmail.com).