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Short courses & CPD
Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels (Online)

Introduction to Comics and Graphic Novels (Online)

You explore the richness and diversity of the comics medium. You discuss significant works and creators, as well as through practical drawing exercises, and develop your own creative practice.

 

Credits: 10, Level: 4

 

Course overview

You will learn the necessary tools to tell great stories in the medium of comics by bringing together storytelling with narrative drawing. Topics include pencilling, inking, text and image relationships, panel/page layouts, dialogue and character development, narrative structures, body language, the passage of time, flow/braiding, perspective, and composition.

You are encouraged to think critically, to expand your understanding of what comics are and can do, and to recognise new examples of the form to inspire, influence and educate your own practice.

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Summer university

Start date: Starts Monday 6 July, Mondays and Wednesdays for 4 weeks, 6-9pm

Applications open early April.

You can study up to 30 credits at Summer University and you can select up to three modules on the same application form. If you would like to add a module later, or change one of your choices, then please email summer.university@tees.ac.uk.

Age restriction
Due to the content and delivery of our Summer University courses, it is advised that applicants are aged 16+ at the time of enrolment. If you are under 18 at the time of enrolment you must provide a completed parental consent form.

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Where you study

This course is delivered online.

 

Course details

What you study

- creation, use and purpose of speech bubbles, sound effects and text
- perspective, lettering and drawing in the panel
- anatomy of a comics page
- the purpose of design within comics
- main theories of the comics language, such as those detailed by Will Eisner and Scott McCloud
- narrative drawing styles.

How you are assessed

Portfolio

 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Equipment requirements
Pencils, Inking Pens, Paper (A4), A sketch book (A5), A note book (A4 or A5), Bristol Board or Card Paper (A4), Tracing Paper, eraser, ruler, A phone with camera, A laptop with a web camera and microphone.

Optional equipment
A drawing tablet
Access to a photocopy machine is desired but not required. You must be able to share images of your work, so the capacity to take digital photographs is required if you cannot make scans or draw digitally.

International applicants must have an IELTS overall score of 5.5 or higher.

Age restriction
Due to the content and delivery of our Summer University courses, it is advised that applicants are aged 16+ at the time of enrolment. If you are under 18 at the time of enrolment you must provide a completed parental consent form

 
 

Part-time

2026-27 entry

  • Length: Credits: 10, Level: 4
  • Online
  • Start date: Starts Monday 6 July, Mondays and Wednesdays for 4 weeks, 6-9pm
 

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