A Weekend of Comics and Illustration | Open Studios Penang

Hello!

We’re excited to announce A Weekend of Comics and Illustration, a series of 3 public workshops about comics and illustration, as part of the Open Studios festival in Penang.

Details are below, including information about how to register.

A WEEKEND OF COMICS AND ILLUSTRATION

What? A series of 3 workshops by UNNAMED co-founders Max Loh and Reimena Yee, and friend of UNNAMED Charis Loke.

When? March 28 and March 29

Where? All workshops are held at Hikayat Blue (of Gerakbudaya Bookshop), 226 Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia.

How much? All workshops are priced at RM125 each. However we offer discounts on a sliding-scale basis (pay as you can) for those with financial need. We also offer a bundle deal when you register for two workshops or more. Please mention your interest in a discount or a bundle deal if you’re eligible.

How many spaces? Each workshop is limited to 15 slots. Register to reserve! No walk-ins.

How to register? Send us an email at unnamed.asiateam @ gmail.com (without spaces) to book your slot. First come first served basis.

WORKSHOPS

Editorial Illustration: Communicating Ideas & Getting Hired

28 March @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm | RM 125

Distilling a text into a clear idea and conveying it visually is at the heart of editorial illustration, which covers images made for publications like newspapers and magazines, print and online. Examples of publications that commission such work include the New Yorker, WIRED, Washington Post, Saigoneer, Mekong Review, Tempo, and New Naratif.

This workshop is ideal for students and emerging artists who are thinking of working in the field professionally, as it covers both the artistic and business aspects of editorial illustration. The facilitators will draw upon their experience illustrating and art directing for local and international clients, providing actionable steps and insight.

In the workshop, participants will learn:

• what is editorial illustration
• ways to come up with ideas for illustrations
• the illustration process, from client brief to final art
• how to put together an effective portfolio
• best practices for communicating with art directors before, during, and after a job
• where to access resources for pricing, artist rights, etc.

Recommended Age Group/ Participants: Participants who are interested in illustrating for publications like magazines and newspapers, both regionally and internationally. Prior drawing experience helpful; this workshop is not meant to teach drawing techniques.

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My Story/Our Story: Making Comics Alone and Together

28 March @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | RM 125

Making comics can be a solo or group effort, depending on your preference and artistic process. This workshop will provide insight on both methods of working, as well as some hands-on comic making activities to explore the creative opportunities unlocked with each method.

In the workshop, participants will learn:

• How to navigate the process of making comics alone and in a team
• The advantages and challenges of working alone and in a team
• The types of stories that work best for each approach
• How to effectively navigate the creative process of different collaborators
• Ways to tease out the interplay of images and text in comics and how to find your role in a collaboration
• Tips on how to find collaborators

Recommended Age Group/ Participants: Participants who are interested to deepen their existing comics practice, whether through tips on working better solo or learning how to work together with others as a creative team. Participants with a basic understanding of the comics medium as well as rudimentary drawing/ writing skills will benefit the most from this workshop. This workshop will be conducted in English. Recommended for ages 12 and above.

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Creating a Comics Pitch

29 March @ 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm | RM 125

Have a story you would like to submit to publishers, but don’t know how or what to pitch? This workshop covers the basics of what a pitch is, its structure and its materials, as well as tips on navigating the publishing industry as a comics creator. The workshop will also provide participants a chance to finetune their own pitch with personalised critiques from the facilitators.

In the workshop, participants will learn:

• The goals and requirements of a comics pitch
• The structure of a comics pitch
• How to distill story concepts and ideas into a pitch format suitable for agents, editors and publishers in comics imprints
• How to understand and follow different submission requirements
• How to create sample materials for the pitch
• Insights into navigating the overseas publishing industry as a new, unpublished author from Southeast Asia
• Where to find agents, editors, publishers and resources

Recommended Age Group/ Participants: Participants who are interested in developing and submitting a pitch to comics publishers, or participants who are interested in understanding the process of becoming an author in the (overseas) publishing industry. Prior experience in making comics, and bringing a pitch-ready idea, are recommended. This workshop does not teach drawing or writing techniques. Comics artists, writers and author-illustrators are welcome.

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——REGISTER NOW——

Send an email to unnamed.asiateam @ gmail.com to register for any or all of the workshops.

Hope to see you there!

Main poster illustrated by Max Loh, coloured by Reimena Yee and designed by Reimena Yee and Charis Loke. Workshop headers are created by the speakers.