Graphic Novels for Young Writers

Turn your story into a graphic novel

Turn your stories into comics and zines!

In this two-hour October Write Club workshop, you’ll take a story you’ve already written and turn it into a comic. 

You’ll learn how to frame an image to show what your characters are feeling, as well as how to get inspiration from graphic novels for young adults. And you’ll practice drawing skills and storytelling through the art of comix.

By the end of this fun, hands-on class, you’ll have completed–or gotten a good start on–either a one-page comic or a mini zine of a tale of your own!

Class Details
DATE/ TIME: Saturday, October 14, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
LOCATION:
Wordcrafters Studio, Eugene
436 Charnelton St. Ste 100, Eugene, OR 97401

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have notes and the beginnings of a thumbnailed scene for a comic or graphic novel, to continue working on later, plus tips for visualizing written content for comics, next steps, and a list of resources for further study.

Register online at Wordcrafters Eugene

Thumbnailing for Graphic Novels

Turn your story into a graphic novel

In this two-hour Write Club for Grown Ups workshop, participants will learn how to turn your stories into a comic or graphic novel one scene at a time.

Practice breaking down a scene from a story you’ve written into scripted parts, and then use those notes to make a visual thumbnail of the scene. Learn how to frame an image to show what your characters are feeling, as well as how to get inspiration from graphic novels for young adults. Learn about pacing for tone, dramatic angles, and considerations specific to comix media. Practice drawing skills and storytelling through the art of comix.

Drawing experience is not necessary, and you’ll get basic drawing tips to start from whatever skill level you have.

Class Details
DATE/ TIME: Thursday, January 25, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
LOCATION:
Wordcrafters Studio, Eugene
436 Charnelton St. Ste 100, Eugene, OR 97401

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have notes and the beginnings of a thumbnailed scene for a comic or graphic novel, to continue working on later, plus tips for visualizing written content for comics, next steps, and a list of resources for further study.

Register online at Wordcrafters Eugene

Still Life and Scenery with Gouache

Get inspired by the world around you

Painting Still Life and Scenery with Gouache: In this class, students will paint with gouache watercolor to create illustrative scenes and still lifes. This course is designed for beginner painters who would like to learn about painting, using color and using water-soluble media. Students will have one subject to focus on for each week including: fruits, florals, and scenery from photo references and live observation. Students will also practice some drawing skills, although this is not a drawing-focused course.

Class Details
DATES/ TIME: Sundays, October 8 – 29, 10:00 – 11:50 am
LOCATION:
Philomath Public Library
1050 Applegate St, Philomath, OR 97370

In this 4 week class, students will practice the basics of painting with gouache to create still lifes of natural and human-made objects, as well as landscape and senery from life and imagined inspiration.

This class uses special tools and materials. There is a $20 materials fee paid directly to the instructor.

Registration is $109 per person
Register at Linn-Benton Community College Community Education, course #28493

Bespoke Coptic Bookbinding: Family Edition

Create Something Together

Bookbinding for beginners: In this class we’ll learn about the Coptic stitch bookbinding method, including its history and how to make a Coptic stitch book with easily accessible craft materials. Students will leave the class with a completed Coptic stitch book and take home notes for making more books with more personalization possibilities.

This one-time workshop is open to families and individual students.

Workshop Details
DATE/ TIME: Sunday, October 22, 2:00 – 3:50 pm
LOCATION:
Philomath Public Library
1050 Applegate St, Philomath, OR 97370

In this 2-hour workshop, students will practice and learn the history about the ancient coptic method of bookbinding. At the end of the workshop, students will have completed sketchbooks/ journals to take home!

This class uses special tools and materials. There is a $15 materials fee paid directly to the instructor.

Registration is $49 per person
Register at Linn-Benton Community College Community Education, course #28491

Bespoke Case Bookbinding: Family Edition

Create Something Together

Bookbinding for beginners: In this class we’ll learn about case binding bookbinding method, including its history and how to make a casebound book with easily accessible craft materials. Students will leave the class with a completed casebound book and take home notes for making more books with more personalization possibilities.

This one-time workshop is open to families and individual students.

Workshop Details
DATE/ TIME: Thursday, October 12, 6:00 – 7:50 pm
LOCATION:
Benton Center
757 NW Polk Ave, Corvallis, OR 97330

In this 2-hour workshop, students will create a cover for a casebound book, and learn about the history of bookbinding. At the end of the workshop, students will have completed sketchbooks/ journals to take home!

This class uses special tools and materials. There is a $15 materials fee paid directly to the instructor.

Registration is $49 per person
Register at Linn-Benton Community College Community Education, course #28490

Harvest Gouache Workshop

Get Warm and Gather to Celebrate the Harvest Season

Autumn offers incredible colors and textures in the Pacific Northwest. In this gouache painting workshop, we’ll create small paintings and cards to celebrate the season of change and gathering. Perfect for beginners, small groups, teens and adults, this workshop includes everything you need to create a sweet spring scene!

Workshop Details
DATE/ TIME: Saturday, November 18, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
LOCATION:
Common Fields in downtown Corvallis
545 SW 3rd St, Corvallis, OR

In this 2-hour workshop, we’ll practice with gouache, a water-soluble paint, to paint images of fall including leaves, vegetables, and critters. References, paint, paper and equipment are all included.

No painting or drawing experience needed for this laid back art-making afternoon!

Food and bevergaes are available at the locallyowned food carts at Common Fields.

This painting workshop is open to beginners as well as experienced painters, teens and adults. Registration is $35 per person

All materials provided and included.

This class has reached its limit or has already started! See more classes at jenhernandezart.com/classes

Gouache Workshop: Birds & Flowers

Celebrate Spring with an afternoon of art!

Spend a lovely Spring afternoon with us at Common Fields as we paint birds and flowers with gouache. Perfect for beginners, small groups, teens and adults, this workshop includes everything you need to create a sweet spring scene!

Workshop Details
DATE/ TIME: Sunday, May 14, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
LOCATION:
Common Fields in downtown Corvallis
545 SW 3rd St, Corvallis, OR

In this 2-hour workshop, we’ll practice with gouache, a water-soluble paint, to create small still lifes of birds and flowers. References, paint, paper and equipment are all included.

No painting or drawing experience needed for this laid back art-making afternoon!

Food and bevergaes are available at the locallyowned food carts at Common Fields.

This painting workshop is open to beginners as well as experienced painters, teens and adults. Registration is $35 per person

All materials provided and included.

This class has reached its limit or has already started! See more classes at jenhernandezart.com/classes

Comics Drawing for Teens @ Lebanon Public Library

Comics drawing practice for Spring Break

In this class, we’ll create comic characters, make 4-panel comics, practice illustration techniques for character design, figure drawing, expression and story-telling. Students can come with ideas for a comic they want to create, characters they’ve been working on, or start fresh with character and story prompts provided in class! All materials provided, attend any one day or all 4 days.

Day 1: Creating Characters
Design characters with backstories, using character reference charts

Day 2: Quick Comics
Make a quick 4-panel comic based on step-by-step prompts

Day 3: Details and Expressions
Use line in illustration and angles in comics to create drama, tension and expression

Day 4: Using the Senses to Create Comics
How to make a visual comic that a reader can “hear” “smell” “taste” or “touch”

This class is perfect for students interested in comics, webcomics, graphic novels, character design and story writing.

Hosted at Lebanon Public Library, this class is 4 days. Each day can be attended individually.

March 27-30, 2023
More information at Lebanon Public Library Events

Adventure Game Characters @ Maxtivity Creative Space

Class for young artists on character design and illustration

In this 4 week class, students will create their own characters for a class role-playing adventure game!

Design and draw characters using illustration techniques and tools, create a backstory including strengths, weaknesses, motivations and conflicts. Then, launch your character into an adventure RPG to collect tools, develop experiences and interact with other characters!

This class is perfect for students interested in storytelling, role-playing games, comics, fantasy and adventure. Students will leave with a sketchbook of character details, polymer clay figurines of their character, tools, and sidekicks, plus stickers of illustrations and images.

Hosted at MAXtivity Arts & Crafts Creative Space, this class is a series of 4 sessions.

Thursdays, April 6 – 27 (4 weeks)
Register at MAXtivity
Registration: $79 per student

Gouache Animals Workshop

Illustrated Animals

Gouache is perfect for sweet illustrations as well as fine art painting with details. In this animal painting workshop, we’ll explore the full creative capacity of gouache to create unique small paintings with stunning color and texture. Perfect for beginners, small groups, teens and adults, this workshop includes everything you need to create a sweet spring scene!

Workshop Details
DATE/ TIME: Sunday, September 10, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
LOCATION:
Common Fields in downtown Corvallis
545 SW 3rd St, Corvallis, OR

In this 2-hour workshop, we’ll practice with gouache, a water-soluble paint, to illustrate favorite animals of the furry, feathered, scaly, and even slimy variety. References, paint, paper and equipment are all included.

No painting or drawing experience needed for this laid back art-making afternoon!

Food and bevergaes are available at the locallyowned food carts at Common Fields.

This painting workshop is open to beginners as well as experienced painters, teens and adults. Registration is $35 per person

All materials provided and included.

This class has reached its limit or has already started! See more classes at jenhernandezart.com/classes