Studio Redecoration

Studio Redecoration 

We thought it might be an idea to redecorate the studio space. With over 35 new students in September there was amply opportunity and labour to do the work. 

The 1st years were give the chance to do some research of comic characters from around the world. They picked one and painted it on the wall 

Sam (NOVA) Pye did...NOVA

Not sure what Charlie is doing here, but we caught her in the act 

This is the 3rd year area, where the geniuses of Rob Beiganski and Brad Sharples hang out 

The other corner is occupied by the Shy and retiring Nadia William, the not to shy Holly McCormack and Emily Moore 

2nd year area with Tony and Paul working on their project for sale at Londons MCM in MAY

Down the corridor towards my office.

Caught the labs Michael Leyland, Nial Conner and Rory Bond painting on the walls, or is it graffiti? 

Life Drawing with a difference

Ariel and Pole Society lend a hand 

The Cartoon & Comic Arts award was lucky to be able to have some assistance from the Staffordshire University Student Union Society The Ariel and Pole Society.

We organised a class where we aimed at getting the student to draw dynamic poses. As you can imagine it is quite hard to get people to hoover above the ground in a pose. That is until you use the help of the society and its members who use a pole for fitness. This killed two birds with one stone (so to speak) as it enabled the dedicated fitness enthusiasts an opportunity to practice their skills and at the same time enabled the comic artist a chance to quickly sketch the pose as they held it for as long as possible.

Doing this made it so the student didn't have time to over think the work, they had seconds to capture the body in the air. So you could sketch and pick at your work. You had to be strong and bold, and it forced the student to make a decision and put the mark down on the paper.

Overall we were very happy with the end results.    

Sculpture work by first year Comic Art students

Sculpture work 

Working with Becci Such the first years started to develop their character sheets with the idea that they were going then use these 2D images and make a plasticine character. So understanding how these 2D drawn images could be fleshed out and developed to create some impressive characters.

The idea is to open the cartoonist mind up to realise where this type of work can be used. So we all know that you go into forbidden Planet and there are an array of toys and figurine of our favourite characters for sale in the shop. 
It also provides the artist with a reference object to help them draw. So now they can draw their character from a range of different angles and positions. 

MCM London October

Another October
Another Comic Convention at MCM Expo
London Docklands

Cartoon and Comic Arts will once again have a stand at the London MCM Expo Comic Con. We Are at stand CC5

We are also taking 21 students to the event, so keep an eye open for us. Some are serious Coplayers as well.

We are hoping to meet up with the graduating students from July and see what they have been working on while away from the University.

I'm hoping this will form a stepping stone so in May we can head over to the MCM event with 2nd year students who should be setting themselves up as publishing companies and devising and selling their work.

Other events we want to make you aware off 

Cartoon & Comic Arts is developing strong Academic roots with the Cartoon Museum in London, V&A, British Library, The Cartoon Archive at Leeds, Dundee University MA in Graphic Novels and DC Thomson of Dandy and Beano fame. Over the next 3 years we will be developing links and co hosting events at the university to include members of the community and build links with other institutes.

I've recently been in touch with the Twinning committee for Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Germany town of Erlangen. They hold their own Cartoon Saloon once every 2 years, so we are hoping to link up with them and hold some thing internationally.

Because of the success of the Stoke Con run by Six Towns Radio we are currently planning on doing a 2nd event, with a bigger comic village run by Cartoon & Comic Arts. If anyone is interested in selling their work at the event keep a check on the blog. Once we have a date and everything confirmed we will be posting religiously.

Adrian Tooth

Editor in Chief Cartoon & Comic Arts

End of 7 months

So long... Farewell

OK so it has been a normal thing for Cartoon 6& Comic Arts over the last 3 years. Every year come May , June we have had to unpack our stuff and move on. Mainly to new and larger rooms to accommodate the growing numbers. This was OK when we were in the first couple of years and every year we had a new intake. Our numbers were controlled by Graphics and Illustrations to approx 10 - 12 students each year. This year we went through the roof with the lifting of the numbers and we had 22 students in place where we couldn't ideal house them, or let the award grow. So hats off to the FACT (Faculty of Arts & Creative Technologies) Management team who realized the potential in the award and found us a space which they have assured me is the area in which we will grow and develop for the next few years. 

This was the class room at the start of the day, after most of the students had taken their stuff home with them.A few hours later and thanks to Becci, Connie and Verity (all girls) who were very good with screw drivers... strangely enough!! We managed to dismantle the tables and move them to an area ready for the Estates to move everything into our new place.

London Super Comic Con

Last weekend saw some 1st and 2nd year cartoon and comic at students attend the London Super Comic Con in the docklands area. Selling their 1st semesters work and getting a feel for the whole experience of selling stuff at conventions

MCM Expo Comic Con

Staffs uni has a presence in London this week end.  Initially the 1st years were touring the cities main comic centres,  including the comic museum in Russell Street and then on to forbidden Planet and finally a book signing at Gosh.  Saturday saw them traveling to the MCM in Docklands to join about another 100, 000 people there in cosplay and other comic related paraphernalia.