Week One of New Year

Its been all go at Cartoon and Comic Arts 

So Many apologies for how little has been posted since September and the start of the academic year. This year we saw 38 new additional Cartoon & Comics Art Students. Since then we've had an action packed 5 weeks start to the year and here is a few high lights from week One. 

above is the new first year students who all turned up in September. The class was as ever bigger and better than previous years 

One of the projects we set the students in the first week is to do a self portrait, this is basically to get them to introduce themselves in the best and easiest way possibly, through their drawings. By doing this the rest of eh cohort understands the individual and what they like and also realise what their drawing style is like. 

Its a great way for lecturers to introduce themselves to the class and also for the class to introduce themselves to one another.

There are also several events happening during welcome week which seem to attract students on the CACA award. Such as the strange animals unit.

We also take the students to do a pub quiz at a local establishment The Glebe.

This year we did something different as we invited other levels to join in to take part in eh quiz and become the level 4 mentors. It's always nice when you are walking around the university if you see a friendly smiling face from other students on the award.

A view of the lads in the centre with Gareth Cowlin reading his presentation off his mobile phone... and saving the environment.... apparently!

Tony and Paul from the Level 6 pass on their expert knowledge of comics to the level 4 students

Kale and the Level 4s helping of hindering them?

Becci added a bit of Manga Knowledge to the quiz and probably a bit of professionalism.

      

Lawrence looking unsure about the Manga questions, good job the first years are there to help him out!

Mark Garner does his best impression of Bruce Forsythe ... Good Game Good Game!

Winners and losers and all friends  

Higher than a four or Lower? 

T

Image for Henrion Gallery Staffordshire University Stoke Site

Henrion Gallery 

Henrion Gallery Image. I asked Mark Garner Area Group Leader for Visual Communications to choose an image to represent the award. 
"the strongest ones are the ones with Speech bubble on them... without that they only work as images and don't really have any context----these ones are far more representational of CCA…..unless you put together a montage---which I think is what I would do with such diverse work…."
So this is what I knocked up. I think Mark is correct that we have such a diverse collection of people its hard to have one image that represents you all. I Choose Nigel Morey because it is quite dynamic, Claire Smith because is shows the draughtsmanship and also the process we under go as cartoon artist, and Verity Hall and Alice Urbino because of their different style and the use of panels and words. Finally Esme Baran work shows a different type or art in both colour and line work. I hope you all agree and appreciate that this was a very hard task and this represents the best solution to demonstrate the strength and styles of Cartoon & Comic Arts at Staffordshire University

Drink and Draw

Thursday 27th February 2014 saw Staffordshire University do its first ever drink and draw in the students union Ember Lounge. Students were asked to turn up in Cosplay and model while others drew them. The night saw guest artists such as John Charles from MarvelUK and Jason Brindley 2000AD as well as Kevin Gunstone a writer for Markosi. The night was enjoyed by not just cartoonist,  but illustrators, animators and VFXers.

Staffordshire University's 1st Ever DRINK N DRAW

Staffordshire University's

Drink & Draw

 

Thursday 27th February sees the first ever Drink and Draw being held at Staffordshire University. Asked for by the Cartoon and Comic Arts students, it is aimed at being a social out let for these rather shy and retiring individuals and an opportunity for them to develop their drawing abilities. Its open to both animation and illustration students as well. Students are expected to turn up in Coplay (Costume) of their favourite characters and allow other members of the cohort to draw them.

 

As this is our first event we are happy to have a few professional industry experts to help out and add a bit of prestige to the event. They include MarvelUk and 2000AD artist John Charles and Jason Brindley. Both giving up their free time to be part of this epic new venture to the comic arts award. As well as that Kevin Gunstone, writer for Markosi, Marvel Dark Horse etc, will be sharpening his pencil as well to take part in the event. No event would be complete with out our own AGL Mark Garner as well!