Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures for Ages 12-18

WINTER 2025 UPDATE

We are offering these classes online.

Please visit:

https://theartacademy.net/online-class-list/

for descriptions of these classes.

If you have any questions, please call us (651) 699-1573.

Thank you for your interest.

Schedule for Winter – Spring – Fall 2025
Schedule for Summer 2025

Character Supply List
Comics Level 1 Supply List (for new students)
Comics Level 2 Supply List (for returning students)

Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures is designed to correlate with our Drawing and Painting Fundamentals program. Students may take the two classes together to learn complementary information, thereby accelerating their skill development considerably. However, it can be taken on its own, and there is no prerequisite.

Our Drawing Manga, Superheroes and Fantasy Figures class features two complimentary programs to satisfy everyone’s creative needs.

Character Design and Development

"… It is my belief that the function of human anatomy, with an emphasis on its role in the process of emotion and intent, has been sorely neglected by young artist learning the practices of comics and sequential art."
-Will Eisner (1917-2005)

The program centers around the figure, where anatomy, construction and movement are studied in conjunction with each other. Children and teens with a strong interest in Japanese animation (Anime), superheroes, comics and role-playing art are especially drawn to this class. For examples, we look to professional artists to set a standard of excellence. The accumulated knowledge of these fine anatomists, draftsmen and painters inspire our students to produce work of higher quality. In addition to figure construction, students learn about costume design, gesture, facial expression, inking and color techniques. After these skills are understood, they are encouraged to create their own Manga, Super Hero, and Fantasy Figure characters from local artists who excel in figure design.

Visual Storytelling through Comics and Graphic Novels

"The only way to learn how to write and draw is by writing and drawing… To persist requires a deep love of the work itself, and learning that lesson kept me from ever taking Calvin and Hobbes for granted when the strip took off years later…. To invent your own life's meaning is not easy, but it's still allowed… and I think that you'll be happier for the trouble."
-Bill Watterson (1958- )

This program is designed to teach students how to develop a visual concept through sequential art, which is the largest growth industry within the world of book publishing today. Students explore visual story telling techniques, including: story development, page layout, perspective, camera angles, dramatic lighting, lettering and advanced inking techniques. After these skills are learned, kids create their own comic or graphic novel pages, which are published each term in Bill Hauser’s and David Witt’s Art Academy fanzine, Sandwhich, which comprises their final project.

THESE CLASSES NEEDN’T BE TAKEN IN SEQUENCE.

Character Design Artwork

Visual Storytelling Artwork