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By Milena Deneno

Remember when comics were printed in just flat colors (lookin’ at you, 50′s comics)? How about in black and white?

Although all these have their own merits and their own audience, nothing makes me happier than flipping through a beautifully colored comic… and nowadays that is done mostly digitally.Coloring digitally has its own advantages: from being able to change the color composition with the click of a button, to never coloring outside the lines again by using layers. Not to mention, the most important and almighty “Ctrl+Z”. Some insist it’s “cheating”, and I would have to strongly disagree.

Would you say using a cellphone instead of only having a home phone is “cheating”? Get with the times, people! Firstly, it takes a lot of patience and determination to learn the programs (Photoshop, Painter, even Manga Studio) and then the process itself is lengthy and involved. The first time I colored digitally, I did not look up from the screen for a good, oh, seven hours. I know, probably not a good idea for the ol’ retinas.

For example, if you look at the New52 Harley Quinn comics, written by Amanda Conner (who also does the cover) and Jimmy Palmioti, you are immediately pulled in, not only by the awesome art of Chad Hardin and others, but also the incredible color job by Alex Sinclair. If you happen to look at some other comics where the coloring is not as great, which I will not name as taste is subjective, you may find yourself, as I did, disappointed.

HARLEY QUINN #1
Written by AMANDA CONNER and JIMMY PALMIOTTI
Art by CHAD HARDIN
Cover by AMANDA CONNER

If you’re the type that is drawn to more symbolic and abstract stuff, just take a look at “Low”, written by Rick Remender with art by Greg Tocchini. The greens and oranges are so alive and explore contrast in such a playful way that the results are truly breathtaking.

LOW
Written by RICK REMENDER
Art by GREG TOCCHINI

The point is, color is a huge, sometimes overlooked, part of comics. When done well, color adds so much to the aesthetic composition and narrative of the work. With that said, aspiring artists must remember that coloring, like inking, is not meant to overshadow the pencils the artist has done, but bring them to life.

For those looking to get into or improve their own digital coloring skills, The International School of Comics is holding a Digital Coloring for Comics workshop right now, taught by Ben Hunzeker, the artist responsible for the Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man comics. Just one look at his art is enough to convince me that this is not a class to miss, for anyone who wants to work in the industry, or who enjoys coloring as much as I do.

DIGITAL COLORING 1 WITH BEN HUNZEKER
If you like beautiful digital coloring check out Harley Quinn new 52, Low, Saga, Spider Gwen, Invincible, and Pretty Deadly. Be warned these are not PG 13. For the kiddos, I suggest Sonic and Mega Man. For young ones with a taste for the horror genre, I suggest Seekers of the Weird, a collaboration between Marvel and Disney about an attraction that never existed and was supposed to be attached to the Haunted Mansion.

The Holiday season has finally arrived. What better way to enjoy yourself this year by doing something you love. Join the International School of Comics and fulfill your passion of art and illustration with our Life Drawing Workshop.

Take time for yourself this season every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and invest in your artistic ambitions. Led by artist Thomas Gianni, this course allows artistes both skilled and new to drawing to explore the fundamental techniques of art.

Throughout each lesson, students will build upon their knowledge and skills previously learned to create unique works of art. From capturing quick poses and seizing the energy of a gesture to learning the technique of light and shadow, our Life Drawing Workshop covers an immense amount of material.

Upon mastering the eight steps to Life Drawing, students will then move onto steps nine and ten of the course, which include putting into practice all they have learned during previous lessons. Students will be introduced to the proper finishing techniques allow their masterpieces to speak volumes.

Allow yourself some joy this holiday season and join the International School of Comics for another wonderful workshop. Classes may be purchased individually or as a series to assure all lessons are covered.

From the International School of Comics to you, we wish you a wonderful holiday season and joyful New Year!

Join the International School of Comics for our uniquely designed Illustration Program beginning on Monday, October 27. With 18 spots available, this three-year program will provide students with the tools they need to develop a professional artist profile and proficiently translate concepts into images and ideas.

Students will lead into the world of the most powerful and versatile medium for artist communication. Through various in class exercises, projects and educational forums, students will learn how to properly analyze and apply the creative process along with its expressive graphic communication to create unique and powerful pieces.

During their first year with the International School of Comics, students will grasp a main focus of proper illustration styles and techniques and a complete understanding of the creative process involved. Additionally, students will be given the opportunity to master the fundamentals of drawing, visual communication, color theory and other techniques necessary in the world of art.

Upon their second year, the International School of Comics will assist students in strengthening their anatomical and perspective skills while making them comfortable with different ink and water painting techniques.

As the third and final year of the program builds on the Watercolor and Tempera techniques while adding Oil. Additionally, students will be introduced to digital illustration and learn to manage the most current digital software programs including Photoshop and Illustrator.

Upon completion of the Illustration Program, the International School of Comics can assure that students will have the proper tools, techniques and educational skills necessary to market themselves in a highly individual and distinctive manner.

Join the International School of Comics on Monday, October 20th beginning at 6:00 p.m. for a night of Monster mania.

Tune into your inner monster and allow the International School of Comics to assist you in taking your art to the next level with the brilliant Brazilian comics artist, cartoonist and illustrator Gustavo Durate.

Durate’s experience in the world of comics and illustration surpasses all odds as he holds a published American graphic novel entitled Monsters! & Other Stories by Dark Horse. Durate is also the winner of eight trophies HQMIX, the highest award of comics in Brazil

There is no better way to prepare for the spooky holiday ahead than with an intense, energetic and horrific Cartooning and Humor Chat and Demonstration.

For one night, artists will have the opportunity to expand their skills and dabble into the world of monsters. Listen and lose yourself in the stories of Durate as he brings characters to life through art with a robust story and extreme body language.

Interested in spending more time learning the art from the master himself? Join the International School of Comics for a kick-off event on Saturday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. as Durate will be hosting an Art Show & Signing at the one and only Challengers Comics Book Store.

A weekend of Monster Mania is ahead and one you cannot miss. Take your skills in cartooning and art to the next level with the International School of Comics and shock yourself with the creations that come to life.

Calling all aspiring illustration and comic artists! The International School of Comics month long Freetember event is almost over! With only seven classes left to attend, it is crucial to set aside some free time and attend one of our customized art classes.

From now until the end of the month, grasp every concept you can during our FREE, yes FREE classes. Instructed by prominent art figures, our Freetember classes will provide individuals with a unique, once in a lifetime learning experience.

From crash courses to developing eye catching covers, writing narratives and developing digital coloring skills, there is still time to indulge yourself in the world of illustration and comics.

Spend your evenings gaining valuable knowledge of art and technique and discover your true passion. At the International School of Comics, all students begin with a blank canvas having the opportunity to create their own story and future.

Freetember is an opportunity you cannot pass up. Allow the International School of Comics to introduce you into the world of imagination and creativity. Let us ask you, what better time to begin than now?

A month of free classes is underway at the International School of Comics. For only a $10 membership registration fee, you can join the excitement even after September with 10% off all future classes!

Kickoff for Freetember begins on September 2nd for Kevin Klung’s Concept Art Class. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. indulge into the world of concept art, essentially the beginning to any project. Whether it is a movie, video game, TV show or advertisement, a concept is the starting point for development. Grab your laptop or sketchbook along with a pencil and enjoy a night of new beginnings.

If you are not able to make it to the first class, join us on September 3rd for Emma Rand’s Watercolor Class. From 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. students will be introduced to the mysterious world of mixing paint with water. The ultimate tips and tricks will be revealed to take a washed out landscape and turn it into an energetic work of art. Bring your favorite watercolor, a few paintbrushes and some sheets of watercolor paper and let your creativity flow.

September 4th is a class you will not want to miss. From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. join freelance artist, Jim Pavelec, at the PACT (Professional Artist Client Toolkit) class. Students will be presented with the one stop informational resource for freelance illustrators. Share your experiences, discuss needs and express requirements and wishes for the industry during this two hour session. Upon leaving this class students will become knowledgeable on the proper ways to negotiate better living for themselves.

The International School of Comics has many more outstanding opportunities for aspiring illustrators and comics’ artists to pursue throughout Freetember. Explore our websites to learn more about our academy and the classes offered throughout September. This is a month long opportunity that you will not want to pass up!