Each class will begin with a 15-20 minute cartooning lesson (via slides and/or a demonstration using Procreate) followed by a guided activity.

Week1: Four-panel comic construction and the cartooning process. Activity: Students will complete a 4-panel, 3-act comic using thumbnails, pencils, and inks.
Week 2: Character depiction and development. Activity: Students will use geometric and organic shapes to create new characters to be used in a 4-panel comic. 
Week 3: Timing and sequencing/panel variations. Activity: Students will create a diamond-shaped diary comic showing the passage of time and then create a splash panel.
Week 4: Adding symbols and emanata. Activity: Students will create several illustrations utilizing emanata to express thoughts and feelings. Afterward, students will create their own comic using what they've learned.
Week 5: Creating depth with foreground, middle ground, and background. Activity: Students will make a one-page comic that creates the impression of depth and space.
Week 6: Narration. Activity: Students will discuss narrative point of view in comics. Afterward, students will make their own four-panel comic exploring their own narrative voices.
Week 7: Outlining your personal comic story. Activity: Students will begin to formulate ideas for their personal comic using the "Story Filter" exercise from the book "Making Comics" by Lynda Barry.
Week 8: Begin your personal comic story! Activity: Using the outline created in week 7, students will begin thumbnnailing their graphic novel or comic book strip series, discuss next steps, and ask any final questions.

Note: This is a process (rather than product) focused class. Its real purpose is to discover and explore cartooning as another way to build stories, express thoughts and feelings, and feel present in the moment. Our focus will be on learning and enjoying the cartooning process rather than creating perfect final products. No prior experience is needed for this class but students should be comfortable drawing and writing and have an interest in comics.