Comics began in 1827 when Swiss artist Rodolphe Töpffer created comic strips and graphic novels. In the early 1900s, comic strips in newspapers were called "the funnies" as they were meant to be funny. Some important developments included the first comic strip by a woman in 1940, the start of satirical MAD Magazine in 1952, and the rise of popular superhero comics from the late 1930s to 1940s and beyond. The document provides links to drawing tutorials and assigns sketchbook exercises to practice basic shapes, eyes, hands, animals, and heads in order to learn comic drawing skills.

1. Comics! Introduction.....Here we go!
http://www.hulu.com/watch/330454/the-new-yorker-animated-cartoons-evolve-at-your-own-risk
http://www.hulu.com/watch/255084/the-new-yorker-animated-cartoons-art-direction
http://www.hulu.com/watch/330452/the-new-yorker-animated-cartoons-global-whining
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2. When did comics begin?
• In 1827, Switzerland's Rudolphe Töpffer created a comic strip and continued on
to publish seven graphic novels.
• Rodolphe was initially unable to pursue a career in the visual arts like his father. Instead, he
devoted himself to literature
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3. Are Comic Books Funny?
Around 1900, the terms
"comics" and "comic strip"
came into common use in the
United States.
The strips of pictures being
printed in magazines and
newspapers at that time were
all funny or comic.
At first newspaper comic
strips were called "the
funnies" and later the term
comics became more popular.
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4. Brenda Starr
• In 1940, the first cartoon strip written by a woman
was published in Chicago.
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5. MAD Magazine
1952
• American publisher, William Gaines started Mad magazine
in 1952, a popular and satirical monthly comic book.
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6. -Superheroes became
popular in the late 1930s
and early 1940s. DC Comics
emerged.
-During World War II they
became stars.
-Superman had arrived and
become the first comic-book
character to have powers
much greater than any
human being.
SUPERHERO’s?
When and Why?
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7. The superheroes in this century continue to be more
popular than ever. Movies that star characters such as
Spider-Man have become blockbusters
Let’s watch the history in action!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqvJ0UHFaug
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8. So, Where do we start?
Learn how to draw
forms/shapes, people,
objects, places,
expressions!
Start with
manipulating the basic
forms: squares,
triangles, rectagles,
ovals
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=yvjKtMji6Rk
Sketchbook Assignment #1:
P.1 Tuesday 4/1
P.4 Wednesday 4/2
-Due at beginning of class.
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9. Video-Showing basic shape drawings
• http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=3OOZxt1yoRA
Sketchbook Assignment #2:
P.1 Monday 3/24
P.4 Tuesday 3/25
-Due at end of class.
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10. Breaking humans into shapes!
Sketchbook Assignment #3:
P.1 Monday 3/24
P.4 Tuesday 3/25
-Due at end of class.
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=1618qH7KojU
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11. Practicing eyes!
Sketchbook Assignment #4: Choose 5 sets of eyes to draw.
P.1 Monday 3/28 P.4 Tuesday 3/31
-Due at end of class.
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12. Eyes - Part 2
Sketchbook Assignment #4:
Choose 5 sets of eyes to draw.
P.1 Monday 3/28
P.4 Tuesday 3/31
-Due at end of class.
Focusing on expressions
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=GxGWEnB1F1s
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13. Drawing hands - Part 1
Sketchbook Assignment #6:
Complete steps A - D
P.1 Monday 3/28
P.4 Tuesday 3/31
-Due at end of class.
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14. Hands - Part 2: Gestures
Sketchbook Assignment #7:
Choose 10 hands
P.1 Monday 3/28
P.4 Tuesday 3/31
-Due at end of class.
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15. Breaking down animals into shapes
Sketchbook Assignment #8:
Draw # 1 - #3
P.1 Tuesday 4/1
P.4 Wednesday 4/2
-Due at beginning of class.
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16. Lastly, Drawing the head & Expressions
Sketchbook Assignment #9:
Draw all 4 examples
P.1 Tuesday 4/1
P.4 Wednesday 4/2
-Due at beginning of class.
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17. Remember... Practicing helps
improve your drawing skills!
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