Artist Visit (Grade levels K-8)

Russell will visit your classroom to discuss his work, the process of creating art, his inspirations, and life as an artist. He will discuss Japanese art forms and their influence on modern manga and anime. The artist will bring samples of his work and will do demonstrations of both Japanese ink work and modern manga, and show how classic sumi-e has influenced modern Japanese and American comics. Students will be shown how pencil roughs are turned into finished pages, and learn a little bit of Japanese terminology as well.

Activity Options:

Artist Visit

• Duration: 60 min.
• Fees: $55
• Requirements: Chalk board or dry erase board; paper and pencils

Chinese Calligraphy (Grade levels K-12)

Ancient pictographs,  beautiful and poetic. These are some of the descriptions given to Chinese calligraphy.  Used by both Mandarin and Cantonese speakers, Chinese characters have also been incorporated into the writing systems of Japan (where it is known as kanji) and Korea (hanja).

In this presentation, Russell will come into your class and demonstrate the tools and techniques used to create beautiful calligraphy. Students will be able to try out the inks and brushes, and will also learn a few simple words and basic writing skills.

Classes can be set up for any age group. Linguistic and cultural history and the level of complexity of the calligraphy can be altered for various classes.

Activity Options:

Chinese Calligraphy

• Duration: 60 min.
• Fees: $55; $50/ session for multiple sessions
• Requirements: Students should have pencils and paper for practice writing.

Cartooning Workshop (Grade levels K-12)

This workshop will help students experience cartooning. With humor and demonstration, the artist will explain narrative art as it has progressed from cave paintings, hieroglyphics and illuminated manuscripts to modern comics. A history of comics in Ohio ( the first newspaper comic, first woman cartoonist and the creation of Superman all happened in Ohio) and the influence of comics on society  ( ie... Pop art, advertising, movies) will be discussed.

The workshop is composed of a demonstration, instruction and participation. Writing and storytelling will be discussed and the importance of the story as well as the art will be included. Different cartooning styles will be discussed such as comic books, manga, comic strips and single panel cartoons. Students will write a short composition and then each student will be guided through the creation of a comic page layout with a four-panel comic page. The artist will cover plotting a story, creating the setting, and choosing the audience that the comic shall appeal to in age and subject matter.  The artist will also share what it is like to be a cartoonist.

This workshop works well with all grade levels. It becomes more detailed for the middle and high school levels.

Activity Options:

Cartooning Workshop

• Duration: 2 hours
• Fees: $110
• Requirements: Paper, pencil, eraser & ruler; chalkboard & chalk, or dry erase board & markers

Manga (Japanese comics) and Asian Art (Grade levels K-12)

This is a lecture/demonstration period where the students will learn the roots of manga and anime. Many examples will be used from manga, artist samples, and graphic novels. Examples of manga will range from funny comics to realistic graphic novels, sports illustrations and fantasy. There will be a brief discussion of the history of comics in Japan, and the influence of Japanese printmakers on composition and design. The growth of manga in China ( where it is called man-wa) and Korea, and its growth in America will also be covered.  A demonstration of drawing a manga character, the Japanese "alphabet" (kana), and right-to-left layouts will be used to show and discuss differences between American and Japanese comics.

Activity Options:

Manga and Asian Art

• Duration: 1 or 2 hours
• Fees: $55/ hour
• Requirements: Paper, pencil & eraser, ruler, chalkboard & chalk, or dry erase board & markers

Cartooning Workshop - Create a Comic Book (Grade levels 6-12)

Students will create their own finished comic book in this extended workshop. Different cartooning styles will be discussed such as comic books, manga, and graphic novels. Each student will be guided through the creation of a comic book with layouts and panel composition within a comic page. The artist will cover creating a main character, plotting a story, creating the setting, and choosing the audience that the comic will appeal to in age and subject matter. The goal will be to complete a four or eight page comic book with a story of the student's own creation.

This workshop can focus on either Japanese manga or American-style cartooning, depending on class needs/wants. The manga program will include a full discussion of the history of comics in Japan, and the influence of traditional Japanese artistic styles on modern manga.

Activity Options:

Create a Comic Book

• Duration: (4-5) 1 hour sessions
• Fees: $120/ session
• Requirements: Paper (11x17), pencil, eraser, ink pen and ruler; chalkboard & chalk or dry erase board & markers. A long arm stapler or center stapler to bind the books upon completion would also be helpful.