Tag: literary dundee

Comics masterclass with Ian Kennedy – today at 2pm

Today at DCCS as part of Dundee Literary Festival – a live drawing demonstration by comics legend Ian Kennedy.

image
Dan Dare art by Ian Kennedy

Watch Ian Kennedy create comics illustrations in his signature pen, ink and acrylics technique, honed over his 50 year career.

Educated in Dundee, Ian started work as a trainee illustrator in the D. C. Thomson & Co Art Department in 1949 – he recalls that his first published work was inking the black squares in the weekly Sunday Post crossword!

Over his career he has worked on a host of characters and publications, from 1950’s war comics such as Thriller Picture Library and Air Ace to IPC’s 2000AD and Starlord. Ian is highly regarded in comics circles, by fellow professionals and fans alike, and we’re delighted he’ll be sharing his expertise as part of the festival.

(There will be another opportunity to attend this masterclass with Ian on Saturday 22nd, 5pm)

Tickets available from Dundee Literary Festival’s eventbrite page.

 

Ex Libris Book Fair at Dundee Literary Festival

14310370_10207496812083303_3859215277682872615_o

As part of the Dundee Literary Festival in October our Comics Clubbers will be selling their comics at the Ex Libris Book Fair! Young artists from our Tuesday and Wednesday workshops have been working to produce a comic book each, full of their own work, and they will have the chance to display and sell this at the fair! Wildly creative and incredibly talented, we are very proud of our Comics Clubbers and the work they have produced. This is a great chance for you to see the magic which happens at DCCS! Feel free to swing by our stall to check out (and buy) the comics!

This event will be running from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 23rd October in Bonar Hall, and is a free drop-in event. The Ex Libris Fair is run by Ess Publications and this is the third time it has been featured in Dundee Literary Festival! Celebrating talented artists working in book formats, the fair will feature small presses, indie comics creators, artist book makers and – of course – the Comics Clubbers’ books! See you there!

– Caitlin Mitchell

Comics at the Dundee Literary Festival!

web-banner-1

DCCS is very proud to be part of this year’s Dundee Literary Festival. The festival is an annual event run by Literary Dundee, a University of Dundee-led cultural organisation which celebrates readers and writers, and brings the best writers in the world to the City of Discovery. This year the Festival will be running from the 19th to the 23rd of October, with additional events taking place on Saturday 24th September and Friday 25th November. There are many comics events scheduled, from masterclass workshops with renowned artists to discussions with up and coming graphic novelists. There is also a chance to add to our Giant Comics Jam which will be running throughout the festival. We are super excited about all these events. See you there!

Here is a schedule of the Comics events – more information and booking details can be found on the Literary Dundee website!

Thursday 20th October:

  • Comics Masterclass with Ian Kennedy (live drawing demonstration by comics legend Ian Kennedy)

Saturday 22nd October:

  • 50 Years of Comics: Morris Heggie (bringing The Broons, Dennis the Menace and Oor Wullie to life)
  • New Kids on the Block: Neil Slorance & Maria Stoian (the power of graphic storytelling)
  • Create a Comic Workshop with Jim Glen (especially for ages 6 to 10)
  • Big Braw Birthday Tea Dance: The Broons and Oor Wullie at 80 (Part of Luminate: Scotland’s creative ageing festival)
  • Comics Masterclass with Ian Kennedy (live drawing demonstration by comics legend Ian Kennedy)
  • Launch: The Drouth – the Scottish Literary Journal are publishing a special comics edition guest edited by DCCS Coordinator Damon Herd

Sunday 23rd October:

  • Family Workshop: Tales O’ Our Town (in partnership with University of Dundee’s Museum services & Verdant Works)
  • Ex Libris Book Fair (featuring work by young DCCS Comics Clubbers!)

Dundee Literary Festival 2015

We were very pleased to link up with Dundee Literary Festival last week for our Sneak Preview events. They have just posted a short video of Festival highlights. Eagle-eyed viewers will be able to spot some comics related guests such as Dave Gibbons, Karrie Fransman, and the Ex Libris Book Fair.

The video for Dundee Literary Festival 2014 is worth a look to as it features Pat Mills and Woodrow Phoenix among others.

Dundee Literary Festival 2015 from Literary Dundee on Vimeo.

Dave Gibbons: Creating Comics Workshop

Thursday 22nd October 11am-12pm.

Dundee Creative Comics Space.
Free but ticketed.
See the Literary Dundee website for booking details.

Dave Gibbons, an Honorary Graduate from the University of Dundee, is one of the most famous comics artists in the world, best known as the co-creator of Watchmen, the ground-breaking graphic novel written by Alan Moore. He is also the UK’s first Comics Laureate.

Today he leads a ‘Creating Comics’ workshop for 14-17 year olds – a brilliant opportunity to learn more about Dave’s methods in producing comic art, to use his expertise to produce your own, and to explore Dundee’s new comics space.

Part of Dundee Literary Festival.

Industry giants to help launch Dundee Comics Creative Space during Literary Festival

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE

Giants from the comics industry will visit Dundee next week for a sneak preview of a new studio aiming to produce the next generation of superstar artists and writers.

The Dundee Comics Creative Space (DCCS), situated in the Vision Building, Greenmarket, will be officially opened early in 2016 but a series of special preview events will take place next week as part of this year’s Dundee Literary Festival.

DCCS is a new social enterprise and studio project developed by the University of Dundee in collaboration with The Rank Foundation and the Dundee Place Partnership Scheme. The aim is to provide educational workshops and creative opportunities for various age groups and to encourage creative learning through comics.

DCCS will host an informal open day for anyone interested in trying their hand at comic production on Wednesday, 21st October and industry stars Dave Gibbons, Tanya Roberts, Norrie Millar and Letty Wilson will be on hand to pass on advice or just speak about comics. They, along with other big names from the comics world, will also take part in talks, workshops and other events as part of the Literary Festival.

Dr Chris Murray, DCCS Operations Director and a Senior Lecturer at the University, said, “We are delighted that prominent figures from the world of comics are once again taking part in the Dundee Literary Festival.

“Having writers and artists of their stature here is inspirational for anyone who wishes to work in comics, and indeed anyone with a love of the genre. The point of DCCS is to help young comics enthusiasts to develop their skills and nurture the Dave Gibbons’ and Cam Kennedy’s of tomorrow. This is a really exciting development for Dundee and will help cement our place as the home of the British comic industry.”

The 2015 Dundee Literary Festival programme will see some 50 talks, readings, workshops and other events take place from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th October. The critically acclaimed writers appearing include Jackie Kay and Janice Galloway. Rab C Nesbitt star Gregor Fisher’s appearance coincides with the launch of his new book about the amazing story of the biological family he traced after finding out he was adopted.

Actor and writer Nick Frost (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) will also be discussing the personal journey recounted in his memoir Truths, Half Truths and Little White Lies while 2013 winner of the Great British Bake Off Frances Quinn will be talking about her first cook book, Quintessential Baking.

A series of events showcasing the freshest new voices in literature and workshops for aspiring writers will also be held at the Festival, which will also see the winner of the 2015 Dundee International Book prize announced.

More information is available at the Literary Dundee website.

The comics events taking place during the five-day run are:

  • Wednesday 21st October

2-4pm – sneak preview of Dundee Comics Creative Space with Dave Gibbons, Tanya Roberts, Letty Wilson and Norrie Millar.

4pm – Comics legend Dave Gibbons will be giving a talk at Bonar Hall.

  • Thursday 22nd October

11am – Dave Gibbons will lead a workshop at DCCS for aspiring comics creators aged 14-17.

6-8pm – Comics Creators Jam at DCCS featuring Cam Kennedy, Dan McDaid, Montynero, Ian Kennedy and Tom Foster.

  • Friday 23rd October

2.30pm – comic artists Mike Collins and Tom Foster will discuss the comics scene today, how it’s changed and what the future might hold at Bonar Hall.

4pm – Mike Collins will be discussing his work producing storyboards for the series of Dr Who currently showing on BBC1 at DCCS.

5.30pm – William Goldsmith and Catherine Simpson will discuss about their wonderful books and their journeys to publication at Bonar Hall.

  • Saturday 24th October

2.15pm – Will Morris and David McKenzie will discuss comics, graphic novels, the eternal hunt for inspiration and other Adventures in Design at Bonar Hall.

6.30pm – Karrie Fransman and Sepideh Jodeyri will discuss freedom of speech and the power of comics to transcend cultural boundaries at Bonar Hall.

See the Events page for more details.

Dave Gibbons

During our launch week and in partnership with Literary Dundee we are hosting two events with Comics Laureate Dave Gibbons as part of Dundee Literary Festival 2015.

Dave Gibbons: Comics & Creativity
Wednesday 21st October 4pm

Dave Gibbons, an Honorary Graduate from the University of Dundee, is one of the most famous comics artists in the world, best known as the co-creator of Watchmen, the ground-breaking graphic novel written by Alan Moore. Dave was appointed Comics Laureate in October 2014, the first in the UK, a champion and advocate for the power of comics in improving children’s literacy. One year in the role, we’re delighted to welcome him back to Dundee for a special lecture to mark the opening of Dundee Comics Creative Space, to reflect on his career, visual literacy and learning through creativity.

Check out the event on the Literary Dundee website for more details and to book a place.

Dave Gibbons: Creating Comics Workshop
Thursday 22nd October 11am

Dave will be leading a ‘Creating Comics’ workshop for 14-17 year olds – a brilliant opportunity to learn more about Dave’s methods in producing comic art, to use his expertise to produce your own, and to explore Dundee’s new comics space.

Check out the event on the Literary Dundee website for more details and to book a place.