I have created a community project in response to the covid19 pandemic. My idea is to produce a comic reflecting our current experiences.

The project is for residents of Derby and Derbyshire UK, is FREE to submit and open to all ages.

I have produced a few examples to help inspire ideas.

There are a few guidelines;

• The character(s) need to be humanised ram(s)

• artwork can be in any medium

• Short comic Strips so maximum of 4 panels.

• Illustrate a story or event that affected you.

The covid19 pandemic, especially during lockdown, has been different for us all. This comic would be a way for us to get an insight into each other’s lives. We will see the things we have in common and the differences. It is easier to empathise and support if we talk to each other, this can be hard especially under current circumstances. Drawing is the ideal tool to use when we can’t find the words, draw what you’re feeling or write down your thoughts.

Normal life has changed but art can be used to help us process our experiences in a positive way. A diverse selection of art will beautifully reflect the diverse and supportive community of Derby.

This community comic will be a creative reminder and serve as a lasting memory.

To submit please scan your designs and email elizabethlouieblades@gmail.com

My aim is to collate and curate the submissions into a comic. I would like all participants to receive their own copy although this will depend on how many take part.

In the scenario that I have more submissions than I am anticipating I will curate comic strips into volumes so a few mini comics will be produced.

In that instance participants will receive a volume including their submission along with a few others.

Submissions are open until the end of 2020, after all this year as a whole has been consumed (largely but not totally) by this pandemic.

In the new year I will be looking to exhibit the submissions, when it is safe to do so, participants would be invited along to a preview event.

This way the comic or volumes can be sold and money raised will be donated to a relevant charity in Derby that supports the community, especially as a result of Covid19.

You can follow the project on Facebook – click on this link @PandemicDerbyCommunityComic and find the video tutorial pinned to the top of the page.

You can also find @pandemicderbycommunitycomic on Instagram too.

please use the hashtag #pandemicderbycommunitycomic and tag me @elizabethblades so I can see when you share on social media.

I have designed handouts to help you with the design process.

You can find a selection of comic strip templates to download for FREE here;

Template 2

Template 3 slanted square

Template 3 square

Template 4

When planning and deciding upon your simple stories you might find this handout useful – Story Planner

The following link comic drawing tips and techniques will help you create interesting images with exciting camera angle illustrations that comic and graphic novels are known for.

The descriptions of each drawing technique;

Foreshorten – This method helps you achieve a 3dimentional image. In my example the hands are very large because they are in the foreground. The face is not so clear with no detail and is smaller because it is in the far ground.

Perspective – A similar technique and one that is commonly used by all artists. My example shows a small house in the distance with a path. As the path comes towards you it gets wider and the tops of the trees can not be seen. This may seem strange but will help fool the eye and give your image depth.

Birds eye view – This is literally a flying bird’s eye view looking down at the world. A great experiment of how to achieve this technique, place some objects on the floor and stand directly above them. Draw what you see, it may be hardly any detail at all. My example shows the bird’s eye view of a garden, you can see a tree top, a path, tops of bushes and a pond.

Ant eyed view – The opposite of bird’s eye view. The things you draw will be larger at the bottom and small at the top. Or disappear off the page. In my example the tree and cat are large at the bottom of the square and the tree gets slimmer and vanishes out of view. You can also see something tiny hanging that the cat must be trying to reach.

Overlapping shapes – This is another technique to help you achieve the effect of depth and it helps to make the image seem more believable. My example has only slightly used this method though. There is an element of perspective with the trees overlapping to reveal a building.

Zoom in/detail – This technique is a great one for helping to tell a comic book story. In my example you can see a few illustrations. Dolls sitting on a shelf and then a smaller square just showing part of a head. This method can also be a way to fill up a whole panel. If someone was crying and you wanted to just illustrate a teardrop under an eye for example.