ART 19 — The Art of the Graphic Novel
Quarter: Winter
Instructor(s): Mark Fearing
Date(s): Feb 2—Mar 16
Class Recording Available: Yes
Class Meeting Day: Mondays
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Class Meeting Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Please Note: No class on February 16
Tuition: $395
Refund Deadline: Feb 4
Unit(s): 1
Enrollment Limit: 30
Status: Open
Quarter: Winter
Day: Mondays
Duration: 6 weeks
Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Date(s): Feb 2—Mar 16
Unit(s): 1
Tuition: $395
Refund Deadline: Feb 4
Instructor(s): Mark Fearing
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Enrollment Limit: 30
Recording Available: Yes
Status: Open
Please Note: No class on February 16
Since the term graphic novel was coined in 1964, the form has exploded into a vibrant global art, embracing memoir, investigative journalism, historical epic, and boundary-pushing fiction. This course invites you into that universe—learning its history, exploring its creative process, and drafting a story of your own.
We’ll examine the medium’s lineage, from ancient visual narratives to the international traditions—European bandes dessinées, Japanese manga, American comics, and Chinese manhua—that define today’s marketplace. From there, we’ll step inside the creative process: how stories are envisioned, scripted, and brought to life; how writers and illustrators collaborate; and how the industry, from indie presses to major publishers, discovers and nurtures talent. We’ll also consider how new tools like AI are transforming production, offering opportunities alongside ethical challenges. Through lectures, short creative exercises, and conversations with editors, writers, and artists, students will gain an appreciation of the form’s narrative power and leave with the beginnings of their own mock-up.
We’ll examine the medium’s lineage, from ancient visual narratives to the international traditions—European bandes dessinées, Japanese manga, American comics, and Chinese manhua—that define today’s marketplace. From there, we’ll step inside the creative process: how stories are envisioned, scripted, and brought to life; how writers and illustrators collaborate; and how the industry, from indie presses to major publishers, discovers and nurtures talent. We’ll also consider how new tools like AI are transforming production, offering opportunities alongside ethical challenges. Through lectures, short creative exercises, and conversations with editors, writers, and artists, students will gain an appreciation of the form’s narrative power and leave with the beginnings of their own mock-up.
This course is designed for anyone interested in visual storytelling. If you previously took this course, there will be an advanced path to encourage the completion of a larger project.
MARK FEARING
Author and Illustrator
Mark Fearing has been a production manager for Disney Television Animation, an art director for Sony Online Entertainment, and a creative director of new media for Pearson Television. He worked as a graphic designer for Apple, Microsoft, and Adobe and has written and/or illustrated over 27 picture books and graphic novels. His animated short film, The Thing with No Head, aired on Nicktoons and has been featured in film festivals. His graphic novels include Earthling! and the Welcome to Feral series. He received a BFA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and attended UCLA’s MFA animation program.Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.