ComicFest – Page 2 – Library Blog

ComicFest 2022: New Voices, New Perspectives

June 9, 2022June 2, 2022 Neil

Now that the dust has settled on ComicFest 2022, we can settle back and reflect on what was a fabulous, immersive, and truly memorable online celebration of all thing’s comics in New Zealand. What a blast the day was!

If you missed any of the day, or indeed just want to enjoy watching something again, have no fear! We have seven of the segments from the day available to re-watch at any time you wish, simply follow this link to our YouTube playlist.

One of our many highlights was our New Voices, New Perspectives Panel Discussion featuring some of the New Zealand artists at the vanguard of these changes – Mary Guo, Tara Black, Jem Yoshioka, and Sam Orchard.

The world of graphic art is changing at an amazingly rapid pace — a veritable revolution has been happening in recent years. Developments have included: new definitions of what comprises a graphic work, new platforms with global reach for people to view your work and new high-tech tools to create your works. Our fabulous panel discuss the new opportunities for artists, the challenges inherent in these changes, and — finally — how artists go about taking full advantage of these new frontiers.

You can watch this panel by clicking into the link below.

ComicFest 2022: How to draw heroes with Michel Mulipola

June 7, 2022May 31, 2022 Neil

Now that the dust has settled on ComicFest 2022, we can settle back and reflect on what was a fabulous, immersive and truly memorable online celebration of all thing’s comics in New Zealand. What a blast the day was!

Here we have How to draw hero’s masterclass with Michel Mulipola, a masterclass on comic hero creation from one of the most accomplished figures in the New Zealand / Aotearoa scene. In short, gold dust for anyone interested in creating their own heroes from one of the acknowledged experts.

A comic book illustrator and professional wrestler, Auckland-based Mulipola is a self-taught award-winning artist who has produced illustrations for Learning Media, Lift Education, Reading Warrior and independent US graphic novel series Headlocked. An advocate for comic drawing and creative expression, Mulipola is keen to inspire young talent through regularly visiting schools and running workshops. In 2020 Mulipola published O Le Aiga Samoa with Nafanuatele Lafitaga Mafaufau, the first-ever Samoan language comic book.

Website: http://www.bloodysamoan.com/

Twitter: @bloodysamoan

Instagram: @bloodysamoanart

To watch just click on the link below or visit our Comic Fest 2022 channel by clicking HERE.

ComicFest 2022: From commission to finished project with Giselle Clarkson

June 5, 2022May 31, 2022 Neil

Now we have a very special workshop, From commission to finished project, with the fabulous, incredibly talented graphic illustrator Giselle Clarkson. All is revealed in this workshop from one of the most accomplished figures in the New Zealand / Aotearoa scene, in short gold dust for anyone interested in taking their work that one step further from one of the most acclaimed artists in the field. It is also incidentally wonderfully entertaining and funny and fun.

Giselle Clarkson is a freelance illustrator and comic artist based near Wellington. Her science illustrations and comics can be found in all sorts of places; from bumper stickers and t-shirts to Auckland Zoo and the NZ School Journal. She publishes a regular comic about children’s books online at The Sapling. Her recently illustrated books for children include The Gobbledegook Book: A Joy Cowley Anthology and Egg and Spoon: An Illustrated Cookbook (Gecko Press).

Website: giselledraws.com

Twitter: @giselledraws

Facebook: @GiselleDraws

To watch just click on the link below or visit our Comic Fest 2022 channel by clicking HERE.

ComicFest 2022: Weekly webcomics with Jem Yoshioka

June 3, 2022May 31, 2022 Neil

Here is a webcomics masterclass from the awesome Jem Yoshioka. It is a fabulous talk, covering everything you need to know about webcomic creation from one giants of the scene. A delightful, easy to understand and in-depth presentation.

Jem’s current webcomic, Folk Remedy, is a queer fantasy inspired by Taisho era Japan, folktales and monsters called Yokai. Jem’s previous webcomic, a sci-fi romance called Circuits and Veins, was completed in 2020, reaching 92,000 subscribers and still attracts tens of thousands of readers a month.

Website: jemshed.com

Twitter: @jemyoshioka

Instagram: @jemyoshioka

Facebook: @jem.yoshioka.art

To watch just click on the link below or visit our Comic Fest 2022 channel by clicking HERE.

ComicFest 2022: Storytelling with Jonathan King

May 29, 2022May 27, 2022 Neil

And now, we have a masterclass in storytelling from an artist and director who knows a thing or two about the art of storytelling, Jonathan King. In short, this session was gold dust for anyone interested in creating immersive and engaging stories from this award-winning graphic artist and internationally renowned film director unmissable. Jonathan King, until very recently, was best known as the acclaimed film director of films such as the hugely successful dark horror comedy Black Sheep and the remake of the NZ classic film Under the Mountain. He went on to release his first ever graphic novel in 2020 – The Inkberg Enigma. Aimed at children eight and up, it’s hugely enjoyable for adults too.

Website: jking.nz

Twitter: @MrJonathanKing

Comicify Your Life: ComicFest Art Competition Results

May 7, 2022 Stephen

The big day is finally here, and the ComicFest 2022 livestream is in full swing as we write these words! In the lead-up to the launch of this programme, aspiring comic artists and illustrators from across Wellington submitted their finest and most creative works to our Comicify Your Life drawing competition. Artists submitted autobiographical works across four age categories (5-8, 9-12, 13-17, and 18+), and were vying for a range of thematic category awards, as well as the coveted Grand Prizes, generously supported by Unity Books and Gecko Press.

During the ComicFest 2022 livestream, following a fantastic illustration workshop from the incomparable Kay O’Neill, we announced the category awards and the Grand Prize winners for each age group for the Comicify Your Life competition. You can see a gallery of the winning images below (click or tap on each image to view the full-size scan). Congratulations to all our winners — we will be contacting you all over the coming days to organise the delivery of your prizes.