2 Slots Left for Intro Writing; All other courses SOLD OUT!

Andy Schmidt's Introduction to Comic Book Writing only has 2 slots left as of this writing. If you want in, you might want to sign up soon.

As of this week, ALL other courses in this round -- Intro to Coloring, Intro to Art, and Lettering & Production are officially sold out!

But we DO have the next round of courses posted for those interested. Sign up for them, OR the upcoming Intro to Comic Book Writing course right here.

PLEASE NOTE: The Intro to Writing class is a required prerequisite for our once-a-year Advanced Class in writing. This will be your last chance to take the Intro course before the Advanced Class is offered this Summer, and we have BIG plans for the Advanced Courses this year. Don't get caught waiting another whole year!

----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK WRITING

Intro to Comic Book Writing will be taught by former Marvel and IDW Editor and writer, Andy Schmidt.

During his time at Marvel, Andy worked on nearly every major character in the Marvel canon, and edited hit titles such as X-Factor, the Annihilation saga, Alias, and more.

At IDW, he managed major franchises like GI Joe and Transformers. He is also the author of the Eagle Award-winning book, The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels, published by Impact Books.

In this six-week course, not only will you learn comic book writing from a pro, but the course will be packed with practical, real-world advice on the industry and "breaking in" to help you pursue your career in comics!

That's why Comics Experience alum, Nick Spencer, tweeted:

"For all aspiring comic pros asking for advice on craft/breaking in, I once again highly recommend Andy Schmidt's @ComicExperience courses."

A few years ago, Nick had to move to New York City to take Comics Experience classes (check out his guest blog here to read that tale). But you don't have to move, now that the courses are online. This one will sell out fast!

Introduction to Comic Book Writing with Andy Schmidt
Begins February 13, 2013!

----------------------------------------------
Our courses are offered LIVE, online, and you can attend from wherever you live. You'll be able to see your instructor and his desktop, interact with your classmates, and discuss your classwork in real time. And you'll be able to communicate with your classmates all week long in a special, dedicated online forum for just you and your class.

We hope to see you in our courses or as part of our Creators Workshop community. Sign up now!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Classes Nearly Full -- February Comic Book Writing, Art, Coloring, & Lettering Courses

Our February comic book courses are nearly full. If you've been thinking about jumping on board, now is the time.

In particular, Soto's Introduction to Comic Book Coloring course and Robert Atkins' Introduction to Comic Book Art each only have a couple slots left, and both begin next week! (Monday, February 4th for Coloring, and Thursday, February 7th for Art.)

Read about all four courses -- on comic book writing, art, coloring and lettering -- below. All are open for enrollment right now.

PLEASE NOTE: The Intro classes are required prerequisites for our once-a-year Advanced Classes in writing, art, and coloring. This will be your last chance to take the Intro courses before the Advanced Classes are offered this Summer, and we have BIG plans for the Advanced Courses this year. Don't get caught waiting another whole year!

----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK COLORING


Intro to Comic Book Coloring will be taught by Chris Sotomayor (aka Soto), professional colorist on countless Marvel titles (Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, etc.).

In this six-week intensive class for colorists, you'll learn all the necessary tools and tricks for not only coloring with Photoshop, but also how to tell great stories through color. You’ll get access to all the tools of the trade, tips on how to break in, and you’ll be working with Chris on the pages you color for the class.


You can read Soto's own thoughts on the class right here...OR read why the class is even better than marriage right here!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring with Soto
Begins February 4, 2013!

----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK ART

Introduction to Comic Book Art will be taught by Robert Atkins, a professional comic book artist who has worked on G.I. Joe, Snake Eyes, Amazing Spider-Man, Heroes for Hire, Ultimatum Fantastic Four: Requiem and many others.

In this online course, you’ll learn how to improve your storytelling, what the professional standards are, how to avoid common pitfalls, how to build a great cover, and strategies to break into the business.

You’ll be asked to complete five pages of sequential comics pages under the guidance of your instructor and you’ll get all the behind the scenes tips Robert can pack into six weeks.

You can read what one of Robert's former students had to say about his teaching skills right here. Or check out Robert's art and get a sense of his teaching philosophy in this Guest Blog about the Intro class from August of last year.

Introduction to Comic Book Art with Robert Atkins
Begins February 7, 2013!

----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK WRITING

Intro to Comic Book Writing will be taught by former Marvel and IDW Editor and writer, Andy Schmidt.

During his time at Marvel, Andy worked on nearly every major character in the Marvel canon, and edited hit titles such as X-Factor, the Annihilation saga, Alias, and more.

At IDW, he managed major franchises like GI Joe and Transformers. He is also the author of the Eagle Award-winning book, The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels, published by Impact Books.

In this six-week course, not only will you learn comic book writing from a pro, but the course will be packed with practical, real-world advice on the industry and "breaking in" to help you pursue your career in comics!

That's why Comics Experience alum, Nick Spencer, tweeted:

"For all aspiring comic pros asking for advice on craft/breaking in, I once again highly recommend Andy Schmidt's @ComicExperience courses."

A few years ago, Nick had to move to New York City to take Comics Experience classes (check out his guest blog here to read that tale). But you don't have to move, now that the courses are online. This one will sell out fast!

Introduction to Comic Book Writing with Andy Schmidt
Begins February 13, 2013!
----------------------------------------------COMIC BOOK LETTERING AND PRODUCTION

Comic Book Lettering and Production will be taught by professional letterer Dave Sharpe, who has been in the business for twenty years.

In this seven-week course, Dave will take you through the programs, the thought-process, and the decision-making skills to create comics with slick, professional lettering. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also learn the production work associated with publishing comics! Setting up covers with logos, cover elements, integrating the digital lettering files with the digital color files properly, and page set-up along with a healthy dose of trouble-shooting the most common problems.

Dave started out hand lettering in the Marvel Bullpen before moving to digital lettering, taught lettering at the Joe Kubert School in the mid-90s, and developed and led the Marvel in-house lettering department for two years.

Since then, Dave is now lettering regularly for DC, in addition to working with many small publishers as well. He is, without a doubt, one of the most well respected, talented, and professional letterers in the comics business.

To quote Comics Experience founder (and ex-Marvel and IDW Editor) Andy Schmidt, "Dave can teach. I've seen him do it and he taught me much while I worked at Marvel. In the first ten minutes, he taught me enough about lettering that I could talk reasonably intelligently about it with the seasoned Marvel staff. Thank you for that, Dave."

Learning how to letter can save you money on your projects and improve your storytelling. Plus, bad lettering can kill the impression your book makes! Read more about all of that right here.

Comic Book Lettering and Production with Dave Sharpe
Begins February 12, 2013!----------------------------------------------Our courses are offered LIVE, online, and you can attend from wherever you live. You'll be able to see your instructor and his desktop, interact with your classmates, and discuss your classwork in real time. And you'll be able to communicate with your classmates all week long in a special, dedicated online forum for just you and your class.

We hope to see you in our courses or as part of our Creators Workshop community. Sign up now!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Soto coloring live & talking process tomorrow night! (1/30/13)

Just a reminder that tomorrow night, Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 9pm Eastern Time, we'll be holding a live, online session, in which members can watch amazing Colorist, Chris "Soto" Sotomayor, at work coloring a piece...

...and because the man is a multi-tasking genius, he'll be taking member questions on coloring, explaining the process, and chatting about the comics biz while he works!

Soto "tells it like it is," as they say, so it should be a very interesting chat, and a great learning experience.

All Creators Workshop members are welcome, even if you have no plans to ever be a colorist.

If you're not a member, you can join us right here!

And, if you want even more coloring wisdom, Soto's Introduction to Comic Book Coloring class begins 2/4/13!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Watch Soto Coloring Live! Discuss X-Men with Andy Schmidt!

One of the great aspects of the Creators Workshop is the opportunities it provides for members to interact with, and learn from, professional comic book creators.

And we have TWO such events coming up the last week of January!

-------------------------On Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 9pm Eastern Time, we'll be holding a live, online session, in which members can watch amazing Colorist, Chris "Soto" Sotomayor, at work coloring a piece...

...and because the man is a multi-tasking genius, he'll be taking member questions on coloring, explaining the process, and chatting about the comics biz while he works! Soto "tells it like it is," as they say, so it should be a very interesting chat, and a great learning experience.

All Workshop members are welcome, even if you have no plans to ever be a colorist.

And if you decide you've been bitten by the coloring bug after the session, Soto's Introduction to Comic Book Coloring class begins 2/4/13!

-------------------------And, on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 8pm Eastern Time, we'll be holding a live, online small-group roundtable with Andy Schmidt on the X-men! Workshop members who committed to reading three specific X-men trade paperbacks will join Andy for an in-depth discussion of what worked, what didn't, and why.

For comic book creators, it will be a chance to study the craft, and hear the thoughts of a former Marvel and IDW Editor -- an Editor who at one time worked on X-Men titles for Marvel. Plus, it will also just be plain fun!

This particular session is already full, but we'll be having additional opportunities like this in the future for Workshop members.

And in the meantime, those with an interest in comic book writing might want to sign up for Andy's upcoming Introduction to Comic Book Writing course, which begins 2/13/13!

-------------------------For more information on joining, check out the Creators Workshop page on the Comics Experience website!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Classes filling up -- Enrollment Open! -- Intro to Comic Book Writing, Art, Coloring, & Lettering Courses!

Comics Experience has four courses lined up that will help you build your skills and reach your comic book goals in 2013, whether that's breaking in or doing creator-owned work.

But the classes are starting to fill up now, so if you've been dreaming of making comics, don't delay!

The four classes on comic book writing, art, coloring and lettering -- described below -- are open for enrollment right now.

PLEASE NOTE: The Intro classes are required prerequisites for our once-a-year Advanced Classes in writing, art, and coloring. This will be your last chance to take the Intro courses before the Advanced Classes are offered next Summer!

----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK ART

Introduction to Comic Book Art will be taught by Robert Atkins, a professional comic book artist who has worked on G.I. Joe, Snake Eyes, Amazing Spider-Man, Heroes for Hire, Ultimatum Fantastic Four: Requiem and many others.

In this online course, you’ll learn how to improve your storytelling, what the professional standards are, how to avoid common pitfalls, how to build a great cover, and strategies to break into the business.

You’ll be asked to complete five pages of sequential comics pages under the guidance of your instructor and you’ll get all the behind the scenes tips Robert can pack into six weeks.

You can read what one of Robert's former students had to say about his teaching skills right here. Or check out Robert's art and get a sense of his teaching philosophy in this Guest Blog about the Intro class from August of last year.

Introduction to Comic Book Art with Robert Atkins
Begins February 7, 2013!

----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK COLORING

Intro to Comic Book Coloring will be taught by Chris Sotomayor (aka Soto), professional colorist on countless Marvel titles (Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, etc.).

In this six-week intensive class for colorists, you'll learn all the necessary tools and tricks for not only coloring with Photoshop, but also how to tell great stories through color. You’ll get access to all the tools of the trade, tips on how to break in, and you’ll be working with Chris on the pages you color for the class.


You can read Soto's own thoughts on the class right here...OR read why the class is even better than marriage right here!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring with Soto
Begins February 4, 2013!

----------------------------------------------INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK WRITING

Intro to Comic Book Writing will be taught by former Marvel and IDW Editor and writer, Andy Schmidt.

During his time at Marvel, Andy worked on nearly every major character in the Marvel canon, and edited hit titles such as X-Factor, the Annihilation saga, Alias, and more.

At IDW, he managed major franchises like GI Joe and Transformers. He is also the author of the Eagle Award-winning book, The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels, published by Impact Books.

In this six-week course, not only will you learn comic book writing from a pro, but the course will be packed with practical, real-world advice on the industry and "breaking in" to help you pursue your career in comics!

That's why Comics Experience alum, Nick Spencer, tweeted:

"For all aspiring comic pros asking for advice on craft/breaking in, I once again highly recommend Andy Schmidt's @ComicExperience courses."

A few years ago, Nick had to move to New York City to take Comics Experience classes (check out his guest blog here to read that tale). But you don't have to move, now that the courses are online. This one will sell out fast!

Introduction to Comic Book Writing with Andy Schmidt
Begins February 13, 2013!
----------------------------------------------COMIC BOOK LETTERING AND PRODUCTION

Comic Book Lettering and Production will be taught by professional letterer Dave Sharpe, who has been in the business for twenty years.

In this seven-week course, Dave will take you through the programs, the thought-process, and the decision-making skills to create comics with slick, professional lettering. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also learn the production work associated with publishing comics! Setting up covers with logos, cover elements, integrating the digital lettering files with the digital color files properly, and page set-up along with a healthy dose of trouble-shooting the most common problems.

Dave started out hand lettering in the Marvel Bullpen before moving to digital lettering, taught lettering at the Joe Kubert School in the mid-90s, and developed and led the Marvel in-house lettering department for two years.

Since then, Dave is now lettering regularly for DC, in addition to working with many small publishers as well. He is, without a doubt, one of the most well respected, talented, and professional letterers in the comics business.

To quote Comics Experience founder (and ex-Marvel and IDW Editor) Andy Schmidt, "Dave can teach. I've seen him do it and he taught me much while I worked at Marvel. In the first ten minutes, he taught me enough about lettering that I could talk reasonably intelligently about it with the seasoned Marvel staff. Thank you for that, Dave."

Learning how to letter can save you money on your projects and improve your storytelling. Plus, bad lettering can kill the impression your book makes! Read more about all of that right here.

Comic Book Lettering and Production with Dave Sharpe
Begins February 12, 2013!----------------------------------------------Our courses are offered LIVE, online, and you can attend from wherever you live. You'll be able to see your instructor and his desktop, interact with your classmates, and discuss your classwork in real time. And you'll be able to communicate with your classmates all week long in a special, dedicated online forum for just you and your class.

We hope to see you in our courses or as part of our Creators Workshop community. Sign up now!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

CE Instructors Atkins & Soto team up on "Castle"

Back in September, Marvel Entertainment and ABC Studios announced the comic book series, Castle: A Calm Before A Storm, an all-new comic book limited series based on the popular Castle television show.

The first issue of the five-issue miniseries, hits comic shops this week, and it features work by TWO Comics Experience instructors!

CE Art Instructor Robert Atkins handled the pencils on the series, while CE Coloring Instructor Chris Sotomayor was the colorist! The story is written by New York Times best-selling author Peter David.

This is the third Castle graphic novel to be released through a collaborative effort between Marvel, ABC Studios and the producers of the show. Following issues will ship monthly through April 2013.

Both Robert and Soto currently have February courses open for enrollment, but they are filling up! If you'd like to learn from these pros, sign up soon...and check out Castle, too!

Introduction to Comic Book Art with Robert Atkins
Begins February 7, 2013!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring with Soto
Begins February 4, 2013!

Or read more about ALL our upcoming classes (including writing and lettering) right here!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Enrollment Open! -- Intro to Comic Book Writing, Art, Coloring, & Lettering Courses!

Comics Experience has four courses lined up that will help you build your skills and reach your comic book goals, whether that's breaking in or doing creator-owned work.

If you've been dreaming of making comics, make 2013 the year you take action!

The four classes on comic book writing, art, coloring and lettering -- described below -- are open for enrollment right now and will likely sell out, so don't delay.

PLEASE NOTE: The Intro classes are required prerequisites for our once-a-year Advanced Classes in writing, art, and coloring. This will be your last chance to take the Intro courses before the Advanced Classes are offered next Summer!

----------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK ART

Introduction to Comic Book Art will be taught by Robert Atkins, a professional comic book artist who has worked on G.I. Joe, Snake Eyes, Amazing Spider-Man, Heroes for Hire, Ultimatum Fantastic Four: Requiem and many others.

In this online course, you’ll learn how to improve your storytelling, what the professional standards are, how to avoid common pitfalls, how to build a great cover, and strategies to break into the business.

You’ll be asked to complete five pages of sequential comics pages under the guidance of your instructor and you’ll get all the behind the scenes tips Robert can pack into six weeks.

You can read what one of Robert's former students had to say about his teaching skills right here. Or check out Robert's art and get a sense of his teaching philosophy in this Guest Blog about the Intro class from August of last year.

Introduction to Comic Book Art with Robert Atkins
Begins February 7, 2013!

----------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK COLORING

Intro to Comic Book Coloring will be taught by Chris Sotomayor (aka Soto), professional colorist on countless Marvel titles (Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, etc.).

In this six-week intensive class for colorists, you'll learn all the necessary tools and tricks for not only coloring with Photoshop, but also how to tell great stories through color. You’ll get access to all the tools of the trade, tips on how to break in, and you’ll be working with Chris on the pages you color for the class.


You can read Soto's own thoughts on the class right here...OR read why the class is even better than marriage right here!

Intro to Comic Book Coloring with Soto
Begins February 4, 2013!

----------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION TO COMIC BOOK WRITING

Intro to Comic Book Writing will be taught by former Marvel and IDW Editor and writer, Andy Schmidt.

During his time at Marvel, Andy worked on nearly every major character in the Marvel canon, and edited hit titles such as X-Factor, the Annihilation saga, Alias, and more.

At IDW, he managed major franchises like GI Joe and Transformers. He is also the author of the Eagle Award-winning book, The Insider's Guide to Creating Comics and Graphic Novels, published by Impact Books.

In this six-week course, not only will you learn comic book writing from a pro, but the course will be packed with practical, real-world advice on the industry and "breaking in" to help you pursue your career in comics!

That's why Comics Experience alum, Nick Spencer, tweeted:

"For all aspiring comic pros asking for advice on craft/breaking in, I once again highly recommend Andy Schmidt's @ComicExperience courses."

A few years ago, Nick had to move to New York City to take Comics Experience classes (check out his guest blog here to read that tale). But you don't have to move, now that the courses are online. This one will sell out fast!

Introduction to Comic Book Writing with Andy Schmidt
Begins February 13, 2013!
----------------------------------------------
COMIC BOOK LETTERING AND PRODUCTION

Comic Book Lettering and Production will be taught by professional letterer Dave Sharpe, who has been in the business for twenty years.

In this seven-week course, Dave will take you through the programs, the thought-process, and the decision-making skills to create comics with slick, professional lettering. As if that wasn’t enough, you’ll also learn the production work associated with publishing comics! Setting up covers with logos, cover elements, integrating the digital lettering files with the digital color files properly, and page set-up along with a healthy dose of trouble-shooting the most common problems.

Dave started out hand lettering in the Marvel Bullpen before moving to digital lettering, taught lettering at the Joe Kubert School in the mid-90s, and developed and led the Marvel in-house lettering department for two years.

Since then, Dave is now lettering regularly for DC, in addition to working with many small publishers as well. He is, without a doubt, one of the most well respected, talented, and professional letterers in the comics business.

To quote Comics Experience founder (and ex-Marvel and IDW Editor) Andy Schmidt, "Dave can teach. I've seen him do it and he taught me much while I worked at Marvel. In the first ten minutes, he taught me enough about lettering that I could talk reasonably intelligently about it with the seasoned Marvel staff. Thank you for that, Dave."

Learning how to letter can save you money on your projects and improve your storytelling. Plus, bad lettering can kill the impression your book makes! Read more about all of that right here.

Comic Book Lettering and Production with Dave Sharpe
Begins February 12, 2013!----------------------------------------------
Our courses are offered LIVE, online, and you can attend from wherever you live. You'll be able to see your instructor and his desktop, interact with your classmates, and discuss your classwork in real time. And you'll be able to communicate with your classmates all week long in a special, dedicated online forum for just you and your class.

We hope to see you in our courses or as part of our Creators Workshop community. Sign up now!

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Panels for Comic Creators at NYCC 2012 -- & CE Folks Exhibiting!

Don't forget! TOMORROW, October 11, 2012, Comics Experience will be putting on TWO panels at New York Comic Con 2012!

Our panels this year will be during the "pro hours" portion of the convention -- moderated by Andy Schmidt, Comics Experience founder, and former editor and writer at Marvel and IDW!

Pitching for Professionals
Thursday, October 11
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Location: 1A04

Speakers: Andy Schmidt, Bob Schreck, Nick Lowe, Paul Allor

When you finally have an editor willing to hear your ideas, will you be ready? From tips on how to succeed in a "bake-off" competition to how to present ideas cold, this panel will help you and your project get the green light it deserves! Listen in as former Marvel and IDW editor Andy Schmidt, Marvel Editor Nick Lowe, writer Paul Allor (TMNT Micro-Series, Clockwork), and Bob Schreck, Editor-in-Chief of Legendary Comics and former DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and IDW Publishing editor, discuss the ins-and-outs of pitching!


Surviving Collaboration
Thursday, October 11
Time: 7:45PM - 8:45PM
Location: 1A01

Speakers: Andy Schmidt, Chris Sotomayor, Paul Allor, Robert Atkins

Comics are a collaborative medium. Do you know how to bring out the best from your collaborators? Join former Marvel and IDW editor/writer Andy Schmidt, penciler Robert Atkins, colorist and former editor Chris Sotomayor, and writer Paul Allor (TMNT Micro-Series, Clockwork) as they discuss collaborative best practices, tips for writers and artists, and strategies for handling editor feedback. Become the kind of creator everyone wants to work with!

Plus, while you're at the convention, stop by the booths of these Comics Experience instructors, alums, and Creators Workshop members who will be exhibiting!

Paul Allor (signing at ComixTribe Booth 2380, Friday 12:30pm – 2:00pm)
Robert Atkins (Booth DD8)
Sean Chen (Booth C9)
Nick Dedual (Odd Truth Inc. - Booth 768)
Rich Douek (signing at ComixTribe Booth 2380, Friday 2:30pm – 4:00pm)
Shaun Noel (Standalone Productions - Booth 2147)
Brandon Seifert (Booth R5B)
Chris Sotomayor (Booth I9)

See the full details on the NYCC website, right here, and we hope to see you there!

---

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Panels for Comic Creators at NYCC 2012 -- & CE Folks Exhibiting!

In exactly one week, New York Comic Con 2012 (October 11-14) begins!

And if you're interested in making comics or breaking into the industry, then don't miss our panels on Thursday, during the "pro hours" portion of the convention -- both moderated by Andy Schmidt, Comics Experience founder, and former editor and writer at Marvel and IDW!

Pitching for Professionals
Thursday, October 11
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Location: 1A04

Speakers: Andy Schmidt, Bob Schreck, Nick Lowe, Paul Allor

When you finally have an editor willing to hear your ideas, will you be ready? From tips on how to succeed in a "bake-off" competition to how to present ideas cold, this panel will help you and your project get the green light it deserves! Listen in as former Marvel and IDW editor Andy Schmidt, Marvel Editor Nick Lowe, writer Paul Allor (TMNT Micro-Series, Clockwork), and Bob Schreck, Editor-in-Chief of Legendary Comics and former DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, and IDW Publishing editor, discuss the ins-and-outs of pitching!


Surviving Collaboration
Thursday, October 11
Time: 7:45PM - 8:45PM
Location: 1A01

Speakers: Andy Schmidt, Chris Sotomayor, Paul Allor, Robert Atkins

Comics are a collaborative medium. Do you know how to bring out the best from your collaborators? Join former Marvel and IDW editor/writer Andy Schmidt, penciler Robert Atkins, colorist and former editor Chris Sotomayor, and writer Paul Allor (TMNT Micro-Series, Clockwork) as they discuss collaborative best practices, tips for writers and artists, and strategies for handling editor feedback. Become the kind of creator everyone wants to work with!

Plus, while you're at the convention, stop by the booths of these Comics Experience instructors, alums, and Creators Workshop members who will be exhibiting!

Paul Allor (signing at ComixTribe Booth 2380, Friday 12:30pm – 2:00pm)
Robert Atkins (Booth DD8)
Sean Chen (Booth C9)
Nick Dedual (Odd Truth Inc. - Booth 768)
Rich Douek (signing at ComixTribe Booth 2380, Friday 2:30pm – 4:00pm)
Shaun Noel (Standalone Productions - Booth 2147)
Brandon Seifert (Booth R5B)
Chris Sotomayor (Booth I9)

See the full details on the NYCC website, right here, and we hope to see you there!

---

If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
Twitter / Facebook

Baltimore Comic Con 2012 - Comics Experience Report

Baltimore Comic Con 2012 was another big success for Comics Experience alums and Workshop members, and a great time as well.

Our second annual Baltimore "Comics Experience Meet-Up" happened Saturday night at Tír Na nóg.

More than twenty people showed up to talk comics (and more) including alums/Workshop members Chris Lewis, Elizabeth-Amber Love, Gannon Beck, George O'Connor, James Babbo, Janine & Ken Frederick, Joe Sergi, Joey Groah, Neil Fisher, Nick Dedual, Rich Douek, Rob Anderson, Ryan Murray, and Scott Dubin.

After the meet-up, some folks headed to other locations, including the Hyatt Bar. CE alum Amy Chu was there, post-Harvey Awards ceremony, and even filed her own "Convention Bar Report" after the fact on The Beat. You can read her report right here: On the Scene: Baltimore Comic-Con Night -- Part I.

Another highlight of the convention for many members was Tom Brevoort's Marvel Boot Camp panel.

For two hours, Tom shared the presentation he gives to new Marvel Editors each year. This was the first time the session had ever been given outside of Marvel, and attendees were asked to purchase tickets to benefit the Hero Initiative.

It was a very informative session and more than ten pages of comprehensive notes on the session are now available to our Creators Workshop members in our "Convention Panel Notes" thread. (You can see a screen capture from our forums of that topic and a few others below.)

Finally, the convention was a success for our members exhibiting at the show, with heavy crowds through most of the weekend. Some members were exhibiting at a con for the first time, while others are old pros at the convention circuit. One member, Chris Lewis, travelled all the way from Germany to debut his new comic, Drones!

Other Comics Experience-related exhibitors included Comics Experience coloring instructor Chris Sotomayor, Joe Sergi (Aliens Among Us), George O'Connor (Healed), Joey Groah and Gannon Beck (both of Space Corps), Amy Chu (Girls' Night Out), and James Babbo (The Moses Militia).

To check out more information on all these projects, including trailers and cover art, check out our pre-convention blog right here!

Thanks to all our members who attended the meet-up. It was great seeing everyone!

Hope to see you at our next Meet-Up at NYCC 2012...

---

If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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CE Alums Exhibiting at Baltimore Comic Con 2012!

Baltimore Comic Con 2012 is this weekend, September 8-9, 2012, and a bunch of Comics Experience alums and Creators Workshop members will be attending and exhibiting!

In addition, we'll be holding a Comics Experience Meet-Up on Saturday night. If you're an alum and don't have the details, drop an email to rob@ComicsExperience.com.

Here's a run-down of some of the CE folks exhibiting at Baltimore!

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Comics Experience Coloring Instructor, Chris "Soto" Sotomayor will be exhibiting at Artists Alley table A231.

Stop by to watch Soto coloring before your eyes (that guy is always working) or chat him up about his Intro to Comic Book Coloring and Advanced Comic Book Coloring courses!

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CE alum and Workshop member, Chris Lewis, will be flying in all the way from Germany for the convention to premiere his new comic book Drones.

Drones is described as "The War on Terror - Now Playing in Las Vegas!"

Chris was recently interviewed on Liberation Frequency, where he discussed Drones and the impact of Comics Experience on his work.

Check out the comic book trailer below or visit www.epigamics.com for more info.

Chris will be exhibiting at the Epigamics table -- A5 -- in Artists Alley.

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CE alum and Workshop member Joe Sergi will be exhibiting, showing off the latest Elevator Pitch Press anthology, Aliens Among Us.

Joe was a writing contributor as well as editor of the book, along with numerous other Comics Experience writing, art, and lettering alums and Workshop members -- including the cover shown by CE art alum, DaFu Yu.

You can read more about Joe and his work (including his regular column for the CBLDF) on his website: www.joesergi.net.

Joe will be exhibiting in Artists Alley at table A105.

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CE alum and Workshop member George O'Connor will be exhibiting, showing off his now-completed 5-issue miniseries Healed. In Healed, when all life-threatening diseases and illnesses are suddenly cured, it leaves confusion and chaos in its wake.

Reviewer Blair Butler of Fresh Ink Online and G4TV wrote it's "Fun, West Wing-type dialogue and I love the stories at play here."

An 8-page preview is available at www.homelesscomics.com and here's a brand new video preview:

You can find George at the Homeless Comics table -- A92 in Artists Alley.

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CE alums and Workshop members Joey Groah and Gannon Beck (also on our staff as our new Art Moderator!) will be premiering the zero issue of the book Space Corps.

Gannon publishes and provides all interior art (as well as some stories), while Joey has also written a story inside. Space Corps is an ongoing comic series which gives the account of a platoon of Space Marines fighting in a planet-hopping campaign in an intergalactic war.

You can get more information on the website: www.spacecorpscomic.com

You can find Gannon and Joey at table A253 in Artists Alley.

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CE alum and Workshop member Amy Chu will be offering her short story collection Girls' Night Out as well as CE alum Georgia Lee's scifi thriller Meridien.

Girls' Night Out is a collection of short stories written by Amy, each with different artistic teams. Georgia’s Meridien City follows a space detective in a world where the upper class dominates the only habitable living space on the planet.

You can read more about all their projects at http://alphagirlcomics.wordpress.com/


You can find Amy at table A253 in Artists Alley with Gannon and Joey!

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CE alum and Workshop member James Babbo will be debuting his new comic, The Moses Militia.

The Moses Militia is set during World War II, where four Jewish soldiers are determined to stop a Nazi alchemist’s plan to kill Winston Churchill with the undead. And it's set in Nazi occupied Casablanca!

The cover features work by Bill Wylie, Mark McKenna and our coloring instructor Chris Sotomayor. You can read more about the project right here!

You can find James at table A-56 in Artists Alley!

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Best of luck to all our alums attending and/or exhibiting at Baltimore Comic Con!

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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Into to Comic Book Coloring begins 9/3! Only a couple slots remaining!

In less than one week -- on Monday, September 3, 2012 -- the six-week online course Introduction to Comic Book Coloring begins with instructor Chris "Soto" Sotomayor!

We only have a couple spots left in the class, so sign up now if you'd like to join the course!

Chris Sotomayor (aka Soto) is a professional colorist on countless Marvel titles, including Spider-Man, X-Men, The Avengers, Daredevil, Captain America, Hulk, and many others, as well as working on titles for DC Comics, Image Comics and Humanoids.

In this six-week intensive class for colorists, you'll learn all the necessary tools and tricks for not only coloring with Photoshop, but also how to tell great stories through color. You’ll get access to all the tools of the trade, tips on how to break in, and you’ll be working with Chris on the pages you color for the class.

Below, we're republishing a guest blog by Soto where he discussed the Intro to Coloring class. We hope to see you there!

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Guest Blog by Chris Sotomayor
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Before I start this guest blog about how awesome my coloring class is, and why it's better than any of the other Comics Experience classes (D'oh! I can hear the typing of angry e-mails from Andy, Rob, and Dave), I'd like to quickly explain how it got off the ground.

Andy already had Comics Experience off to a good start by the time he and I first started fantasizing about how to expand it to include a coloring class. Our first brainstorming session found more hurdles than solutions, but Andy and I share two important things (besides our love of good comics, which I guess would make it three things):

1. Sharing knowledge;
2. Innovating.

When Andy made the move from New York to San Diego, it became apparent to us that technology was going to be the missing link to proper expansion. With that, Andy and I came up with Comics Experience's best first online class (the one that started it all) -- Introduction to Comic Book Coloring.

We designed the class with slightly differing, but complementary, goals. Andy wanted a coloring class that he would be excited to take, and would instruct anyone in the steps necessary to coloring a complete piece from the ground up.

I wanted to design a class that was an art class first and foremost (seeing as how my background is in illustration), in order to properly teach how to use the computer as a tool, because I want to see good art and good comics.

What we came up with was one bad-ass class that's an unmatched experience in comparison to anything else available. It's completely interactive and in real time -- meaning that any time you have a question (or want to discuss a particular topic) during any of the 2-hour sessions, you can ask it and get an immediate answer. (Ever try to ask one of those DVD tutorials a question?)

We've had students from all over the U.S. (and the world) enjoy a carefully crafted curriculum that teaches the art of painting and color using Adobe PhotoShop as the tool of choice. Every student comes in with a different skill level--some already professional working artists, and some never having used PhotoShop before. And everyone comes out having learned way more than they thought possible.

Students complete homework assignments using sample artwork from the top comic book publishers, all in an effort to complete a fully realized portfolio at the end of the 6-week course. But one of the best things about the course is the supplement of the private-access forum, where the discussion and learning can continue far past the 2-hour weekly session. Plus, first-time members get one month's free access to the very popular Comics Experience Creator's Workshop, which is a great place to hone your skills and discuss comics, creativity, and art with all the other Workshop members.

Everything that's packed into this class makes it as exciting to teach as it is to take. I've had many students contact me after the course is over, or meet me at conventions, and tell me how fun and informative the class has been. Some have even contacted me to tell me about the paid coloring work they were able to get, based on their completed coloring portfolio.

But be warned: I'm very honest in the class--sometimes to a fault (but not my fault). I don't pull punches, but I do name names. This is a no-nonsense class where your feelings may be hurt, but you will make good art in the process.

Above all else, I enjoy working in comics. It's exciting and rewarding, and I love the idea of sharing my love of comic books, art, and the business side of it all.

-Soto

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The next session of the live, online Introduction to Comic Book Coloring class begins September 3, 2012. Enrollment is still open, but seats are limited, so sign up now!

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If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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