Poetry Comics: Haiku Autumn with David
This is a poetry comics class for autumn, which is a perfect time for writing haiku. Writing poetry helps comics artists know and use words better. Drawing short comics can free up possibilities for poets. Writing haiku is a way of improving our mindfulness and relationship with the world.
We will write haiku poems and then make them into short comics of roughly 3 or 4 panels. We’ll meet online for seven Sunday sessions. Each time we will look at notable examples of both haiku and cartooning by established masters. The instructor will teach comics-making techniques in each session. A prompt will be given to get you started writing a haiku. Then a separate prompt will be given to help you draw your poem as a short haiku comic. We’ll spend some time writing and drawing together. The instructor will also briefly go over subjects ranging from aspects of Japanese history, to literary translation, to manga and comic books.
Students will be able to share their work privately online, if they wish, to receive instructor and classmate feedback. All skill levels are welcome.
Seattle writer-artist David Lasky co-authored the graphic novel Carter Family: Don’t Forget This Song, which won comics’ Eisner Award in 2013. His goal as a graphic novelist has been to push the boundaries of the medium. He regularly explores new possibilities in informational comics, abstract comics, and poetry comics. Sometimes his comics are even comical. David has been a graphic novel instructor for over 15 years, and has focused primarily on teaching haiku comics for the past two years.
Recommended Supplies: Pencils, erasers, writing paper, drawing paper, a ruler.
Optional Supplies: Inking pens, brush pen, watercolors, brushes, watercolor paper, colored pencils.
This class is recommended for students 18 and up.
When: This 7-session class will take place on Sundays from 1-2 pm on the following dates:
- October 15
- October 22
- November 5
- November 12
- November 19
- December 3
- December 10
Where: We will gather remotely on Zoom.
