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FALL CLASSES FOR KIDS, TEENS AND ADULTS: REGISTRATION IS OPEN. ENROLL NOW!
10-16 yrs Graphic Novels and Manga
ONILINE / IN-STUDIO
MANGA (10-16 yrs)
2 hours weekly,
online: $180 monthly
in-studio: $200 monthly
Students use their own tablets or laptops. Sibling 15% off
If you find yourself doodling characters and comics on your off time, and if you like visual novels and animated series, this is the place for you! Join in on a cozy group-oriented setting with themed design challenges and an interactive environment. The class consists of a basic overview lecture of various topics - composition, color choice, panelling & storytelling, and anatomy practice - as well as additional one-on-one tips and critiques on the current works-in-progress.
Basics of Anatomy -- CONSTRUCTION AND CIRCLES
Will be a with-the-class demo as well as examples, possibly bring books + printouts for students
Male and female? Is the basics.
Different bodytypes and varying proportion
REALLY… BASIC… MUSCLE STUFF…. Super basic, holds head in hands...
Silhouette - analyzing what we like about existing characters, and creating diversity in designs
Powerpoint with a few popular examples.
Use of symbolism? Cite examples -- excellent sources in animated features is Hosoda Mamoru and
Satoshi Kon. Create a ‘symbolic element’ for character.
Character Perspective, revisit proportions.
Environment Perspective
Composition first: perspective, if needed.
Trying to emulate: a crowded classroom, a subway, a market square, etc.
Just be able to actually make an environment layout
Following class: LIGHTING
Lighting
Bring examples of work
Bounce light, mood and tone.
Draw same environment at day, dusk, and night
PROPS : Modes of transportation : Cars, bikes, carriages, spaceships, etc.
VALUE as a design tool.
Medium 1: inks? >>include inkwash, may need thicker paper + use of brushes.
The use of Color in design and in composition.
Use only ONE color in work, for showing something extremely important, the rest is B+W
How color affects mood and tone.
Panelling
Go over panelling basics.
How to’s with speech bubbles, breaking up phrasing.
Composition.
Film language with different framing heights.
Projects / Ideas
Creating a character
Creating a world
Prompt! “Create a design based on the word:”
Character Turnaround - in preparation for!
Everyone draws each other’s characters.
Analysis of characters: flaws and quirks, and cliches.
Create a one-page excerpt of a comic.
Student requests?
Payments and make ups:
The payments for ongoing classes are either per semester (available only before the semester starts) or monthly, with automatic monthly charge. Monthly payment is collected on the same day each month and the billing starts either on the day of the first class of semester (if you signed up before the start of the semester) or on the day of the registration. Payment for the last month of the semester is prorated, if less than 4 classes fall into last billing cycle. Our registration is for the whole semester, even if you choose the monthly payments. In case you decide to discontinue the classes before the end of the semester, please let us know 30 days ahead of time, and we will stop the auto-payment. Payments are made through our secure online registration system which accepts all major credit cards. We do not have access to your credit card information. You can make up a missed class on another day when we offer the same age/skill group class. The make-up class should be arranged in advance, no drop-ins. Limit 2 make-up classes per month. Make-up classes are subject to the availability of space in a similar class. We reserve the right not to provide make-up classes or terminate the class enrollment for repeating truancy. We do not provide refunds for ongoing classes tuition, courses or camps payments. However, full credit towards future booking or transfer to another camp/course will be offered for any cancellations made up to 24hrs before the camp or course starts. Ongoing classes can be canceled with a 30 days prior notice. If you paid for the full semester, the remaining amount can be used towards future bookings. Monthly payments will be stopped 30 days after we received your cancellation note.
Fall 2026 semester:
First Day of Classes: August 31st, 2026 (Monday)
No Classes September 5th (Saturday) - 7th (Monday) - Labor Day weekend
No Class October 31st, 2026 (Saturday) - Halloween
No Classes November 23rd (Monday) - 29th (Sunday) - Thanksgiving break
Last Day of Classes: December 18th, 2026 (Friday)
Location | Day & Time | Class Teacher | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
Materials we provide for in-studio classes,
and recommend for the online lessons:
Paint:
- set of acrylic paint (at least these colors - black, white. red. blue. yellow, green. brown, orange, purple). Recommended brand - Basics by Liquitex
- watercolor paint, preferably in dry pans form. Recommended brand - Artist’s Loft by Michaels
Set of soft pastels. Recommended brand - Artist’s Loft by Michaels
Drawing Medium:
- regular HB pencil
- eraser
- optional: set of graphite pencils of different softness (2H, H, B, 2B, 4B etc)
- colored pencils. Recommended brand - Prismacolor
- optional: markers. Recommended brand - Copics
- liners or sharpie pens.
Tools:
- brushes - flat and round (pointy). Use separate brushes for acrylic and watercolor paint.
- wooden clay sculpting tools
- paper plates for mixing paint
- water bucket or cup
- scissors
- glue stick
Clay:
- Air-dry clay - white. Recommended brand - Crayola
- Oven baked clay - white. Recommended brand - Sculpey
- Modeling clay - multiple colors. Recommended brand - Claytoon
Surfaces:
- painting boards or mixed media paper, 8’’x10'’ or bigger - good for acrylic paint, coloring pencils, markers and graphite pencils.
- canvases, 8’’x10’’ or bigger - for acrylic paint only
- watercolor paper, 8’’x10’’ or bigger - for watercolor paint
- sketchbook or loose sketch paper (printing paper is ok) - any size
- construction paper (multiple colors), 11’’x14’’ or bigger
Testimonials:
My daughter takes online Manga classes with John DePianto and her skills have exponentially grown. John is patient and very professional with his style of teaching and encouragement. I highly recommend this program.
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I took Manga drawing classes with Andrew during the Fall '23 semester. I didn't hesitate when my Dad asked if I wanted to sign up again. Andrew is very talented, he can make awesome drawings in no time. He is a good teacher who sees and corrects my drawings' flaws. Plus he is fun to work with.
San Jose, CA
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