Graphic Memoir

With Mel Gillman

Date: June 15-19, 2026

Time: 9:30am-4:30pm (ET)

Tuition: $1100

Ages: 18+

Venue: White River Junction, VT

Description:

Need that kicker to get started on telling your personal story through comics? Eisner and Ignatz award-nominated graphic novelist Mel Gillman ’12 will walk you through the basics of writing and drawing your graphic memoir — from brainstorming, to scripting, to drawing, to publishing. Topics to be covered include narrative building, developing a unique personal voice and visual style, and effective pitching and publishing practices for graphic memoirs.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Learn how to create tightly written, compelling, and well-characterized memoir narratives

  • Get insights on how to publish, pitch, and share your memoir with audiences

  • Create finished pages of comics and receive feedback from both instructors and classmates

Required Materials:

Supplies as Recommended by Mel Gillman
  • Pencils & erasers
  • Assorted drawing pens (any variety)
  • A ruler
  • Scratch paper (cheap drawing paper or computer paper is fine)
  • A pack of Bristol board, 9×12 or larger size — smooth if you want to work mostly in pens/ink/markers, vellum if you want to work mostly in pencils/colored pencils/etc.
  • A whiteout pen
  • Coloring supplies/markers (optional)
  • If you work exclusively digitally, many of these items will not be required
OPTIONAL SUPPLIES

An online shopping list of suggested supplies, based on supplies we would normally have available during an on-site CCS workshop. Most of these brands and supplies can be found at other retailers, both online and in-store.

https://www.dickblick.com/lists/wishlist/TK68851BLPQEW/items/

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3H3H0R5NH9EF9?ref_=wl_share

Additional information:

Optional for-credit: Workshop can be taken for 2 undergraduate credits. Please check with the Program Chair or Registrar at your college or university before registering to see if the credits will be accepted. To enroll for-credit, students must select the additional for-credit tuition of $400 at registration and have an official transcript from their current institution sent to: Registrar The Center for Cartoon Studies PO Box 125 White River Junction, VT 05001

Refund policy: Tuition is refundable up until 3 weeks prior to the first day of the workshop, minus a $50 fee and any fees assessed by processor. Tuition is non-refundable after that date.

ALS

 

 

 

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