Laneway Learning and artist Emilie Walsh have partnered to run Glow Comics Trails: an art trail by Melbourne comics artists featuring glow-in-the-dark easter eggs for you to find!

As part of the event, Laneway Learning is offering the selected artists an opportunity to run a beginner workshop with us! A special opportunity to meet Melbourne comics artists and have them share their creative journey with you!

An Introduction To Yonkoma Manga

Yonkoma (literally, "four-cell") Manga, also known as 4-Koma, is a specific format of short manga comic that consists of four panels arranged vertically top to bottom, beginning to end.

In this class we’ll explore the structure of yonkoma manga and brainstorm our own story ideas that lean in to this short four-panel format. We'll also try out some comic exercises to get the ideas and pen flowing.

At the end of the class you’ll have a four-panel comic and a bunch of tools to build on as you venture further into the world of comic making. Kapow!

Your teacher Mek loves all things story and is currently writing a novel-length magical realism manuscript in the kishōtenketsu structure that underpins traditional yonkoma manga. She is a big believer in having fun, learning new techniques and exploring the myriad ways to tell a story.

No drawing or writing experience is necessary. All materials provided. Just come and have a great time!

What will we cover?

This class will cover:

An introduction to yonkoma manga
The four-act story structure behind yonkoma manga
Brainstorming story ideas
Learn by doing – comic exercises
Practical steps to develop your comic making skills

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible venue
All gender bathrooms
Discounted Early Bird Tickets
Free Tickets for First Nation Attendees
Auslan Interpreted Upon Request

Who will be teaching?

Mek (she/her) is a writer, editor, comic maker and student of professional writing and editing at RMIT. She is the editorial director of WordOSaurus, a writing and editing service. Mek has been published in The Big Issue and was programmed into the Emerging Writers’ Festival’s 2023 online comic exhibition, Wayward Trance, with her four-panel comic, The Persistence of Alarms.

Important info:

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Terms and conditions

FAQ

More about accessibility

Image: Jon Delorey 'Manga' on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/...

Questions about the class or other ways we can assist with accessibility? Just email us at melbourne@lanewaylearning.com