Art for Kids: Comic Strips: Create Your Own Comic Strips from Start to Finish [Hardcover]

Art Roche (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Series: Art for Kids

Kids love comic strips…and now they can devise their own imaginative illustrations and stories with the help of a professional artist who designs for the Cartoon Network. He provides advice on the basic tools and materials; demonstrates how to construct bodies and faces; explains how to come up with appealing characters and build an ensemble cast; and provides ideas for fine-tuning the finished work with proper inking techniques, shading, and color use. There are loads of practical tips and hands-on activities to hone technique, along with tutorials on writing jokes. Plus, Roche gives the low-down on the big business of comic strips, including suggestions for getting published. To top it off, readers watch as the author produces a brand-new strip, from start to finish.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–Many books describe the writing and drawing process for graphic novels, but this one sets itself apart by explaining how to create a three-panel comic strip from start to finish. The author includes advice on getting story ideas, sketching jokes, layout and design, adding color, and getting feedback. The bright, dynamic layout includes full-color illustrations. The writing is clear and concise so that after completing the book, readers will feel confident to branch out on their own. Roche is mindful of his young audience as he directs them to the Internet, warning them to ask a parent before going online. An excellent addition.–Esther Keller, I.S. 278, Marine Park, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Art Roche is the creative director for Smart Bomb Interactive, a game development company in Salt Lake City. Prior to that, Mr. Roche was the creative director for Cartoon Network's new media department. He is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and creator of the daily comic strip Lotto Otto and the animated series Nacho Bear (Cartoon Network). --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (January 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579907881
• ISBN-13: 978-1579907884
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > Cartooning

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discourse Structure for Comics, January 25, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Art for Kids: Comic Strips: Create Your Own Comic Strips from Start to Finish (Hardcover)

What I love about this book is the very explicit process given for making a strip. Kids can learn how to draw cartoon pictures from lots of books about cartooning; but how often do you read about story formula? This book helps a young writer add a sidekick, outsider or antagonist to his main character, asks specific questions to define the characters ("How would each character react to someone cutting in line in front of him?") and even outlines steps to make a joke. Roche's book would make a great textbook for a 6th or 7th grade class. My 11-year-old loves it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book!, April 8, 2007

By 

John Sheppard (Hoschton, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Art for Kids: Comic Strips: Create Your Own Comic Strips from Start to Finish (Hardcover)

I just finished the book and it was great. It starts with the basics and logically takes one thru the creative process of making a comic strip. The combination of Roche's words and pictures drive his ponts home. You really get into the sample strip he creates in the book. I would recommend to any budding artist or cartoonist.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique, December 12, 2009

By 

Albert E. (New Haven, CT) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Art for Kids: Comic Strips: Create Your Own Comic Strips from Start to Finish (Hardcover)

What sets this book apart from other cartooning books is that the author does not stop with a drawing lesson. This book truly does attempt to cover plot, story lines, etc. so that a child can create a comic strip of his or her own. This book also helped me understand what goes into creating a comic and the different types of comic strips that are out there. A worthwhile investment for any child interested in cartooning.