More about artist Aimee valentine:

Aimee Valentine is a multidisciplinary artist and scholar who has been making and publishing comics for over a decade. From mini comics to long form graphic novels, she works with traditional tools like pen and paper as well as digital tools such as an iPad and Procreate. Aimee has several book chapters published about the benefits of comics in the classroom, and she also teaches comics each semester to students at Texas Tech University. Many say it's their favorite project, even if they've never drawn one before! Comics are about storytelling, so if you can draw a stick figure, you can make a comic!!   

My approach to teaching art—especially comics—is all about making creativity accessible and showing students that everyone is already an artist and storyteller. I’ve been making comics for decades, and one of the reasons I love sharing this art form with students is that it’s so easy to dive into, with materials they probably already have. A wonderful comic can be made and shared with a single sheet of paper and a pencil. It’s inexpensive and yet comics hold great potential for self-expression.

In my workshop, I’ll show participants that comics are not only fun and flexible but a powerful way to share their unique voices. Comics combine visual art and storytelling, so even the simplest line drawing can convey big ideas, emotions, or humor. To get students comfortable and excited, I start by passing around a variety of physical comics—some funny, some serious, and everything in between—so they see there’s no “right” way to make a comic. From there, we’ll explore basic techniques: sketching, laying out panels, character creation, and adding ink or color, all while giving space for them to try their own ideas.

Check out more about aimee here!