***NEW*** Drawing Books and Comics for Kids with Marianna Smith

Wednesdays, October 21, 2026 – November 11, 2026, 5:00 pm-6:30pm

Course overview: In this course, students will learn how to draw and paint their own children’s books and comics. Project examples include storyboards, character designs, and book mockups. We’ll explore materials such as pencil, colored pencil, watercolor, and acrylic. The instructor will have basic materials on hand. Students should have the following materials on hand, which can be purchased at Michaels or online:

Materials list:

1. Recommended size: 8”x10” or larger
2. H, HB, and B pencils. Recommended brands: Faber-Castell, Staedtler
3. Handheld pencil sharpener
4. Recommended brand: Staedtler Mars Plastic Eraser
5. Prismacolor Premier Soft Core Colored Pencil Set, 12-count
6. Watercolor pan. Recommended brand: Prang 8-color set
7. Acrylic paint tubes in the colors cadmium red hue, ultramarine blue, cadmium yellow medium hue, and white. Recommended brands: Artist’s Loft (student-grade, budget-friendly), Winsor and Newton (middle of the road), Golden (highest quality)
8. A few synthetic brushes of various shapes and sizes

Instructor: Marianna Smith is a published children’s book illustrator and art educator. Her illustrator debut children’s book, There’s the Rub: The Hidden World of Friction, written by scientist Ainissa Ramirez, will be published by Charlesbridge in February 2027. Marianna has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration. She has three years of undergraduate teaching experience and two years of high school teaching experience. She’s also taught several K-12 art camps. Her work has garnered recognition from The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles and the iJungle awards. Her work has also been shortlisted by Communication Arts and was featured at ICON13. Marianna loves to help kids bring their characters and stories to life through their drawings.