A Short Video about James Gurney, his work, and his creative process. Gurney is one of the most accomplished living illustrators, and is the creator of the Dinotopia book series as well as a concept artist and painter.
This is a (sadly no longer active) youtube channel that makes shortish, easy to understand and entertaining video essays about different concepts in cinematography, editing, composition, storytelling, and other aspects of filmmaking. Many of the concepts discussed in their videos can be applied to comics as well, with a little adaptation and adjustment. This channel is also just a really great watch if you like movies and want to learn more about how storytelling in film is constructed.
Strip Panel Naked is a very poorly named but quite good youtube channel by a pro comics letterer, where he talks about the techniques and thought process behind making comics.
Urasawa Naoki no Manben (which translates to something like Naoki Urasawa’s Manga Exertions)
Documentaries about comics artists are not very common, unfortunately, but this Japanese TV show is a fantastic exception to that, and luckily a bunch of it has been given subtitles by fans. In this show, Japanese comic artist Naoki Urasawa (known for his manga Pluto, 20th Century Boys, and Monster) visits various pro manga authors and interviews them about their working process, their studio practice, creative process, etc. Lots of great insights and examples of technique from some of Japan’s best comics artists, as well as footage of them drawing. Even if you aren’t normally into manga, it's worth giving this a look.
If you want to learn more outside of class, check these out. You may be able to find them at a library. Some material from these will show up occasionally in class.
General Illustration:
Imaginative Realism: How to Paint What Doesn't Exist by James Gurney
Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter by James Gurney
These two are fantastic books on technique and process by one of the greatest living illustrators. The general advice about drawing, painting, and concepting here is super valuable for nearly all forms of illustration. Lessons from these books can be applied no matter what your skill level or artistic style is, many of them apply to image-making in general.
Comics:
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud
Making Comics by Scott McCloud
These two books are great, in-depth introductions to the theory and technique that can go into comics. Since these books are themselves are drawn and written in comic form, they’re a unique and effective way to talk about how comics work. Some feel McCloud is too prescriptive, or too limited in his conception of art, but it’s a great place to start, and he explains complex abstract concepts of semiotics, storytelling, and art theory in simple, easy to understand terms.
Perspective! for Comic Artists by David Chelsea
This is a how-to on perspective, drawn in the form of a comic. Contains a ton of advice about how perspective can be effectively used in comics, with easy to understand examples. If you struggle with perspective, as many do, then I highly recommend giving this a shot.
Drawing Words and Writing Pictures: Making Comics: Manga, Graphic Novels, and Beyond by Jessica Abel and Matt Madden.
This is a good book for teaching yourself about comics. Takes the form of 15 lessons but can also be valuable just as something to read through and pick and choose bits to try out.