Manga Masterclass

Sonia Leong, a seasoned manga artist with a rich portfolio of work, will guide participants through an in-depth exploration of the art of manga creation. From understanding the origins of manga to mastering intricate details like character hair, face-shapes, effective page layouts, and speech bubble placement, this masterclass is designed to equip attendees with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills.

This workshop is suitable for both beginners to more experienced artists looking to enhance their skills, from aged 16+

What to Expect:

1. Origins of Manga: Sonia will delve into the history and evolution of manga, providing participants with a foundational understanding of this unique art form.

2. Character Design: Gain insights into crafting compelling characters with a focus on intricate details such as hair and face-shapes. Learn tips and tricks to bring your characters to life.

3. Page Layouts: Explore the art of creating visually engaging page layouts. Understand how to maintain flow and captivate readers with dynamic compositions.

4. Speech Bubble Placement: Learn the subtle nuances of placing speech bubbles effectively to enhance storytelling and maintain a seamless reading experience.

5. Personalised Feedback: Throughout the masterclass, Sonia will provide personalised feedback, Q&A and advice to participants, ensuring a tailored learning experience.

• Date: Sunday January 21st
• Time: 14:00 – 17:00
• Location: The Story Museum Link Room
• Equipment - Participants should bring pencils, drawing paper and pens.

£40 per person (£20 for students)

About Sonia Leong:

Sonia Leong is a highly regarded manga artist, known for her unique style and storytelling prowess. Sonia has contributed to numerous manga projects and is dedicated to sharing her knowledge with aspiring artists.

Sonia’s first graphic novel was Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (SelfMadeHero). Her awards include Young Adult Library Services Association "2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers" and "Best Books for Young Adults 2008" for Romeo and Juliet; she was Winner in Tokyopop's first UK Rising Stars of Manga competition (2005/06) and Winner in NEO Magazine's 2005 Manga Competition.

Sonia works in other fields such as design, film and tv, fashion and advertising. She has featured in Wacom-Europe's Manga campaign, the British movie Popcorn (2007), CNN International, BBC News, BBC Sport, BBC Bitesize, CBBC's Britain's Best Young Artist, Channel 4's The IT Crowd and Flowers; her work has featured in promotional campaigns such Toyota Aygo, GT86 and Toyota Racing, the fashion label Preen by Thornton Bregazzi SS20 collection and Marie Claire Runway.

She is the Director of Sweatdrop Studios, a UK comic collaborative and independent publisher. Her works with Sweatdrop include Once Upon a Time, Love Stuffing, Aya Takeo, A Brush With Magic, and A Spell Of Scarlet as well as chapters in the anthologies Sugardrops, Pink Is For Girls, Drop Dead Monstrous, Talking To Strangers, Telling Tales, Shimmering Drop and Swords, Ships and Suplexes.

She has authored numerous instructional art books such as Illustration Studio: Drawing Manga Heroes and Heroines, Illustration Studio: Beginning Manga (both with Walter Foster), Manga Your World, Draw Manga: Complete Skills (both with Search Press) and 101 Top Tips from Professional Manga Artists (Barrons).

Sonia has been teaching Manga workshops since 2004, beginning with lectures at the Artist and Illustrators Magazine Exhibition. Since then, she’s spoken at the Hay Festival, Latitude Festival, the British Museum, the British Library, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Oxford Story Museum and London County Hall, along with many comic convention appearances and school visits around the world.