CCA’s Summer Atelier offers students who will have completed the ninth grade by June 2013 a chance to immerse themselves in art making. Students hone their skills, learn new techniques, and meet other students from around the Bay Area who share an interest in art.

This three-week, all-day program is held Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Morning classes meet 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Afternoon classes meet 1:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. A one-hour break is provided for lunch.

CCA is pleased to offer two sections of Summer Atelier: One section will take place on our Oakland campus; another on our San Francisco campus.

Two Campuses, Two Approaches

The Oakland campus program (see below) allows participants to explore graphic novel writing and illustration.

Students participating in the San Francisco program explore drawing and painting.

Both programs conclude with an exhibition of the students’ work in the Isabel Percy West (IPW) Gallery (Oakland) and the Nave (San Francisco).

Enrollment in each section is limited to 16 students.

Summer Atelier is a noncredit, nonresidential program. Participants do not receive a grade; however, a letter will be sent in August that acknowledges their program participation. Housing is not available.

Oakland Program

July 8–26, 2013

Graphic Novel Workshop
15 sessions
Instructor: Star St. Germain

This innovative summer program is designed for students who want to learn what it takes to write and draw comic books, manga, and graphic novels. The program offers students the opportunity to develop a short comic, while working to create a distinct and personal illustrative style.

Because comics and graphic novels are made of equal parts visual art and writing, students cover a wide range of concepts throughout the course. The class discusses creating an effective narrative and how to present a story using images. Both traditional media and digital drawing tools are used, so students have a wide breadth of options when developing a preferred toolset.

Students learn how to turn their written story concepts into dynamic page layouts that emphasize story structure, character progression, dramatic tension, action, humor, and more.

Other topics covered include: creating complex characters, developing interesting dialogue, panel construction, inking, lettering, post-production, publishing, and promotion.

While a portion of class time is devoted to drawing from life, comic art styles vary dramatically from artist to artist. Even students with only basic visual art skills can make dynamic, compelling comics while strengthening their ability to tell a story through written language.

Students also learn about self-publishing techniques in print and online.  The class discusses how to print work, as well as how to set up a basic website where students can publish digitally.  

By studying published graphic novels of various genres, developing a basic skill set for creating comics, and partnering with visiting guest speakers, students will find themselves well on their way to producing a graphic novel of their own.

San Francisco Program

July 22–August 9, 2013

Morning Session

Explorations in Drawing
15 sessions
Instructor: Chris West

Students work with their instructor to explore the rich materials, concepts, and techniques of drawing. Several sessions focus on drawing from a nude model, while others investigate both traditional and nontraditional approaches to various subjects, including nature, architecture, and abstraction.

Participants develop their ability to see and then translate visual experience into drawing. Focus is on how to use form, light, space, scale, and proportions to create strong compositions. Participants interpret their personal visions using pencil, charcoal, pastel, and other media.

In addition, guest artists visit the class to present their work and discuss being an artist. Students also get the opportunity to visit a local art space.

Afternoon Session

Painters Studio
15 sessions
Instructor: TBA

While focusing on creative image making in a variety of painting media, students in this course are encouraged to take risks on their way to artistic discovery. Covering multiple aspects of the painter's studio, topics range from stretching canvases and preparing surfaces for painting (such as wood and paper) to using nontraditional means to apply paint.

Daily demonstrations of materials and specific application processes help build a vocabulary of techniques, while allowing students to experiment and develop a personal painting style.

Back to top