Amiens: an initiation to comics workshop at the Musée de Picardie

First, Dominique Zay presents his job to 8 girls and boys registered at the workshop of the day, this Wednesday, August 18th. He writes the stories of these comic strips, makes a first sketch, then he lets the designer put his story into images. Then, for a first exercise, he takes his students for an afternoon in front of one of the paintings in the Musée de Picardie, the one where a woman is at the bedside of a bedridden man. After a few explanations and observations, all these little people return to the room where the workshop is located. It’s time to draw.

Dominique Zay, author in particular of the investigations of Philippine Lomara detective comic for teenagers, passes through the ranks, giving advice and indications to his perhaps future colleagues: “You see if the head was there, the arms here…” Constance, 12, appreciates the presence of the author: “It’s been a year since I started drawing again, it’s nice to see authors who do this, it’s not often.” He gave me advice on the bubble, on the title, I like it”continues Simon, 9 years old.

For Dominique Zay, this is an opportunity to pass on his knowledgebut also to learn: “It allows me to clarify my job, which is not easy because I’m a bit in my corner, I do a wild job. So it’s good to explain what I do and why I do it. And then it allows me to have contact with the younger generation. Because at the same time that they make their drawings, they say things about themselves, about their age, their concerns…” Everyone leaves at the end of the workshop with the drawing made during the afternoon, but perhaps also the desire to one day also become a comic book author.

The next and last workshop with author Anne-Claire Giraudet will take place on Thursday August 25, at the Musée de Picardie, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Registration required but free.