My three-day comics workshop at the China Academy of Art has come to an end, and I've realized that I actually really enjoy teaching! Maybe it's because I simply love sharing. Spending time in a campus surrounded by mountains, talking about comics with a group of young people who are passionate about the medium—it doesn't get much better than that!
On the first day, I asked the students to illustrate haiku. I'm sure Shinsuke Sumihara and Kobayashi Issa would have enjoyed seeing these drawings. (I actually think this has the potential to become a publishing project—inviting cartoonists to turn haiku into comics.)
On the second day, the students had just one day to create a comic based on a given prompt. I prepared a long list of keywords to choose from, including *transparent*, *building blocks*, and *unknown creature*. Even with such limited time, they exceeded my expectations. Some students were drawing until 2 a.m.—their dedication was incredible!
The works were all completely different in style, and each explored the theme from a unique perspective. It reminded me how rewarding teaching can be.
My heartfelt thanks to Professor Ruan Yunting for this wonderful opportunity and for all her kindness and support. I gained so much from these days at the China Academy of Art, and I hope to see everyone again soon! 😸
