A Cartoonist Workshop with Gavin Thomson – discovering comics, characters and caricature!


Visual artists of all kinds gathered on Saturday 7 October at the Ahem! Art Collective in Observatory to take part in a Cartoonist Workshop with Gavin Thomson.

Gavin is originally from Noordhoek and is the illustrator of Treknet and Mama Taxi, popular daily cartoons which have been appearing in the Cape Times, Saturday Star and Independent newspapers since 2005 - the 2nd longest running daily comic strip after Madam & Eve!
Gavin showing the basics of illustration
Gavin's is also an editorial cartoonist whose work has appeared in the People's Post for the past 10 years. He has also illustrated numerous children's books such as the “And Friends” series written by Roy Harding, and he has exhibited his famous artworks and cartoons at his first solo exhibition titled “Starry Nights Over False Bay” in December 2016. 

The cartoonist workshop included the basics of animation and illustration, types of cartoons (comic strips, editorial cartoons), how to create your own comic strip and character development. Gavin's discussions also included the business of cartooning and intellectual property, and the workshop participants took part in group sketching sessions to create their own characters using the theories which Gavin had presented throughout the day.
Thank you to the Ahem! Art Collective and Gavin Thomson Cartoons and Illustrations for hosting the workshop and happily agreeing to have this event reviewed on 'Cultsha Kennis'. 

 *****Did you know? The Ahem! Art Collective is a gallery and coffee shop that serves to create a sense of community for illustrators and animators locally and internationally, as well as to give platforms to underprivileged artists. The gallery is managed by a mother and daughter duo – Thea and Barbara - with Mark, their Chief of Caffeine! Come visit, have a coffee with friends or use the space for quiet creative time – their address is 77 Lower Main Road Observatory or call them on 071 585 3423. Also 'like' them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AhemArtCollective/. Also visit to purchase Gavin's original artwork and comics, Trek Net and The Circle of Surfers - perfect Christmas gifts for your artist friends over the festive season!   

 Follow Gavin Thomson on Social Media:



Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gavin-Thomson-Cartoons-and-Illustrations-161467797233574/




Instagram: gavin_thomson_cartoonist
Workshop participants 

Mama Taxi sold at the Ahem! Art Collective 
              Discussions from What's So Funny? By Andy Mason - we discovered that the TV show Madam&Eve was a                   manifestation of the cartoon which was came out first! 
Available for sale at Ahem! Art Collective


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

‘Die Ellen Pakkies Storie’ Film Features at Selected Ster Kinekor Cinemas Nationwide – Book YOUR Ticket!

Image
Ellen (starring Jill Levenberg ) and her teenage son, Abie (starring Jarrid Geduld ), have been living together with Odneal (starring Elton Landrew ) for years in Lavender Hill Cape Town. Abie gets constantly terrorised for being born out of wedlock, and he gets expelled from school. He becomes addicted to tik and cleans out his parents’ belongings to feed his addiction. Later, Abie is banished to the back yard and Ellen goes to find help for her son. After every government service fails to help her, a distraught and frustrated Ellen takes matters into her own hands, leaving the Pakkies family with devastating consequences.     ‘Die Ellen Pakkies Storie’ is directed by Daryne Joshua , and is based on the real-life story of Ellen Pakkies. The story shows the brutal but true realities of a family on the Cape Flats affected by drug abuse, and also shows the brave stance of a woman who takes charge against domestic and gender-based violence. For more on where to se...
Read more

Let’s Talk Theatre Again #6: A Dialogue with Bianca Flanders on Theatre, TV and Her New Children’s Book!

Image
Bianca Flanders is best known for playing strong, emotive female roles in the multiple theatre productions we’ve seen her in over the years. After seeing her play an ‘onnie’ in The Riviera on SABC 2, we thought it’s time for a dialogue with her!   Cultsha Kennis: Congratulations on publishing your children's book,  Pumpkin Finds Her Queen.  Tell us what inspired you to write this book and why you've also written the Afrikaans version,  Prinses Pampoenpit .  BF: When I was a child I absolutely hated my hair. I was also an avid reader, but as an adult I remember that none of the characters in my books looked like me. I wanted to write a book about a topic that I struggled with as child, and I wanted to create a hero for kids who perhaps haven't felt represented. I wanted to write the book that I never had.  Cultsha Kennis: You've also been part of the cast in David Kramer's  Orpheus in Africa . How do you go about preparing to perfo...
Read more

A Dialogue with Clive Ridgway: Creativity, Country-Rock and the CTSS!

Image
Clive Ridgway is a South African musician and singer-songwriter of 70s-born country-rock band 'Rocking Horse'. He is also the founder and teacher at the Cape Town School of SONGWRITING, and is the author of a songwriters' guide 'Crack The Songwriting Code'. Clive is also the Program Director of one of the Mother City's newest and most well-loved radio station, Smile 90.4FM, and is a loving husband and father of 3 children, 2 boys and a girl. Cultsha Kennis loves a good story about the coming years of accomplished musicians! Read about Clive's musical journey below. Cultsha Kennis: Take us through your musical journey from childhood. How did you first fall in love with music? Clive: I’ve been involved with music most of my life. I grew up in a simple household with loving parents. They allowed me and my brothers to listen to pop music, watch movies, play football, read comics and generally have an adventurous childhood. We were encour...
Read more