A Nantwich cartoonist has been stunned at the popularity of his new Cartoon Academy workshops for youngsters.
Mark Wilcox has hosted a number of workshops for children aged between 4 and 11 at venues like Tastebud Cafe in Stapeley and Enzo coffee shop in Nantwich town centre.
And they have been so popular he is now planning to run more this month to cope with demand.
Mark, a former IT worker, has also written and illustrated a series of children’s books.
But he has been amazed by the success of workshops where children can produce their own cartoon characters.
“Children learn how to draw the features of a cartoon character’s face,” he said.
“Armed with those skills they will then construct a face.
“We then finish with a tutorial on how to draw Mickey Mouse’s face which goes down well!
“Finally the children graduate with a certificate and a photo with the academy’s mascot, Milo, from my book My Hairy, Scary Best Friend.”
Mark (pictured, right), who works under the name Art By Wilf, launched My Hairy, Scary Best Friend last year, and it’s proved a big hit.
He has created a 7ft cardboard cutout of Milo who stands centre stage in each workshop.
Now he is planning future workshops to include constructing full characters, movement and expression, and developing a style.
“I’m keen to expand on the workshops and produce some sessions for older children, teenagers and adults,” he added.
“I’ve had several requests from parents to sit in on workshops! What I’m really loving is children who claim they can’t draw happily sketching away and doing a really good job of it!
“I even had one mum message me to say their previously reluctant artist son was still sketching away late in to the evening!”
Mark’s colleague Pamela, also a talented artist, helps out with the workshops.
“Children love to see their characters coming to life as their skills develop.
“Cartoons have a universal appeal and are a superb way for children to begin drawing and expressing themselves.
“I often feel children have so much angst and emotion to deal with as they mature and very little to help them process it.
“Being creative with cartoon is a wonderful way for children to process their feelings. It’s free and doesn’t involve sitting in front of a TV or computer!”
Mark hopes to open his own premises to host workshops and display artwork produced by the children.
“It’s all extremely exciting and I’m constantly thinking of new ways to get the children involved and engaged,” he added.
The next workshops are to take place soon, check the academy website http://www.thecartoonacademy.com/workshops
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