Reading Graphic Novels in the High School Art Classroom

It’s been four years since I incorporated reading and analyzing graphic novels into my high school art curriculum. While there have been challenges, I can say with certainty that it has been incredibly beneficial for my students.

I know some people don’t think of comics as a serious or important medium, but honestly? Graphic novels are a powerful way to teach visual literacy, explore symbolism, narrative, and sequential art, and analyze style and creative voice.

In Art 1, we start with the graphic novel adaptation of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Almost American Girl by Robin Ha. We dive deep into character design, as well as essential aspects of visual storytelling such as page composition, panel pacing, setting, style, and mood. I chose The Graveyard Book because it was illustrated by several different artists, which gives students a chance to discuss a variety of styles and techniques. And Almost American Girl shows how Robin Ha’s illustration style is informed by her identity and cultural experience. Together, these books provide a strong foundation as students begin developing their own drawing and design skills.

In Advanced Art, students read Collected Essex County by Jeff Lemire and the graphic novel adaptation of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, illustrated by E.M. Carroll. These works introduce more complex narratives and emotionally impactful visual storytelling. We analyze how the artists communicate mood, emotion, and tone, helping students see how visual choices can carry immense narrative weight. This helps to prepare them to develop their own artistic voice.

Bringing graphic novels into the classroom does more than supplement reading instruction (which, by the way, is an excellent benefit and the English teachers love it). It also teaches students to read images as critically as text, think deeply about narrative and style, and experiment with their own creative voice. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them make these connections and realize that art isn’t just about perfect realism and mastery of technique. It’s about communication, storytelling, and style.

As someone who is currently writing and illustrating my own graphic novel, nothing excites me more than seeing students recognize that comics and graphic novels are not only valid forms of literature and art, but complex, dynamic, and absolutely worth reading!

Halloween with the Art Club at BHS

Art Club went full spooky season this week.

We kicked things off with mini pumpkin painting. Using acrylic paint, students explored color mixing, layering techniques, and surface preparation. It was awesome seeing students apply their painting skills to something fun and festive.

Then we took our creativity out of the art studio for Trunk-or-Treat. The club expertly decorated the car and handed out candy to the kids. Huge shout-out to everyone who participated! You represented the BHS Art Club with style. Now it’s time to start mentally preparing for holiday crafts!

Portraiture with Art 1

The Art 1 students just wrapped up their pencil portrait project. This is the culminating project of our Pencil Drawing Unit! This year the students drew school staff and teachers that will be displayed in the Media Center. This project brought together everything they’ve learned so far about perspective, proportion, and value.

Using the grid method, students carefully mapped out the outline for accuracy before diving into shading to create depth, texture, and realism. It’s been amazing watching them apply their skills from previous projects like the Linear Perspective Drawing and Still Life Drawing projects, as well as their practice assignments and drawing studies, to something as complicated and challenging as a portrait.

This project is always one of my favorites because it shows just how far they’ve come technically as artists in such a short time.

Former Student Success: Let My Engine Sing

It’s always exciting to see former students taking their artistry into the real world, and I’m thrilled to share that one of my former students has just opened his own online store featuring his artwork and products. Check it out Let My Engine Sing. He is a perfect example of how dedication, creativity, and persistence lead to success. I’m so proud to have been part of his artistic journey and can’t wait to see what products he drops next!

Find Your Artistic Voice by Lisa Congdon

One of the biggest things I want my Advanced Art students to walk away with beyond excellent technical skills is a sense of who they are as artists. That’s not an easy thing to figure out for adult artists, let alone high school students. That’s where Lisa Congdon’s Find Your Artistic Voice comes in.

I love this book because it makes the idea of “voice” in art feel approachable. Congdon makes it clear that artistic voice isn’t some magical gift you’re either born with or not. Instead it’s something you develop over time by trying things, messing up, experimenting, reflecting, and noticing what sticks with you.

Another reason I wanted this book in my classroom is because it connects us to the real, contemporary art world. Congdon shares stories from working artists, and students get to see that even professionals struggle with doubt, influence, and originality. They didn’t just wake up one day with a fully formed style. They worked through the same questions my students are asking in my classroom right now.

Ultimately, I chose this book because it gives us a shared language in the studio. We can talk not just about how to make art, but why, and that’s the real leap I want my students to make.