PCAF 2021 Workshops & Events

Click on the images to be taken to the Eventbrite or Facebook page to book yourself in!


In our creative lives we set ourselves adrift with the pure hope that our message will be found on some distant shore. If we’re lucky, that message is found by just the right kindred soul…
Message in a Bottle, curated by Elizabeth Marruffo is the third exhibition as part of the annual Perth Comic Arts Festival (PCAF), showcasing four collaborating artist duos from Perth, who were lucky enough to find their kindred soul.
Their works explore comics narratives, small sculptural vessels, and poetry. This exhibition features the strong but delicate connections that bond and bind us together.
Featuring the incredible creatives pictured here: Elizabeth Marruffo + Campbell Whyte (+ Tale Town Residents), Alina Tang + Bodie Hartley, Jessica McLeod + Edward J. Grug III and Leonie Brialey + Layla,
Message in a Bottle is open to the public from Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 4pm at Spectrum Project Space, Mount Lawley Campus, Edith Cowan University.
If evenings are more your thing we’re hosting an opening event (shared with the opening event at Gallery25 – more on that soon) on Thursday the 29th of July from 5pm till 7pm. Free and all welcome. Registrations are helpful for catering purposes: https://www.trybooking.com/BTASU
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Have you ever wondered how comics are crafted? Which comes first, the pictures, or the words?

About this event – 9:55 am – 11:00 am

Join Campbell Whyte, the award winning maker of the graphic novel series Home Time as he helps you find your perfect comics-making process, by writing with pictures and drawing with words.

This is the perfect introduction to learning to make great comics. Suitable for ages 7+

This workshop is a part of Perth Comic Arts Festival 2021 – Big Top of Comics.

The Perth Comic Arts Festival has rolled into town with our Big Top of Comics where local comics makers will be sharing their tips, tricks and secrets about how the magic of comics works. From the very basics of how comics work, through to character design, costuming and journaling, there’s something for everyone.

These free, hands-on workshops are running as part of the Festival day on the 1st of August. We have 20 tickets available online for pre-registrations and 20 tickets available for registration on the day at the PCAF info table.

So grab a pencil, roll up your sleeves and sign yourselves up for a good time.

This workshop will begin to get your mind racing about the potential to integrate fashion illustration into your comics.

About this event – 11:10 am – 12:15 pm

What do the clothes your character wears say about them? Are they in customised armour, rocking hobo chic or haute couture?

Join Andrei Buters, creator of the fantasy adventure series ‘Dead By 30’ as you learn to combine fashion illustration and character design in your comics. Learn how first impressions count and how a character’s style can leave a big splash in your comics.

Suitable for ages 10+

This workshop is a part of Perth Comic Arts Festival 2021 – Big Top of Comics.

The Perth Comic Arts Festival has rolled into town with our Big Top of Comics where local comics makers will be sharing their tips, tricks and secrets about how the magic of comics works. From the very basics of how comics work, through to character design, costuming and journaling, there’s something for everyone.

These free, hands-on workshops are running as part of the Festival day on the 1st of August. We have 20 tickets available online for pre-registrations and 20 tickets available for registration on the day at the PCAF info table.

So grab a pencil, roll up your sleeves and sign yourselves up for a good time.

Learn how to kick start your imagination and generate ideas for weird and wonderful characters of your own.

About this event – 1:40 pm – 2:45 pm

Aśka will show you how to breathe life into your characters with some handy tips on character design, facial expressions and body language. Aśka is an energetic visual storyteller, creator and a science communicator, with more than 10 years of experience in children’s illustration, graphic design, comics, animation and children’s science education.

Suitable for ages 5+

MAXIMUM CAPACITY : 40

20 participants will be registered via Eventbrite.

20 participants will be registered via PCAF Festival Info Table on Festival Day.

This workshop is a part of Perth Comic Arts Festival 2021 – Big Top of Comics.

The Perth Comic Arts Festival has rolled into town with our Big Top of Comics where local comics makers will be sharing their tips, tricks and secrets about how the magic of comics works. From the very basics of how comics work, through to character design, costuming and journaling, there’s something for everyone.

These free, hands-on workshops are running as part of the Festival day on the 1st of August. We have 20 tickets available online for pre-registrations and 20 tickets available for registration on the day at the PCAF info table.

So grab a pencil, roll up your sleeves and sign yourselves up for a good time.

People journal for all sorts of reasons. Maybe it helps you keep track of things, or you like to vent somewhere, or it helps you process?

About this event – 2:10 pm – 3:15 pm

Comics are a powerful journaling method that can be worked into your routine whether you just want to scribble them on sticky notes during your lunch break, or you prefer to keep a designated sketchbook to experiment with different tools and techniques.

Sarah will share a few of her favorite styles of comic journal entries and guide you through creating your own! All drawing skill levels welcome.

Suitable for ages 12+

This Workshop will take place in the Banksia Room (Room 18.226)

This workshop is a part of Perth Comic Arts Festival 2021 – Big Top of Comics.

The Perth Comic Arts Festival has rolled into town with our Big Top of Comics where local comics makers will be sharing their tips, tricks and secrets about how the magic of comics works. From the very basics of how comics work, through to character design, costuming and journaling, there’s something for everyone.

These free, hands-on workshops are running as part of the Festival day on the 1st of August. We have 20 tickets available online for pre-registrations and 20 tickets available for registration on the day at the PCAF info table.

So grab a pencil, roll up your sleeves and sign yourselves up for a good time.

Welcome to GHOST CLUB! Don’t worry, it’s not actually very frightening.

About this event – 2:55 pm – 4:00 pm

Join comics-maker and sculptor Jessica McLeod as she introduces you to her spooky/cute world of creativity. We’ll start in the Message in a Bottle exhibition at Spectrum Gallery as Jessica shows you some of her beautiful work, then we’ll head over to the Big Comics Spiegeltent where we will design and sculpt our own little ghosts.

This workshop will take part in Spectrum Project Space then move to the Spiegeltent.

Strictly 12 Eventbrite reservations are available.

This workshop is a part of Perth Comic Arts Festival 2021 – Big Top of Comics.

The Perth Comic Arts Festival has rolled into town with our Big Top of Comics where local comics makers will be sharing their tips, tricks and secrets about how the magic of comics works. From the very basics of how comics work, through to character design, costuming and journaling, there’s something for everyone.

These free, hands-on workshops are running as part of the Festival day on the 1st of August. We have a strict limit of 12 tickets available online for pre-registration via Eventbrite.

So grab a pencil, roll up your sleeves and sign yourselves up for a good time.