https://rachaelballcartoons.com RachaelBallCartoons Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:27:04 +0000 https://rachaelballcartoons.com en https://rachaelballcartoons.com/Main-page Wed, 12 Jan 2022 11:20:39 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/Main-page RACHAEL BALL&nbsp; THE INFLATABLE WOMAN THE PATSY PAPERS WOLF SHADOWS SHORT COMICS THE PATSY PAPERS EDUCATION WORKSHOPS MENTORING ABOUT SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER ︎ &nbsp;︎ &nbsp;︎ <img width="420" height="541" width_o="420" height_o="541" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ea2e24797ac15caae8b6782bfb4068c37d584eef25a938929bd186255003c42e/THE-INFLATABLE-WOMAN-COVER.jpg" data-mid="132548610" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/420/i/ea2e24797ac15caae8b6782bfb4068c37d584eef25a938929bd186255003c42e/THE-INFLATABLE-WOMAN-COVER.jpg" /> THE INFLATABLE WOMAN Bloomsbury 2015 <img width="815" height="1134" width_o="815" height_o="1134" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5d7bd2a84fb405e2f745f11ae227df563ce502ac675d169cf1d7d52712b8bcb2/WOLF-COVER-SMH.jpg" data-mid="129894910" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/815/i/5d7bd2a84fb405e2f745f11ae227df563ce502ac675d169cf1d7d52712b8bcb2/WOLF-COVER-SMH.jpg" /> WOLF SelfMadeHero 2018 <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/de6851436e7d20a36195b66f76f4989af7124e2f9843dfdede4f27bb7f3d32aa/PATS-YELLOW-WELLIES.jpg" data-mid="129895145" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/de6851436e7d20a36195b66f76f4989af7124e2f9843dfdede4f27bb7f3d32aa/PATS-YELLOW-WELLIES.jpg" /> The Patsy Papers Current graphic novel&nbsp; <img width="500" height="357" width_o="500" height_o="357" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/55c1bd8ec9f97bea8f5f7d8b406aee48955c64191ecd9c806f538cc30a5114f5/IDA-ON-HILL.jpg" data-mid="129895273" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/55c1bd8ec9f97bea8f5f7d8b406aee48955c64191ecd9c806f538cc30a5114f5/IDA-ON-HILL.jpg" /> SHADOWS&nbsp; Current novel in progress <img width="946" height="1593" width_o="946" height_o="1593" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c8421b1cb8e68f51ce8f1660ecbbb5bea27d826484f5d25ee2fee79546b749cd/IDA-AND-CAT-PAINTING.jpg" data-mid="129895364" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/946/i/c8421b1cb8e68f51ce8f1660ecbbb5bea27d826484f5d25ee2fee79546b749cd/IDA-AND-CAT-PAINTING.jpg" /> SHORT COMICS <img width="500" height="281" width_o="500" height_o="281" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/154e6c33b8a5f31b12bbd9441e74113c6031a18fbc143692105b8946ebbf3297/PHOTO-ME-AND-STUDENTS-HOI.jpg" data-mid="129896074" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/154e6c33b8a5f31b12bbd9441e74113c6031a18fbc143692105b8946ebbf3297/PHOTO-ME-AND-STUDENTS-HOI.jpg" /> WORKSHOPS &nbsp; <img width="1004" height="867" width_o="1004" height_o="867" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4e764ccf6a42a83fa00d72bf0c4cd78857b243aee6ef1a99e279dedef24a82d0/Screen-Shot-2021-01-29-at-13.14.22.jpg" data-mid="129919736" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4e764ccf6a42a83fa00d72bf0c4cd78857b243aee6ef1a99e279dedef24a82d0/Screen-Shot-2021-01-29-at-13.14.22.jpg" /> MENTORING <img width="2210" height="2554" width_o="2210" height_o="2554" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/679e9bd4b661e1a61ca3db9b4527a411d64c85efa0a45a05580822b83948f4de/AND-YOU-HAVE-TO-WEAR-THATn.jpg" data-mid="129913586" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/679e9bd4b661e1a61ca3db9b4527a411d64c85efa0a45a05580822b83948f4de/AND-YOU-HAVE-TO-WEAR-THATn.jpg" /> THE PATSY PAPERS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME https://rachaelballcartoons.com/Info-panel Wed, 12 Jan 2022 11:20:39 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/Info-panel &nbsp; &nbsp; https://rachaelballcartoons.com/MORE-INFO-GNYL Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:27:04 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/MORE-INFO-GNYL GRAPHIC NOVEL YOUR LIFE<img width="2866" height="4030" width_o="2866" height_o="4030" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8fce81bc6e54e8c9a309c627afe57e8b427a2f6fbedc5800610a78d2bc7bb5f8/Patsy-from-The-Patsy-Papers-2.jpg" data-mid="219613531" border="0" data-scale="49" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8fce81bc6e54e8c9a309c627afe57e8b427a2f6fbedc5800610a78d2bc7bb5f8/Patsy-from-The-Patsy-Papers-2.jpg" /> In memoir we have a chance to turn poison into gold During the course we explore different starting points to create your story. The end result may be realistic or fictional.&nbsp;We experiment with different techniques to create consistent and well-thought-out characters. &nbsp;We develop a compelling plot.Investigate different turning points in your story.Develop pace.Use visual metaphors to evoke emotion. After trouble-shooting we develop scripts and visual roughs. Then go on to experiment with various media and techniques to create captivating page layouts through real-time exercises and tutorials. <img width="791" height="1154" width_o="791" height_o="1154" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6b5e8c80d6956026a0fc8e7cac5c0ed9a900ab8ac3c2886a00300b09df0ef75f/4.jpg" data-mid="219613856" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/791/i/6b5e8c80d6956026a0fc8e7cac5c0ed9a900ab8ac3c2886a00300b09df0ef75f/4.jpg" /> A key feature of the course is the collaborative environment. We’ll engage in class discussions. You will receive personalized feedback, and participate in a 1:1 session with me. At the end of the course I share tips on approaching a publisher and we all develop action plans for your next steps. Students share progress on a class Padlet and receive weekly feedback from me. This unique aspect of the course allows students to elevate their GNs to a higher level. Although each workshop happens in live time, a recording will be available for students who cannot attend the lessons in real time. Feedback- “The whole course was so well paced. I loved posting on the Padlet and receiving feedback. Rachael has deepened and re-enlivened my practice and I am so grateful.” <img width="4803" height="6843" width_o="4803" height_o="6843" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/16b7087421fb9257cd437b8b762ca86bea77e709112c4b7107193dcf8c124619/BALLET-GIRL-CALL-ME-IRIS.jpg" data-mid="219613886" border="0" data-scale="64" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/16b7087421fb9257cd437b8b762ca86bea77e709112c4b7107193dcf8c124619/BALLET-GIRL-CALL-ME-IRIS.jpg" /> Images: ‘The Patsy Papers’ (WIP 2024) ‘Wolf’ (SelfMadeHero 2018) ‘The Inflatable Woman’ (Bloomsbury 2015) &nbsp;BOOK https://rachaelballcartoons.com/WORKSHOPS Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:13:38 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/WORKSHOPS WORKSHOPS&nbsp;FREE COMIC CLUB WORKSHOPS-&nbsp; LUNCH TIMES Sign up for my newsletter to find out when the next will be and to&nbsp;get the Zoom link My courses are specially shaped to nurture and develop your personal ideas, and comic skills and to help you create the foundations of a brilliant comic or graphic novel. I have been teaching workshops in graphic novels, comics and picture books&nbsp; for over 8 years at the Quentin Blake Centre of Illustration, The Arvon, Anglia Ruskin, City Lit,&nbsp; the Art Academy, The Cartoon Museum, UCL and at LDC Residencies.I was a Subject Leader and art teacher for 16 years.&nbsp; All of these combined with over 30 years experience as an established and acclaimed cartoonist puts me in a unique position to be able to help my students realise their best potential. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; GRAPHIC NOVEL YOUR LIFE online<img width="2866" height="4030" width_o="2866" height_o="4030" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8fce81bc6e54e8c9a309c627afe57e8b427a2f6fbedc5800610a78d2bc7bb5f8/Patsy-from-The-Patsy-Papers-2.jpg" data-mid="219613521" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8fce81bc6e54e8c9a309c627afe57e8b427a2f6fbedc5800610a78d2bc7bb5f8/Patsy-from-The-Patsy-Papers-2.jpg" />&nbsp; Jan 26 - April 6th 2026 (10 weeks) (no class March 2nd)6-8.30 pm (GMT) Be guided by a Guardian best graphic novelist learn to create a brilliant comic or graphic novel inspired by your life experience or transform a memory into a fictional GN or comic. Each class is recorded so you can do it when it suits you&nbsp; Weekly written feedbackSmall class size: 10FEE £450Low waged £360 Limited number of concessions‘This is one of the best courses I’ve ever done! ‘ Graphic Novel Your Life’ student BOOK for more info FALL BACK IN LOVE WITH YOUR GRAPHIC NOVEL online <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/56bd9bc59e04c8ae78f423e011f2e465e390212d84ff79d29e75ed5f522846f9/Jamae-from-TPP-jpg.jpg" data-mid="219208045" border="0" data-scale="38" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/56bd9bc59e04c8ae78f423e011f2e465e390212d84ff79d29e75ed5f522846f9/Jamae-from-TPP-jpg.jpg" />Three Sat sessions: dates tbc &nbsp; Fed up with making slow or no progress on your comic or graphic novel?Join me for three fun troubleshooting&nbsp; days and we’ll sort out your comic/ GN. &nbsp; FEE- £300Low waged- £275&nbsp; MORE INFO GROW YOUR GRAPHIC NOVEL group mentoring&nbsp;(online) The Feb 2026 group IS NOW FULL. Get in touch if you are interested in the next group which will start mid year.&nbsp;&nbsp;ball.rachael@yahoo.co.uk <img width="1745" height="2149" width_o="1745" height_o="2149" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0740b6905b0aa8dd5a26a2d018e0140a8663bec90703ed6606f0b1a2b201f9a9/IMG_0717.png" data-mid="219614115" border="0" data-scale="70" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/0740b6905b0aa8dd5a26a2d018e0140a8663bec90703ed6606f0b1a2b201f9a9/IMG_0717.png" />&nbsp;(online)Max group size 5 studentsNeed support and accountability growing your graphic novel?&nbsp; Nine &nbsp;2.5 hour monthly sessions (plus a 1:1 with me.)FEE £385 MORE INFO REVIEWS’I found Rachael quite special and incredibly generous with her knowledge which we all benefitted from.’ ‘Rachael is an amazing teacher and so helpful when giving feedback and advice. The booklets given out were a great learning aid also!’ ‘I wish my university course had been this informative!’ ‘It was everything listed and more! I was hoping to gain a little push with my work; to broaden my understanding of graphic novels and to gain specific feedback. It was better than expected!’ ‘Thank you so much for this wonderful course. I've enjoyed every moment. The sessions have inspired me to get something to publishers by the end of the year.’ https://rachaelballcartoons.com/THE-INFLATABLE-WOMAN Wed, 12 Jan 2022 11:20:38 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/THE-INFLATABLE-WOMAN THE INFLATABLE WOMANPosy Simmonds on R4’s Open Book-&nbsp; recently described The Inflatable Woman as ‘a very good graphic novel!’ So be like Posy (link to 2 chapters below.) <img width="4788" height="6788" width_o="4788" height_o="6788" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/41b81cfb565972a8ec0386ad987b7ae67a2b5da1e577e3c6ef0d6c48ab6ac2bf/MAUD-g.jpg" data-mid="129898935" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/41b81cfb565972a8ec0386ad987b7ae67a2b5da1e577e3c6ef0d6c48ab6ac2bf/MAUD-g.jpg" /> <img width="4687" height="6564" width_o="4687" height_o="6564" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2a3f7a2b33b7738c4ed06f716b2e5cb9aae485e7fb0b329c75fdab018803f047/IRIS-PLUS-DEATHpg.jpg" data-mid="129898287" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2a3f7a2b33b7738c4ed06f716b2e5cb9aae485e7fb0b329c75fdab018803f047/IRIS-PLUS-DEATHpg.jpg" /> <img width="2068" height="1298" width_o="2068" height_o="1298" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/50021cc56d461ec123348c3df5e2ddcd4e317a1419bd3351bde9b16df34d87b2/Neruda-2.jpg" data-mid="129898379" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/50021cc56d461ec123348c3df5e2ddcd4e317a1419bd3351bde9b16df34d87b2/Neruda-2.jpg" /> The Inflatable Woman&nbsp; An unconventional, haunting and stunning debut graphic novel about unrequited love, hope, friendship and delusion – containing beautiful original artwork from a new British talent. Description Iris (or balletgirl_42 as she’s known on the internet dating circuit) is a zookeeper looking for love when she is diagnosed with breast cancer. Overnight, her life becomes populated by a carnival of daunting hospital characters. Despite the attempts of her unforgettable friends – Maud, Grandma Suggs, Larry the Monkey and a group of singing penguins – to comfort her, her fears begin to encircle her and all she has to cling on to is the attention of a lighthouse keeper called sailor_buoy_39. Reviews ‘The Inflatable Woman combines magic realism with the grit of everyday life, to create a poignant and surreal journey inside the human psyche.’ Sunday Telegraph, ‘Read it. Inspiring. Poignant. Wonderfully unconventional.’Richard Brooks, Sunday Times, ‘Heartbreaking.’Irish Times, ‘Startling and imaginative, poignant and funny.&nbsp;Ball combines visceral imagery of everything from prodding needles to breast reconstruction with a carefully considered, sparing use of text that lets her drawings tell the story. There are no flashy images or graphics,just an unassuming pencil depicting a gritty reality. This is a thoughtful and original debut that brings the plight of a cancer patient into full focus.’ Financial Times,&nbsp;‘An imaginative psychological study and a joyful testament to self-preservation.’ One of the Guardian’s Best Graphic Novels 2015 Paul Gravett’s Top 10 British Graphic Novels 2015 BUY THE INFLATABLE WOMAN HERE Read chapter 13 https://files.cargocollective.com/c1362018/Inflatable_Women_ch13.pdf Read chapter 14&nbsp; https://files.cargocollective.com/c1362018/Inflatable_Women_ch14.pdf https://rachaelballcartoons.com/WOLF Wed, 12 Jan 2022 11:20:38 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/WOLF WOLF ‘A young boy finds his life turned upside down by a tragic accident. Desperate to return to happier days, six-year-old Hugo draws up plans for a time machine. But only his neighbour - a child-eating recluse, (according to the boy next door), - has the parts Hugo needs to complete the contraption. Illustrated in evocative, intimate pencils, Wolf is a captivating and poignant exploration of family, grief and that blend of the everyday and the fantastical that is childhood. It's also a beautiful object. Feast your eyes on this.’&nbsp;@SelfMadeHero ReviewsTimes Literary Supplement, Tom Tivnan‘Wolf is wildly inventive, poignant and elegiac.’ Front Row Reviews ‘Rachael Ball has achieved a rare thing. A visual poem. Its softness, hides its richness. This is its real skill. One that I am still in honesty, reeling from.’ A Place to Hang Your Cape ’ ‘Wolf’s Enigmatic Charm is Intoxicating.’ BUY WOLF HERE <img width="434" height="116" width_o="434" height_o="116" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9a7bf9efd4aac71e00aa244b774192b055dfb832f4dac39376d0a626785f0cce/ACE.LOGOpng.png" data-mid="130726142" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/434/i/9a7bf9efd4aac71e00aa244b774192b055dfb832f4dac39376d0a626785f0cce/ACE.LOGOpng.png" /> <img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4b3f87818f47dac17b5e54642c33bcd186d0698928c831f7f4b06355d68b03f1/ICKY_dancemoves-1080.gif" data-mid="130726412" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/4b3f87818f47dac17b5e54642c33bcd186d0698928c831f7f4b06355d68b03f1/ICKY_dancemoves-1080.gif" /> <img width="701" height="1169" width_o="701" height_o="1169" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/759a9b5f8dc152a83777823c24433d280123648964dce9a167860213269229e0/2.jpg" data-mid="129902080" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/701/i/759a9b5f8dc152a83777823c24433d280123648964dce9a167860213269229e0/2.jpg" /><img width="791" height="1118" width_o="791" height_o="1118" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3eb01d30e6d1695738de7fbf5daf01807009511b50e2452fcdc79a251e558df1/3.jpg" data-mid="129902151" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/791/i/3eb01d30e6d1695738de7fbf5daf01807009511b50e2452fcdc79a251e558df1/3.jpg" /><img width="791" height="1154" width_o="791" height_o="1154" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6b5e8c80d6956026a0fc8e7cac5c0ed9a900ab8ac3c2886a00300b09df0ef75f/4.jpg" data-mid="129900801" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/791/i/6b5e8c80d6956026a0fc8e7cac5c0ed9a900ab8ac3c2886a00300b09df0ef75f/4.jpg" /><img width="755" height="1141" width_o="755" height_o="1141" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0b0f49f6e46b517975445de281186e7e64393a603e22d8f590e9cb444423c221/5.jpg" data-mid="129900800" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/755/i/0b0f49f6e46b517975445de281186e7e64393a603e22d8f590e9cb444423c221/5.jpg" /><img width="753" height="1151" width_o="753" height_o="1151" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2d1be7e9a7b842f1725215e7a29ef99cb535e9298416ac1a8cde1a6da12e1186/6-2.jpg" data-mid="129900785" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/753/i/2d1be7e9a7b842f1725215e7a29ef99cb535e9298416ac1a8cde1a6da12e1186/6-2.jpg" /><img width="747" height="1170" width_o="747" height_o="1170" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/299bb11d423307e414fb41ee9685f213fa5f2f44b9590f23ce09d1a017566c7d/7-2.jpg" data-mid="129900798" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/747/i/299bb11d423307e414fb41ee9685f213fa5f2f44b9590f23ce09d1a017566c7d/7-2.jpg" /><img width="791" height="1162" width_o="791" height_o="1162" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2c482d5c6069f5ed844a61ba958aa1ad9e5623222a666aeb98c75f79961f9888/8.jpg" data-mid="129902445" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/791/i/2c482d5c6069f5ed844a61ba958aa1ad9e5623222a666aeb98c75f79961f9888/8.jpg" /><img width="764" height="1146" width_o="764" height_o="1146" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f81bed5946d87a9c11cc45a4c54970cb8a1c44da16e0ed51704b4e64a0ff5364/9.jpg" data-mid="129900769" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/764/i/f81bed5946d87a9c11cc45a4c54970cb8a1c44da16e0ed51704b4e64a0ff5364/9.jpg" /><img width="802" height="1157" width_o="802" height_o="1157" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/964dc6453ab461cb1634e7f5ec6f35cbf115163ce0ceb0a729ae2860f1315460/11.jpg" data-mid="129900777" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/802/i/964dc6453ab461cb1634e7f5ec6f35cbf115163ce0ceb0a729ae2860f1315460/11.jpg" /><img width="802" height="1153" width_o="802" height_o="1153" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4f52bab0e18b3b25417e69e0dffdc069700cd851c03bc5c98d6520d88677b11a/12.jpg" data-mid="129900682" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/802/i/4f52bab0e18b3b25417e69e0dffdc069700cd851c03bc5c98d6520d88677b11a/12.jpg" /> Wolf french Edition 2020, Presque Lune <img width="1131" height="1597" width_o="1131" height_o="1597" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/72c29395983e713c317c6ac8423387a11a7b9cb2de9ef95f7dcacad0f0661f7a/COVER-WOLF-PRESQUE-LUNAFRENCH.jpg" data-mid="130721892" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/72c29395983e713c317c6ac8423387a11a7b9cb2de9ef95f7dcacad0f0661f7a/COVER-WOLF-PRESQUE-LUNAFRENCH.jpg" /> WOLF A LITTLE OF THE REAL STORY<img width="635" height="669" width_o="635" height_o="669" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/714c683fde68bcfbab86c6cf5501eae5157ded9a2f20bcf6ab11d531d81d4512/703px-caspar_david_friedrich_-_wanderer_above_the_sea_of_fog-41.jpg" data-mid="130728615" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/635/i/714c683fde68bcfbab86c6cf5501eae5157ded9a2f20bcf6ab11d531d81d4512/703px-caspar_david_friedrich_-_wanderer_above_the_sea_of_fog-41.jpg" /> ‘Sleep and Death, awful gods… the former of them roams peacefully over the earth and is kindly to men but the other has a heart of iron, whomsoever of men he has once seized he holds fast and he is hateful even to their deathless gods.’&nbsp;Hesiod on Thanatos Wolf has been waiting a number of years. It’s the story of father loss.&nbsp;A fictional version…..A once removed story. My father died suddenly when I was 6. He was 36. My Mum was 37, my brothers… 8 and 11. He had a heart attack in the night and died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. Gone. A few years ago I was talking about him to a friend and whenever I went to say the word Dad, the word Daddy came out instead. The little child in me took over. I don’t even remember him very well but I always missed him ….or missed the idea of him. A pocket of memories: His knees, his hands playing his outsized guitar. He was a big tall man. I remember him smoking a pipe. He had 2. One was carved into the face of a smiling Chinese man and the other a skull in the bowl of the pipe. He may have whittled these himself. I remember him tucking me into bed, stretching the sheets so tightly my head would pop out like a peach. I couldn’t move an inch. Then he’d kiss me on the forehead and go. I remember being with him at Granma Devon’s, sitting on a yellow candlewick bedspread whilst he unpacked the suitcase. I remember him running down the stairs when aged 5 I’d decided to make Mum and Dad a tray of tea and tripped over carrying the tray up the stairs. Tea pot and cups everywhere and he came running. I remember him driving me to hospital when I fell off a swinging gate and hit my head on the ground. I went blind for an hour. When my vision returned the first thing I could see was the back of his head, driving me to hospital in his rover.. He made stuff..a table tennis table, a large wendy house. All made from the heaviest wood. He made my brothers and I a spying gadget. A hand held wooden box with mirrors at each end so you could see round corners. One Summer he spent weeks building a large catamaran which we all took down to the beach. We waded in the water with it and pushed it out to sea. I remember standing in the shallows thinking I was helping, guiding it out with my small hand. Then watching it sink in the water right to the bottom. Too heavy… He sang folk songs with Mum. We have recordings. He had a gentle voice and liked to collect songs in a note book. Each song written beautifully in inky script and guitar notation added on the side. He was a handsome man and well liked. He had a phd in rubber adhesion, beans were ‘fart pills’ ,his favourite meal was a fry up and he used to split his shoes down the middle. He didn’t like having curly hair so he’d wet it and put his tweed flat cap on until it dried straight. He frequently wore black shades and if he wasn’t smoking a pipe, he was probably smoking a cigarette. And when he died Mum had to be sedated for 2 weeks. After that we didn’t talk about Dad a lot. He became the elephant in the room. And everyone got on with life. My Mum died 3 years ago at 81 which has brought its own necessary pain.&nbsp;I miss her very much.The loss leaks down my pencil. She was a bloody good Mum. And we were good friends. She was enormously kind but like most daughters I could find her enormously annoying.&nbsp;A few years ago she left 2 fridge magnets behind after a visit: One said ‘God couldn’t be everywhere so he made Granma’s.’&nbsp;The 2nd …’When life gives you lemons grab tequila and salt.’ That kind of sums up my Mum…a hot light, warm and kind, funny, stoical, loving. She found joy in the ordinary and the extraordinary and was outrageously confident. She could be wise then infuriating in the same sentance but was always loving.&nbsp; 3 years ago we sat chatting on her bed littered with books and newspapers.. a pot of tea sat by the bed side. We spent hours chatting in Mum’s bed when I visited…and when I was a child. Our conversations like babbling brooks, meandering without end… One minute deep and important, the next like postage stamps. nothing at all…lovely. Suddenly the river of words brought us to Dad’s death. Just like that, abruptly she was there again enveloped in her memories of how she felt when he died. Staring out the window…. reliving it.‘I would have thrown you all into the sea’, she said suddenley ‘If it would have brought him back.’ As a statement it had mythical proportions. Shocking words that described her devastation so well. If this life had been a fairy tale would us 3 would have been dropped into the sea? What next I wonder? Would Dad have stepped out of the waves unscathed, heart healed. Perhaps fate and magic would have conjured us out of the sea as well…. sailing in a silver shell.&nbsp;And then a family once more. Instead Mum grieved then put grief away and became Mum and Dad rolled into one. This story is about a family living with grief.&nbsp;About people with a hole inside who learn to step around it. About children growing up with loss.&nbsp;A blood line dammed up. This fairy tale is emotion distilled. The real meaning caught somewhere between the words. Hugo is the mythical hero. A small knight thrown out of paradise into a labyrinth of sadness who stubbornly says&nbsp;‘No! I will not accept this DEATH thing!’&nbsp;And rather than follow death’s laws he decides to bring Dad back.&nbsp;He is Orpheus in the Underworld. And for Hugo to succeed in beating death there would need to be some force of equal measure and mystery to Death itself. A force such as the Wolf man. A force of unspeakable horror….a monster, a minotaur, a magical being, a suspected child murderer, a Wolf Man.&nbsp; With his help Hugo could overcome the laws of time. Will he destroy or be destroyed? Will he win the ultimate prize if he can face his fears? I used to feel we were all robbed when Dad died and he was robbed of his life…I felt angry and bereft for many years I think.&nbsp;But he lived, he was here.&nbsp;We were lucky to have him when we did. Joanna Macy puts it well I think. ‘It’s Ok for our hearts to be broken over the world. What else is a heart for? There’s a great intelligence there’ So I’m going to close with some more Joanna Macy wisdom…. ‘So I’m looking at my hand now as we talk. It’s got a lot of wrinkles because I’m 81 years old, but it’s linked to hands like this back through the ages. This hand is directly linked to hands that learned to reach and grasp and climb and push up on dry land and weave reeds into baskets. It has a fantastic history. Every particle and every atom in this hand goes back to the beginning of space- time. We’re part of that story…..This moment you’re alive.’ <img width="1004" height="1011" width_o="1004" height_o="1011" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/34b286a2761d60b693e0dce8f6fc4ce8bf4caa6d96e31484dd5037139a40a934/001.jpg" data-mid="130728586" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/34b286a2761d60b693e0dce8f6fc4ce8bf4caa6d96e31484dd5037139a40a934/001.jpg" /> My Mum would have nodded in agreement at that. https://rachaelballcartoons.com/THE-PATSY-PAPERS Wed, 12 Jan 2022 14:13:42 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/THE-PATSY-PAPERS THE PATSY PAPERS When Patsy fails to succeed as an artist and her boyfriend leaves her she decides to train as a teacher. Only on her first day Patsy learns the school has just failed it’s Ofsted. A new Head has been appointed to save the day! And she has an exciting vision!&nbsp;By the end of day 3 the school has been rebuilt as a flat pack castle and the pupils have been divided into knights and serfs. The Head drums into everyone a spirit of competition! It’s all very exciting until it becomes clear where there are winners there has to be losers.&nbsp; The Patsy Papers is a quizzical look at school life and hierarchies in modern education based on my experiences teaching in secondary schools for 16 years, <img width="434" height="116" width_o="434" height_o="116" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7fc2bdc861beb7096107480f5721cf89caba959a68d42a891701cd7c42ac9f5c/ACE.LOGOpng.png" data-mid="130726294" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/434/i/7fc2bdc861beb7096107480f5721cf89caba959a68d42a891701cd7c42ac9f5c/ACE.LOGOpng.png" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/91a9a2ef88eb402584ddc5bd3840ce1fdbf5495190d23883cc6688cab9b882d6/MISERY.jpg" data-mid="129909612" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/91a9a2ef88eb402584ddc5bd3840ce1fdbf5495190d23883cc6688cab9b882d6/MISERY.jpg" /><img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f33dc0dde5f9985d1077701fd012cda60735652b7638deccaf8c5766db7b6963/CASTLE3.JPG" data-mid="129909613" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f33dc0dde5f9985d1077701fd012cda60735652b7638deccaf8c5766db7b6963/CASTLE3.JPG" /><img width="1082" height="1625" width_o="1082" height_o="1625" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3291d4808ec4739d024e4cfc3bfce49cba1e40807a206e7bc9f8b672765446de/patsy-art-studio.jpg" data-mid="129909616" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3291d4808ec4739d024e4cfc3bfce49cba1e40807a206e7bc9f8b672765446de/patsy-art-studio.jpg" /><img width="1765" height="2539" width_o="1765" height_o="2539" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9f09e1cdbb29e18e603bc77c24da3558836e613f1a22c3da7f8f1eed3b3ab572/Parents-Eve-Colour-2-copy.jpg" data-mid="129909619" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9f09e1cdbb29e18e603bc77c24da3558836e613f1a22c3da7f8f1eed3b3ab572/Parents-Eve-Colour-2-copy.jpg" /><img width="2268" height="2724" width_o="2268" height_o="2724" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c133775ecffb378ae029fd4b308c9c866db93e507a8f1c5cb586e7f92121a02e/MARINA.jpg" data-mid="129909625" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c133775ecffb378ae029fd4b308c9c866db93e507a8f1c5cb586e7f92121a02e/MARINA.jpg" /><img width="3306" height="2338" width_o="3306" height_o="2338" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2375337bcd93c658b61580eadab5987292129c6b6f5e603542da54a825ef766c/HEAD.jpg" data-mid="129909626" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2375337bcd93c658b61580eadab5987292129c6b6f5e603542da54a825ef766c/HEAD.jpg" /><img width="2338" height="3306" width_o="2338" height_o="3306" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/305287f202995bd716bbea34f5b55e513f3a4232d6cf339b68e72217381a343e/JEZ.jpg" data-mid="129909629" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/305287f202995bd716bbea34f5b55e513f3a4232d6cf339b68e72217381a343e/JEZ.jpg" /><img width="725" height="713" width_o="725" height_o="713" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b801e79b773cc22b53704b04f7f38a9a9ee9ef91b4d5e48953cfaced928ff98a/I-DON-T-LIKE-THE-WAY-YOU-SAY-MY-NAME.jpg" data-mid="130799104" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/725/i/b801e79b773cc22b53704b04f7f38a9a9ee9ef91b4d5e48953cfaced928ff98a/I-DON-T-LIKE-THE-WAY-YOU-SAY-MY-NAME.jpg" /> 1 <img width="1973" height="1642" width_o="1973" height_o="1642" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c80d65c36d607a886e979823f3f559519d51283026e7bb370f9e5f57e4f2369b/head-copy.jpg" data-mid="129909635" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c80d65c36d607a886e979823f3f559519d51283026e7bb370f9e5f57e4f2369b/head-copy.jpg" /> https://rachaelballcartoons.com/SHORT-COMICS Wed, 12 Jan 2022 11:20:39 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/SHORT-COMICS SHORT COMICS THE TRICK This was a practice comic for an ongoing MG graphic novel Shadows. I’ve tried this story in many forms- a comic, a YA prose novel with and without illustrations, (black and white, colour...) Some stories are like that. I like to think of Shadows as.. marinating. This part of the story is when Arthur gets swallowed up by leaves and taken into the Underworld. <img width="5354" height="7874" width_o="5354" height_o="7874" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/90c7652cceccdb0a59233fded49c83e76bfb366c92757745f15a7691f2d16db3/1-THE-TRICKJPEG-1.jpg" data-mid="129909796" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/90c7652cceccdb0a59233fded49c83e76bfb366c92757745f15a7691f2d16db3/1-THE-TRICKJPEG-1.jpg" /><img width="5354" height="7874" width_o="5354" height_o="7874" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/500f3a8684c219574207c18d6b21a7dd8aef49a02dfbcf2818a65355750b932e/2-THE-TRICK.jpg" data-mid="129909846" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/500f3a8684c219574207c18d6b21a7dd8aef49a02dfbcf2818a65355750b932e/2-THE-TRICK.jpg" /><img width="5354" height="7291" width_o="5354" height_o="7291" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/724417075f3d474295252fcb2ab7778fba941176dce4f879b0c65f2041ec461a/3-THETRICKJPEG-3.jpg" data-mid="129909847" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/724417075f3d474295252fcb2ab7778fba941176dce4f879b0c65f2041ec461a/3-THETRICKJPEG-3.jpg" /><img width="5354" height="7550" width_o="5354" height_o="7550" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9644cdae83b21cc493283f5864734047c43f6579580978bca5b1278de4a4c451/4-THE-TRICKJEPEG-4.jpg" data-mid="129909852" border="0" data-scale="91" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9644cdae83b21cc493283f5864734047c43f6579580978bca5b1278de4a4c451/4-THE-TRICKJEPEG-4.jpg" /> THE SHELLEY STRIP Featured in Antony Ezmond’s ‘The Whore Chronicles.’ Antony collected interviews with working girls when he was a detective and after leaving the force he commisioned different cartoonists to visualise the scripts into a fabulous collection. &nbsp; <img width="3730" height="5768" width_o="3730" height_o="5768" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5f512a5c9015af8e1213e9401d233c35c92986f5637fdce2ce389bca0e008d32/ONE-AZ.jpg" data-mid="129909834" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5f512a5c9015af8e1213e9401d233c35c92986f5637fdce2ce389bca0e008d32/ONE-AZ.jpg" /><img width="3838" height="5814" width_o="3838" height_o="5814" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f753666e2f1ef3e2096669d89181736d9f8d2d57381660dadc5260596809ca51/TWO-AZ.jpg" data-mid="129909831" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f753666e2f1ef3e2096669d89181736d9f8d2d57381660dadc5260596809ca51/TWO-AZ.jpg" /><img width="3803" height="5762" width_o="3803" height_o="5762" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5d16e2d9d3091c55bfabc32e9d83923262adab75e7165de021c1a5e7db84476a/THREE-AZ.jpg" data-mid="129909810" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5d16e2d9d3091c55bfabc32e9d83923262adab75e7165de021c1a5e7db84476a/THREE-AZ.jpg" /> The Weardale Fairies -featured in &nbsp; Russ Kick’s Graphic Anthology of Children’s Literature, 2014 <img width="500" height="658" width_o="500" height_o="658" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b0bf351eee92ec5631ff6ab08f6a3a2b3d818c4eafebacf9591ada3c60e6e0fe/ONE.jpg" data-mid="130016086" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/b0bf351eee92ec5631ff6ab08f6a3a2b3d818c4eafebacf9591ada3c60e6e0fe/ONE.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="664" width_o="500" height_o="664" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/87b1370f44f1df421b67d5c5514a8e7e8bbcc4e8afe6c7d3b3478b7628d4012e/2.jpg" data-mid="130016079" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/87b1370f44f1df421b67d5c5514a8e7e8bbcc4e8afe6c7d3b3478b7628d4012e/2.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="664" width_o="500" height_o="664" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d03517dff09f6ea2a36ba803872b78e8290a36566103e8ed94b1c0f99c1de774/3.jpg" data-mid="130016080" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/d03517dff09f6ea2a36ba803872b78e8290a36566103e8ed94b1c0f99c1de774/3.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="664" width_o="500" height_o="664" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c3eb6ab3a248ef0d92775679573e1e2c481889af77fe7c54dd71d398d17b324c/4.jpg" data-mid="130016082" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/c3eb6ab3a248ef0d92775679573e1e2c481889af77fe7c54dd71d398d17b324c/4.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="660" width_o="500" height_o="660" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/60da154191acf9c67ecea93d850c00a4b212b7188f56f172e6e66b9402b389be/5.jpg" data-mid="130016083" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/60da154191acf9c67ecea93d850c00a4b212b7188f56f172e6e66b9402b389be/5.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="664" width_o="500" height_o="664" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ba5e6cd98177e22c27702e4c0ecc91f630f058c80df93bf1f3df82be2041b669/6.jpg" data-mid="130016084" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/ba5e6cd98177e22c27702e4c0ecc91f630f058c80df93bf1f3df82be2041b669/6.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="662" width_o="500" height_o="662" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f73fadce8141bbdceeab987b5540a9c0d50709fc01d33d5358b790170f43989b/SEVEN.jpg" data-mid="130016087" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/f73fadce8141bbdceeab987b5540a9c0d50709fc01d33d5358b790170f43989b/SEVEN.jpg" /> <img width="500" height="664" width_o="500" height_o="664" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/eb6816f30e0c781d16447e3289b5ade7512b4046ef4c8630b09b59c3f2faef1e/EIGHT.jpg" data-mid="130016085" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/500/i/eb6816f30e0c781d16447e3289b5ade7512b4046ef4c8630b09b59c3f2faef1e/EIGHT.jpg" /> https://rachaelballcartoons.com/COMIC-CLUB Wed, 12 Jan 2022 14:34:55 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/COMIC-CLUB &nbsp;COMIC CLUB FREE! <img width="2224" height="1668" width_o="2224" height_o="1668" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9d3720adfca8be5ceac1e3ed261491e20998657cc121c25f3e168c76f9137ef9/Untitled_Artwork-4.PNG" data-mid="219614284" border="0" data-scale="86" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9d3720adfca8be5ceac1e3ed261491e20998657cc121c25f3e168c76f9137ef9/Untitled_Artwork-4.PNG" /> This year I’m running free 1 hour online lunch time Comic Clubs.&nbsp;I set a few comic exercises and give a few tips. Then we share and chit chat. They are bi-monthly.(online) 12.45-1.45 January, March, May, July, September and November 2024 Sign up for my newsletter to get the zoom link -- &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; https://rachaelballcartoons.com/MENTORING-AND-GROUP-MENTORING Wed, 12 Jan 2022 14:42:25 +0000 RachaelBallCartoons https://rachaelballcartoons.com/MENTORING-AND-GROUP-MENTORING MENTORING I offer mentoring at a rate of £67 per hourAND GROW YOUR GRAPHIC NOVEL group mentoring(online) &nbsp; The february 2026 group is now FULL But there will be a new group starting mid year. Contact me at ball.rachael@yahoo.co.uk if iyou are ntereted in joining Cost: £385 Max group size 5 Working on a graphic novel or comic and tired of working alone? Know it could be brilliant but getting lost in the detail? You post your work in progress. I read it and feedback at our monthly group sessions. Then we have a group discussion.&nbsp; It’s fun and VERY USEFUL! Nine 2.5 hr sessions (plus a 1:1 with me (45 mins.) <img width="3264" height="1836" width_o="3264" height_o="1836" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2c064d5aa05e2e992f51e91c2b654cfe7a7027e18f8c8ad858478da59d3d4c52/IMG_20180810_123050322_HDR-1.jpg" data-mid="129911712" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2c064d5aa05e2e992f51e91c2b654cfe7a7027e18f8c8ad858478da59d3d4c52/IMG_20180810_123050322_HDR-1.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Ex mentees have been picked up by agents, publishers; been nominated for the Clairburn comic Prize, short listed for the LDComics Graphic novel competition as well as the Jonathan Cape Graphic Novel competition.One mentee just got a publishing deal with Bloomsbury. Feedback- ‘So beneficial and encouraging and the otherpeople on the course were equally supportive.’ Message me at ball.rachael@yahoo.co.uk to find out more.<img width="976" height="914" width_o="976" height_o="914" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5340149f6d383ecc27b7583f64d6eba58f5d9304206cf8cebcd96152ae64ca3c/Scan-13-2.jpg" data-mid="129911702" border="0" data-scale="72" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/976/i/5340149f6d383ecc27b7583f64d6eba58f5d9304206cf8cebcd96152ae64ca3c/Scan-13-2.jpg" /> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ONE TO ONE MENTORING (online) £67 per hour Need help working on a graphic novel or children’s book (Narrative, script, ideas or visuals)&nbsp;We will have a pre meeting email exchange chat to pinpoint your needs. During mentor sessions we’ll develop an action plan for you so your creative project will go from strength to strength and be the wonderful thing it’s meant to be. Generally students get the most out of between 2 to 4 sessions. Email me at: ball.rachael@yahoo.co.uk to discuss your needs. ------------------------------------------------------ <img width="1073" height="1356" width_o="1073" height_o="1356" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f2099e96e7d0623517b51575f02e80ae18425cd5a3c99f717ab0b1d787a19482/SHADOWS-SCRAPBOOK.jpg" data-mid="129911928" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f2099e96e7d0623517b51575f02e80ae18425cd5a3c99f717ab0b1d787a19482/SHADOWS-SCRAPBOOK.jpg" /> <img width="835" height="847" width_o="835" height_o="847" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/221079071d095064ac766c3a1217611278b6faa42d838b7eb2a2a20d87e502d8/IDA-AND-THE-LIGHT-PAINTING.jpg" data-mid="129911885" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/835/i/221079071d095064ac766c3a1217611278b6faa42d838b7eb2a2a20d87e502d8/IDA-AND-THE-LIGHT-PAINTING.jpg" />&nbsp; Mentees feedback: “I found it so useful. I was floundering around, playing about with ideas but with absolutely no idea of how to go about even ordering my thoughts let alone planning and structuring a piece of work, so it was great that Rachael was able to hone in so many different aspects and give me pointers on how I might proceed. ” ‘Rachael listened to my ideas, my blocks and then helped break open my perceptions of what this piece of work might become. She saw the potential, brainstormed and also gave me some concrete ideas of how to go about taking the work into a new draft, a more dynamic draft. Still lots of work to do, but I am looking forward to my next session with Rachael - her mentoring skills are as special as her artistic skills.’