🎨 Upcoming Summer & Fall Art Workshops: How to Draw Manga & Comics!

🎨 Upcoming Summer & Fall Art Workshops: How to Draw Manga & Comics!



📣 Announcements & Quick Updates

  • New Book Release Coming This Fall! Keep an eye out for Silent Nightmares, a horror Christmas anthology edited by Michael Bailey and Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club), published by Saga Press (Simon & Schuster)—releasing September 29, 2026!

  • Workshop Supplies Provided: All drawing materials for the library workshops listed below are provided on site unless otherwise noted!

  • Stay Connected: Visit orionzangaraart.com for original art prints, portfolio updates, and future event dates.


Step-by-step drawing classes with comic illustrator Orion Zangara across Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania libraries and art centers.

Whether you are an aspiring illustrator, a teen comic enthusiast, or an adult looking to unlock a new creative hobby, an exciting lineup of hands-on workshops is scheduled across the region this summer and fall.


Join professional comic artist and illustrator Orion Zangara for step-by-step Manga character sketching, character design, and sequential art fundamentals. Here is the complete schedule of upcoming programs and registration details.


🖌️ Featured Workshop Highlights & Locations



1. Fairfax County Public Library System (VA)

  • Program: Draw an Anime Character

  • Instructor: Orion Zangara

  • Dates & Times:

    • Pohick Regional Library: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Dolley Madison Library: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

    • George Mason Regional Library: Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

    • Martha Washington Library: Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

    • John Marshall Library: Thursday, August 6, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

  • Details: Learn head-to-toe proportions, dynamic posing, and shading techniques to construct complete manga and anime characters from scratch. Co-sponsored by local Friends of the Library groups.


2. Frederick County Public Libraries (MD) – Thurmont & Urbana

  • Thurmont Regional Library (76 E. Moser Rd, Thurmont, MD)

    • Event: Teen and Tween Manga Warrior Workshop

    • Date & Time: Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 5:30 PM

    • Details: Turn basic geometric shapes into dynamic action figures on paper.

  • Urbana Regional Library (Anthony M. Natelli Community Room)

    • Event: Drawing a Manga Warrior

    • Date & Time: Sunday, August 30, 2026 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

    • Details: Step-by-step structural planning, dynamic posing, and figure drawing for teens and adults.

  • Link: Frederick County Public Libraries Event Calendar


3. Charles County Public Library (MD) – La Plata Branch

  • Location: La Plata Branch (2 Garrett Ave, La Plata, MD)

  • Event: Manga Drawing Workshop (CCPL Summer Learning Challenge)

  • Instructor: Orion Zangara

  • Date & Time: Friday, July 31, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

  • Details: Free hands-on drawing workshop hosted as part of the Summer Learning Challenge. All materials supplied on site.

  • Link: Charles County Public Library Summer Programs


4. Martin Library (York, PA)

  • Location: Martin Library

  • Event: How to Draw Comics & Manga with Orion Zangara

  • Date & Time: Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

  • Target Audience: Grade 5 through College

  • Details: Learn comic and manga drawing fundamentals step-by-step. All supplies are included, but advance registration is required.

5. Alexandria Library – Kate Waller Barrett Branch (VA)

  • Location: 2nd Floor, Kate Waller Barrett Branch (717 Queen St, Alexandria, VA)

  • Event: Manga Sketching Class

  • Instructor: Orion Zangara

  • Date & Time: Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

  • Details: Draw a manga-style warrior starting from basic blueprints to a full figure using step-by-step guides. Supplies provided. Open to teens and adults.

  • Link: Register at Alexandria Library


6. Staunton Augusta Art Center (SAAC)

  • Location: 20 S. New Street, Staunton, VA

  • Event: Manga Sketching Class with Orion Zangara

  • Date & Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  • Details: A full 2-hour deep dive into sequential art and character construction ($75 Members / $100 Non-members).

  • Link: View & Register at SAAC Adult Workshops


✏️ What You’ll Learn in the Workshops

  • Foundational Geometry: Construct full-body figures using simple 3D shapes (spheres, cylinders, and boxes) before adding detail.

  • Dynamic Posing: Action stances, anatomical proportioning, and character weight.

  • Costume & Line Work: Translating blueprint structures into finished warrior attire, hair dynamics, and ink-style outlining.

  • Inspirations & Q&A: Learn about sequential storytelling from Orion Zangara—a graduate of The Joe Kubert School and illustrator for publications like The Stone Man Mysteries (with Jane Yolen) and Silent Nightmares (Simon & Schuster).


🎟️ How to Join

Most library programs are free to the public, though seating is limited and advance registration is required for many of the branches. Art Center classes require registration through their direct web store.

Check your local library catalog or click the event links above to reserve your spot!


If anyone has any questions feel free to email me at orionzangaraart@gmail.com—I love to chat with you all! See you there! :)




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