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I love pop culture, and what I love about manga in particular is how it connects with fans, readers and artists all over the world as common ground - it does not matter how old you are, what gender or what language you speak. Manga is very different to what we have all grown up reading in the 20th century, it does not hide it's roots and yet it also embraces inspiration from all over the world itself. Manga inspires and delivers unique stories with relatable human (and sometimes non-human!) characterisation, which all surpass cultural barriers.

With no hiding of grey-area ambiguity, a lot of manga discusses real-life issues that are not always black and white, good and bad, but also often has strong moral values and brings out the very best in human nature, of which we as readers can always be inspired by. I have been involved in the UK anime and manga scene since the 90s and I am so happy and proud to have helped get to know the UK manga community as it has grown, as part of my own life growing up, too.

I am passionate about comics in general, with a focus on manga (comics originally from and inspired by comics from Japan). I have been a reader since the early 90’s and continue to read books translated from and illustrate my own comics and work inspired by Japanese pop culture.

I am available for manga/comic workshops for schools and community groups; I am also available for consultations to help libraries and groups. I am more than happy to help you and your group get to grips with what manga is, help audiences become familiar with what age groups, subjects, demographics and more are available in this dynamic medium.

Comic books can really help kids and young adults LOVE reading. Comics from all over the world are interesting, fun and open up entire new worlds, characters... universes! Neurodivergent people in particular have a special interest in comic books and are even better at parsing comic book expressions than neurotypical readers.

Contact me to discuss your consultation and talk needs: laura@pinkapplejam.com

My talks and workshop clients include:

  • BBC World News, 29th May 2019, I appeared on TV to chat about manga with Lucy Hockings alongside Nicole Rousmaniere

  • BBC Blast Workshop tour @ "Manga motion", Cambridge

  • Manga talks with Sonia Leong & Emma Vieceli @ Halesowen Library, West Midlands

  • Manga Workshop (all-day event) @ The Hub National Centre for Craft & Design, Lincoln

  • Manga Illustration Workshop @ "Everybody's Reading", Phoenix Square, Leicester

  • Manga talks & workshops @ The Artists & Illustrators (A&I) Exhibition, London

  • Portfolio reviews & talks @ Minamicon, Southampton

  • Manga caricatures @ Will Adams Festival, Kent

  • Manga caricatures @ TokyoToys Store, Trocadero Centre, London

  • MCM London (since 2005) - Helped host Letraset-sponsored art competition with Sweatdrop Studios 

  • "Manga School" workshops and demos with Letraset (part of ColArt) @ MCM London Comic Con

  • Manga Talks with Years 5, 6 and 7 as part of Culture Week (UK schools' National Curriculum) 

  • Bento Workshop at The Junction, Cambridge; in conjunction with The Romsey Art Festival

  • Sewing workshops, involving unique and cute product designs at CallyCo, Cambridge

I have TEFL experience, SEN awareness and have had workshop, demo and talk experience with small and large groups consisting of people of all ages, including neurodivergent attendees.

I'm super-passionate about comics, manga, sequential narrative, games. I do not consider a range of ages or small/large sized groups to be challenging, either!

Laura’s workshops for schools and groups

In my workshops you will:

  • Learn to draw a comic from an illustrator/artist with 20 years’ experience

  • Hear a fun, engaging session for children or young adults in schools or libraries.

Sessions are hosted by illustrator Laura Watton, who illustrates and publishes comics and art using manga influences. Laura has been involved with anime, manga and games since 1994.

Why host a manga workshop?

  • Increases children’s confidence in drawing, storytelling and illustration, whatever their current ability

  • In one session, children can learn the basics of manga character design, expressions, panel layout, character styles and much more

  • Manga is hugely popular with children of all ages – this is a great way to engage a group in a fun and educational activity

  • Sessions available at beginner, intermediary and advanced levels

  • Sessions held throughout the East Anglia and London areas – bookings further afield may also be available, please get in touch.

Benefits of manga workshops:

  • Encourage every attendee to draw in a manga style

  • Help attendees create something from imagination after trying the basics

  • Have no pressure, no grading, just fun communications and encouragement

  • Have a relaxed and creative atmosphere

  • Have a friendly learning environment 

  • Are easy to pick up with any level of drawing

  • Encourage group discussion and questions 

  • Talking points regards "what next?" - character designing, publishing and so on

Having run manga workshops in schools, I've found numerous benefits for students who attend the sessions. To find out more, including prices and booking, contact me!

Over the past few years, I have given presentations, by myself or with colleagues, to groups of people who are also interested in drawing in a manga-influenced style. I have also been involved in drawing client's caricatures for event attendees.

Please contact your local school or library to request hosting manga workshops with me, as I currently do not host individual classes. Thanks!

Work testimonials

"Laura has been an incredibly popular hit at our annual Japanese festival (The Will Adams Festival) in Medway which she has attended for the past number of years offering while-you-wait Manga caricatures.  Her beautiful portraits are so popular that we regularly see queues of people waiting for up to three hours to have their drawing done by Laura, with hundreds taking a seat in front of her throughout the day.  And Laura is as friendly and enthusiastic with visitor number one as she is with number 201.  She has particularly good rapport with young people, many of whom come to the event specifically because of Laura's Manga portraits and come dressed in Manga-style with wigs, ears and contact lenses especially for the occasion of having their portrait drawn."

:: Robyn Goldsmith, Medway Council 

 

"Laura was a joy to collaborate with on material for a manga submission. She was very patient in revisions and able to take direction with a friendly, open attitude, eager to understand her client's intent and needs -- yet always ready to provide her own inspirations and touches of whimsy as well. She was also very hard-working and reliable throughout the process. I'd recommend her without hesitation!"

:: Sarah Roark;  Author, Creator of "After Daylight," Vampire-Comedy Webcomic (Afterdaylight.com)

 

"Laura created some great artwork for us to enhance an existing games IP, taking it in a new direction with some comic strips. Although working remotely, we had no communication problems, she got to grips with the brief immediately, understood the creative direction and produced great work. I've no hesitation recommending Laura."

:: David MacQueen, Strategy Analytics (Games Kitchen)

 

"Laura has that rare gift in an illustrator of being able to take a client's vague proposal, and turn it into exactly what they pictured in their mind. I had a requirement for a poster for an Edinburgh Festival comedy show that was bright and bold, that reflected the spirit of the show, and that had a unique sense of fun. Laura managed to do all of this and so much more. I'm so proud to have Laura's art alongside my show, and  I'm in no doubt that I'll be asking her to design my poster again next year."

:: Chris Coltrane, Comedian (ChrisColtrane.com)