'ComiQ' - a 3-day specialised workshop for artists interested in creating visual stories - successfully concluded yesterday at the A4 Space in Al Serkal Avenue.

Marking the first specialised workshop, organised by The Cultural Office (TCO) of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, 'ComiQ' aimed to raise the calibre of young talents in the city, thereby ensuring the continued growth of the art community in the UAE.

Commenting on the occasion, Mona Bin Kalli, Director of The Cultural Office said, "Founded on the vision of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Presidential Affairs, UAE; The Cultural Office is committed to finding nurturing new artistic talents not only through specialised workshops but through our other long-running initiatives of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum."

She continued, "In line with this, The Cultural Office is keen to continue to organise workshops and programs that emerging artists can use to enrich their knowledge of new art forms as well and help them build their confidence in their own skills and capabilities."

ComiQ saw more than 15 participants receiving invaluable tips and techniques from four leading locally-based artists which are Asma Al Romaithi, Aysha Saif Al Hamrani, Khadija Al Saeedi and Shihab Aldeen Al Meshrif. Heralding prestigious comic careers, students will benefit from their extensive experience and expertise to develop their own comic series from scratch. Asma Al Romaithi is the first place winner at the Abu Dhabi ARTHUB Japanese art contest and regular participant at art conventions such as Middle East Film and Comic Con 2013 , Offtopic Japanese Carnival 2013 and IGN Convention 2013 in Dubai; Aysha Saif Al Hamrani is the creator 'Mnawrah' Emirati comic series; Khadija Al Saeedi is an animation studio artist in Cartoon Network Studios Arabia; and Shihab Aldeen Al Meshrif is the former Digital illustration studio artist in Cartoon Network Studios Arabia.

During the ComiQ workshop, participants expanded their knowledge of the key components of producing one's own comics. Through lectures, exercises, and group projects, they explored story structure, page composition, character design, environmental drawing, and production.

Moreover, the workshop culminated with each participant developing an original graphic novel which will be showcased as part of a ComiQ Group Exhibition.