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Josh Bayer

Teaches at 92nd Street Y

Josh Bayer lives in Harlem and has worked as a Graphic Novelist, Fine Artist and Illustrator for twenty years. Josh is the editor of the anthology Suspect Device, and the author of Raw Power, RM, Black Star, Theth and its sequel, Theth Tomorrow Forever, an Ignatz award Nominee for Outstanding Graphic Novel of 2020.

Additionally, he is the editor and writer of the All Time Comics imprint from Floating World Comics and Fantagraphics. His style is characterized by a genre fusion tying together different historical cartooning styles with a devout punk rock anti-narrative. His comics work was reprinted in the Best American Comics series in 2014 and 2017, selected from work across the country by editors Ben Katchor and Jonathan Letham. 

Bayer also has an extensive career producing conceptual art for a variety of TV and film productions for clients including MTV, HBO and Amnesty International. Josh earned an MFA in Illustration and Cartooning in 2009 and has been teaching professionally since 2007 at schools all over New York. In 2021 he was nominated for a Distinguished Teaching Award by a panel of his peers at Parsons University.

Reviews of Josh Bayer

(67 Reviews)
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Joseph I. on 2/18/2024
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Elah F. on 11/13/2021
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Sherry L. on 8/23/2021
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Rachel H. on 8/23/2021
    Josh is an incredibly skilled and supportive instructor. Would take another class with him in a heartbeat!
  • Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Anonymous review on 2/8/2021
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Anonymous review on 12/9/2020
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Cole I. on 11/12/2020
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Kathie C. on 10/13/2020
    LOVED it
  • Illustrating the Human Form

    Reviewed by Carole F. on 9/5/2020
    Josh is an amazing teacher. I learned a lot and really enjoyed the class.
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Mabel A. on 8/31/2020
    I had a great experience. I thought that Josh did a wonderful job with a limited amount of time. I learned so much in just a few weeks. He inspired me to continue engaging in illustration.
  • Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Reviewed by Justin M. on 7/20/2020
    Josh is the way, truth, and also light.
  • Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Reviewed by Andrea K. on 7/20/2020
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Anonymous review on 7/18/2020
    Josh's class contains a good mix of lecture and hands-on time (even over Zoom) and is welcoming to people of different artistic skill levels. I'm a complete beginner--I learned a lot in this class and am encouraged to keep going.
  • Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Reviewed by Andrea K. on 6/22/2020
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Kathryn G. on 6/19/2020
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Justin M. on 6/19/2020
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Justin M. on 6/4/2020
    Josh’s class is the truth.
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Kathryn G. on 5/30/2020
    The teacher was knowledgeable and talented. I went from barely able to draw faces to being able to make scenes with complete figures and interesting backgrounds. The use of technology makes it even easier to look at what you’re drawing and what’s being shown by the teacher (on Zoom) at the same time. The prompts for the assignments were REALLy good, and I enjoyed all of the things I made in this class. Definitely highly recommend.
  • Illustrating the Human Form

    Reviewed by Patricia T. on 4/6/2020
    Hard to tell missed one lesson and have no clue if the last lesson took place.......all online post covid...
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Anonymous review on 3/2/2020
    Josh’s clear love of teaching came through from the moment he started the first class til the very end of the last session. It’s a great way for anyone to move at their own pace while picking up some great tips from a passionate talented teacher.
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Marta C. on 2/21/2020
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Elana S. on 12/22/2019
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Heidi O. on 12/16/2019
    Josh is great! highly recommend him as a teacher.
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Gabriella V. on 9/15/2019
    At the beginning I was a bit skeptical on how much you can learn from a 5 class course (I just had a short time window available), but -at the end of it- I can definitely say I am very happy I have taken it. Josh Bayer is a talented artist and a great, great instructor. Always on time, extremely professional but not stiff, he packs every class with a whole lot of information and inspiration. He manages to keep things simple and easy for everyone, creating a learning environment that is very supportive, engaging and stimulating. He is also deeply committed in enhancing everyone's specific skills and style. I feel I have gained a lot from this course and I would definitely take more classes with him if only I had not moved overseas! Many thanks for this course, best wishes for your future educational activities!
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Anonymous review on 8/26/2019
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Michelle D. on 6/10/2019
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Anonymous review on 6/10/2019
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Ashley Brooke R. on 6/3/2019
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Anonymous review on 4/17/2019
    Took the class not knowing what to expect & it turned out much much better than I expected. Josh is a great, patient teacher even with those who do not have much artistic skill. I will probably take this course again as a refresher when I have time in the future.
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Anonymous review on 3/3/2019
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Victoria C. on 1/23/2019
  • Illustrating the Human Form

    Reviewed by Laura M. on 12/20/2018
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by James S. on 12/18/2018
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Rebecca K. on 8/1/2018
  • Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Reviewed by Hannah R. on 4/29/2018
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Anonymous review on 12/19/2017
    I really enjoyed this class! Josh is a great teacher - not only very knowledgeable about comics and drawing basics, but also very experienced as a teacher of art. We had several people who had taken the class two or three times, so we had a range of artistic ability, but Josh works with you on the level you're at and helps you improve regardless of whether it's your first time drawing or you're very experienced. The weekly assignments aren't a huge load and really help you practice what you learn each week. I had a lot of fun in the class, too -- I went in knowing very little about the American comics tradition and learned so much different artists and their various comic styles. I'd highly recommend taking this class with Josh!
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Oliver W. on 11/13/2017
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by elena t. on 11/5/2017
  • Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Anonymous review on 11/4/2017
  • Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Reviewed by Anthony S. on 11/3/2017
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Anonymous review on 10/30/2017
    This is a great class. Josh is a wonderful teacher. He is appreciate of all different styles and encourages each student to explore their own voice. I started the class timid about my drawing and I came out of it feeling confident and eager to learn more!
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Anna U. on 8/11/2017
  • Drawing: Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Reviewed by Gabrielle G. on 7/25/2017
  • zxDrawing (Basics/Intermediate)

    Anonymous review on 7/19/2017
    Josh is an excellent teacher who really cares about teaching, prepares great class lessons, and is very supportive of his students. I learned a lot in this course.
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Gabrielle G. on 4/10/2017
    I loved this class! Josh Bayer was a great teacher. The lessons were fun and informative and the homework was always helpful. I would definitely take another class with him.
  • Comics & the Graphic Novel

    Reviewed by Shannon C. on 12/28/2016
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Joanne W. on 12/19/2016
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Anonymous review on 12/19/2016
  • Anatomy for Illustrators and Cartoonists

    Reviewed by Lara R. on 12/19/2016
    Josh is a very good teacher. I think this class would be challenging for beginners, however.
  • Anatomy for Illustrators and Cartoonists

    Reviewed by Daniel G. on 12/17/2016
    Great class, great teacher. Very chill classes. Great therapy for the middle of stressful work weeks. :) Josh teaches a few techniques each night with a few handouts to help you, then you get to work on your new skills. Josh comes around and gives you one on one feedback. I'm going to sign up for another class of his.
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Jake H. on 10/31/2016
    Fantastic class, great teacher who really listens to you and gives constructive feedback.
  • Anatomy for Illustrators and Cartoonists

    Reviewed by Cinthia P. on 10/30/2016
  • Getting Started with Drawing

    Reviewed by Tania . on 8/18/2016
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by Colette P. on 4/10/2016
    Josh Bayer was an excellent teacher!
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by CEMILE G. on 4/4/2016
    Cartooning & Illustration for Beginners with Josh Bayer was a great beginner class for getting right into making cartoons and comics for adults. Josh covered some essential subjects in each class with demonstrations and gave in-class assignments based on the subject matter. We covered various topics like crosshatching, drawing the female form, shadow and light, paneling, inking, and perspective. Homework assignments were fun and built on the skills developed in class. Josh and others got a chance to critique assignments and make suggestions. Josh's suggestions were always right on the money. Class had a great range of abilities and styles, and all were welcomed and encouraged. Everyone got to develop their own thing, in their own way. I highly recommend this class to those who are interested in a basic intro to the art form.
  • Cartooning for Beginners

    Reviewed by James D. on 4/4/2016
  • Anatomy for Illustrators and Cartoonists

    Reviewed by Aaron W. on 2/23/2015
  • zxGraphic Novels & Illustration For Beginners

    Reviewed by kate W. on 2/23/2015
  • zxGraphic Novels & Illustration For Beginners

    Anonymous review on 2/23/2015
  • zxComic Storytelling

    Anonymous review on 12/16/2014
    Josh Bayer is dedicated to his craft and shows enthusiasm for classmembers' work. Highly recommended!
  • Drawing: Pen, Ink and Beyond

    Reviewed by Aaron W. on 12/15/2014
  • Anatomy for Illustrators and Cartoonists

    Reviewed by malena l. on 12/15/2014
  • Illustrated City Stories

    Reviewed by Tasha S. on 11/10/2014
  • zxComic Storytelling

    Reviewed by Megan Heise on 6/11/2014
  • zxComic Storytelling

    Reviewed by Tamara Nolte on 6/11/2014
    so far so great!
  • zxComic Storytelling

    Reviewed by Rachel Cassidy on 6/10/2014
  • zxComic Storytelling

    Reviewed by F Lengyel on 4/29/2014
    Very knowledgeable, serious and experienced instructor. Excellent exercises.

Classes taught by Josh Bayer

View all courses taught by this teacher

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