Step-by-Step Guide: My Comics Process
Everyone likes good comic books. Have you ever thought about making your work a comic book? There are some step-by-step instructions to create your first comic book. Follow these instructions and you will create great comic books at any time! Here are 10 simple steps to create a comic strip.
10 steps for how to create comic books
- Brainstorming and Ideation
- Scriptwriting
- Storyboarding
- Pencil Drawing
- Inking
- Scanning and clean-up.
- Adding Color (or Shades)
- Lettering
- Final Touches
- Publishing and Sharing
1.Brainstorming and Ideation
The first step is coming up with a story idea. This can be challenging, but there are a few techniques I like to use to get started:
- Write down anything that comes to mind: Start with keywords, emotions, or themes.
- Think about the characters: Who will be in the story? Consider personality traits, backgrounds, and relationships.
- Develop a basic storyline: Think of a beginning, middle, and end. You don’t need every detail yet, just a general idea of where the story will go.
A useful tip is to keep a notebook of ideas. Sometimes the best story concepts come when you’re not even thinking about comics, so jot down ideas as they come!
2.Scriptwriting
Having a finished script before you start drawing increases your chance of actually finishing with about 3000 percent.
Once you have a story concept, it’s time to turn that into a script. The script doesn’t need to be as detailed as a movie screenplay, but it should cover these elements:
- Dialogue and captions: Write out what each character will say and what any narration will convey.
- Panel descriptions: Describe the action and visuals for each panel. I aim for brief but clear descriptions, focusing on key movements and emotions.
- Pacing: Decide how quickly or slowly you want the story to progress. This is especially important in comics, where you control the reader’s speed with panel layouts and spacing.
Creating a script helps you understand the flow of the comic before you start drawing, saving you time and frustration later.
3.Thumbnails
Thumbnails is essentially making a “rough draft” of your comic on paper. This step helps you visualize the comic, letting you experiment with layouts and panel arrangements.
- Thumbnail sketches: I use small, rough sketches for each page and panel. This step is not about detail; it’s about getting the composition right.
This is little scribbles just to get a grip of the page breakdowns. I don’t neccesarily do it for every page but it can be very helpful. The more I plan before I start drawing, the more smoothly the rest of the process.
Just like cooking,the cooking metaphor was perfect and as a person who cooks and makes comics, it really “hit the spot”. Just try to cut up the ingredients you need for your stir fry after the meat is in the pan. Something’s gonna get messed up.
i have recently started a new comics project and unlike my first one, I have the ending in sight before i began, plus an outline , a rough script, and lots of story boards. I am drawing my pages literally 4 times as fast with less erasing and more satisfaction. Because i already have script and story boards, I can even skip ahead if i get hung up on a drawing so my progress can continue.
4.Pencil Drawing
With a solid Thumbnails, it’s time to start sketching out the full-sized panels. This is where I begin to add more detail, making the characters and settings recognizable.
- Sketch lightly: I start with light pencil marks so that I can make changes without leaving noticeable lines. Focus on the structure and form first before getting into details.
- Establish characters and setting: Get the characters’ poses, facial expressions, and locations right. This is crucial for creating consistent characters and immersing the reader in the story world.
- Refine the panel composition: Check each panel to ensure that nothing essential gets cut off and that the main elements are visible.
5.Inking
Using a lightbox I trace my skectched pages on the boards that already has the borders and balloons. I can adjust the images a bit if needed. Sometimes I do painted art and other times I ink with black markers.
I don’t need to worry about paiting outside the borders in this stage because I’ve already scanned the clean pages with just balloons and borders, and no art.
6.Scanning and clean-up
Remember when I said I might need the borders clean? This is the step. I used to I scan my inked pages and clean up mistakes where I painted outside the frames or over speech balloons. Now I just use the already scanned borders. I just smack my clean borders over the finished art in Photoshop, turn the opacity down a bit so I can see what I’m doing and adjust the corners. It took me a while to figure this out, because sometimes a scanner will skew things a little bit. But I discovered that if I do a “free transform” and focus on the four outer corners of the borders, the rest will sort itself out.
Once the two layers match up, I’ll select all the white within the frames on the top layer and delete that. Then I turn the opacity of the layer back up to 100% and viola! I now have a layer with nice, clean borders and balloons on top, and whatever mistakes (painting outside the borders) I made are hidden underneath. I flatten the file and export it, usually as a high-res tiff file.
7.Adding Color (or Shades)
I won’t go into the specifics here, but you might find this post on coloring in Photoshop helpful.
I am gonna go into details in next blog.
8. Lettering
Lettering is the art of adding text, like dialogue and narration, to your comic. This step is crucial for clear communication with your readers.
- Choose a readable font: For digital comics, I usually pick a comic-style font that’s easy to read but not distracting.
- Consider balloon placement: Speech balloons should guide the reader’s eyes smoothly across the panel. Avoid blocking any important artwork.
- Sound effects: Adding sound effects like “Boom!” or “Whoosh!” can enhance action scenes and add excitement. Use them sparingly, though, so they don’t overshadow the story.
Digital lettering tools make this process more efficient. Programs like Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop have text tools and balloon templates that save time.
9. Final Touches
Now that most of the hard work is done, I review the comic and make final adjustments.
- Proofread the text: Ensure that all spelling and grammar are correct.
- Check consistency: Look over the comic to ensure that character details, colors, and panel layout are consistent throughout.
- Make final edits: This is where I make any last-minute adjustments, like color tweaks, background details, or resizing certain elements.
Sometimes, it helps to step away for a day or two and come back with fresh eyes. You’ll spot details you may have missed before.
10. Publishing and Sharing
With your comic complete, it’s time to share it with the world. Here are some options:
- Online platforms: Platforms like Webtoon and Tapas make it easy to share web comics and reach a larger audience.
- Social media: Share snippets or teaser panels on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Hashtags like webcomic or comicartist can attract readers.
- Print and self-publishing: For physical copies, consider platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or local print shops.
Getting feedback from readers can be invaluable. It not only helps you improve but also builds a connection with your audience.
Final Thoughts
Wow it's coming to an end but before that i really wanna thanks to our artist ：
nyoomian‘s review of Vograce(a webtoon artist)
Creating a comic takes time, dedication, and a lot of patience, but the result is a unique piece of art that’s truly your own. I hope this guide has made the process more approachable and inspired you to bring your stories to life. Remember, each step is a learning experience, and every comic you create will make you a better artist. Happy drawing!
This guide provides a structured approach to comic creation, from the initial idea to sharing your finished work, giving beginners a clear roadmap and the motivation to start their comic-making journey.
