How to Draw Comic Books

Comic books are a popular medium these days. With the recent influx of manga and graphic novels, comic books have experienced a revival in form and artwork. Writing your own comic is easier than you think, and it is easier still if you already know how to draw.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paper
• Drawing pencils
• Erasers

Prepare to Draw

1. For a first time comic, try creating a short, simple plot line with a limited number of characters. Start small for now. As you gain confidence you can always make things more complex.

2. Decide on what type of comic you want to write. Do you want a horror comic, a comedy or a romance? Once you choose it, stick to it. Trying to branch across too many themes will derail you.

3. Choose your cast of characters. Again, keep it simple if this is your first comic. A successful first comic will help keep you interested for the more complex ones later on.

Drawing a Comic Book

4. Before you get to the drawing, you may want to consider reading up on how to write books and comic books. Check out your local library or bookstore. Make good use of the resources that are available to you.

5. Gather your supplies such as paper, pencils and erasers. Set yourself up in a comfortable area. Remember, creativity can wrap you up for hours at a time, so make sure you are as comfortable as possible.

6. Draw a rough sketch of how many frames you want on a page. This is usually anywhere from one frame to six frames per page.

7. Pick a frame that inspires you as the first one you draw. This does not have to be your first frame, it could be the middle or the last. Just choose one that really sparks your interest.

8. Draw from that point on, and remember to include speech bubbles and sound effects. Use a pencil.

9. Once you have completed the drawing, move on to the next step. Ink your comic.

Tips & Warnings

• Always use pencil for your drafts.
• Take your time and enjoy the process. This is fun.
• If you find yourself getting frustrated, step away and come back to it later. You cannot force creativity.

[matnastos]

on 11/10/2009 You can also check out places like the Comic Book Art Institute in Southern California. They have a number of programs teaching the various jobs of comic book art. http://www.comicbookartinstitute.com