How to Draw Comic 101: Introduction

I often get questions on how to draw comic. To get started is actually very easy. All you need are a pencil and a large piece of paper. I myself prefer at least 2B pencil something soft and dark are easier to work with, for paper anything large will do, I like A3, but even A4 will do, since you can tape them together. Since this is your draft you do not need to use better paper, so photocopy paper will do. However, if you are going to ink on this get some of the heavier variety paper that absorbs inks better.

Before you start drawing, have an idea and do a small sketch using stick figures for every panel to work out the kinks in your comic layout. Workout the speech bubble, sound effects, character actions, rough environment. It should look like a thumbnail of your comic. Make sure the each panel is balance and easy to follow.

For beginners, the easiest way to get started drawing is to place dots on paper and connect them. Placing dots will make you more aware of space available. This way you can gauge how things are going to look, it will help you visualise the arrangement better. If you do not have good hand-eye coordination for drawing, connecting dots will train your coordination so later you can control your hand to draw what is on your mind.

When you are drawing pivot at the elbow instead of the wrist. This is why you want large paper to draw on. Small size paper will make you pivot at the wrist. Drawing on an inclined instead of flat surface also help. Since we are not working with canvas, we have the luxury to rotate the paper. Rotate the paper as needed to make your life easy. Use any aids you deemed necessary, straight lines use ruler and curve lines use spline. Draw as many guide lines, as you need. Use eraser when things are getting too messy.

For every panel, there is a best order to draw them. First, draw the panel borders if any. Second, draw the speech bubble and/or sound effect text if any. Do some rough lettering to make sure everything fit. Then draw the rest. With this order, you do not waste time on unseen things.

Once finished, you have completed the sketch of your comic. Next instalment of ‘How to draw comic 101’ is going to transfer your sketches to better paper ready for inking. Until then have fun drawing.