How I Make a Comic Page

A lot of work goes into making just one comic page. From planning the layout the page to inking and toning, it can take me about 4 to 5 hours total. It used to take me a lot longer, but the more I draw the faster I became. People have asked me how I do it, so I’m going to show you how I make a comic page.

Step 1: Writing the Dialogue and Layout 

Before I begin drawing I have to plan out what is going to be said or what’s going to happen in the story. I use a program that is nowhere to be found on the internet anymore called QuickPlot. I have been using this for years and unless I find another program that organizes my scattered thoughts, I will be sticking with this. You can use a lined notebook or any computer program of your choice for writing your story out.

Step 2: Sketching Thumbnails

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I use a little white notepad that I bought at the dollar store. It’s a great size to draw a really rough sketch, make little side notes, and make changes. When I have drawn out several of them, I can lay them out side by side and see how the pages are going to transition.

Step 3: Create a Template

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You probably have an idea what size book your comic is going to be. The more difficult part is finding the company that will print these books for you. Once you have found a printer, download their template. I print the template out (left) and trace it in pencil using a light-box (right). I do this for all of my pages.  

Step 4: Pencil/Ink the Page

I use cardstock to draw my pages on. I then draw the layout in pencil, starting with the panel boxes, then characters and dialogue bubbles (note: I did not add dialogue bubbles to this page).  The backgrounds are added in afterward. To ink in, I use a t-ruler and Faber-Castel artist pens. I start inking everything in and erase all the pencil markings. Sometimes it erases a little of the ink, so sometimes I have to go back over to make some of the lines a little bolder.

Step 5: Scan

Next is to scan the page onto my Mac. I scan at 600 dpi (at lease 300 dpi is recommended for printed media. Do this if you would like to eventually get your comic/graphic novel printed) then pull the file up in Photoshop. Scanning can make an image look a little darker so I use Brightness and Contrast modifier to make the image look a little lighter and sharper. 

Step 6: Toning/Adding Text

I have some screentones that I created myself that I use for the clothes, backgrounds, and other objects on the page. Then I add the text in the bubbles. I also have the template on the file itself to make sure my art/words are not going to get cut off in the printing process.

Step 7: Saving

I save two versions of the page. I keep the original PSD file with all of the layers. You never know when you might need to go back in and make adjustments (I ALWAYS find a mistake after I save the page!). I create a separate file to make a smaller size to post on my webcomic hosting site.

There are so many ways to draw comics, but this is just the way I felt worked best for me and my art style. I hope this has inspired you to start creating your own!