Thinking about how to make a comic strip series like “Garfield”? Here's how.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Scriptwriting
Step 1. Define your story
Decide on the topic of the story you want to bring up. By creating a comic strip, you don't have to know every little detail of the story you're trying to tell, but you do have to have the main idea for the storyline. This can ensure that you've got material for more than a few strips.
If you want to make a daily comic strip, you'll need to outline the types of jokes you want to write. This can determine the type and number of characters suitable for displaying the joke
Step 2. Determine the comic format
You must first determine how many panels you want to create (whether one row, two rows, or another). For one-line comic strips such as “Garfield”, 3-4 panels are used. For a two-line comic strip like “Si Juki”, 6-8 panels are required. You can also find single-panel comics and 3-line comics.
- Choosing a certain size is important if you plan to publish your comics in print media (such as newspapers). If you're planning to publish it online, you don't need to think about this.
- Whether you print it or not, it's best if you make the comic the same length and width for one line. So, you can make one strip with one row, and another strip with two rows, but all three rows must be the same length and width.
Step 3. Plan each panel
When you create individual strips, write down and plan each panel. You'll need to know what's going on and where, which characters to enter, and so on. Keep it simple. Manuscripts written must be completely plain. Scene descriptions should only be included when they are essential to the storyline of your comic strip.
Step 4. Balance the text and images
Make sure you don't put too much text into your panel. This can make comics difficult to read and enjoy. Try limiting the number of speech balloons to two (three if there is a speech balloon containing only one or two words), and limiting the number of words in a panel to under 30 words and preferably under 20 words.
Method 2 of 4: Giving Life to Character
Step 1. Give them hopes and dreams
Give your characters something they want. Having a primary target is a good way to direct the story and continue the plot when your ideas stagnate.
Step 2. Give your character flaws
Don't make your character look perfect. Readers will find it unrealistic and boring. If you want people to sympathize with your character and like it, give your character flaws.
Your character flaws could include being greedy, talking too much, being rude, selfish, or not being smarter than a bear
Step 3. Give life
Give your characters backgrounds, hobbies, interests, and other things that show they have a life. This will make your character look real and readers can relate it to their lives.
Step 4. Fight the clichés
Fight cliches! Don't make your comics boring.
Method 3 of 4: Drawing Comics
Step 1. Sketch the frame
First, draw the frame. You must determine which panels should be made with the largest size, smallest, etc. based on the short length of the dialogue in the script. Make sure you make the frame according to the size constraints you specify.
Step 2. Sketch the character
Next is to draw the character and where it will go. Make sure there is enough space for the speech balloon. Try placing it in a way that won't make the panel look too full or too empty.
Step 3. Add speech balloons
Draw where the speech balloon is displayed. Remember not to cover your character or take up too much space in the frame. Sometimes, changing the shape of the speech balloon can indicate a different sound. For example, a speech balloon shaped like a sun (with sharp edges) can make a character "sound" like screaming. Take advantage of this.
As an example of making a good speech balloon, take a look at some examples of comic strips that have been published
Step 4. Sketch the background and scenery
Once you know where your character is going, you can draw a background or other object if you want. Some comic strips have detailed backgrounds, while others include only the basic objects with which the characters interact. You can choose the middle ground or go beyond it.
Step 5. Bold the outline of the sketch
Bold the outline of your sketch with something dark and permanent, so that your sketch looks neat and professional. Remember to use width variations and other artistic tricks in bolding the lines. When you are done, you can delete the previous sketch lines.
Step 6. Add text
Once the comic is almost finished, you can add text outside of the speech balloon. Make sure you use a consistent typeface and font size. Even though the drawn speech balloon is smaller than the text, it must be written in the same size. The size of the text describes the style of speaking, from whispering to shouting. Also make sure to use an easy-to-read font.
Step 7. Add color
If you want, you can color your comic strip. Keep in mind that coloring is time-consuming, and will significantly change the number of strips you can complete at one time.
Method 4 of 4: Publishing Your Comic
Step 1. Determine the update schedule (update)
If you are going to publish your comic in print, the print media may have a specific schedule for when your comic should be updated. You must be able to fulfill it. If you publish comics on the internet, you will have quite a bit of flexibility. However, always remember to be realistic.
Step 2. Create buffers
If you want to publish your comic, the first thing to do (regardless of the print media to publish your comic in), is to create a buffer. Buffer is a backup of the comics that are already available. For example, if you have to publish one new comic each week, create a buffer of 30 comic strips. That way, if you miss out, you still have strips available to publish on schedule.
Step 3. Publish the comic in the newspaper
You can publish your comic in a newspaper if you want, either the school newspaper or the local newspaper in your city. Contact registration to ask if they are interested in publishing a new comic. Publishing comics in the newspaper as a stranger can be difficult. Get ready.
Step 4. Publish comics on the internet
If you want more people to read your comics, you need to have more control over your work, and you can control your income, you can publish your comics on the internet. Publishing comics on the internet is easy, but your income will vary and growing readership can be very difficult to do.
- Use the website. There are many well-known websites for publishing comics. Just like starting a blog, you can start creating easy-to-update pages for readers to read your comics. This website is suitable for beginners. Popular choices for publishing comic strips are Kaskus and WebToon
- Make a website. You can also create your own website. By creating your own website, you will have more control. However, you also have to multitask. Only do this if you feel you can build a good looking website on your own or with a little help from someone else.
- Use blogs. Publishing comics using blogging sites like Tumblr is becoming very popular nowadays. Blog sites like these can be an easy publishing mechanism and you can place ads to earn money. Plus, you don't have to spend a dime to manage the blog.
Tips
- Look for tips on how to draw cartoons on the internet.
- It's best if you don't draw the box before drawing the scene just in case your drawing won't fit.
- Come up with a cool title to give your comic an identity.
- Remember, when the instructions above say “square”, the actual shapes used can be circles, stars, and other shapes.
- Reading cartoons can give you ideas. You don't have to steal ideas to be inspired.
- It can also be a good idea to use watercolors to color the pictures because your comics will look effective and won't require a lot of detail: just scribble here and there!
- To stay organized, you have to become an animator and create a “book” for your comic strip. This book will contain everything about your comic strip: characters, sketches, scripts for comic strips, story ideas, everything.
- It's a good idea to create a comic as an image on your computer. There are many ways and programs to do this. Or, you can color comics on your computer. If so, draw the outline in black (without coloring it), scan it, and open the scan in the image editing software. You can color your sketch there.
- Read a story and make a comic out of it. The more you try, the more your abilities will improve.
- If you don't have a school newspaper, you can create your own.
