Everyone has a different way of expressing their political views. Some choose to express it explicitly (for example, through politically charged speeches or presentations), some choose to package it implicitly, humorously, and interestingly. The second method is often applied by people who are engaged in the creative industry; one of them is a comic artist. Besides looking more attractive, conveying political views through comics is also very effective. Interested in creating your own political comic? Read on for more on the techniques and artistic elements you need to learn before creating a comic that best represents your political views!
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Part 1 of 3: Planning a Comic Concept
Step 1. Look at the existing examples of political comics
Before you start creating your own political comic, take a look at the examples that already exist. Through these examples, you will gain a better understanding of the common elements in a political comic, as well as the themes and ideas behind them.
- Political comics aim to illustrate certain political issues and the author's point of view.
- In general, political comics or cartoons are political opinions or viewpoints conveyed through simple, interesting, and reader-friendly media.
- Most political comics aim to depict a problem at hand or defend a certain political position.
Step 2. Think about the message you want to convey
The main focus in political comics is not the image, but the message. Political comics usually focus on attacking or defending political positions and/or views using various artistic elements. Think about what message you want to convey and how best to convey it.
- Think about the issue you want to address in the comic.
- Think about your views on the issue.
- Think of the best way to describe the issue – as well as your views – in the comic.
Step 3. Think of the symbol you want to use
One of the common techniques in making political comics is to use symbols. Basically, a symbol is a simple, common symbol used to represent a bigger idea. Politics is a complex field, while comics are simple works of art. So how do you incorporate complex ideas into simple media? One of the easiest ways is to use symbols.
- The rat is a symbol commonly used to describe corruptors in Indonesian politics.
- Meanwhile, the eagle is a symbol of the representation of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
Step 4. Consider highlighting a special character or traits
This method is most often applied in making caricatures. Political caricatures are generally used to depict important figures in the political world; like caricatures in general, there will always be a special feature on the caricature object that is highlighted by the maker.
- Highlighting special features will make it easier for readers to recognize the displayed object.
- This method can be used to convey specific discourse about the displayed object; Of course the discourse is very dependent on the message you want to convey to the reader.
- Generally, caricatures are used to denounce someone's character or political views.
Step 5. Label the elements in your comic
Unlike cartoons or other works of art, sometimes political comics need labels to increase the impact of the message conveyed. In addition, labels are also needed to clarify the comic narrative. If you find a detail easier to understand if it's captioned, feel free to label it.
- Labeling elements in comics is one effective technique to clarify the message that the comic artist wants to convey.
- Even if it's allowed, don't label all the elements in your comic. After all, comics are works of visual art that prioritize image objects, not writing. Don't spoil the aesthetic concept!
- Just label the really important elements in your comic.
Step 6. Use an analogy
Another technique in making political comics is to use analogy. Usually, analogies are used to explain the relationship between concepts in order to clarify the message to be conveyed. Use analogies to help readers understand the issue from a different perspective.
- To make an analogy, think of a concept that “looks like” a fact.
- For example, the fact that the police are lazy and willing to accept bribes can be compared to a fat piggy bank. Why is that? Pigs are lazy animals, so they can be used as an analogy to lazy police. Meanwhile, the police willing to accept bribes “resembling” the concept of a piggy bank which is constantly filled with money by the owner.
Part 2 of 3: Making Comics
Step 1. Create a rough draft of your comic
Once you know the message you want to convey along with the elements you want to use, you can start the comic creation process. Creating a layout or rough draft of a comic makes it easier for you to imagine the visual appearance of the comic, no matter how powerful the comic is in conveying your message.
- Think about the best way to make use of the available free space.
- Think about what elements are most important in your comic. Provide the most extensive space to highlight these elements.
- While you're drafting a rough draft, you may come across some ideas or elements that don't represent your political message. Consider removing these elements and replacing them with other, more representative elements.
Step 2. Draw the outline
After creating a rough layout/draft, start drawing rough outlines using a pencil. Fear not, these are preliminary sketches that you can always improve on during the creation process. Enjoy the process and there's no need to rush.
- Draw the outline with a pencil for easy erasing or correction whenever desired.
- When you're satisfied with the result, start refining the rough sketch.
- Fix the parts that are not neat and bold the sketch you made.
- If you find there's a section you'd like to delete or change, feel free to do so. Refine your comic afterwards.
- If the end result is to your liking, take the final step, which is to thicken the sketch with black ink.
Step 3. Add dialogs if necessary
Most comic artists add "dialogue balloons" in their works. These dialogue balloons contain short text and are placed in the remaining blank space for easy viewing by readers. Draw a dialog bubble in the remaining free space (usually in the upper right or left corner) and write short text inside.
- Dialog balloons are usually round or oval in shape, with the addition of an inverted triangle pointing to the object that is "speaking".
- You can also use “thought balloons”. In contrast to dialogue balloons, thought balloons are usually shaped like small clouds containing the object's thoughts.
Step 4. Color your comic
If you want to add color, make sure you've first bolded the outline with black ink. Coloring comics is an effective way to highlight the elements, symbols, and messages you want to convey, while also highlighting your comic as a whole. Think carefully about the colors you want to use; no need to color comics in a hurry so that the results are neat and according to your wishes.
- Color can also represent meaning. For example, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle uses red to represent the character of its party.
- Use colored pencils, watercolors, or even crayons to color your comics; Choose a coloring tool that you are comfortable with!
- You can also scan uncolored comics and color them using a computer program.
Step 5. Use software or online applications to create comics
If you feel you are not good at drawing but still want to make political comics, another alternative that you can choose is to take advantage of the various digital tools available. There are various online applications and software for creating comics that you can download for free or for a fee.
- Making comics with these programs is generally not much different from using pencil and paper.
- Some programs even provide basic elements and panels that you are free to use if needed.
Part 3 of 3: Distributing Comics
Step 1. Distribute a few copies of your comic to friends and relatives
After your comic is finished, try to share it with the people closest to you first and observe their response. You can also ask for criticism, suggestions, even fresh ideas for your next comic.
- Ask them to be honest about your comics.
- The criticism and suggestions you receive can even be used as ideas for your next comic.
- Ask if they can understand your message clearly.
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of your comic with them.
Step 2. Distribute your comics online
One of the easiest ways to distribute comics for free and widely is to take advantage of social media. Through this method, you also have the opportunity to receive constructive criticism and suggestions from a wider audience.
- Some social media sites are specifically for those who want to showcase their art.
- Social media allows you to interact with a wider audience.
- Online communities (especially those with comic book fans) are usually able to provide you with constructive criticism and suggestions.
Step 3. Publish your comic
Publishing comics officially is the goal of most comics. Each publisher has different terms and policies; some publishers offer the convenience you need, some don't. Whatever publisher you want, make sure you submit the best! Fulfill all the required conditions, follow the specified selection process, and do your best to achieve your goals.
- Submit your comics to various official publishers available in your city.
- Several independent publishers also accept material in the form of comics.
- If you are a novice comic artist, you should submit your work to a local or small publisher first; this will increase the chances of your work getting published.
- If you are reluctant or have trouble submitting your comic to an official publisher, there's nothing wrong with trying to publish your own work.
Tips
- Think about the main message you want to convey to the reader.
- Think about the messaging method you want to use; using symbols or analogies are two common examples worth trying.
- Make a rough layout of your comic first.
- Make a rough sketch with a pencil before bolding the final result with ink.
- Take advantage of digital software to speed up and simplify the comic creation process.
