Drawing course : Comic Book

With this course, you will discover the various aspects needed to create your own comic books. Bring your characters to life, work on your settings, write your scripts, and become the next Hergé!

4.7 (344 ratings) • +12.1 h of lessons · 47 video lessons
No prerequisites, the course starts from scratch
Unlimited learning, with no deadlines to meet
An active forum with the Dessindigo teachers
Leave with a finished piece, proudly displayed or ready for your portfolio
✏️ Poulop

YOUR TEACHER: ✏️ POULOP

Poulop is a cartoonist from Bordeaux who specializes in comic strips. He is notably the author of several works, including "The Rescue of the Green Mouse". With his enthusiasm for comics, Poulop will share all his secrets to make your comic strips captivating.

How it works

1

Watch

Follow the videos at your own pace, wherever and whenever you like.

2

Practice

Do the exercises at your own pace, with your own materials.

3

Post optional

Want feedback? Share your work on the forum whenever you like.

4

Progress

A teacher from the team can help you improve, if that is what you are looking for. Otherwise, simply draw for fun.

The complete program

+12.1 h of lessons across 7 chapters, 47 videos and exercises.

Chapter 1 1

Introduction

20 min
Introduction

Brief introduction to the fabulous world of comics to familiarize yourself with its codes and history, and a quick overview of the necessary materials to follow the course.

1.1 How do you create comics? Welcome to the comics course! Here you'll find an overview of the topics we'll cover throughout the course. 5 min · Free 1.2 The history of comics Where do comics come from? How have they evolved over time? Let's take a look back at the history of this medium, which is older than you might think. 7 min Subscribers only 1.3 Equipment for comic artists To draw, you need the right tools! This video introduces the essential equipment you need to get started with creating comics. 7 min Subscribers only
Chapter 2 2

The Basics for a Successful Storyboard

1h33
The Basics for a Successful Storyboard

Discover how to structure your comic book or comic strip story while adhering to the rules, and learn how to break down your storyboard through a few exercises to build a captivating narrative!

2.1 Genres and narrative modes for your story Writing your screenplay begins with choosing the genre and narrative registers. Let's review them! 18 min Subscribers only 2.2 Synopsis and script How do you build a story in a simple way? How do you overcome the fear of the blank page? Let's look at a few tips for generating ideas with ease. 16 min Subscribers only 2.3 Synopsis and script: exercise correction Correction of the exercise on creating the synopsis for your story. 15 min Subscribers only 2.4 Dramaturgy Telling a story is good. Making it engaging is even better! 15 min Subscribers only 2.5 Breaking down the script A good script is carefully structured and well paced. Let's see how to achieve that! 5 min Subscribers only 2.6 Breaking down the script: exercise correction Correction of the script breakdown exercise. 24 min Subscribers only
Chapter 3 3

Create Your First Character

1h45
Create Your First Character

Invent and create your own original characters and accurately represent them respecting body and facial proportions in order to draw a unique and compelling comic book character!

3.1 Some technical basics Let's warm up with some drawing fundamentals and get familiar with the tools before moving on to the real practice. It's also a great habit to do this before every drawing session. 5 min Subscribers only 3.2 Facial proportions Some essential basics for drawing believable character faces. 13 min Subscribers only 3.3 Facial proportions: exercise correction Correction of the facial proportion basics using a three-quarter view of the face. 10 min Subscribers only 3.4 Body proportions Some essential basics for drawing the human body with accurate proportions. 22 min Subscribers only 3.5 Body proportions: exercise correction Correction of the body proportions exercise using the line of action. 17 min Subscribers only 3.6 Inventing a character Now that you know the basics, let's explore different face types! 25 min Subscribers only 3.7 Inventing a character: exercise correction Correction of the face variation exercise. 13 min Subscribers only
Chapter 4 4

Develop Your Characters

2h41
Develop Your Characters

Let's dive deeper into creating comic book characters by giving them life and personality through facial expressions and emotions, or by exaggerating features by distorting the face or body to create your own unique style!

4.1 Body type variations It's important to vary not only your characters' faces, but also their body types. Let's look at a few examples. 9 min Subscribers only 4.2 Body type variations: exercise correction Correction of the body type variation exercise. 9 min Subscribers only 4.3 Distorting faces To stylise your characters, you need to know how to distort their faces. Let's see how to do it using simple shapes! 13 min · Free 4.4 Distorting faces: exercise correction Correction of the face distortion exercise. 11 min Subscribers only 4.5 Distorting the body Give your characters a unique look by completely reshaping their bodies! 11 min Subscribers only 4.6 Distorting the body: exercise correction Correction of the exercise on distorting the character's body. 10 min Subscribers only 4.7 Drawing hands They serve as much to express oneself as to perform all sorts of actions: hands are essential in drawing and comics. Let's look at some tips for drawing them! 26 min Subscribers only 4.8 Expressions and emotions Learn how to give your characters emotions and then enhance those emotions even further. 20 min Subscribers only 4.9 Expressions and emotions: exercise 1 correction Correction of the exercise on facial expressions 7 min Subscribers only 4.10 Expressions and emotions: exercise 2 correction Review and correction of the exercise on exaggerating emotions. 10 min Subscribers only 4.11 Attributes and accessories Once your character has taken shape, you can reinforce their personality with distinctive accessories and unique defining features. 14 min Subscribers only 4.12 Recap: creating your character from A to Z Let's recap the entire character creation process, from the skeleton right through to the accessories. 19 min Subscribers only
Chapter 5 5

Techniques and Concepts for Creating Your Comic Book

2h42
Techniques and Concepts for Creating Your Comic Book

Some essential comic book concepts: framing, speech balloons, panel styles, text, and movement. These are indispensable comic book conventions that contribute to making comics a unique medium, which you will explore through these videos punctuated by two exercises!

5.1 Framing To make your comic feel dynamic, it's important to vary your framing and camera angles. In this course, you'll learn which shots work best in different situations. 19 min · Free 5.2 Framing: exercise correction Exercise correction on framing. 14 min Subscribers only 5.3 Different panel styles There are many different panel shapes, each offering unique storytelling possibilities. In this course, you'll explore a range of panel styles and learn when and how to use them effectively. 15 min Subscribers only 5.4 Speech bubbles What is a "phylactère"? It's simply a comic speech bubble! They come in many different shapes, and varying their design can make your panels more expressive and dynamic. 7 min Subscribers only 5.5 Text in comics Your comic is meant to be read, so it's worth making sure the text is clear, appropriate and effective. 12 min Subscribers only 5.6 Movement in comics Comics are full of movement. In this course, you'll learn how to portray motion through your characters, your panels and the flow of the story. 29 min Subscribers only 5.7 The visual language of comics Every art form has its own visual language, and comics are no exception. In this course, you'll discover the key visual conventions that are unique to the comic medium. 17 min Subscribers only 5.8 Breaking the fourth wall Sometimes characters step outside the story to explain something to the reader or create deliberately absurd situations. In this course, you'll explore one of the comic medium's most distinctive storytelling techniques. 13 min Subscribers only 5.9 Image composition We have all the elements of the comic: the plot and the characters. Now all we need to do is mix it all together to create our panels! 21 min Subscribers only 5.10 Image composition: exercise correction Review and correction of the panel composition exercise. 16 min Subscribers only
Chapter 6 6

Your First Comic Book from A to Z

3h04
Your First Comic Book from A to Z

Tips on storyboarding, inking, perspective, and setting to properly achieve the essential elements of your comic book, as well as some videos on using Photoshop to illustrate the use of digital tools in creating your comic book.

6.1 The storyboard A comic page needs careful planning. A storyboard is the draft version of your final page. In this course, you'll learn how to create one step by step. 31 min Subscribers only 6.2 The storyboard: exercise correction Review and correction of the storyboard exercise. 6 min Subscribers only 6.3 Some tips for the setting The setting fully participates in your story. Here, I offer some tips for creating a setting that suits the story you want to tell. 13 min Subscribers only 6.4 Pencilling, scenery and perspective It's time for the pencil drawing stage! We'll work through the first comic panel together while exploring practical tips for creating scenery and using perspective effectively. 18 min Subscribers only 6.5 Inking a comic panel Inking is the final stage of the drawing process. It involves choosing the right line weight and applying shading effectively. In this course, you'll ink a comic panel step by step. 23 min Subscribers only 6.6 The Photoshop workspace Get to know Photoshop's drawing interface and discover a few practical tips designed specifically for creating comics. 21 min Subscribers only 6.7 Drawing in Photoshop Drawing in Photoshop is a little more complex than drawing on paper. In this course, you'll learn how to tackle each stage of the digital drawing process with confidence. 28 min Subscribers only 6.8 Digital colouring Bring your comic to life with colour and add depth to both your characters and their surroundings. We'll continue using Photoshop throughout the colouring process. 44 min Subscribers only
Chapter 7 7

Conclusion

3 min
Conclusion

Conclusion and summary of the concepts covered in the training, it's time for you to embark on your comic book adventure!

7.1 Conclusion of this course Congratulation, you've completed this course! Now there's just one thing left to do: start creating your own comic! 3 min Subscribers only

What you will learn in this course

Create your characters in "Comic Strip" style (expressions and emotions, movement, distortion, posing, etc.)

Build a scenario and a synopsis, slice your story while mastering the art of dramaturgy

Create your storyboards, build your different shots and frames, use sound effects and speech bubbles

Reviewed by your teacher

If you wish, a teacher looks at your drawings and answers your questions on the forum.

What our students created with this course

Student drawing 1
Student drawing 2
Student drawing 3
Student drawing 4
Student drawing 5
Student drawing 6
Student drawing 7

Who is this course for?

People wanting to discover all the ins and outs of the comic book universe
Creative people wanting to create a comic book story and looking for a simple method to get started!
Artists looking to better visually express drama and action

Average site rating 4.7/5

"The courses are well explained, but I had trouble with the module on perspectives. It's still a great training program."

camille-art On 26/06/2024

"Great training! I finally managed to finish my first comic book. Thanks for all the advice."

astral89 On 10/06/2024

"The training is great, I learned a lot of things I didn't know but that I now recognize in comic books! The only small hiccup is that some videos are a bit long for my taste. Poulop is super nice, we all want to have a buddy-teacher like him."

marjo123 On 15/05/2024

"The training is great, but I had a bit of trouble following some concepts at the beginning. Fortunately, the exercises really helped me understand."

raph2024 On 04/05/2024

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Questions before you start

I am a complete beginner, can I take this course?

Yes. The course starts from scratch and guides you step by step.

Do I need any special equipment?

No: the materials are presented at the start of the course, and you can begin with what you already have.

Will my drawings be corrected?

Yes, if you wish: post your exercises on the forum and a teacher from the team will send you personalized feedback.

Is this course included in my subscription or do I have to pay extra?

It is included in the Dessindigo subscription, which gives access to all 447 courses on the site.

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Yes, with no commitment: you cancel by following the procedure shown in your account.

What happens if the course is not right for me?

You are refunded if you are not satisfied within 14 days of signing up: simply write to us at support@dessindigo.com.

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Access to +400 courses
Drawing course : Comic Book From 24,08 $/month
Access to +400 courses
From 24,08 $/month
Access to +400 courses