Some people think you need years of art school to become a comic artist. That’s not true and in fact, everything is much easier. Many well-known artists learned on their own, step by step, and these days this is even better because you can use the internet, various online resources, and get inspiration from others.
If you have a story to tell and the patience to practice, you can start right now. Here are seven simple steps to help you get there.
Start With a Simple Idea
Every comic begins with a story – you really need a bright idea at first. You don’t have to come up with something big and complicated. Think small. Maybe it’s a funny moment from your day. Maybe it’s a short adventure. Your idea can grow later, but start with something you can finish quickly and while you are still inspired.
The more you finish, the more you’ll learn. Unfinished work teaches you less than short, completed comics, even if they have only three pictures. So, keep it simple at first, and make sure you set goals that you manage.
Choose Your Style
You don’t have to draw like anyone else. Some comic artists use detailed, realistic art. Others use simple stick figures. Both can work if the storytelling is strong, so pay attention to the story in the first place.
But in terms of style, look at comics you enjoy. Notice what you like about them, what inspires you. Is it the way characters move? The facial expressions? The approach to using colors?
The key here is not to force yourself into a style that someone has, trying to replicate it. The idea is to borrow elements and approaches (or techniques!) and step by step create something of your own.
Over time, your own style will appear naturally.
Practice Every Day (Even a Little!)
Many beginner artists believe that inspiration is a big thing that comes and then you draw for hours. In reality, success comes to those who start with small, doable steps and make those steps every day, even when they don’t feel any inspiration, when they are tired, or bored.
Ten to twenty minutes a day is enough to build a skill, and drawing comics can be something primitive at first. Draw characters. Draw objects around you. Practice expressions. Make tiny doodles in the margins of your notebook.
The key is consistency. Regular practice makes your hand more confident and your ideas flow faster.
Learn Basic Storytelling
Good comics are more about the story than perfect art. Of course, you want it to be big and beautiful, to ensure that what you are doing and what you are showing to other people is actual art.
However, there are probably very few things which people enjoy more than a good story. Many players enjoy a free spins bonus, but they also enjoy a story behind the slot game they are playing. So the thing to be really worried about is your storytelling skills and how you embody them in your comics.
Learn how to show action, emotion, and change in just a few panels. Think about beginning, middle, and end. Who is your main character? What problem do they face? How do they solve it?
You can write it in a sentence or two before you start drawing. This keeps your comic focused and easy to follow.
Use Free or Cheap Tools
You don’t need expensive equipment, in fact, you might want to use your notebook and a sharpie at first. Many artists start with a pencil, paper, and an eraser. If you want to work digitally, there are free drawing apps available online.
The best tools are the ones you will actually use. Don’t wait until you can afford a fancy tablet, start with what you have, and practice daily.
Share Your Work Online
Don’t keep your comics hidden. Share them, even if it feels scary and you understand that they are still far from perfection. But the truth is that they will be far from perfection for quite a long time while you are learning.
So show them while learning to learn even more. Post on Instagram, Twitter, webcomic platforms, or even your own blog. Feedback from readers can help you grow. The point is not even to get followers, the point is to start showing what you do to people and getting used to that. Don’t be afraid of a bad feedback; it is worse to get no reaction at all.
Keep Going and Don’t Compare
Every artist starts as a beginner. Your early work will not look like the polished comics you admire, and that’s okay. The only way to improve is to keep making more comics.
Don’t compare your start to someone else’s middle. Instead, look at your older work once in a while. Notice how much better you’ve gotten. That progress is proof that you’re on the right track.
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