Create a Comic Strip

with Ted Bergeron

A one hour class on making comic strips

We’ll cover how to make a comic strip in three steps.

Story

Art

Sharing

What is your favorite comic strip?

• Panels

• Word Balloons

• Characters

Before you begin work on the art, you need the story.

• Theme of your comic strip

• Pick a setting and characters

• Genre: Comedy, SciFi…​

For example, let’s focus on a funny comic strip.

• Gag comic is most popular

• Typically 3-4 panels

• Get to the punchline

Use two characters to talk to each other.

Why did the chicken cross the road?

What could you do to make this funny?

To get away from the taco stand.

Is it funny?

• Try exaggerating

we see a chicken crossing the road

we see a taco stand

sign says: Special Chicken Tacos

• Character Design: What do your characters look like?

Sketch characters

Set Design

What does the scene look like?

Scout locations.

• Make some quick thumbnail sketches of your story.

• Choosing the moment

  • Close up, medium shot…​

  • Action shot. Best if characters are doing something.

  • Funny reaction pose

Typically artists work at twice the printed size on Bristol board.

• 13" x 4" for original art

  • 4 panels each 3-1/4" wide

  • 3 panels each 26 picas wide

  • 1/4" gutter size

We will work at 1-1/2 times the printed size on copy paper.

Create the container for the comic strip; draw lightly.

• 9-3/4" wide (leave about 3/4" on each side)

• 3" tall

• The top 1/3 is for your words

• The bottom 2/3 is for your art.

Typically the character that speaks first is on the left.

• Make your letters 1/8" high

• Leave 1/16" leading

• Pencil in the words first, very lightly

• Too many words? Go back to the writer

Words should fit nicely inside the balloons. Balloon tail points towards the character’s mouth

Refer to the thumbnails. Draw with a light touch. Get the foundation right, before adding details

• Expressions

• Poses: have your characters doing something.

Make it darker. Permanent marker, brush or pen

Use a clipboard or cardboard under your paper.

Water Colors, Markers: Copic, Colored Pencils

Sharing is the 21st century way to publish

What app do you use to share with friends and family?

• MySpace

• Friendster

• GeoCities

(early turn of the century sites)

Just use your phone to take a picture and

share it on Facebook or Twitter

King Features is one of the world’s largest syndicates.

• Cover letter with your contact info.

• 24 daily comic strips

  • Put 3 or 4 strips per page

• A character sheet

Physically mail them to NY, wait 8 - 12 weeks .

info: KingFeatures.com submission guidelines

• Come up with a schedule: M - W - F

• Keep 6 weeks ahead

• Be faithful to post a comic on schedule

You can do it!

I’ll be around for a while, please stick around and feel free to ask questions. - Ted Bergeron