COMIC BOOK ARTIST COURSE

Kick off your creative journey by meeting your instructor, getting the lowdown on class and assignments, and diving into the portfolio project that’ll showcase your skills by the end of the course.

• Instructor intro
• Class & assignment structure
• Housekeeping

Assignment #1: One-Page Story
Use the template to draw a one-page comic based on the script. Focus on storytelling, figure drawing, and perspective.

Deep dive into your instructor’s work, gaining insight on his processes and seeing how it’s done! In this session, you’ll explore the comic book industry and how things have changed over the years, as well as get the lowdown on thumbnailing and sketching techniques to bring your ideas to life.

• Walkthrough of instructor’s own projects
• Overview of comics through the years
• Thumbnailing and sketching

Suggested Weekly Assignment
Sketch 5 pages from life — people, poses, faces, hands, feet, animals — your pick.

Get your figures moving. In this session, you’ll break down the human form into simple shapes, build up volume and flow, and sketch poses that feel alive — action, weight, foreshortening and all.

• Figure drawing
• Form & volume
• Conveying action, weight, & movement
• Dynamic posing & foreshortening
• Workshop: Sketching prompts 

Assignment #2: Running Character
Draw 6 panels of a human character running and jumping through a simple background using the template.

Learn how to bend space to your will — on paper, at least. You’ll dive into perspective grids, horizon lines, and vanishing points to build believable environments and scale dynamic characters like a pro. By the end, your drawings won’t just look good, they’ll make sense.

• Core principles of linear perspective
• Using perspective grids
• 1 point, 2 point, & 3 point perspective
• Dynamic compositions using depth & angles

Assignment #3: Location Angles
Draw the same location from 3 different angles. Use perspective and camera framing to show mood, focus, and tension.

+Suggested Weekly Assignment

Learn how to guide the reader’s eye. In this class, you’ll dive into the key principles of visual composition — framing, flow, and depth — to make every panel hit harder and read smoother.

• Key principles of visual composition
• Natural eye flow & visual cues
• Framing & depth

Learn how to bend boxes to your will — literally. In this hands-on session, you'll use panel size, shape, and layout to control pacing, direct the reader’s eye, and thumbnail compelling comic pages on the fly.

• Panel shape, size, & function
• Controlling pace & emphasis
• Eye flow & composition
• Thumbnailing & rough drafts
• Workshop: Thumbnailing prompts

Assignment #4: Thumbnails
Turn a short script into 4–6 pages of thumbnails. Prioritize storytelling, figure work, composition, and page layout.

+Suggested Weekly Assignment

Learn how to make your scenes speak — even without words. This class breaks down how panel flow, camera angles, and character expression work together to tell a compelling visual story. Then, you'll put it all in motion with a quickfire, three-panel sketch challenge.

• Panel transitions & sequencing
• Camera angles & perspective
• Character acting & expression
• Workshop: Adapting a quick scenario into 3 panels

Learn how to turn scripts into dynamic visuals that move the story. You’ll dig into story structure, break down beats, and get hands-on with layouts — plus hear real-world advice from someone who's done it all.

• Sequential art & storytelling feedback
• Collaborating with writers
• Interpreting scripts & breaking down beats
• Visualizing dialogue & action through layout & design
• Story structure basics

Assignment #5: Original Story
Tell a story starting with “a day in the life” of someone (or something) you love. Only use a sharpie — no fine details, just bold storytelling. Min. 2 panels per page. Max. 1 hour per page.

+Suggested Weekly Assignment

Get hands-on with visual storytelling. In this workshop, you’ll sketch out scenes from a short script — focusing on panel flow, camera angles, and character vibes — and swap feedback on your work-in-progress with fellow creators.

• Brainstorming layouts for the script
• Sharing Assignment #2 progress & ideas for feedback

Learn how to draw backgrounds that do more than sit there — they set the mood, build the world, and quietly do the storytelling heavy lifting. From perspective tricks to props that actually matter, this one’s all about making your scenes feel real and worth a second look.

• Perspective
• Importance of background in storytelling
• Setting a scene & relation to story
• Making a world feel lived in
• Props, objects, vehicles

Assignment #6: Pencils
Take your approved thumbnails from Assignment 4 and pencil out your full 4-page comic.

+Suggested Weekly Assignment

Learn how to bring unforgettable characters and creatures to life — complete with bold visuals, strong personalities, and all the little details like props, costumes, and expressions that make them feel real and ready for any story you throw at them.

• Creating memorable characters & creatures
• Character model sheets & maintaining consistency
• Costume & prop design
• Expressions & body language

Get hands-on with the digital tools that bring your sketches to life — think typography, inking, coloring, and effects. By the end of class, you’ll know how to take your artwork from rough draft to polished screen-ready.

• Lettering & typography
• Drawing & inking software
• Coloring & lettering tools
• Digital workflow & file management
• Digital effects & enhancements

Assignment #7: Character Model Sheet
Design a model sheet with two pages: Turns: front, side, 3/4, back. Expressions: happy, sad, concerned, angry.

+Suggested Weekly Assignment

Fall in love with the inking process! Whether it’s with a pen, brush, or digital tools, we’ll teach you techniques to add depth, texture, and atmosphere to your comic book art with smooth, confident lines. Plus, you’ll pick up tips on fixing mistakes and refining your hatching & cross-hatching — great art doesn't happen by accident.

• Tools & techniques
• Line weight & variation
• Hatching & cross-hatching
• Mastering line quality
• Inking demo

By the end of this class, you’ll have an understanding of how to use color — setting moods, guiding the reader’s eye, and creating the perfect atmosphere. Explore color theory, different coloring techniques, and pick up the skills to build palettes that enhance your story and characters.

• Creating mood & atmosphere with color
• Coloring techniques
• Color palettes & color schemes
• Coloring demo 

Assignment #8: Inking Practice
Use brushes, pens, or any tools to ink the provided image. Use hatching to create a range of tones.

+Suggested Weekly Assignment

You can’t underestimate comic cover. In this class, you’ll understand cover theory and the principles of effective design, mastering layout techniques to create impactful first impressions for your comic books.

• Understanding cover theory
• Principles of effective design
• Mastering layout for impact

Learn how to craft a standout portfolio that highlights your comic art versatility and skillset. Curate your best work, talk to editors with confidence, and get ready to impress in interviews with top-notch networking strategies. It’s time to turn your passion into a professional edge.

• Showcasing skills & versatility
• Curating a professional portfolio
• Preparing for job interviews
• Talking to editors
• Looking & acting like a pro

Assignment #9: Story Inking
Begin inking your 4-page comic, building on feedback and your final pencils.

+Suggested Weekly Assignment

Time to connect the dots. This session is all about locking in what you’ve learned, sharpening your techniques, and getting real feedback on your work — so you walk away with skills that stick.

• Reflection on key concepts
• Revision of techniques
• Review of projects & feedback

Final Portfolio Project
Curate your strongest work from this course (and beyond). Apply feedback and polish each piece to elevate your portfolio.