true or false?

I’m good at drawing, so drawing

comics must come naturally to me.
I’m good at illustrating, so drawing
comics must come naturally to me.
FALSE.
Compared to illustration, comics is a
whole different beast. Comics:
- Is a SEQUENTIAL ART - time, space and
motion in a static medium
- Aim to TELL A STORY more than anything
else.
That said, comics and illustration do share some
elements… so your background will help!
Jillian Tamaki
In comics, a more complex, detailed
art style is always BETTER.
In comics, a more complex, detailed
art style is always BETTER.
FALSE!!!
Comics aim to COMMUNICATE, not necessarily to amaze
us with jaw-dropping visuals.

Peanuts by Charles Schulz

Comics aim to COMMUNICATE, not necessarily to amaze
us with jaw-dropping visuals.

Thor (1966) #131 by Jack Kirby, Vince Colletta

 Anyone can learn to be good at
comics, regardless of whether or not
they can already draw.
 Anyone can learn to be good at
comics, regardless of whether or not
they can already draw.
TRUE!
 Understanding how to properly
STRUCTURE a comic page is arguably
more important than knowing how to
draw beautiful illustrations.

Communication is possible even with

the most basic of forms.
Hulyen
Understanding A Page
The 5 Parts of a Comic Book Layout
 The Adventures of Tintin by Herge

1. PANEL
- Also known as “frames” or “boxes”
(though they can be shaped differently!)
- Drawings of moments
- Can be drawn with or without borders
A panel’s size can indicate the
DURATION of a moment.
Longer moments linger and can be indicated
by bigger panels.
Apocalyptigirl by Andrew Maclean
A panel’s shape can also indicate the MOOD or TONE of
a certain scene.
 This One Summer by Jillian & Mariko Tamaki

2. GUTTER
- The spaces in between panels
- Where we choose to put divisions
between moments
- Creates the illusion of passing time
The gutter is where readers are
invited to use their imaginations and
participate.

We fill in the blanks and go from point A to

point B by imagining what is not pictured.

Observing only parts, but perceiving a whole

is called closure.
Apocalyptigirl by Andrew Maclean April & May Forever by Hulyen & Hulyan
The Adventures of Tintin by Herge

3. TIER
- A single row of panels on a page.
Can you count how many tiers?

Patay Kung Patay #5

By Mike Alcazaren, This One Summer
Noel Pascual, AJ Bernardo By Jillian Tamaki,
Mariko Tamaki
4. SPLASH PAGE
- A single panel or moment that takes up
an entire page
- Used to establish environments or
situations, or for emphasis
Very atmospheric.

(L) Apocalyptigirl by Andrew Maclean

(R) This One Summer by Jillian & Mariko Tamaki
5. SPREAD
- A moment or scene that spans more than
one page
- Used for environmental or situational
emphasis
This One Summer by Jillian Tamaki
April & May Forever by Hulyen & Hulyan
 Understanding A Page
The Elements of a Comic Book Layout
 X-Men

1. SPEECH BUBBLE
- Show dialogue, thoughts
- Its shape can indicate tone
2. CAPTIONS Apocalyptigirl by Andrew Maclean

- Thoughts & inner monologues

- Narration (ex. “MEANWHILE…”)
Apocalyptigirl by Andrew Maclean
3. EFFECTS Patay Kung Patay #5
Alcazaren, Pascual, Bernardo

- Sound (onomatopoeia), smell

- Engages the reader’s senses, adds dynamism to the
experience of reading
Apocalyptigirl by Andrew Maclean
What makes a good layout?
- Portrays time, space and motion
coherently
- Invites the viewer to use their imagination
to participate in the narrative
- Clarity
thank you!