How to Create Your Own Comic Strip

Learn how to turn your ideas into a fun comic strip using simple drawing techniques and storytelling tips. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Plan your panels. Use your ruler to draw 3 to 4 boxes on your paper. These are your panels, which act like windows into your story. Keep the boxes large enough so you have plenty of room to draw your characters inside.
2. Create your characters. Decide who is in your comic. Keep your character design simple so it is easy to draw them more than once. Practice drawing them in your boxes, showing them doing different actions like running, jumping, or talking.
3. Draft the story. Lightly sketch what happens in each box with your pencil. Start with an introduction in the first panel, something exciting or funny in the middle, and a conclusion in the last box. Don't worry about mistakes; you can always erase and try again.
4. Add speech bubbles and details. Draw circles or clouds around where your characters are 'speaking.' Write your dialogue inside these bubbles. Once you are happy with the pencil lines, trace over them with your black marker and add color to your masterpiece.