How to Get Started Making Comics

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I’m always saying, “We can all draw” and claiming that we all have what it takes to make comics. I honestly believe this is true. My chapter in the Graphic Medicine Manifesto is titled, “The Crayon Revolution” and provides my full argument. I myself am proof! I was for sure NOT the kid at school who could draw, in fact, after fifth grade I was told to put my crayons and markers away and use my words. I sadly obliged. I started drawing again in my early thirties out of necessity; I needed to use the powerful and effective comics medium process difficult experiences. Ten years later I’ve made a bit of a career making and teaching comics, and yet I’m still working on how to figure out perspective and shading and all that.

Here’s an easy way to start making a comic. Use basic tools – printer paper and crayons.

And here’s one way to begin to tell your story – follow these slowly step by step:

  1. Pick a word that can summarize your story
  2. Make a list of images that come to mind when you think of that word
  3. Choose one of these images that seems strong to you
  4. Imagine a scene that represents that moment
  5. Draw that one scene – use crayons on simple paper
  6. What came before that scene you drew? Draw that panel above.
  7. What came after that first scent? Draw that panel below.
  8. You have a three panel comic!
  9. Keep drawing panels…

The above storytelling starter is adapted from the work of Lynda Barry and Ivan Brunetti. I use that exercise with medical students, patient groups, high school and grade school kids. It never fails to spark some great comics.

At the same time, I do understand that it’s not simple or as easy as I make it sound. As Ira Glass points out, there is initially a gap between what we can make and our vision for our work, what we want to make.

I can attest to the truth of this statement. We want to make ‘good’ drawings and ‘good’ comics. (To be clear, a ‘good drawing’ isn’t about achieving perfect perspective or photorealism. As Sarah Leavitt says, “…a good drawing is one that communicates what you are meaning to communicate and people can understand it.”)

So many people email me to ask, are there any tips and tricks for doing that work, for bridging the gap between the comics I make today in my sketchbook and the comics I want to present to the world, or use in my research, or publish as my memoir? How can I make my drawings and comics communicate what I want to communicate?

Start with the basics.

Here are a few more resources I’ve shared with students to help them make the comics they want to make. Hopefully you will find something here to help you move forward as well.

Trouble “finding time” to make your work? Check out this book I’ve started reading recently, Make Your Art No Matter What by Beth Pickens. I think it will be an enormous help as she includes some very practical strategies for overcoming creative hurdles. I hope you enjoy doing the work!

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