Learn how to draw comics

Jake Parker has been creating comics professionally for over 10 years. From his own studies, insight from peers and mentors, and material from the best books on the subject he boils everything he's learned about the art form into one class.

This class is broken down in two parts:

Part I - Instruction

In this section Jake goes point by point in a methodical, easy to understand, lecture style on the principles of making comics that effectively tell your story and elicit an emotional response from the reader.

Part II - Demonstration

In this section Jake creates a comic from the ground up, and shows how to apply the principles taught in part I to create your own comic.

In this class you will learn:

  • The key elements of comics and how to use them to tell your story

  • How to write a story for comics

  • How to break down your story into pages and panels

  • How panel to panel action works, and how to get your story to flow seamlessly

  • How to compose a comics page

  • How to prepare your comics for print

  • What tools to use, both digital and traditional

This class includes:

  • 19 instructional videos

  • 6 different PDF downloads of class notes

  • Photoshop comics page template

  • Download of Jake's PSD files from the class

  • Jake's Photoshop Drawing Tool Presets

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About the Instructor

Illustrator/Cartoonist Jake Parker

For the last 25 years Jake has worked on everything from animated films to comics to picture books. For several years he worked for Reel FX and Blue Sky Studios on such projects as Horton Hears a Who, Rio, and Epic. He is the creator of the popular Inktober drawing challenge. Jake currently works as an illustrator and cartoonist on children's books and comics. He works out of his home studio in Arizona.

Course curriculum

    1. Pre-Reqs

    2. What are Comics

    3. Industry Overview

    4. Storytelling Conduits

    5. Three Primary Elements Comics

    6. World Building

    7. Plot

    8. Character Building

    9. Three Act Structure

    10. Set Pieces

    11. Writing Outline Script

    12. Comics Storytelling

    13. Moment

    14. Frame

    15. Image

    16. Word

    17. Flow

    18. Prepping a Page

    19. Traditional Tools

    20. Downloads

About this course

  • 20 lessons
  • 6 hours of video content
  • 19 Videos
  • 1 Download

Reviews

5 star rating

It leaves nothing out!

Denise van Hulst

Great course. I can't say enough good things about it. Really fills in the gaps in some of the other books I have read on the subject. I wish I could give mo...

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Great course. I can't say enough good things about it. Really fills in the gaps in some of the other books I have read on the subject. I wish I could give more than 5 stars.

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5 star rating

In Depth Advice From An Industry Expert

Tyler Hallstrom

If you have an interest in illustration based comics, this class is absolutely essential to your creative endeavors. Jake Parker provides an in depth insigh...

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If you have an interest in illustration based comics, this class is absolutely essential to your creative endeavors. Jake Parker provides an in depth insight into the history, creation, and world of comics. There is no time like the present to get started on your very own graphic novel, and this course can give you the tools, knowledge, and insight to fast-track that process.

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5 star rating

BASIC

John Marcotte

This DRAWING COMICS course was so much fun to watch and learn the basic fundamentals to bring a comic to life. Thank you for this knowledge because I did not...

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This DRAWING COMICS course was so much fun to watch and learn the basic fundamentals to bring a comic to life. Thank you for this knowledge because I did not know anything. Also, the class had so many tools for beginners who don't understand where to start.

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5 star rating

Great breakdown of the process

Carrie Copa

After this course, I understand how complex comics can be! You've got to wear quite a few hats to pull it off. Jake does a great job detailing how to start a...

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After this course, I understand how complex comics can be! You've got to wear quite a few hats to pull it off. Jake does a great job detailing how to start a comic and all the different aspects to be mindful of. Great examples and experienced advice. Feels like you're in the room with Jake for a one-on-one lesson.

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5 star rating

Great not only for comic artist. Thank you!

Claudia Fiebig

5 star rating

Strong on Storytelling

Eddie Pittman

An in-depth study at the process of creating comics with a strong emphasis on the most important aspect: storytelling. Another great Jake Parker presentation.

An in-depth study at the process of creating comics with a strong emphasis on the most important aspect: storytelling. Another great Jake Parker presentation.

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5 star rating

Great detail, everything you need to know

Wayne Rix

Awesome course, thanks Jake. So much information in here and your experience and knowledge is well transmitted through the course material.

Awesome course, thanks Jake. So much information in here and your experience and knowledge is well transmitted through the course material.

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5 star rating

AMAZING!

Justin Whiting

If you are a beginner and want to finally create that comic you always wanted to and are ready to go, you owe it to yourself to go through this course! Jake'...

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If you are a beginner and want to finally create that comic you always wanted to and are ready to go, you owe it to yourself to go through this course! Jake's advice and knowledge is second to none and you won't be sorry. This is the place to start to make that comic you always dreamed of making.

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5 star rating

Great Course!

Jeff Corrigan

Packed with information and technical details about the things that really make a comic great.

Packed with information and technical details about the things that really make a comic great.

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