FOUR EASY STEPS FOR CREATING YOUR OWN WEB COMIC

Given the monumental decline in print media, it was only a matter of time before comics transitioned to an online platform. And with a range of useful design programs and easy marketing via social media, entering the comic world is easier than ever before. If you possess a humorous side and a penchant for creative expression, web comics may serve as your ideal new hobby, or, if you show both talent and passion, a potential career path. All you need are a few basic tools and a touch of creativity. You'll be creating hilarious comics in no time!

Sketching By Hand

If you were hoping to escape from hand drawing, you may be in for a bitter disappointment. Most successful web comic developers use pencil and paper to sketch out their drawings, later scanning them into their computers for further editing. If your sketching skills are sub-par, consider investing in a beginner's course at a local community college or artistic collaborative. A good sketch will make editing far easier, thereby streamlining the entire web comic process.

Inking And Image Editing

Once you've scanned your sketched picture into the computer, it's time to edit for a smoother, more comic-worthy look. This part of the equation is particularly important if you've failed to master the basics of sound drawing. First, you'll need to invest in a high-quality image editing program. Experts at PC Advisor suggest Anime Studio, an advanced 2D animation program complete with vector tools, scaling and plenty of other useful options. Other viable editing programs include Manga Studio, Plasq Comic Life and Toon Boom Animation. If you've created a quality sketch, simply trace over the scanned image with your editing software and, when you're finished, delete the original sketch.

Color And Letters

Many comics are published in black and white. However, color can add an extra level of interest for readers, and thanks to the online platform, at no extra cost to the publisher. Options include manually adding hues with colored pencils, or as is more common in the web comic world, pursuing this step through image editing software. For the cover, title or signature lettering, you can use an online custom logo designer. Some sites, like Logo Garden, have free logo design options you can play around with to get the right look. Likewise, letters can be added in by hand and then scanned into the computer or simply typed in a selected font.

Publishing Your Web Comic

Once your end product is perfected, it's time to show it to the world. If you're looking to establish a professional website, your best bet is to set up a domain. On your personal website, you'll want to develop an easy navigation system allowing visitors to instantly access your full collection of comics. Take care with your online comic persona, as your professional website could easily be your in to landing a gig creating comics for a paying client.