First Things First



Unless you already have a vision or a set plan in mind, before getting started you'll want to take plenty of time to decide on the type of strip you're most interested in doing. If you think you'll have plenty of ideas and storylines to work with, you may want to opt for a multi-panel strip. On the other hand, a single panel comic strip does mean less drawing and therefore less time to complete each one, but you will also have to make sure every strip stands on its own, telling an entire story or joke all in one single panel.

Once you've settled on your strip's format, next is the all important aspect of developing your main characters, if there'll be any, as some comics feature different people and scenes in each new strip while others follow a few certain characters. Also, make sure you'll be comfortable drawing these same people, animals, or whatever it is you're doing over and over again.

Supplies You'll Need

- An active imagination

- A sense of humor

- Paper, preferably quality paper that will withstand erasing

- Pencils with quality erasers

- Pens of varying points for drawing different thicknesses

- Plenty of patience

Of course, if you plan on eschewing the traditional pen and paper method of drawing your comic strip, you will also need some type of graphics program for the computer to create your masterpieces.

Thinking Outside the Panel

Whatever it is you draw, the most important element of your comic strip is that it must be funny! There's got to be some serious interaction between characters, including many conflicts that result from those interactions. Even if your artwork is impeccable, it won't make much of a difference if your strips aren't funny or amusing in some way.

Hone your skills by letting your personality shine through on paper with everything you create, always remembering to look for inspiration in the unlikeliest of places.

3 Quick Tips to Remember

- Be Yourself: While it's perfectly acceptable to look to establish cartoonists and comic strips for inspiration, make absolutely certain you're not copying anything related to anyone else's work as not only is this possible copyright infringement, but you'll also be ruining your chances at becoming a respected artist in your own right. Develop your own style instead and then don't be afraid to just run with it.

- Keep Your Eyes Open: Look absolutely everywhere you go for funny ideas. Carrying a small notebook around with you will enable you to jot things down right as they happen.

- Save Everything: Never throw away any of your work as you never know if a year from now you'll look back at it and have the absolute perfect addition or modification that works perfectly. And, once you become rich and famous and renowned the world over, those early strips you drew way back when will fetch a small fortune on the internet.