Basics of Comic Composition
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Creating a Comic Page

Scripts and Layouts

Basics of Comic Composition

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Basics of Comic Composition

997K
Mark as Completed
David Finch
In this first lesson, I'll show you some composition fundamentals I use on a daily basis.
Newest
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Very Cool! - I was always wondering about the lighting setup. Directional light is the way to go for sure. Much less problematic to deal with than pin lightning.
ANX804U
5mo
i kind of read alot of manga, what is actual difference between comic and manga expect manga is made opposite of comic????,,,
Devon D. Yeider
Rule of thirds, compositional shapes, and light of comic book artists
Patrick Bosworth
Excellent references for study!! Love all of these! Keep up the good work!
Devon D. Yeider
Found it really helpful to slow the video down to 75% and draw along with David as well as doing the recommend homework. Posting comic scenes soon
Makoto Yasumasa
How nice this lecture is from the first! I had fun. But to decide good composition is very difficult.
@tramn11
1yr
This lesson was very informative!!!
Daneca Robinson
Hello! Anyone have any good tips or books on comic panel pacing, it's something I have been struggling with. Thank you for any help you give!
Ely
2yr
I think pacing will come down to personal tastes on narrative design. Something that I was recommended was to read a lot more comics/graphic novels with an eye towards HOW it was made and studying all the elements of it. A lot of sources I've read say if you can save time telling a story then do it, but there's fine tuning that will come through experience and trying a lot of different ways until you find something that works for you.
@colemancreates
Thanks for the informative lesson! I decided to make some drawings based on the composition fundamentals to better understand them. Left top: rule of thirds and overlapping shadows Right top: an upside-down triangle composition Left bottom: shadow framing by a door Right bottom: Shadow framing by side character
Pink Valeranth
Your classes, both here and on your site, have helped me grow tremendously. I've always struggled with the head, but after a couple days of following your How to Draw a Superhero Head class, I was able to draw heads from memory! Thank you for everything. I look forward to learning more!
Tavonna Nira Strømsengbakken
I see how the rule of thirds was used in the video (you are sat off-center)
@bluesky41
3yr
Thank you so much sir, jus t this first video is going to be super helpful with me figuring out composition!
Kenneth Jones
Are there to be additional lessons added?
Jme
3yr
I've been looking forward to this course, I always learn something when I watch any of David's videos.
Matt Salinas
Great lesson! Looking forward to more.
@sprawl2brawl
loving it so far! when is the next update coming, any idea. can't wait lol
Katey Jensma
The second lesson was posted yesterday :)
Grace
3yr
Thank you so much! Great way to start off with the basics, can't wait for next week's lesson!
Lance De Boyer
Great opening video and explanations! Can't wait to dig into the rest!
Daniel Albuquerque de Insfrán
sketching some ideas...
Ben Nunn
3yr
Really fantastic lesson. I’ve been trying to find a class that could summarise these concepts as succinctly as this. I wouldn’t expect anything less from David Finch.
@jasonj33
3yr
I'll have to watch this lecture a few times, I've asked this question more than once @ conventions with the pros about lighting. I've been experimenting with the rule of thirds and I'm going to keep doing it as well. I've noticed that the basic elements of Drawing Comics the Marvel Way are beginning to weave their way in here as well. What I mean is I can see how composition, shot placement, and perspective and singing together within some of the panels you're presenting here. Great stuff.
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About instructor
I’m a comic book artist for Image, Marvel, DC, and others.
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