INTRODUCTION

"Graphic novels and comics have evolved from simple entertainment to complex, respected forms of art and literature. They blend visual and textual storytelling to engage readers on multiple levels, offering a unique way to explore various themes, genres, and narratives."

Are you curious about comics and graphic novels? Let's dive in!

WHAT IS A COMIC?

Comics are sequential art forms that use images, often combined with text, to tell a story. The images are arranged in panels, which are read in a specific order, typically left to right and top to bottom, and can vary in length, from single strips (like those found in newspapers) to multiple-page issues or series (such as superhero comic books). Comics are traditionally published in periodicals, magazines, or anthologies and are often serialized, with stories spanning multiple issues, and are frequently associated with ongoing series featuring recurring characters.

WHAT IS A GRAPHIC NOVEL?

And what about graphic novels? Picture a book-length fiction or nonfiction work using the same sequential art form as comics. The term "graphic novel" refers to the format, not the genre, as graphic novels can cover many genres, are longer than comic books, and are published as complete works, often with complex narratives and developed characters. This can include fiction, non-fiction, history, fantasy, or anything. They are often bound in a more durable format, such as a hardcover or paperback book. Unlike serialized comics, graphic novels are usually published as standalone volumes, similar in length to traditional novels. They are bound like regular books, often with a spine and durable cover, and are designed to be read as complete works. Though some may be part of a series. Exciting, right?

ELEMENTS OF GRAPHIC NOVELS AND COMICS

Visual Storytelling:

🌀 Panels: Panels are the individual frames containing the artwork and text, arranged sequentially to tell the story. The arrangement and size of panels can influence the pacing and mood of the story.

🌀 Gutters: The space between panels is known as the gutter. The gutter allows for time, space, or perspective transitions and invites the reader to infer what happens between the panels. Gutters play a crucial role in the reader's interpretation of the story, as they represent the passage of time, changes in location, or shifts in perspective.

🌀 Art Style: The art style in comics and graphic novels can range from highly realistic to abstract or cartoonish and plays a significant role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the story. The choice of style influences the tone and impact of the story. For example, a gritty, detailed art style might be used for a noir detective story, while a more whimsical style might suit a lighthearted fantasy.

Textual Elements:

🌀 Dialogue: Dialogue between characters is usually enclosed in speech balloons or bubbles and is integral to character development and plot progression. The speech balloon's shape, size, and font can convey emotions and tone. For instance, jagged edges might indicate shouting or anger.

🌀 Narration: Narration boxes (or captions) provide additional context, background information, or internal monologues that complement the visuals. They describe the character's thoughts or offer insights that are not directly conveyed through the dialogue or images. They can help set the scene, explain the context, or give the reader access to the characters' internal thoughts.

🌀 Sound Effects: Onomatopoeic words (e.g., "BAM!", "WHACK!" "BANG!" or "CRASH!") are often used to represent sounds within the story, adding an auditory dimension to the reading experience and enhancing the immersive quality of the narrative.

Themes and Genres:

🌀 Themes: Graphic novels and comics can explore a wide range of themes, from the personal and introspective (e.g., identity, trauma, relationships) to the epic and fantastical (e.g., heroism, good vs. evil, the nature of reality). The visual format allows for the direct and impactful depiction of abstract ideas and complex emotions.

🌀 Genres: The mediums encompass various genres, such as fantasy, science fiction, fright, romance, historical, adventure, and autobiographical. The flexibility of the comic and graphic novel formats allows creators to experiment with genre conventions and create hybrid works that blend elements from multiple genres.

Fun Fact:

🌀 Early Comics: The origin of comics can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where sequential art was used in manuscripts, tapestries, and cave paintings such as Egyptian hieroglyphs and Roman carvings. In the 19th century, satirical cartoons and serialized comic strips became popular in newspapers, laying the groundwork for modern comics.

🌀 Superhero Comics: The Golden Age of Comics (1930s-1950s) saw the rise of superhero comics, with characters like Superman and Batman becoming cultural icons. This era established the comic book industry and the superhero genre as a dominant force.

🌀 Early Examples of Graphic Novels: Although the term "graphic novel" became popular in the late 20th century, earlier works, such as Lynd Ward's wordless novels in the 1930s and Will Eisner's *A Contract with God* (1978), are considered precursors to the modern graphic novel.

🌀 Modern Graphic Novels: The 1980s and 1990s saw a surge in graphic novel production, with influential works like Maus by Art Spiegelman, Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, and The Sandman by Neil Gaiman pushing the boundaries of the medium and gaining critical acclaim.

HOW-TO

"Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on."

- Louis L'Amour

"You don't start out writing good stuff. You start out writing crap and thinking it's good stuff, and then gradually, you get better at it."

- Octavia E. Butler

🌀 Step 1: Story Title / Series Title

Successful titles are like magic spells – unique, easy to remember, and captivating. Find something snappy that captures the essence of your story, and make sure it's not too long!

🌀 Step 2: Genre Pick

Select a Genre. Pick up to two genres that match your series well. Pick your primary genre and sub-genre, ensure you understand your story, and choose the correct genres!

🌀 Step 3. Story / Series Summary

The summary should be 500 characters or less, set the tone, and establish a hook. You can also include your update schedule (i.e., updates every first of the month or weekly updates on Sunday at this time).

🌀 Step 4. Story / Series Thumbnails

Showcase the main character(s) and your style. Two different thumbnails need to be included when creating your series. These thumbnails will be the first

thing readers see! Square thumbnail and vertical thumbnail

HOW TO GRAPHIC AND COMIC

Creating graphic novels or comics involves a combination of storytelling, artistic skill, and technical know-how. Here's an extensive guide to help you through the process:

Conceptualization and Story Planning:

🌀 Story Idea: Start with a strong idea or theme. This could be anything from a character, a theme, a specific event, or a world. The idea should be something you're passionate about, as creating a graphic novel is a time-intensive process. Think about what message or experience you want to convey.

🌀 Target Audience: Define who your audience is. This will influence the tone, style, and complexity of your story. Whether it's for children, teenagers, or adults will determine many aspects of the creative process.

🌀 Genre: Decide on the genre of your comic or graphic novel. Genres could include science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, action, or drama.

🌀 Plotting the Story: Outline your story, focusing on the beginning, middle, and end. Develop a plot structure, including the main conflict, key events, and resolution. Use tools like the three-act structure or the hero's journey to organize your narrative.

🌀 Character Development: Create detailed profiles for your characters. Consider their backstory, personality, motivations, and relationships. Strong, well-rounded characters are essential for engaging readers.

🌀World-Building: Create the universe in which your story takes place. This includes the setting, period, social structure, and rules that govern the world. This step is crucial, especially for fantasy and sci-fi genres. Spend time developing the world if your story occurs in a unique or fantastical setting. Consider its rules, history, geography, and culture. This helps create a believable and immersive environment.

🌀 Scriptwriting: Write a script that includes both dialogue and action. Unlike a traditional novel, your script should indicate what will be shown in each panel. Write in a way that conveys visual action and emotional beats.

Designing the Layout and Pacing

🌀 Page Layout: Decide on the format of your graphic novel. Will it be a standard comic book size or something different? Determine the number of panels per page, keeping in mind the story's pacing and flow. Each panel should be designed to guide the reader's eye through the page naturally.

🌀 Pacing: Pacing is crucial in graphic novels. Use larger panels or splash pages for significant moments and smaller panels to speed up the action. The number of panels per page and the size of those panels will affect how quickly the reader moves through the story.

🌀 Thumbnails: Create thumbnail sketches of each page. These small, rough sketches help you plan the layout and composition. Before committing to the final artwork, thumbnails allow you to experiment with different page designs and pacing.

Story Structure and Scripting

🌀 Plot Outline: Develop an outline of your story. This should include major plot points, character arcs, and the overall flow from beginning to end. Create a story arc with clear conflict, climax, and resolution. An outline helps keep the story coherent and focused.

🌀 Character Development: Create detailed profiles for your main characters. This includes their backstories, personality, motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and relationships. Visual design is also crucial—sketch their appearance, costumes, and unique features. Create character profiles to maintain consistency.

🌀 Script Writing: Write the script, which includes dialogue, narration, and descriptions of actions and settings. The script should also indicate panel layouts, camera angles, and scene transitions. This script will serve as a blueprint for the artwork and ensure it fits the character's voice and advances the plot.

🌀 Pacing: Pay attention to pacing—how quickly or slowly the story unfolds. Use varying panel sizes, page layouts, and the amount of dialogue to control the pacing. Describe each panel's visuals, including character actions, settings, and important details. Use clear and concise language.

Artistic Creation

🌀 Storyboarding: Create a storyboard that sketches out the comic's pages, showing rough panel layouts and where text will be placed. This is a visual outline of the comic, helping you plan the composition and flow of the story.

🌀 Drawing Style: Choose a drawing style that fits the tone and genre of your story. Your style could be realistic, cartoony, manga-inspired, or something unique. Consistency in style is important for maintaining the reader's immersion.

🌀 Character Design: Design your characters visually. Create model sheets showing characters from different angles and with different expressions. Consider their appearance, clothing, and unique features. Develop detailed designs for each character, which ensures consistency and recognizability throughout the graphic novel.

🌀 Backgrounds and Setting: Pay attention to the settings and backgrounds. They should complement the story, add depth to the narrative, and provide context. Detailed environments help establish the world and mood of the story. Add elements that give depth and realism to the settings.

🌀 Panel Layout: Design the layout of each page. Panels can vary in size and shape, and how they are arranged on a page can greatly affect the story's pacing and tone. Consider how the reader's eye will move across the page. Start with pencil sketches for each panel based on your storyboard. Focus on accuracy and clarity.

🌀 Penciling: Draw the initial rough sketches of each panel. These are not final, but they guide the inking and coloring stages. Focus on getting the proportions, perspective, and composition right.

🌀 Inking: Once your pencil sketches are complete, the next step is inking. Review the penciled drawings with ink to create the final line art. This stage involves refining the artwork, adding details, and preparing the art for coloring. Inking can be done traditionally with pens or digitally, and different line weights can be used to create depth and emphasize important elements. This step is crucial for making your images stand out.

🌀 Coloring: Decide whether your graphic novel will be in color or black and white. If you choose color, think about the mood you want to convey with your palette. Add color to the inked drawings. Color can set the mood, emphasize certain elements, and make the comic more visually engaging. Consider the color scheme carefully—bright, bold colors for an action-packed story or muted tones for a more somber narrative, and pay attention to shading and highlights for a polished look. Digital coloring tools like Adobe Photoshop or Procreate can be very helpful, though traditional media is also an option.

🌀 Lettering: Insert dialogue, captions, and sound effects. The style and placement of text are important; it should be legible, fit the story's tone, and not distract from the artwork. Lettering can be done by hand or using digital tools. Ensure that the lettering is well-integrated into the panels without overwhelming the artwork.

Editing and Refinement

🌀 Proofreading: Once your pages are complete, carefully proofread your script and text within the comic to avoid spelling or grammar errors. Review the entire graphic novel. Look for inconsistencies in the story, pacing, or artwork and that character's actions align with the plot. Consistency in dialogue and narration is key to maintaining the reader's immersion. Editing at this stage is crucial to ensure the final product is polished.

🌀 Feedback: Get feedback from others, such as fellow artists, writers, members of your target audience, mentors, or beta readers. They can provide insights into pacing, clarity, and overall appeal. External opinions can help you spot issues you might have missed and provide suggestions for improvement.

🌀 Revisions: Be prepared to make revisions based on feedback. This could involve tweaking the script, redoing certain panels, or adjusting the pacing and layout.

GRAPHIC AND COMIC TOOLS

Technical and Production Considerations

🌀 Cover Design: Design a compelling cover for your graphic novel. The cover is often the first thing a potential reader will see, so it should be visually appealing and represent the story.

🌀 Tools and Software: Choose the tools to create your comic. Traditional artists may use pencils, inks, and paper, while digital artists might use software like Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or Procreate. For lettering and layout, Adobe Illustrator or InDesign are popular choices.

🌀Resolution and Format: If working digitally, ensure your artwork is at a high resolution (300 DPI or higher) to maintain quality. An image must be less than 800px wide and 1280px long. Save your files in formats that preserve quality, like TIFF or PSD for images and PDF, JPEG, and PNG for final layouts.

🌀Page Count and Format: Decide on your comic or graphic novel length. Standard comics are usually 22-32 pages, while graphic novels can range from 60 to over 300 pages.

Publication and Distribution

🌀 Final Artwork Preparation: Prepare your final artwork for publication. This involves ensuring all pages have the correct size, resolution, and format. If working digitally, files should be high resolution (at least 300 dpi) and saved in a format suitable for printing.

🌀 Self-Publishing: Consider self-publishing your comic. Platforms like Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing and CANVAS allow you to publish digitally. You can pitch your work to a comic book publisher. Research publishers that align with your genre and style, and prepare a submission package, including sample pages, a synopsis, and your creative background.

🌀 Webcomics: Publishing as a webcomic is another option. Consider releasing your graphic novel digitally through platforms like Webtoon (CANVAS), which can help you build an audience online. Many creators start as webcomics before moving to print.

Resources and Tools

🌀 Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator): For digital drawing, coloring, and layout.

🌀 Clip Studio Paint: A popular software among comic artists for drawing and coloring.

🌀 Procreate: A powerful drawing app for iPad users.

🌀 Scrivener: For scriptwriting and organizing your story.

🌀 Other software includes Photoshop, Medibang, Paint Clip Studio, Paint Procreate, and Corel Painter

DIGITAL FORMAT

Get ready to share your work with the world! Whether you're planning to go digital, print, or both, there are unique requirements and distribution channels to consider. It's time to prepare your final artwork for publication, making sure it meets the specific guidelines of your chosen format.

Format and Presentation

Digital Screen Aspect: Digital graphic novels are viewed on screens, whether through computers, tablets, or smartphones. They adapt to various screen sizes and resolutions, which can affect how the artwork is displayed. Some digital formats include interactive elements like zoom features, panel-by-panel navigation, or multimedia enhancements. Digital graphic novels are instantly accessible and can be read anywhere with an internet connection or offline if downloaded. The adjustable text size, contrast settings, and text-to-speech options make content more accessible to those with visual impairments. Creators are not confined to fixed page sizes and can use space more freely.

Distribution and Accessibility

Global Reach: Digital graphic novels can be distributed globally through online platforms and digital storefronts, making them accessible to a wider audience. Purchasers can instantly download and read digital novels, removing the wait time associated with shipping.

Production and Design

Dynamic Content: Digital formats can include dynamic content like animations or sound effects, enhancing the reading experience. Corrections or updates can be made and distributed easily without new print runs.

Creative Flexibility

🌀 Enhanced Interactivity: Digital comics can incorporate multimedia elements such as animations, sound effects, and background music, providing a more immersive experience. For example, "motion comics" use limited animation to enhance the storytelling experience.

🌀 Infinite Canvas: Digital platforms allow for an "infinite canvas," where the comic is not confined to traditional page layouts. Creators can design their work to scroll horizontally or vertically, creating a dynamic reading experience that can break away from conventional panel structures.

🌀 Frequent Updates: Digital comics can be updated or revised after publication with relative ease. This allows creators to correct errors, add new content, or even serialize their work in installments.

Reading Experience

Adjustable Reading and Convenience: Digital formats offer adjustable text sizes and brightness settings, which can benefit readability. Readers can carry a large collection of comics in a single device, which is convenient for travel and storage.

Direct Market Access for Creators

Self-Publishing Opportunities, Analytics, and Feedback: Digital platforms like Webtoon offer creators direct access to audiences without the need for traditional publishing intermediaries. This democratizes the publishing process and enables independent creators to build their fanbase. Digital platforms often provide creators with detailed analytics on reader engagement, such as page views, time spent on each page, and reader feedback. This data can inform creative decisions and marketing strategies.

Expanding the Audience

🌀 Appeal to Younger Audiences: Younger readers, who are often more comfortable with digital media, may be more inclined to engage with graphic novels in digital format. With their smartphone-friendly vertical scroll format, platforms like Webtoon have been particularly successful in attracting younger audiences.

🌀 Diverse Storytelling Formats: Digital platforms support a wide range of storytelling formats, from traditional comic strips to long-form graphic novels, webcomics, and serialized content. This variety allows creators to experiment with different narrative structures and reach different audience segments.

Preservation and Archiving

🌀 Long-Term Preservation: Digital comics can be stored indefinitely without the risk of physical degradation, such as fading, tearing, or yellowing paper. Properly backed-up digital files can ensure the preservation of content for future generations.

🌀 Easy Retrieval: Digital comics can be easily organized, searched, and retrieved from a digital library, making it convenient for readers to find specific titles, authors, or genres.

Marketing and Promotion

🌀 Digital Marketing Tools: Creators and publishers can leverage digital marketing tools such as social media, email newsletters, and targeted ads to promote their work. Digital graphic novels can also include hyperlinks to related content, creator websites, or merchandise, creating opportunities for cross-promotion.

🌀 Viral Potential: Digital graphic novels can be easily shared on social media platforms, increasing their potential to go viral and reach a wider audience. This is particularly effective for short-form content or excerpts that capture attention.

Diverse Revenue Streams

🌀 Multiple Revenue Models: Digital graphic novels can be monetized through various models, including pay-per-download, subscription services, microtransactions (e.g., paying for individual chapters), ad-supported content, and even in-app purchases for bonus content.

🌀 International Markets: Digital distribution enables creators to tap into international markets without the barriers of physical distribution, opening up additional revenue opportunities through localization and translation.

Increased Opportunities for Collaboration

🌀 Cross-Media Collaboration: Digital formats open up opportunities for collaboration across different media, such as integrating graphic novels with video games, movies, or virtual reality experiences. These collaborations can create new and exciting ways to tell stories.

🌀 Creative Partnerships: Digital platforms often foster communities where creators can connect and collaborate. This can lead to joint projects, anthologies, or shared universes that enrich the storytelling landscape.

Economic Considerations

Lower Costs and Revenue Models: Digital publishing typically has lower upfront costs since there are no printing or shipping expenses. Digital graphic novels can be sold through various models, including pay-per-download, subscription services, or ad-supported content.

Environmental Impact

Reduced Material Impact and Energy Consumption: Digital comics eliminate the need for physical materials, reducing the environmental footprint associated with production and disposal. Digital formats depend on electronic devices.

The digital format for graphic novels offers a wide range of benefits that enhance the creation and consumption of these visual stories. From broader accessibility and cost efficiency to creative flexibility and environmental sustainability, digital graphic novels are transforming the way creators and readers interact with the medium. As technology continues to evolve, the potential for innovation in digital graphic novels will only increase, making it an increasingly important format in the world of visual storytelling.

WEBTOON CANVAS

Webtoon CANVAS is a popular digital platform that allows creators to publish their own webcomics or graphic novels independently. It's part of the broader WEBTOON platform, known for hosting a wide range of webcomics from independent creators (CANVAS) and those professionally curated by the platform (ORIGINALS).

Accessibility and Global Reach

🌀 Global Audience: Webtoon CANVAS is accessible to a global audience, allowing creators to reach readers worldwide. The platform supports various languages, meaning that comics can be translated and enjoyed by non-English-speaking audiences.

🌀 Free Access: Webtoon CANVAS is free for readers, lowering the entry barrier and encouraging a larger readership. This is advantageous for creators who are trying to build an audience.

🌀 Mobile-Friendly Format: The platform is optimized for mobile devices, making it accessible to a wide range of users. The vertical scrolling format is designed specifically for reading on smartphones, which are a popular medium for consuming webcomics, especially among younger audiences.

Creative Freedom and Flexibility

🌀 No Entry Barriers: Anyone can publish on Webtoon CANVAS without going through a selection or approval process. This open-access model gives creators full creative control over their work, allowing them to explore unique and niche ideas that might not fit into traditional publishing formats.

🌀 Serialization: Webtoon CANVAS supports serialized content, allowing creators to publish episodes of their comics regularly. This can help build anticipation and keep readers engaged over time. Creators can choose their update schedule, giving them flexibility in production management.

🌀 Vertical Scroll Format: The platform's vertical scroll format offers a unique storytelling method that differs from traditional page layouts. Creators can experiment with pacing, panel arrangement, and visual flow in ways specific to the digital medium.

Monetization Opportunities

🌀 Ad Revenue Sharing Program: Once a creator meets certain criteria (e.g., having a specific number of subscribers and views), they can participate in the Ad Revenue Sharing Program. This allows them to earn money from advertisements displayed on their episodes.

🌀 Creator Rewards Program: Webtoon offers a Creator Rewards Program for those who achieve high levels of engagement on the platform. Creators who reach certain milestones regarding page views and subscribers can earn additional income.

🌀 Patreon Integration: Webtoon CANVAS allows creators to link their Patreon accounts directly to their comics, enabling fans to support them financially. This integration helps creators generate a more stable income by offering exclusive content or rewards to their patrons.

🌀 Merchandise and Licensing: Successful series on CANVAS can lead to opportunities for merchandise, print editions, or even adaptations into other media like animations or movies. While these opportunities are more common for popular titles, CANVAS provides a potential stepping stone for creators to reach this level.

Community and Engagement

🌀 Fan Interaction: Webtoon CANVAS offers direct interaction between creators and their audience through comments, likes, and social media sharing. This interaction helps build a loyal fanbase and allows creators to receive immediate feedback on their work.

🌀 Community Building: The platform has a strong community aspect, with creators often collaborating, cross-promoting each other's work, or participating in platform-wide events and challenges. This sense of community can be encouraging for new creators and helps foster a supportive environment.

🌀 Visibility and Promotion: While CANVAS is an open platform, Webtoon does feature selected works on its front page or in specific categories, giving creators additional exposure. This can help boost a comic's visibility and attract more readers.

Tools and Resources

🌀 Creator Dashboard: Webtoon CANVAS provides creators with a dashboard that includes tools for uploading episodes, tracking views, and monitoring engagement. The analytics provided can be valuable for understanding what content resonates with readers and how to improve future episodes.

🌀 Educational Resources: Webtoon often provides tutorials, articles, and other resources to help creators improve their storytelling, art, and marketing skills. These resources are handy for beginners looking to develop their craft.

🌀 Community Forums and Social Media: Webtoon also has active forums and social media groups where creators can share tips, seek advice, and network with other artists. This networking can lead to collaborations and further opportunities for growth.

Ease of Use

🌀 Simple Upload Process: Uploading and managing content on Webtoon CANVAS is straightforward, making it accessible even for those not technologically savvy. The platform handles the hosting, distribution, and technical aspects, allowing creators to focus on their work.

🌀 Cross-Platform Availability: Readers can access Webtoon CANVAS on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. This flexibility ensures that creators can reach audiences wherever they are.

Potential for Growth

🌀 Stepping Stone to Webtoon ORIGINALS: For many creators, CANVAS can serve as a launching pad to Webtoon ORIGINALS, the platform's curated section. Comics that gain significant popularity on CANVAS may be noticed by Webtoon's editorial team and offered a contract to become an ORIGINAL. This transition can provide creators additional support, marketing, and financial incentives.

🌀 Networking Opportunities: Success on CANVAS can lead to networking opportunities within the broader comics and entertainment industry. Popular creators may be approached by publishers, animation studios, or other media companies for collaborations or adaptations.

Diverse Content and Genres

🌀 Wide Range of Genres: Webtoon CANVAS hosts a diverse array of genres, including romance, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, slice of life, and more. This variety allows creators to find and cater to niche audiences that might be underserved by traditional publishing.

🌀 Cultural Diversity: The global nature of the platform means that creators from different cultural backgrounds can share their stories with an international audience. This has led to a rich tapestry of content that reflects a wide range of perspectives and experiences.

Formatting for WEBTOON

🌀 Legible Font: Use the preview feature to optimize your font size for mobile devices. Most users use the WEBTOON APP to read their favorite series on a mobile device instead of a larger screen like a computer. This means that, most likely, your story will be read on a small screen. Be sure to check readability on a mobile device when creating your comic to ensure that your font size is large enough to be comfortably read on a smartphone. The actual font sizes vary by canvas size, resolution, and the type of font being used. Generally, most creators use standard text font sizes between 12px and 30px. Check out the ORIGINALS series for examples of lettering for mobile devices.

🌀Basic formatting rules for vertical content: People have short attention spans, so keep the reader scrolling. Give readers space to appreciate your art by including a maximum of two panels on the screen at the same time. Keep it easy to read; three speech bubbles or fewer per panel is ideal. As for lettering, keep it to one to two sentences of dialogue per bubble! We also recommend stacking the sentences in a diamond shape. Vary panel width, shape, and size to imply importance and impact. Panel-to-panel scenes should have a minimum distance of 200px per panel. If there is a location or scene transition, allow 600px to 1000px of space to convey a sense of time passing. Explore and utilize "impact panels" in your series! Impact panels are ones that you want your readers to really focus on. They can show emotions and pivotal moments that are important to the series and allow you to maximize the special aspect of the vertical scroll format.

Pre-production

There's more to creating a series than coming up with a cool idea. Planning out your story is essential to plan how you intend to create it. This process is known as pre-production or planning. Key points like story structure, script, art style, upload schedule, and more are included in that process. Most successful CANVAS titles are consistent in all of these points.

Art Style WEBTOON's

Vertical format is a visual medium, which means that it's important to use an art style that remains consistent throughout your story. We understand that when you're first creating your series, you want it to look as good as it can be, but we also know it can be a lot of work to draw all those panels! We recommend that you stick to a style you can keep up with consistently.

THE MOST COMMON PRODUCTION STAGES ARE

🌀 Thumbnails: This is when you plan out your panels based on your story. Thumbnails are intended to be very loose, simple drawings to help you understand how the episode will be structured.

🌀 Sketches: Once you've created your rough thumbnails, you can start sketching your characters and backgrounds. This is also the stage when creators plan the placement of their speech bubbles.

🌀 Inking: The process of cleaning up your lines to create a more polished look.

🌀 Coloring: Most of WEBTOON's original titles have some color. However, you aren't required to color your title to upload to CANVAS. If you choose to color your series, think about how color can be used to capture the mood of a scene. We recommend researching color theory and how color can represent different emotions, settings, and moods.

🌀 Finalizing: This is when creators add speech bubbles, special effects, lettering, and title cards. Title cards include the series title and an end card, where you can remind readers to like, subscribe, and leave a comment on your series episodes! Creators draw on digital programs using graphics or drawing tablets. This surface is intended to be used with a stylus or pen-like device that allows you to draw directly on your chosen digital software.

Webtoon CANVAS provides a dynamic platform for creators to publish, promote, and monetize their work. Its accessibility, community support, and monetization opportunities make it an attractive option for aspiring and established creators. By offering creative freedom, direct access to a global audience, and a variety of tools to build and engage a fanbase, Webtoon CANVAS empowers creators to bring their stories to life in a way that was previously difficult through traditional publishing channels.

You can check the official WEBTOON ( ) website for more information on the features.