Hey there! Are you interested in creating your own webtoon? I know it can be intimidating to switch from traditional comic formatting to webtoon formatting, especially since you have to scroll vertically instead of horizontally. But don’t worry, I’ve got some tips to help you get started and then I will go in to more detail below these short tips.
- Choose the right program for you: There are several options out there, so take some time to explore and find the one that works best for you but I recommend for simplicity using programs that have comic specific features like a panel divider, background filter, pre-made word ballon and background assets.
- Pay attention to canvas size: The smaller the canvas size the smaller the panels will look if you add more panels to the page.
- Use the golden rule of thirds: This formula can help you create visually balanced panels.
- Don’t compare yourself to others: Focus on expressing yourself and creating something from nothing. You’re an artist, so trust your instincts and have fun!
First off, you’ll need to decide on a program to use. Some popular options that have comic specific tools include:
- Clip Studio Paint
- ibispaint
- JUMP Paint
- Krita
- Medibang Paint
Then, you’ll want to think about the size of your panels. A good rule of thumb I like to aim for when I’m drawing my webtoon is I like to double to width and height of the recommended size for whichever webtoon platform I may be using.
The reason why is because it helps my lines stay crisp since I draw my webtoon similar to how I draw my comic pages 1-2 panels at a time per file but totally do what fits you best because some webtoon artist like to draw all 50 of their panels on one long vertical file instead of drawing them on multiple shorter pages like I do.
Webtoon Panel Placement tip:
If you’re having trouble figuring out how to balance your panels, you might want to try using the “golden rule of thirds.”
This is a mathematical formula that helps you compose your panels in a way that looks aesthetically pleasing. Essentially, you just need to make sure the borders of your panels are touching one of the cross intersections on the template.
You can find a helpful guideline for the golden rule of thirds here.
Remember, it’s okay to use tools like this to help you get started. Again Don’t compare yourself to others or feel like you’re lacking in some way because you may not have the same goal as them so what they are doing may not work for you and your goal. Just focus on expressing yourself and creating something from nothing.
And if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or check out my “How to Start a Webtoon” ebook on how to make, publish, and monetize a webtoon comic for beginners.
Oh, and if you’re in the mood for some fun reading, you might want to check out Catch Me! Fight Me! Love Me!, a wholesome AMBW manga webtoon about a fake marriage. Happy creating!