Capturing Stories in Fantasy Comics
A course by Gabriel RodríguezWriter and comic artist
A course by Gabriel Rodríguez, Writer and comic artist
Create fantasy comic strips from the technical script to the sheet in pencil
A good story is the basis of any graphic narrative project. Without it, its execution loses strength and the interest of the audience vanishes. In this course you will learn to fill in the blank page with a good story for a fantasy comic book that you will then draw in pencil, by the hand of Gabriel Rodríguez - comic writer and cartoonist - co-creator of the series Locke & Key and collaborator of Marvel y DC Comics
If you have an idea in your head that you want to turn into a fantastic cartoon, you are in the right place.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 11 downloads
materials
3 minutes, 38 seconds
Development and collection of material
17 minutes, 52 seconds
Storyboard or story diagram
14 minutes, 20 seconds
The technical script
11 minutes, 40 seconds
The technical script, part two
10 minutes, 40 seconds
The professional comic book drawing format and the use of the page
7 minutes, 5 seconds
What's included in this course?
You will start by getting to know Gabriel, who will tell you how he started in the world of comics, show you his most important works and summarize what you will learn in the course.
You will meet the artists and references that are reflected in their work, from illustrators to musicians, through authors, film directors and podcasts.
Before starting to develop your idea, you will review the materials you will use in the course.
You will start to direct your interests and ideas towards a fantasy and science fiction story that you will later tell in your story, to then develop the environment in which the characters will move.
You will learn to articulate your ideas and narrative intentions in a basic structure to tell a story and you will develop the technical script of your comic in a professional format.
Gabriel will explain how to make a first approach to transform your technical script into images with narrative meaning in a layout .
You will make basic schematic drawings of your comic, to define the composition, lighting, movement of the scenes and interaction of the characters in the story.
Once you have defined your layout , you will start with the pencil drawing of your comic. You will learn the basic criteria for the development of characters, emphasizing the relationship between personality, body expression and formal decisions oriented to the needs of the specific story.
You will design the world in which the story unfolds, through a creative process and research.
Finally, you will complete the pencil drawing of the page of your technical script that you find most entertaining and / or relevant.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
You will write the short story and the technical script of four or five pages of a fantastic comic, and then pencil one of those five pages in professional format.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone with an affinity for graphic narrative, especially people with aspirations to create a comic book with professional publishing standards.
Requirements and materials
You will need a computer with a word processor and an image editor such as Adobe Photoshop, as well as basic technical drawing tools, paper, eraser and pencils.
Reviews
- 5 months ago
Course was interesting and informative.
- 6 months ago
Recién lo empiezo pero se nota que sabe muchísimo y es muy claro con los ejemplos
- 7 months ago
Maravilloso curso, el profesor es totalmente profesional y sabe transmitir sus conocimientos.
- 9 months ago
Muy buen curso!!! El maestro explica bien y todo el proceso es claro.
- 1 year ago
¡Muy buen curso! Permite entender detalles importantes en la creación de cómics como los márgenes, ritmo y composición de las viñetas. Excelente para principiantes y poder empezar a ingresar al mundo de la narrativa gráfica.
In 2008 he created, along with screenwriter Joe Hill, the horror and fantasy series Locke & Key, which has been extended from two graphic novels to a series of six books in more than fifteen languages and an adaptation as a series for Netflix.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
From the idea of a story to the script of a comic
- materials
- Development and collection of material
- Storyboard or story diagram
- The technical script
- The technical script, part two
- U3
From the text to the graphic layout of the sequence
- The professional comic book drawing format and the use of the page
- Planning the layout of a specific sequence
- Composition of vignettes, staging
- U4
From the layout to the pencil page
- Character design
- Design of the world of history
- Drawing of the final pencil page
- Drawing of the final pencil page, part two
- FP
Final project
- Capturing stories in fantasy comics
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FAQs
You’ll learn how to transform complex stories like novels or myths into visual comic narratives, using scripting techniques, character design, world-building, and visual planning.
No professional experience is required, but basic drawing and visual storytelling skills are recommended, as the course covers intermediate techniques for creating fantasy comics.
You’ll need bond paper, pencils (including blue), an eraser, markers, an optional lightbox, a computer, and access to digital drawing tools. Folders for organizing projects and sketchbooks are also recommended.
The process involves selecting key scenes, condensing the story, creating storyboards, designing characters and settings, and structuring the narrative into pages and panels to produce a coherent visual version.
The course teaches how to use graphic sequences, plan panels, work with architectural perspectives, integrate references and graphic inspiration, and techniques for organizing information on the page.
You’ll learn to design consistent settings, work with scale and proportion, use visual and historical references, and plan narrative architecture to create immersive fantasy worlds.
Character design is crucial for conveying emotions, roles, and functions in the story. Techniques for expression, costumes, accessories, and visual consistency throughout the comic are explored.