Drawing for Comics with Procreate
A course by Laura AthaydeIllustrator and Comic Artist
A course by Laura Athayde, Illustrator and Comic Artist
Combine text and drawing techniques on an iPad and turn your ideas into powerful comic strips, from the initial idea to the final publication
The beauty of comic strips is their ability to put a smile on the reader's face while also making them think using only a very small space. Illustrator and comic artist Laura Athayde, author of two books and winner of a Troféu HQMIX, is an expert in this art of fleeting visual narratives.
In this course, learn to combine text and drawings to transform personal reflections into comic strips. Laura teaches you to express yourself with just a few powerful words and images and by the end, you'll have your own short story ready to share on social media.
What will you learn in this online course?
12 lessons & 34 downloads
Structure and types of comics
5 minutes, 17 seconds
How to get an idea?
4 minutes, 0 seconds
From head to paper
6 minutes, 53 seconds
Style, references and resolution
5 minutes, 36 seconds
Visual creation
5 minutes, 7 seconds
From sketch to digital art
13 minutes, 53 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by hearing a little about your teacher, Laura Athayde, and how she gave up law to pursue her true calling: illustration and comic strips. She also shares some of her influences in the world of comics.
Next, Laura introduces the structure of a comic strip and the main approaches you can take. Learn some different ways to exercise your creativity and turn your ideas into text.
Now take a look at Laura's preferred settings when working with Procreate. Then put together a storyboard based on your text and transform your draft into the final piece by adding colors that truly speak to its content.
Laura wraps up the course explaining the advantages of Instagram for creatives and the best ways to make your posts stand out. She also discusses the benefits of printing your work and how to raise the funds for it. Now you have an original comic strip based on your personal musings!
What is this course's project?
Design a comic strip in Procreate from start to finish.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Illustrators, visual artists, and anyone interested in combining imagery and text in their personal narratives.
Requirements and materials
You don't need any previous drawing experience to take this course.
In terms of materials, Laura uses an iPad mini, an Apple Pencil, and Procreate, but you can use other digital or manual illustration tools if you prefer.
Reviews
- 8 months ago
I love this course! The teacher motivated me!
- 9 months ago
Really loved this course! The teacher is great, and the whole project is amazing. The only little downside for me was that sometimes it was hard to understand what tools are being used in Procreate, but that's also because I don't have a lot of previous experience with it. In general, a great course, and I would recommend it.
- 10 months ago
A delightful, common-sense, down-to-earth style of instruction. . . with real value for anyone with an interest in the topic. I wish translations were available, as it is a bit challenging to have to read captions, while observing what's going on onscreen. Nevertheless, a fantastic program.
- 1 year ago
Muy lindo, me gusto
- 1 year ago
Geen slechte cursus. Wat ik er vooral van opgestoken heb is dat je eens iets met een verhaal, cartoon, illustratie... wil vertellen dat je vooral dicht bij jezelf moet blijven. Ze benadrukt dat goed en haar manier van illustreren in verschillende stijlen bewijst dit ook. Wat ik zelf erg aangenaam vond. Eens ze begint te illustreren gaat het gemakkelijk voor haar. als cursist ging het mij soms te snel... zeker omdat ik het Portugees niet machtig ben en beroep moet doen op de ondertitels.
She has also produced pieces for names like Netflix, Nivea, Telecine, and Casa Fiat de Cultura as well as illustrated for Record, Companhia das Letras, Planeta, and more. In 2018, she was a finalist for the Jabuti Award for Illustration and in 2019 she received the prestigious Troféu HQMIX for Best Independent Sole Publication with Histórias Tristes e Piadas Ruins. In 2022, her piece Aconteceu Comigo: Histórias de Mulheres Reais em Quadrinhos won the 37th Angelo Agostini Award.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Organizing ideas to find inspiration
- Structure and types of comics
- How to get an idea?
- From head to paper
- U3
Transforming idea into image
- Style, references and resolution
- Visual creation
- From sketch to digital art
- The discovery of colors
- Coloring
- U4
Online and physical publication
- Dissemination platform
- Post or print?
- FP
Final project
- Drawing for Comics with Procreate
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
The course is ideal for people with basic digital drawing skills but offers clear explanations for those just starting to create original comic strips and comics.
You don’t need to be an expert artist, but having basic digital illustration knowledge helps you follow the lessons and apply the techniques taught.
You’ll need an iPad with the Procreate app installed and an Apple Pencil or compatible stylus. Internet access and a smartphone for capturing ideas are also recommended.
You’ll learn how to create comic strips from scratch: from the concept, script, and thumbnails to drawing, coloring, panel layout, and publishing on social media and forums.
The course teaches you how to spot everyday themes, develop scripts, distill ideas, and turn stories into comic strips with a unique voice and emotional impact.
Yes, you’ll learn specific Procreate techniques for creating, coloring, adding hatching, and assembling digital panels and comic strips, plus tips on color palettes.
The course covers ideal formats, cropping, resolution, panel organization, and strategies to promote and engage your audience on platforms like Instagram and online forums.