1. Watercolor Comic Strips

2. How is watercolor
different from acrylic
paint?

3. What is a comic?
Greek word, kōmikos
-pertaining to comedy
Visual & Verbal
Tells a narrative story
Sequential images

4. History
1920’s:
SUNDAY STRIP
“colorful funnies”

5. DAILY STRIP- Monday-Saturday
(black & white)

6. Artists
Wesley Morse
1897 - 1963
“Bazooka Joe”
Bubble Gum

8. Artists
Charles Schulz
1922 - 2000
“Peanuts”
-Most Popular Comic
Charlie Brown & Snoopy

10. Artists
Bruce Blitz
Philadelphia, PA
Line of art books,
cartooning videos,
& art kits.
His Website

11. Education & Salary
$46,000
•Must have good drawing skills.
•Training in:
Art,History,Government,Political Science,Literature
Art History Government Science
•Bachelors Degree Recommended
•Often take online classes

12. Other Careers in the ARTs
Informational Site

13. See how it’s done
Video
Tips from a real
cartoon artist

14. Materials
Pencils
Rulers
Eraser
Markers
Paint
Paper

15. What cartoonists consider…
Title
Design
Panel Placement
Character Traits
Expression
Script
Humor
Viewer’s Response
Visual Movement
Speech Bubbles

16. Speech Bubbles
Difference
between speech,
thought, &
exclamation

17. Animating characters
Change angles
of eyes, nose,
mouth,
eyebrows, &
body parts

19. Visual Movement
Characters move & interact with other
characters & their environment.
Move Left to Right
Direction body is facing

21. Gesture Drawing
Quick Sketch
Start with
line/curve of spine
Add arms/legs
Fill in to show
form

22. Human Figure
Human body
proportions
change with age.
Average human-
7-8 head lengths
tall & 3 head
lengths wide.

23. Animal Figure
Proportions Vary

24. Your assignment
The goal of this lesson is for you to become
familiar with comic illustration and visual
movement. You will design & create an original
character and then a 4-6 panel comic strip based
on an event in the character’s life.

25. Follow Your Guidelines!!

26. Questions to Help Get You
Started!
What types of comics do I like to read? What
is my sense of humor?
What would make an interesting story for a
comic strip?
How can I tell a story visually with few words
& express my characters personality?

27. Examples