How to make a comic book page using procreate digital art app , by Montana Decal Gal on YouTube. 2 min 21 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 21 s
- Time to do it
- 60 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Open Procreate and tap the plus sign in the top right of the gallery to make a new canvas. For print, set 2048 by 3072 pixels at 300 DPI.
Turn on a grid to keep panels straight. Tap the wrench icon, then Canvas, then Drawing Guide, and choose a grid you can see through your art.
Draw your panel borders on a new layer with the Studio Pen brush. Lower that layer's opacity while you work so the guides stay visible.
Make a new layer for each panel and sketch the art inside the border. Use the Selection tool to keep strokes from spilling outside the panel.
Ink over the sketch on a fresh layer, then hide the sketch layer. Keep line art, flat color and shading on separate layers.
Add a new layer above your line art. Tap that layer in the Layers panel and choose Clipping Mask so color stays inside the lines below.
Drag a color from the circle in the top right corner onto the canvas to fill shapes fast. Change colors on the clipped layer without touching the ink.
Add another clipped layer and set its blend mode to Multiply to paint shadows over your flat colors.
Add speech balloons with the Text tool under the wrench menu, then finish the letters by hand if you want a comic look.
Export by tapping the wrench, then Share, then PNG for posting or PSD to keep layers for editing later.
Tips and common mistakes
A clipping mask only works on the layer directly above its base layer, so keep the order clean.
If the clipped layer looks empty, check that the base layer has content under the area you painted.
Use Alpha Lock instead of clipping when you want to paint inside one single layer.
Set your line art layer as a Reference layer so the fill tool only fills inside closed lines.
Questions
What is the difference between a clipping mask and Alpha Lock?
A clipping mask limits a layer to the shapes of the layer below it, so you can keep colors separate and editable. Alpha Lock locks transparency on the same layer, so you paint only where marks already exist.
Why does my clipping mask show nothing?
The base layer is probably empty in that spot, or the mask was applied to the wrong layer. Tap the layer again, check the small indent that marks a clipped layer, and confirm the layer beneath has art.
Do I need an Apple Pencil for this?
No, but pressure sensitivity makes inking much easier. Any compatible stylus works, and you can draw with your finger at a slower pace.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
