How to make an easy comic
quickly, from scratch
Want to make a simple comic but don't know where to start? This guide walks you through creating a short comic step by step, whether or not you already know how to draw.
CAN DO IT!
Making an easy comic is totally doable, even if you've never tried before. What matters isn't perfect artwork, but a simple story and the urge to tell it in panels. In this guide you'll learn how to make easy comics in no time, by hand or digitally.
Whether you want to make a short, easy comic for school, to share on social media or just for fun, the steps below will take you from a blank page to your first finished comic.
⚡ How long does it take?
You can finish a simple 4- to 6-panel comic in a single afternoon. With practice, the quick and easy way gets it done in under 2 hours.
5 steps to make an easy comic
This is the quickest and easiest way to finish your first comic. Follow each step in order and you'll see the result by the end of the day.
Pick a simple idea
The key to a simple comic is not getting tangled in long plots. Pick an everyday moment, a visual gag or a funny situation you can tell in 3 to 8 panels. The more specific the idea, the easier it is to draw.
Write a short script
Jot down what happens in each panel: who's in it, what they say and what action takes place. For a short comic, four lines on a piece of paper are enough. You don't need a formal script: a list of scenes will do. To go deeper, check out our guide on how to write a comic.
Make quick sketches (thumbnails)
Draw tiny, simple versions of each panel without worrying about details. The goal is to decide the panel layout and the overall composition. Thumbnails are what make a comic quick to make: they save you corrections later. Learn more in our guide on comic composition and elements.
Draw the final panels and add the dialogue
Trace the panels more carefully over your sketch. Add the speech balloons and the dialogue. To keep it quick and easy, draw all the outlines first and add the text afterwards. You can do it by hand or with digital tools (see our guide on how to draw comics).
Add color and final touches
Coloring is optional in an easy comic, but it brings it to life. If you work by hand, use markers or colored pencils. If you'd rather go digital, check our guide to digital comics. And that's it: your first comic is done!
Types of easy comics you can make
🗞️ Comic strip (3–4 panels)
The quickest and easiest format: three panels with a setup, a conflict and a punchline. Perfect for your first simple comic.
📖 Short comic (6–12 panels)
A short comic lets you tell a story with a beginning, middle and end on a single page. It's the natural next step after the comic strip.
🎨 Silent comic
No text, just pictures. It's one of the easiest formats to start with because you don't have to worry about speech balloons or lettering.
✏️ Autobiographical comic
Tell something that happened to you. Personal topics make the process easier because you already know the story. A very popular format for short, easy comics.
Tools to make an easy comic
✏️ By hand (traditional)
- Plain white paper or a sketchbook
- Pencil and eraser for sketching
- Fine-tip black pen for inking
- Colored pencils, watercolors or markers
💻 On PC or tablet
- Clip Studio Paint (the most complete option)
- Medibang Paint (free and easy)
- Canva (no drawing experience needed)
- Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop
📱 On your phone
- Ibis Paint X (very popular)
- Canva (ready-made templates)
- Comic Life (iOS/Android app)
- Webtoon Canvas (for publishing)
Tips to make your comic easy to finish
📏 Keep the format small
A 4-panel short comic is easier to finish than a 20-page project. Start small: finishing something small is infinitely better than abandoning something big.
🖊️ Don't chase perfection
The most memorable easy comics aren't the most polished, but the ones with a clear story. An imperfect line with a good idea always beats a perfect drawing with nothing to say.
🎯 One idea = one comic
To make a short, easy comic, each comic should have a single central idea. If you have two good ideas, make two comics. That keeps it simple and helps you finish fast.
⏱️ Set a time limit
Decide how much time you'll spend (one hour, two hours) and work within it. Quick, easy comics come from short sessions with a clear goal.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an easy comic if I can't draw?
Use simple shapes: stick figures, rectangles and circles are enough to tell a story. Plenty of popular easy comics use very basic drawings. You can also make your comic online with photos or cut-outs instead of drawings.
How many panels does a simple comic need?
There's no fixed rule. An easy comic strip can have 3 panels; a short comic between 6 and 12. To start, we recommend no more than 6 panels on your first try.
What's the fastest way to make a comic?
The quickest and easiest way is a digital template: apps like Canva have ready-made panel grids where you just drop in your images and text. If you'd rather do it by hand, draw rectangular panels on paper, add stick figures and speech balloons and you'll have your simple comic in under an hour.
How do I make a short, easy comic for school?
Pick the topic you need to cover, split it into 3 parts (introduction, development, conclusion) and give one or two panels to each part. With 6 panels you have a short comic that's perfect to hand in for class. Visit our step-by-step guide for more details.
Can I make easy comics for free?
Yes. By hand, all you need is paper and a pencil. Digitally, you can use our free comic maker, with no sign-up and nothing to install.
Explore more about making comics
Once you've nailed your first easy comic, these resources will help you keep improving:
Make your comic now
Put this guide into practice in our free comic maker: pick the panels, upload your drawings or photos and add bubbles and sound effects. No sign-up and nothing to install.
Make a comic