My name is Art Roche and I've been drawing cartoons and comic strips for over twenty-five years. I wish everyone drew comics! Comic strips are an amazing art form that has been around for thousands of years. With a simple pencil, pen, and paper the artist can tell thrilling stories, make hilarious jokes, or illustrate their own diaries. Once you learn the basic mechanics of how comics are designed and built, anyone can begin drawing them regardless of talent level or experience.
I wrote...
Art for Kids: Comic Strips, 3: Create Your Own Comic Strips from Start to Finish
By
Art Roche
What is my book about?
I set out to create a book that demonstrates the actual process of creating a comic strip from start to finish. I wanted the reader to be able to feel confident about everything from drawing, to writing jokes, to creating characters. I’ve gotten great feedback about this book and young artists seem to really enjoy the artwork and the sample comic strip in the book, Galaxy Dog.
My other books include: Art for Kids: Cartooning Create Your Own Comic Strips from Start to Finish and The Knights of Boo’Gar. This book is a funny chapter book that features brave knights and princesses, enchanted turtles, monsters, and one very special goat.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
The Books I Picked & Why
Blank Comic Book: Draw Your Own Comics
By
Blank Comics
Why this book?
I really like this book because, while it doesn’t teach much about the actual drawing, it does give the young artist a jumpstart to begin drawing and telling their own stories. The authors include pages and pages of drawn-out panels with word balloons ready to go. I’ve always believed in letting kids find their own path with drawing style, and this book is perfect for that.
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
How to Draw Cute Stuff, 1: Draw Anything and Everything in the Cutest Style Ever!
By
Angela Nguyen
Why this book?
This book features a simple, modern art style that will be appealing to most young artists. It starts out with a nice introduction to drawing tools and basic shapes then moves on to drawing simple objects that can be found around the house. Character design and perspective are also covered and done so with a light, humorous tone. A very comprehensive guide to drawing and an excellent resource!
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art
By
Scott McCloud
Why this book?
This book is different. It’s a little more advanced and may be better for an artist who’s ten or eleven years old at least. The reason I love this book is that it really explains the history and science behind comics. What makes a good comic? How do panels work to tell a story? All of these things are covered in richly illustrated pages and diagrams. This book is a visual feast and a fantastic guide for the tween or teen beginner. I learned so much reading this book, and I had already been making comics for years!
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
Let's Make Comics!: An Activity Book to Create, Write, and Draw Your Own Cartoons
By
Jess Smart Smiley
Why this book?
The author of this book is a working cartoonist and illustrator and that makes this one of the best books out there. The book packs an immense amount of practical information about how to draw cartoons into easy, fun worksheet-style activities. Different styles of writing, as well as complex concepts, are communicated in simple visually striking lessons. I have to admit if I was giving a young artist a book (and they already had both of mine) I would definitely give them this book. It’s comprehensive, fun, and simple. It also allows the young artist room to draw in their own style, instead of copying a given drawing. That’s one of my pet peeves!
When you buy a book we may earn a small commission.
How To Draw Anime: Easy Learn To Draw Anime Characters Step By Step
By
Sophia Elizabeth
Why this book?
This is an excellent, well-designed book for anyone wanting to improve their Anime style of drawing. Many of the young artists I talk to have an intense interest in drawing in this particular style, sometimes referred to as the “Anime” style. This cartoon-style features sharp lines and shapes with stark, colorful graphics. Although this book doesn’t get into much instruction on how to create comics, it does provide the artist with a starting place for drawing in the anime style. From there, the artists can take this knowledge and apply it to the comics that they create. The drawings in the lessons are very well done, and the content covers all the topics that make anime a unique drawing style. I highly recommend this book.
