How to Create a Double Splash Page Comic Book
- 1). Prepare your Bristol paper for your double page spread. Most comic books are sized 6.625 inches wide by 10.25 inches tall. Original comic book art is created at a larger size and then reduced for printing. Many artists work on 11-inch by 17-inch size Bristol paper, while some scale it to 11 inches by 16.5 inches. The size in which you work is a matter of preference. Cut the pages to your desired size and tape them together with drafting tape.
- 2). Consider your layout options. The first page of the comic book could be a regular page of comics with anywhere from two to nine panels. Most comic book pages feature four to six panels. Assuming you have a finished script to follow, you can decide what you will draw in your double page spread on pages 2 and 3. Start the drawing process with thumbnail sketches (small sketches on scratch paper) to decide how to lay out the elements in your spread. Try several ideas until you hit on one that serves the narrative.
- 3). Draw a border in pencil around both pages 1/2 inch from the edge on each sheet. Where the two pieces meet, draw the border 1/4 inch from the edge. The drafting tape should be on the other side from the drawing side. Eyeball the drawing where the pages meet to marry the images from one page to the other. When the pencil art is done, superimpose the pages on a light table to complete the process of marrying the images on the two pages.
- 4). Sketch your image. Use a light hand, because this step entails much erasing and redrawing. Refer to your thumbnail sketch as you go, and improve upon the thumbnail and improvise on your idea. Finish the pencil drawing in detail. Remember that most comics are executed using line art, so stick to lines without adding gray tones.
- 5). Add any lettering using your lettering pen. Then proceed to inking your spread with your favorite pen or brush. The pressure on dip pens and brushes can be varied to make the line thin or thick, adding character to the art. If you are new to these tools, do a practice drawing and ink it before executing your double page spread. When you are done inking, go back when the ink has dried and erase any remaining pencil lines. The other pages in your comic can be executed with the same technique, only with multiple panels per page.
