Lay out the page
See this course’s project requirements
A complete six-panel comic page with editable artwork, a readable PNG and a panel-by-panel text companion.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- Six panels with a coherent original beginning, discovery and ending.
- A clear two-column reading path and visible gutters.
- Consistent characters and objects with readable lettering.
- A limited palette checked for meaning without color alone.
- Layered KRA, PNG, text companion and one documented revision.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Each panel contributes an understandable action.
- Reading order and lettering work at the intended viewing size.
- Clues remain consistent across panels.
- Source, image and text companion agree.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
Use free Krita on a desktop. Canvas 1400×1000 pixels. Six approximate 600×240 panel boxes: top-lefts (80, 120), (720, 120), (80, 400), (720, 400), (80, 680), (720, 680). Read left to right across each row, then down. Gutters are 40 pixels; left/right/bottom margins 80. Coordinates are planning guides, not a drawing-precision grade.
Gutters separate moments; a clear grid reduces uncertainty about what to read next.
Lay out the page — guided practice
Create a consistent six-panel reading path.
Use free Krita on a desktop. Canvas 1400×1000 pixels. Six approximate 600×240 panel boxes: top-lefts (80, 120), (720, 120), (80, 400), (720, 400), (80, 680), (720, 680). Read left to right across each row, then down. Gutters are 40 pixels; left/right/bottom margins 80. Coordinates are planning guides, not a drawing-precision grade.
1. Start a native file
Choose File > New and enter width 1400, height 1000 in pixels, RGB/Alpha color and a white background. Save As small-surprise-01.kra.
You should see: A white landscape canvas is saved in editable KRA format.
Pixel dimensions establish the available room for panels and lettering.
2. Set up the layers
In the Layers docker rename the first editable paint layer Rough. Use the plus button to add another paint layer named Panels above it. Keep a white Background layer at the bottom.
You should see: Background, Rough and Panels have distinct jobs.
Separating borders from sketches makes revisions easier.
3. Draw the grid
On Panels choose Rectangle Tool. In Tool Options choose no fill and a brush outline; choose a dark brush about 4 pixels wide. Draw the six rectangles using the listed positions and rough dimensions. Enable rulers from View if useful.
You should see: Two columns and three rows have visible, consistent white gaps.
Exact pixel placement is optional here; a reliable reading path is the goal.
4. Place rough compositions
Select Rough, choose Freehand Brush and a light gray color. Draw a head/body/table or close-up card in each panel from the script. Leave room around messages. Save.
You should see: The entire story fits on one page before detailed drawing begins.
A complete rough reveals crowding earlier than polishing one panel.
What to finish
A saved six-panel rough with clear gutters.
Watch for this
Polishing a panel before checking the whole page.
How can I tell I understand it?
Explain the result, reproduce the procedure, and complete the changed-input check.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
You’ll get an explanation for each answer. Signed in? Your results save to your account.
Pass the check. We’ll save the progress.
Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
Go to the knowledge checkOptional course overview video · same video as Lesson 1
Shading tutorial for comics using Krita - by David Revoy
From David Revoy - Webcomic Creator. Watch here or open it on YouTube .
Optional course overview. Follow the written steps below at your own pace.Tools, templates, and lesson sources
Tools and templates
Tools open in a new tab so you can keep your place here.
Sources and further reading
Explore the references behind this lesson.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read original manual explanations of canvas, raster/vector, drawing tools, layer order, selections and native saving.
Access: Public reading without a paid account; reviewed September 12, 2026.
Reuse: Link only. Lessons and practice assets are original; free access does not grant permission to copy the provider's material.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-09-12
Read layer management, drawing order, layer naming and separate color/line art.
Access: Public reading without a paid account; reviewed September 12, 2026.
Reuse: Link only. Lessons and practice assets are original; free access does not grant permission to copy the provider's material.
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