How to Make Rough Layouts for Comics/Manga

[@az093022]

I like how Mark says "this is just a rough sketch and is nothing beautiful" yet I can't even draw as good as that.

[@MinecraftServer1125]

It doesn't even look like a Rough sketch, it looks more like stuff in the Museum. Its Beautiful too!

[@DevTheRay]

@Berry Love well, are you a pro now?

[@vishnunair6416]

@@DevTheRay Same question

[@youraverageartist5855]

I remember watching this back in 2011/12 and feeling the switch flip and finally understanding the idea of practicing with short stories, 7 odd years down the line and still re-watching to fine tune my techniques. Cannot thank you enough Mark for the time and effort you put into these videos, forever the no.1 teacher! Hope you are well and know how many artists owe their fundamental skills to you.

[@Dubious_Arts]

I like how Mark still responds to comments even if the video they are on are four years old!

[@comedyman4896]

two more years then

[@ChrisAniart]

4:47 "Again, this is rough i don't have to do my most beautiful work..." THAT IS BEAUTIFUL!

[@Ryo67191]

Thank you for inspiring me to continue making the manga that my twin sister and I have been working on. We thank you for helping us start on working on it again after we gave up. Seeing how you draw and how you never gave up on making your manga really helped. I'm going to keep trying to draw so I can make one. I never dreamed of being able to do drawing like you did in this video none the less the drawings in the other ones. Thanks Mark, I really mean it. :)

[@psixi2668]

"That is such a useful word! I should say that more often." I laughed at that a lot. It was so cute, forgive me. I really like your videos because of things like that, it's just so pleasant and I get a really good feeling from watching them.

[@dj3d329]

Mark I would love to have you as a teacher

[@jokerp6936]

Me too

[@verne51]

And thanks to Marks generous spirit and the modern marvel, that is youtube, YOU DO! Yes personal instruction and suggestions would be nice, but these video's rock.

[@donniemccloud9398]

best teacher ever!

[@donniemccloud9398]

(if you like art)

[@blocky1459]

stargates96 even if u dont like art cause he is so awesome

[@DustyMusician]

"OMG a hair!" Had me dying, I keep forgetting to pay attention to that part.

[@TheObsidianNinja]

Good luck to all of you out there who are doing what you love, I to, am making my own manga and I will tell you what I've done to increase my drawing skill. First get yourself a 1 subject notebook from anywhere, and go through all of his videos and draw what he does. When you get through with them go back and look at your progress. I went from stick figures to extremely great art work close to his qualities in a few weeks. Good luck to all of you out there, you rock Mark!

[@aishasz9955]

His rough draft is what my published piece would look like XDD

[@chiaseed3445]

Same here, it would be what my published work would look like.

[@AbRealProduction]

His eraser crumbs is what my published piece would look like.

[@jenniemolina4735]

AbRealProduction

[@nogwardsween5822]

+AbRealProduction XD

[@victorinalopeimcbridge6732]

same....wtf so sad. haha

[@Toonboxstudio]

EXCELLENT WORK MARK! Loved your books! Awesome!

[@garypubg4311]

Im from the future

[@michaeloffner8515]

I was actually expecting two panels instead of the last one - one horizontally broad one with a close up of the mountain man's determined, hard set eyes, saying "We die" and then the last one with a zoomed in look on the young boyo's expression. I guess that would've worked better if the story were primarily about the young boy - the way this was done places more emphasis on the mountain man. I liked this! Showed me I actually have ideas, I just need to start somewhere.

[@artdecoangel9189]

"D-Dude?!" That hit me so hard for some reason XD

[@pumazrock66305]

i just live how yo can draw something in like 20 minutes and say that it's nothing beautiful, yet I would work for like 3 hours, and not get anything close to that

[@plasticrings3730]

I live in Japan, Sasebo. If you don't know, it's an American Navy Base. Anyways, I discovered you through your series, Miki Falls, which is available at the Base Library. I loved it. Even my 9-year-old sister who has dyslexia was able to read and comprehend what was going on in the story. Then I found you on KZbin shortly after finishing the series via a search "How to draw..." I clicked on a video and loved it then at the end you said "Please check out my books, Miki Falls...." And I was like Oh my gosh! I read that! It's you!! Cool!! So yeah. Also, Online University wants to promote your How to Draw videos on their KZbin channel. Face it, Buddy. You're famous! XD

[@steveclarkreborn]

I have an awesome idea for a comic series that I really wanted to write, but I have no artistic talent what so ever. Because of your video's like this, I'm finally able to see the story in my head on paper! Thank you very much for this!

[@Maninawig]

This is awesome! With all that's been going on, and finding your tutorials, I have regrown the confidence to draw again. I came up with a comic idea that... well.. is still a long story with multiple parts, and have tried to go at it on my own with no guides found (dunno why I didn't find yours at that time) but now, a year or so later, I came up with a much more manageable concept that I am excited about. I have the ideas in place, am working on the character reference sheets for the three characters in the comic, as well as a room and house diagram for when I am ready to start the process (I call what I am doing now the preliminary work) and am excited about this movie. I will be coming back to it over and over again as I draw the comic, however, I noticed the link to the part 2 wasn't posted.. nor did I notice a "How to make a comic" series, which I would love to see. Any chances on making that series?

[@markcrilley]

This playlist has 28 videos giving all my advice on how to make comics/manga: kzbin.info/aero/PLBiW8y5LSHK4ajygBf6GBYC5KLBenvkaI

[@Maninawig]

markcrilley the irony is that I found it after following this video up with an older page layout video you made... which commented on this video. thanks for following up all the same. it means a lot

[@stephengamekid4305]

Looking in with Victor B You make sakuramount instead of paramount

[@mitchellhull8797]

I want to know what happens next. :(

[@AdrianU30]

05:28 mark says: "nothing really beautiful" and i'm like whaaaat, even if i worked like an hour in that it wouldn't be that awesome :D, mr Mark you are the most talented drawer i've ever seen, excellent work, i love your drawings because they make me wanna draw

[@SaveYourPanda]

I'm watching and I watch him draw the mountains. He finishes the snow up and I look at it for a moment. Suddenly, in my head I can HEAR the wind blowing the snow!! Great job Mark!! You painted a PERFECT picture to the point I could HEAR it!! Nice!!! :)

[@MissMadison97]

I love watching the videos with you talking. Your such like a loveable goofy dork it funny.

[@markcrilley]

L.A Madison ^_^

[@rzxlexy]

markcrilley Hehe, I agree with her. You're so cute! :3 And your videos about your advice and talent are absolutely amazing! I barely turned 15 this month and I can't help but admire (and envy) your work. I love to draw and I watch your videos to help me what I want to do. I wish and hope to draw as beautifully as you. :)

[@edgarthepug9787]

markcrilley HELLO SENPAI!!!!! PLEASE NOTICE ME!!!!!

[@tobymccarthy8609]

L.A Madison you sound like undyne :3

[@XGoken]

DUDE, Why are you not in a museum?

[@mrtechnogeek00]

Because he's not dead XD

[@shalinimohan6489]

N&N too soon dude too soon...

[@x4Kai]

yep

[@mutantfaith]

He is

[@milanpaudel9624]

wtf. .. His work is in a Museum.

[@martialaw566]

WAIT Markcrilley's books are at my school!? (Runs off to school to find school is closed) It's a Saturday!!! TT_TT

[@ReblazeGaming]

Lol

[@youness27thstreet]

Forgets space between Mark and Crilley* Damn, I wish I studied English properly!

[@studyinglola5193]

Youness Cherkoui .....

[@Serge382]

I'm so glad I found this video. These are seriously the most helpful thing I've found so far to help me with my drawings. And your drawings are really well done. Even the rough drafts.

[@jonahbutterfield5792]

I like blending each panel in more. less separation. I don't know, just makes it flow sometimes. Thanks for the advice! I've had a lot of trouble with zooming in to fast on my comic I've been working on!

[@Untoten115]

That hair only wanted to be in the video, poor little guy :/

[@кварталБеларусі]

Untoten 115 that was my favourite part lol

[@camkiranratna]

Lol

[@Princessdiary2020s]

Indicate... Thats such a useful word i should use it more often ! Lollll 😹

[@X_Gon_Give_It_To_Ya]

Still waiting for a part 2 :/

[@markcrilley]

Not going anywhere? Grab a snickers I started over with two new videos to teach my process more thoroughly. Part 1:kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHupYYxoic2Vqdk

[@markcrilley]

markcrilley Part 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/paKbc3t5q9iAbtU

[@X_Gon_Give_It_To_Ya]

markcrilley Thanks Mark! :p

[@bearacudadeathwish8364]

markcrilley Good thing that you told him before he completly looses it !

[@pumkin54]

lol I picture some guy sitting here for four years. Hello?? I'm still waiting!

[@aybarsuyanik9456]

dude this isn't a rough layout. this is a masterpiece!

[@KobbyToons]

12 years later… watching this video again and I’m still learning a lot. This video is a GEM!❤

[@stephanieorellana4665]

dude, you better and i will say this again, you better make part 2

[@stephanieorellana4665]

cuz i said so

[@jackienicole3798]

Yes you did not offenses

[@stephanieorellana4665]

yeah but dude, he better

[@jackienicole3798]

Okay bye

[@Skul1ManEXE]

Thanks for the tutorial. You just earned a new sub. ^^

[@CherryStudios2]

LOL. The jokes about the hair... xD

[@jasperdraven]

DUDE!!!!!!!! your stuff has made me go against ALL my beliefs about drawing heads but at the same time improved that side of the spectrum for me!! now i dont draw manga - i started with it but moved more towards marvel style stuff and stuff but still retaining some key techniques - so thank you for helping:)

[@Istebrak]

What about th eborders around the baloons? Are they necessary if you manage to create a rough/painterly border where the images end? Would that make it more cinematic?

[@aoleary5834]

* Death the Kid cringes as he looks at the first box *

[@kattnn]

a oleary i know this comment is old but, just stop.

[@jackwaters7775]

mark crilley is like the god of drawing tutorials XD! He only has 70 dislikes on a video with 500,000 views XDDDD!

[@shittyfilmmaker3103]

I don't know why there r ANY dislikes XD

[@mmmmmmmm8767]

The hair hahahaha

[@funeralbillii9172]

Thank you Mark!! I found you by accident but I'm glad I do. I have a story idea for a Trade Paperback but I'm not good at art. I'm going to use this idea for making storyboards for the artist to work from. Great job Mark, I'm going to check out "Brody's Ghost" to say thanks!! Cheers from Central Florida!!

[@markcrilley]

Thank you :)

[@boiboi7537]

does anyone agree with me that he sounds a tad like markiplier

[@stoffe010]

Yup

[@nightrexdhtg7485]

+Ronan Calder Thank god, I'm not alone

[@crazy88reviews]

+Ronan Calder ya know markiplier and him have never been in the same room....

[@swordknight3489]

+Ronan Calder Yep.

[@tobymccarthy8609]

Ronan Calder if you lower the voice in video editor xD

[@calmingrelaxation8836]

Aroma omego

[@calmingrelaxation8836]

Wtaf is wrong with you

[@MinecraftServer1125]

You taught me how to draw, You taught me how to make a Comic strip Type thing, and how to use the proper Art Supplies! THANK YOU Mark!!!!!

[@willietorrey2824]

Excellent video. Do you have video on how to draw inside the comicbook panels? Thanks

[@oneandonlynitarosedale7582]

I started work on my comic book journey since April, and this video was very helpful of giving me new ideas . You taught me how to layout better which I needed. the problem I'm having is drawing background like how you draw the mountain and the snow. I hope you keep making video like this one. It really help me out a lot the way you draw them (It's perfect thank you so much).

[@genosidegaming3533]

Nita Carter good for u love to read it

[@jalynwishem3043]

More helpful than I thought! But, that was expected. You rock Mr.Crilley!

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

You are inspiring me to get back to work on my comic. I love your work and tutorials.

[@Lee-nd2jb]

Man u teach me while u have me laughing at the computer like a crazy person, thx a lot man ur something special, keep up ur magic!

[@_2sugoii_]

Wow!!your rough work is one of my finest art work!!

[@fritzlie4889]

I love MarkCrilley's work!!! I learn everything I know from him!!! EVERYTHING! I swear if he were to become an art teacher at any location in the U.S I would switch my major asap!! I'm not joking, I repeat.... I am not joking!!!!!!

[@jlb32168]

I just received the collected version of "Brody's Ghost" and I love it thus far. Who says that 50-year-old dudes can't enjoy manga?

[@tobymccarthy8609]

1st Ammendment Champ! no one's stopping you mate! I won't judge you. :)

[@deethanyter7324]

im judging him

[@joetrue12]

I really like this video, because the lessons thaught are universal for anyone who would want to make comics. I look forward to see more like this in the future.

[@avgreviewer4655]

hey mark i have bought mastering manga 1 and 2,brodys ghost book 1.....they are all incredible....i loved them...thank you for all...keep making awesome videos

[@markcrilley]

Thank you so much for your support!!

[@avgreviewer4655]

+markcrilley :) nothing compared to yours!

[@microsim2000]

Mr Crilley, you have inspired me and endlessly impressed me with your outstanding creativity. I'm still learning step by step on designing comic strips. Anyways, thumbs up for you.

[@alexraphael6534]

Freakin' awesome. Insightful and informative. Kicks some serious ass to hear you talk your way through the process. Mad thanks for taking the time to do these. I'm chasing down your books and watching the rest of the vids.

[@fallsxintoxherxmusic]

"I don't have to do my most beautiful work." Enough to leave me in tears.

[@brendanscanlan5699]

Thanks for the tips. I have a few ideas for comic/manga I plan on creating. The story I intend to play with first is actually one of my most recent visions for a series. Even though some of my concepts have been floating around in my brain much longer than my new mission, my heart is screaming out to start with the "newborn". Now, I just have to get an art book or two that will be strictly for what I am going with.

[@timcooper1161]

Hi Mark, really enjoying all of your videos. Great style, in terms of presentation and, of course, your artwork! I find both your drawing and your informative videos, incredibly useful and inspiring. Thank you ever so much. Keep up the great work, and I'll soon be getting my hands on the Brody's Ghost series, and your other work, so keep us informed about potential spoilers ;-). Thank again!

[@XHellxGirlxYumiX]

You don't sound like a freak, Mark. o: Usually, most people don't actually talk during their video's. That's why I like watching yours more. You don't bring up up word pad, (I know he's not on a computer lol.) and explain how you do it all. You actually joke around while having fun drawing, and that is awesome! :D

[@SilverHunterN]

You have earned a sub. I used to comment here under a different username, but I'm back now. I've made up quite a few mange/anime characters of my own and I really want to make a very short manga of them, and yes, I made a 60000 worded story to go with it... but please, continue your brilliant work! Can't believe your doing this for free!

[@SnowshoeProductions]

Thank you for this video. I have been looking to make a comic, and you have brought out some very good things that I never had thought of in drawing, and wording placement. Thanks again, and I look forward to the Part 2.

[@Gaming4871]

Thank you man,I have a script and I was looking at how to compose the frames.Also my drawing technique is like watching a movie,making my comics as cinematic as possible.Like a storyboard.

[@mykalmartin3079]

Wow Mr. Mark this is really helpful for what I'm trying to do...I really didn't kno where to begin and you've helped me out a lot...thank you so much

[@tarell676]

Really helpful :) Going to incorporate it my own work!!! Keep up the great work!! And yes, PLEASE make a part2! :D

[@jewel63875]

Yesh! I really needed this. I make lil' comics for myself and others. I just used to make square boxes and make pictures but it would always use up my sketch book/ pieces of paper -.- I never made layouts and all that but now I know that I need to to be able to make a better comic :3 thank you mark!

[@Chocolossal]

there are no art teachers or art books.. i live in a sub- urban area with a big dream.. my first teacher would be mark coz i watch all his video's everyday to learn. I hope someday i become a mangaka, but i dont mind if none of my works get published, i wanna do 'em so i can be proud when i look back at my younger days..soooo... THANKYOU MARK!!!

[@The1TrueWaterwarrior]

OH THATS SO AWESOME! Being able to get something you made at a book fair just sounds so cool

[@heyasharkie]

LOL at the way you were talking about your own hair. I love you Mark.

[@DBRYview]

love seeing the work of other creators love your work

[@mnlcovers]

I just realized who you are. A long time ago I got this book from the library and I thought the cartoons looked awesome in it so I started drawing them. I learned how from the book and turns out the books called Mastering Manga by Mark Crilley. I looked it up to see if it was you and turns out it was, You are the reason I know how to draw them and I just realized this. lol Thank you btw

[@goect1161]

Learned alot. Thank you Mark. Needed this video for my comics script project.

[@ElSilverWind]

I have been looking around for a video explaining this for a really long time. Thank you so much for making it.

[@dillongordon2370]

I legit thought of the same process while brainstorming ,this just motivated me even more.

[@erdavis7]

This is one of my favorites of your videos!

[@demireed3383]

This is amazing I remember finding your Chanel first when u started and I just baccame addicted to drawing manga

[@Gamer2199]

Wow thanks for this! Really incredible advice and great artwork!

[@AsheJudeCovers]

Ahh, Mark... You make me laugh with your silly dialogue. Seriously though, you help me more than I ever thought possible, I'm so excited to get my manga started!

[@tsukuyomigaming7914]

I can't tell you how mutch you have helped me mark

[@Cwillis567]

He says it's a rough draft and it looks this good?.... Imagine him actually like actually trying, as if he had a one shot go? Awesomeness! :D Thanks Mark! I hope to watch future videos!

[@Heinousness]

if i could even draw like your rough sketch's id be incredibly happy enough to make a comic book. im looking forward to following your drawing tutorials.

[@Diverse27]

Hi! this video was really helpful.. did there ever end up being a follow-up video as mentioned in the latter portion of this one?

[@TheRenaiged]

I just ordered both your Brody's Ghost books and your mastering manga. I cant wait till they get here

[@neight.c]

If you are in a digital program, see if you can find a 'zoom in' button, and zoom in on the panel, so that you can draw any size you want, but in the final product, it will still stay inside. Hope this helped. I will try to find a paper method, too.

[@ellierush8040]

I know you've just always been into hyper-detailing, but how did you get so good at it? Or does it just come naturally?

[@Queerlien]

Awesome! This was really helpful. I am trying to make my own manga, and I don't know where to start. I look it up on youtube, and of course your the first one who pops up :D Thanks Mark!

[@marlainakerr309]

EVERYONE LOVES YOUR JOKES!! THEY ARE FUNNY AND I LOVE WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS

[@BlackxCanary]

More than teaching me how to draw, you teached me how to really watch. Thanks a lot :)

[@drummershayne]

i got that drawing book. Wow its so great,you are really an inspiration to me. and thanks to you i have improved my skills as an artist.

[@leontaylor2756]

Thanks! I needed this! I hope to become a Manga artist. And OMG, I never knew you were the author of Miki Falls!! I've read Miki Winter, but not Miki Falls or Miki Spring(is there a Miki Summer?). I've heard of Brody's Ghost, and want to read it. So, like, all this time I've been watching your drawing videos, but never knew you were the author of a great manga.....this is awesome!

[@josephoyek6574]

Doesn't the word balloon in the first panel dilute the effectiveness of the scenery? My impression of that script was that you would make 5 panels in total: est. shot, A, B, A (with dramatic horror lighting), and B's reaction

[@sims2lovealot]

yes do part 2!! i love looking at stuff like this!!

[@TahitiBluu]

Brilliant! Thank you so much ! Don't stop posting :) I loved your Miki Falls series and I was so excited when you appeared in a CartoonBlock interview ^_^

[@ACPresents001]

thanks, your videos are a great help and this one was what i was looking for. I'm doing a book in Grenada and it's hard to get a hold of references.thanks a lot for the help.

[@mileseximius]

This is awesome! Thank you so much for this video, sir; this will definitely help me on my way to making my own comic. An interesting question for anyone who feels like answering it: if, say, you have a foreign language no one understands from the perspective of the main characters, do you (personally) write it phonetically, or do you write it in its alphabet if it has one? I love learning how others handle the issue of language barriers in comics, so please someone say how you do it!

[@NeverSincerly]

I've seen it done 4 ways personally, with 2 being the ones you already mentioned. I've seen it just be written like "xxxxxxx" or random symbols like "@$%$&&@". To me the latter two imply a greater lack of comprehension than the 2 you mentioned, but all of them are viable methods.

[@mileseximius]

NopeNopeNever Thanks a lot, NopeNopeNever. I appreciate it!

[@NACtheMC]

This is so awesome.......I love your tutorials markcrilley

[@hawkdeer4468]

Thank you. This will help me so mutch when I'm trying to make the manga I'm making

[@KlutzyPanda]

I actually have the scolastic of Brody's Ghost, from my school's book fair. I was so happy that I read the whole thing in one day. It was awesome! ^_^

[@VirtualDreamers]

My own process is rather similar to this. I use a program called Manga Studio and make the panels using the panel cutter. From there I do the sketching, then to inking and finally to coloring and the text balloons. All in all not all that different from what you have shown, just that I use computers rather than traditional media.

[@RosemaryWilliams49fruits]

I was wondering how big of paper you actually work on for your comic books, and if it's the same size that the book will be printed on, or if you draw quite a bit bigger. I noticed in this example you made what looked like a very small image, but when I saw your video on inking from roughs to a final image your drawings were much bigger, so I was wondering what a good rule of thumb for page size would be when trying to create a work to send to a publisher.

[@davidshaw4603]

"man of the mountains" lol wow mark, and this video helped me out with a rough draft page of my manga. so I appreciate it, some of your videos have helped me out a lot. so keep makin videos, your really helpful. ^.^ thank you

[@jodyangel]

Part 2 was never done. Though I know you did show how to take a rough page and turn it into manga page/panel. So that works. Maybe link those videos to this one?