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When I was a kid, I couldn’t wait for the Sunday newspaper to arrive, as my brothers, sisters, and I would fight over who would get to read the comic section first. Today, there are hardly any comics remaining (and fewer newspapers, for that matter), which means our grandkids are missing out on the fun of the comics.
Or are they?
Why not re-live your childhood and encourage your grandchild’s creativity by creating your own comic strip or book? It’s easy and fun for all and a walk down memory lane for us grandmas:
1. Plan your story
Before you begin, encourage your grandkids to plan out what their comic is about. What will it be: An exciting adventure? A hilarious series of events? Or how about a slice-of-life story with a twist? Remember, it’s all about letting your imaginations run wild – the quirkier, the better!
2. Crafting the characters
Now comes the fun part – character creation! You and your grandchild can work together to create some wonderfully wacky or heroic characters. Get as creative as you want with their looks, personalities, superpowers, or even quirks.
3. Sketch the storyboard
It’s time for the most important part of the process: The sketching! Draw out your panels (the little boxes in which comic strip action happens), and start doodling. You don’t need to worry about getting it perfect, as this is a rough sketch to figure out where everything goes.
4. Add in the dialogue
Comics are often written to be humorous or thought-provoking, so add some snappy dialogue or thoughtful commentary. Remember to keep it fun and engaging. Speech bubbles can be added to make it look authentic.
5. Add your details
Take a fresh sheet of paper and redraw your panels and characters, adding more details. This is the final copy, so take your time to make it just right. (As an aside, you can draw your own squares or use a free template if you are doing a strip. If you are doing an entire book, you can purchase a blank comic book that you can fill in!)
6. Time to color!
Add some life to your comic strip with colors, a la colored pencils, markers, or watercolors – choose what suits you and your grandchild the best. It’s a comic strip, after all, so the brighter, the better!
Don’t forget the final and most rewarding step – sharing! Show off your and your grandchild’s creative prowess to the rest of the family, or if you’re feeling tech-savvy, take a picture and share it on social media, as it’s sure to bring a smile to everyone’s faces!
Supplies
175 Piece Deluxe Art Set
In case you don’t already have a high-quality art set, this one has all the mediums you need to color your comic.
Conclusion
Making a comic strip or book with your grandchild doesn’t just pass on the joy of comics you experienced as a kid, it also creates a special bonding experience and memories that both of you will cherish for a lifetime. Have fun! 🙂
