Draw Incredible Comic Book Heads & Faces From Your Imagination
In Just 4 Weeks You'll Gain The Ability to:
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Draw dynamic heads & faces in perspective
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Construct heads with correct shape & proportions
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Place, scale and draw the facial features accurately
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Shade the head under multiple lighting setups
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Add hair, beards and makeup to your heads
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Modify the shape of the head for variety
Enrollments Close In:
Would You Like To Draw Impactful Comic Book Sequentials That Immerse Readers In Your Stories?
This is the true power a Comic Book Artist wields - to tell a story with pictures.
But what most of us don't realize, is how little this has to do
with our level of drawing ability.
Being good at drawing is one thing, being great at drawing comics is another.
What's the difference? Simple. Interior comic artists are tasked with the challenge of illustrating a sequence of images that tell a story. This is what sets them apart from cover and pinup artists.
Creating a comic book sequential requires more than the ability to draw, or write written word alone. It's the perfect hybrid of both, which is why it's so difficult to master.
So let me ask you... when was the last time you saw a course, book or tutorial that actually showed you how to draw a comic book page?
Imagine all the considerations you'd need to make to draw a hard-hitting comic book sequential:
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Figure out the ideal amount of panels you need, organizing, layering and sizing them up correctly.
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Determine the best camera angles and framing the shots for each scene.
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Decide where to place characters and background elements to direct the reader's focus.
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Choose the ideal lighting setup to define the right mood and tone for the story.
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Get your characters to emote so that they're relatable and understood by the reader.
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Create flow, controlling pace and establishing the emotional context of situations or events.
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Forge a connection between the reader, the characters and the world in which their story unfolds.
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Establish a setting to give the story a sense of place.
And then on top of all of that, ensure the page reads well, makes sense and works well as a whole.
In case this is our first time meeting each other, my name is Clayton Barton, and I'm here today because I want to give you the unorthodox framework I use for drawing comic book sequentials.
But before I do, it's important you know how it was created. This isn't something I randomly came up with and hoped would work. I've spent over a decade perfecting this complete, Sequential Storytelling System for you.
Here's how it happened.
When I first set out to learn how to draw comics, I found lots of information on drawing fundamentals - but very little for sequential storytelling.
For that reason, I had to figure out most of the points I mentioned above on my own - and if you've found yourself in the same place... keep reading, because you'll benefit the most from what I'm about to say next.
I Developed a Sequential Storytelling System For Drawing Comics...
...failing, learning and formulating the best strategies I could come up with to make my comic book layouts effective.
Living in Australia, I didn't have the opportunity to work in a big comic book studio. Didn't have a mentor to teach me... and I couldn't afford the few books out there that went in-depth on drawing an actual comic page.
But I had other interests as well. I love film - in fact I still want to direct a movie some day. I also find visual psychology, body language and social dynamics absolutely fascinating.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized I could apply all of these things to comics - and create a cinematic experience on every page; a visual narrative that was emotionally captivating and completely immersive.
This helped form the core set of principles I use every time to illustrate sequentials. My pages are always dynamic, never boring and hook readers in on the first panel.
It's because of this system, I've been hired by publishers to produce layouts for their artists. I'm the guy creators call upon to do draw-overs and make pages even more impactful.
Now for the first time, I want to share these techniques with you so that your comic book pages can be just as epic.
"Having a deep love for that sleek 90's feel and artists like Marc Silvestri and David Finch, as soon as I saw Clayton's work I knew I wanted his work in my book. Not only that, but he has a great understanding of storytelling and dynamics that really makes his work stand out. That's why I asked him to handle the layouts and breakdowns of my Shadow Sentry: Origins book! And I'm so glad I did"
-Eric Ninaltowski
"I've been blown away by Clayton's art ever since I saw it, resulting in me, commissioning him numerous times. If I had to pick a couple of areas I think Clayton excels it would be character designs and panel layouts I genuinely think he can compete with anyone in the world on these fronts. The only reason Clayton is not chained up in my basement drawing all my IPs is the simple fact it's illegal."
-Rob Arnold
So now, let me ask you...
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What if you could lay out a comic book page that had natural flow, made sense and looked cool at the same time?
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What if your sequentials played out like a movie, with a cinematic quality that evoked mood and emotion?
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What if you had the ability to forge a powerful connection between the reader and immerse them in your story?
That's Now a Real Possibility With HTDC's
Sequential Storytelling Workshop
(Normally $157 - For Just $87)
In just 3 days you’ll discover the hidden mechanics behind a captivating comic book page, and learn how to use them to create your own, enthralling sequentials.
(I should warn you that by enrolling in this Workshop, it’ll be impossible for you to look at a comic book page in the same way again).
It’ll be like seeing through the matrix.
Just like Neo - you’ll have the ability to manufacture and control how your visual narratives are experienced by the reader. You’ll know why a page works, and why it doesn't - giving you the oracle-like foresight to avoid the mistakes most people make when drawing sequential art.
This sequential formula can’t be found anywhere else.
I know this, because I created it - and here's what it allows you to do:
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Form a deep and profound connection with readers by implementing powerful psychological, and visual communication techniques inside your sequentials.
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Set the emotional context of character interactions by showing what they're thinking and feeling with the subtlest micro-expressions.
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Apply camera and lighting techniques from film to give your sequentials cinematic appeal.
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Master mental visualization; play testing scenes inside your head so you can capture the best keyframes for every panel.
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Use screenplay techniques to structure, pace and create exposition within your story
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Never make another boring, flat, or lackluster layout again...
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No more mystery, no more guessing when it comes to drawing up your comic book pages.
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Acquire the skill to size up, place, and number panels to control pacing, enhance flow and guide the reader's eye.
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Possess the psychological techniques used to hook, and engage their attention.
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Create pages that are emotionally captivating and most importantly, memorable.
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Become the director of your own comic - Set up cameras, place characters and compose scenes to present the best shots possible panel after panel
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Control the emotional context, tone and weight of every scene
What You'll Get Out Of The Workshop
In a nutshell, this training reveals aspects of creating a comic book page you've likely never considered before. These are the very things that help your stories flow visually, ensure it makes sense and give it emotional impact.
That's what sets this training apart from every other course on comic book illustration. No one ever talks about what makes a page layout actually work. They don't tell you how to tell a story with your drawings, once you can draw.
This workshop breaks every one of those elements down, telling you what's needed, why it works and how to use it to ensure your pages pack a punch.
Then best of all - you'll see how all of those principles are applied as I demonstrate the making of comic book page from layouts to refined pencils. You'll see the whole process unfold as I explain everything that goes into it.
After that you'll make your own comic book page, taking everything you've learned, and putting it into action. So by the end of this Workshop, you'll have your own comic book page to show for it.
If you’re someone who wants to:
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Establish flow, and lead the reader's eye seamlessly throughout your comic book pages
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Know how to layout, size up, and organize panels for optimal readability.
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Avoid boring shots that feel flat and lack interest.
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Frame shots, place characters, and set up scenes that are captivating.
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Create mood and emotional gravitas throughout your comic sequences
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Hook and engage readers in your stories.
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Control the the pace of your comics
And ultimately create an enthralling visual narrative that leaves readers begging for more - I’ve made this special training program specifically for you.
How It Works
The Sequential Storytelling Workshop goes for 3 days in total.
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Day 1: Video Lectures
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Day 2: Demonstration + Assignment
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Day 3: Assignment Feedback
Essentially you'll learn how to layout a comic book page, put all that knowledge into action, and then you'll get a personalized critique from me.
At the end of each day we'll do a Q&A Session to make sure no stones are left unturned!
Learn 🡆 Apply what you learned 🡆 Get feedback.
Simple, yet effective!
Day 1 Breakdown
As a class we'll watch a collection of exclusive presentations that will explain everything that goes into an impactful comic book page layout. I made these video lessons specifically for the Sequential Storytelling Workshop and they cannot be found anywhere else. Here's what they'll teach you:
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What software and tools to use to create a comic book page.
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How many panels to include on a page, size up, and compose them.
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How to ensure your panels work together, as well as on their own.
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How to create a natural flow, and lead the readers eye throughout your pages.
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My secret method for hooking readers and holding their interest.
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What pacing is, and how to control it.
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How to pick the ideal keyframes or moments to present in a panel
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Where to place word balloons and how much dialogue to include
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How to create guide focus inside a panel, and minimize surrounding distractions
Day 2 Breakdown
You'll get a full video demonstration that shows you how to draft your own page layouts, and refine them into ink-ready pencils.
At the end of the first two days you'll get an assignment, that'll give you the opportunity to put everything you've learned into action.
Day 3 Breakdown
On the final day I'll go through each assignment and give personalized feedback and guidance.
This Is Unlike Anything You've Seen Before...
You and I both know there's an abundance of courses, tutorials and books out there that teach you how to draw. But very few that go in-depth on Sequential Storytelling for comics.
That's not to say they aren't out there. They're just hard to come by.
This is why one of the biggest requests I get is "Show me how to draw an actual comic book page." They want to know how to lay out the panels on their page, what shots they should pick, how to create flow throughout the page - you name it.
That's why I knew I had to create a definitive learning program that showed people how to do this stuff.
Because like them, I was forced to come up with my own method - a method that is both unique, and works.
It's not taught anywhere else, except this workshop.
My method for Sequential Comic Book Storytelling involves a combination of screenplay fundamentals, cinematography, compositional psychology, and an analysis of non-verbal communication.
Combined these elements will allow you to hook readers and keep them engaged, establish a potent sense of mood within your scenes, give your characters and their interactions emotional gravitas, control pacing, and present an unforgettable visual narrative.
What you'll discover in this Workshop is unlike anything you've seen in other training programs offered in comic book illustration.
What Level Of Drawing Skill Do I Need For This Workshop?
Let me be straight up. This Workshop isn't about teaching you how to draw.
We won't be going deep on anatomy, proportions, perspective, foreshortening or anything like that. We'll certainly touch on those things and use them as tools to construct our pages. I will demonstrate how to do that too.
But yes, some drawing experience is going to help you out in the Sequential Storytelling Workshop. If you're intermediate level, you'll be fine. But you also don't have to be a master artist to get value out of this training.
Just take a look at how rough my layouts can be.
This is all you really need for this Workshop as far as drawing skill is concerned.
As you can see - far from a finished drawing. Scribbles on a page. Chicken scratch. Yet, you can see a story unfolding here. You can see the use of camera angles, framing, character placement, posing and emotion in action.
...And believe it or not, this is the hardest part of any comic book page. It's the foundation. Once you know how the page is going to play out, you simply build upon it, and refine what's there.
Without these layouts, the final pages below wouldn't exist. Everything you see there, was determined by the scribbles you see above. Sure they're not fancy, but this isn't a fashion show. It's drawing comics.
The Pages above are from a comic I created called 'Borork.' I did the Page layouts for the project, while Julius Gopez illustrated the final pages based on those layouts...
...proving my point even further that the layouts of a Page form it's foundations from the very beginning - and ultimately determine how successful it will be at telling the story it was meant for.
By the end of this workshop you'll be able to:
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Write a plot, then script your comic with layouts alone.
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Create captivating scenes that keep readers submerged in the story.
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Layout, size up and layer panels in a way that creates natural flow throughout your pages.
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Use lighting to establish mood from one scene to the next.
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Give the events, situations, places, people and the narrative itself context.
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Use scale and value to create depth within your panels.
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Pose and express your characters in a way that heightens the emotional impact of your stories.
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Use the rule of thirds, and fourths to compose a scene.
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Optimally place word balloons and dialogue in your panels.
Bottom line - Tell an engaging, visual story with your drawings.
When you book in for the Heads & Faces Workshop
you'll join a LIVE class of just 9 other students and myself.
Working with such a small class of motivated and driven learners means I'm able to give you the attention, guidance and feedback needed to ensure this Workshop works for you.
What you're getting is an intimate, and highly interactive learning experience that will fully engage you - where you'll be putting my best methods and techniques into action and observing their immediate impact on your work.
By the end of every session you'll actually have something to show for it.
Each session is held LIVE over Streamyard and is limited to 10 students max!
The class runs through your web browser so there's no need to install any third party software or plugins. I'll email you a direct link to join the call on the day the workshop class is scheduled to start, just click that and you're in!
Because the Workshop is LIVE, you'll be able to ask me questions and get as much direction as you need to ensure everything you're learning really sinks in and you're able to apply it correctly.
I've purposely limited student numbers so that I'm able to give you personalized feedback on your work and gage your progress closely throughout the Heads & Faces Workshop. My top priority is for you to succeed.
So as an added bonus, you'll also get access to a private Facebook Group dedicated to HTDC students.
You'll be able to post homework, get feedback from me and other students, as well as ask questions. Best of all, you'll be part of an motivated group of artists who are driven to develop their drawing skills, and help others to do the same.
At no point will you be left hanging, unsure of what to do or how to do it.
In fact, an entire hour will be dedicated to answering your questions at the end of every session to help you overcome any obstacles you might run into throughout the Workshop. That includes draw-over critiques as well!
LIVE in-person training is what sets this workshop apart from most other courses that focus on drawing Heads & Faces.
Since each set of sessions are spread out by a week, you've got the opportunity to practice what you've learned, complete your homework and get feedback on it the following week.
This is vital to your success throughout the Heads & Faces Workshop, as it'll ensure I'm able to monitor your progress over the time and help you overcome any obstacles or challenges you might come up against outside the classes.
Every student will receive a video recording of the Heads & Faces Workshop sessions so that they can go back and re watch the classes as many times as they'd like.
That's right - even though these are LIVE, interactive sessions, you get to download and keep them as video files for playback, just like any other online course.
And as another bonus, you'll also get access to a resource folder full of head diagrams and slides for you to reference whenever you need them.
You Only Need These Things To Be Successful
In This Workshop
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Book into the Workshop, watch, ask and learn.
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Spend a week applying what you learn, and create a comic book page.
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Take on board the feedback and use it to make your sequentials even more epic!
That's it. If you can commit to that - investing in this Workshop will be worth your while.
Here's What To Do Next
If you want to draw heads and faces with confidence it's time to take action. Get in NOW to secure your spot in the upcoming Heads & Faces Workshop.
This Workshop works 100% of the time, for 100% of the people who enroll and do 100% of the work.
I can guarantee you'll be able to draw impressive heads for your characters ONLY if you're prepared to commit and put what you learn into practice.
If you do, drawing Heads & Faces will literally no longer be a problem for you. Heck, you'll be able to teach other people to do it by the time you've completed this workshop!
A training package like this is easily worth $600+. That's more than a fair investment cost for 32 hours of LIVE in person tutoring. But maybe not one that's affordable for you right now.
I don't want money to be an issue, and I don't want you to miss out on this.
Eventually the normal price for the public will be set at $297. For now though, I'm going to keep the Heads & Faces Workshop at a special launch price for a very limited time.
You can wait for the public price, and take your time to think about it. But why put it off when you know investing in your passion, is one of the most important investments you'll ever make?
Action takers who know exactly where they want to take their art always get big results fast. Those who are unsure about what they want and sit on the sidelines go no where.
That's the difference between those who make it, and those who don't.
So, if you know this is for you, and you're ready to take action...
I want to give you access to the Heads & Faces Workshop today for just $197.
Below you'll see a big blue button. Click it and follow the prompts to join me in the next Heads & Faces Workshop.
After you've secured your spot you'll be sent a confirmation email with more details about the time and dates the Workshop will be held.
Here's Why You Should Do It Now
Since I can only let 10 students into the Heads & Faces Workshop at a time, spots are very limited.
The reason these classes are kept so small is so that you're able to receive the attention and feedback you need to get the most out of this training program.
I'm going to work alongside you to make sure you fully understand the strategies used to draw dynamic, comic book heads, and how to apply them.
Over 4 weeks you'll see a progressive improvement in the heads and faces you draw - but only if you book in now.
The Heads & Faces Workshop only runs once a month, and if it fills up before you get a chance to book, you'll have to wait until the month after to take advantage of this opportunity.
Are you a dabbler, or are you serious about honing your craft and becoming pro comic book artist?
Then don't delay your learning. There is no better thing to invest in than your passion - and if you know this is an area you could be doing better in, than you owe it to yourself.
You could put this off till next month, or ignore this opportunity altogether. But where will that get your abilities? More off looking heads, with odd proportions that don't quite look right?
Risk Free Money Back Guarantee
If by the end of the Heads & Faces Workshop you feel like you haven't improved as much as you'd hoped, I’ll personally give you a full refund, no questions asked.
That means if you're not 100% satisfied with this Workshop, you could do the entire thing and still get your money back.
I'm taking on all the risk for you here. The worst that can happen is you get a free workshop.
This is the fairest way I know, to back the value you'll get from the Heads & Faces Workshop. I believe in this training package and the results you'll see from taking it mean something to me.
So if I don't deliver on what’s promised, I don’t want to keep your money.
I'll take the hit if this doesn't work out. You've got everything to gain and nothing to lose by enrolling in the Heads & Faces Workshop right now, today.
When You Book Your Mentoring Session You'll Receive:
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A confirmation e-mail with the times and dates the Workshop will be held
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Personalized feedback, guidance and questions answered at the end of each session
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A downloadable video recording of the complete Heads & Faces Workshop
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Access to Head & Face resources including slides and diagrams for you to keep as reference
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Access to a private Facebook Group where you can post homework, ask questions and get feedback
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30 day money back guarantee if you feel I haven't delivered above and beyond
Disclaimer
There are no magic pills. Being a great comic book artist can only be achieved through hard work, patience and consistent practice. Our Workshops aim to give you the roadmap, but you still need to apply the steps and guidance given to you. We only want serious people who are motivated, willing to put in the effort, and committed to honing their craft. Without the necessary actions taken on your behalf, we cannot guarantee that you'll get results from our advice, techniques or strategies.
We want to help you along your journey by providing feedback, guidance and actionable steps. You should know that HTDC's Workshops are for educational and informative purposes only. Nothing on this page or our site is a promise of your future success as a comic book artist. Any examples of art or video referenced here are illustrative concepts only and should not be considered average, exact or promised outputs of future performance.
Inquiries
Contact me at claytonbarton@howtodrawcomics.net if you have any questions or concerns about HTDC's Workshops - And I’ll be happy to answer them for you!
-Clayton