A comic book is a printed story that uses a combination of words and pictures to tell the story. A comic book story consists primarily of dialogue with little narration, and it frequently includes a cast of characters who are involved in ongoing adventures. Some of the main characters in comic books are superheroes, and some of the licensed characters have had multiple teams of comic book creators tell their stories. To work as a comic book illustrator, you must contribute to the creation of the images in a comic book.
Comic books can be created in a number of different ways. All of the material in the comic book, including text and images, can be created a single person. The work, on the other hand, can be divided in a number of ways. Different comic book illustrators, for example, may be in charge of the three stages of drawing: penciling, inking, and coloring. Additionally, while artists can create comic books with paper, pencils, erasers, pens, ink, and brushes, comics can also be created with digital illustrations. All of these factors can influence the skills and experience required to work as a comic book illustrator.
If you want to work as a comic book illustrator, there are at least two options for you. Some people become comic book illustrators through self-tuition and long hours of independent practice, while others enroll in an art school to gain credentials and a portfolio. Another option is to use a different medium. Some comic book artists use pen and paper, while others use a variety of graphic design programs, some of which are specifically designed for making comics and others which have been adapted to work well with comics. Whatever route you take, you’ll need to build a portfolio of your best work while also developing a personal style that you can use whenever you want, as well as the ability to imitate other styles if the type of comic book you want to make requires it.
You can use your portfolio to demonstrate both your skills with character movement and expression as well as landscape details and panel layout mastery as you build your portfolio. You can also get a leg up on the competition keeping a current copy of your résumé on hand for quick access when new job opportunities arise. When you’re ready to start applying for jobs, make sure you know everything there is to know about each comic book publisher you want to work for. Attending Comic Con International and other major industry trade shows is an important step if you want to work as a comic book illustrator because it puts you in the same room as the companies that hire them. Some of them review portfolios in those settings, so come prepared.