Making Comics

Making Comics is a workbook-style guide that combines instruction, philosophy, and hands-on exercises for creating comics and developing a drawing practice. The book follows Barry's teaching methods from her university courses, presenting assignments and activities through her own handwritten text and drawings. The exercises progress from basic mark-making and character creation to more complex storytelling techniques and page compositions. The book includes Barry's lectures, student examples, and specific instructions for developing characters, scenes, and narratives through drawing. Each chapter builds on fundamental skills while exploring the connections between memory, imagination, and the physical act of drawing on paper. The approach focuses on spontaneous creation and developing a sustainable artistic practice rather than achieving technical perfection. This guide challenges conventional ideas about artistic talent and encourages readers to rediscover the natural way humans make images through play and experimentation. Barry's methods aim to help people overcome creative blocks and reconnect with the innate ability to tell stories through pictures.

Readers emphasize the book's accessibility and Barry's encouraging teaching approach. Many note how the exercises helped overcome creative blocks and perfectionism. Multiple reviewers mention the book gave them permission to draw without judgment. Likes: - Clear, step-by-step drawing exercises - Focus on process over final product - Hand-written format feels personal - Helps adults rediscover childhood creativity - Works for both beginners and experienced artists Dislikes: - Some found exercises repetitive - Dense, busy page layouts can be hard to follow - A few wanted more technical instruction - Price point ($20-25) noted as high by some Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (900+ ratings) Notable Reader Comments: "Finally broke my 20-year drawing drought" - Goodreads "Less about comics, more about unlocking creativity" - Amazon "The scribbly style put me off at first but grew on me" - Barnes & Noble

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud A visual exploration of comic theory breaks down the elements of sequential art through comic-form instruction.

Drawing Words and Writing Pictures by Jessica Abel A structured curriculum teaches the foundations of comic creation from panel composition to story development.

Picture This by Lynda Barry The companion volume to Making Comics delves into drawing techniques through exercises and demonstrations in comic format.

Comics and Sequential Art by Will Eisner The comics pioneer presents principles of storytelling and visual communication through detailed analysis of comic page construction.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards The drawing instruction method transforms the way artists perceive and translate images onto paper through cognitive exercises.

🎨 Lynda Barry won a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship in 2019 for her groundbreaking work on creativity and teaching methods through comics. 📚 The book evolved from Barry's popular "Making Comics" class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she helps students rediscover their natural drawing abilities regardless of skill level. ✏️ The exercises in Making Comics are based on Barry's belief that everyone can draw, and that the act of drawing is more about memory and experience than technical skill. 🖋️ Barry draws all her instructional materials by hand, including the entire book, rejecting digital tools in favor of traditional pen and paper. 🎭 The book incorporates elements of Japanese manga, Filipino comics, and American underground comix, reflecting Barry's diverse artistic influences and mixed cultural heritage.