Discover How to Draw and Paint Comics Course

Editorial Take

Neil Fontaine's 'Discover How to Draw and Paint Comics' is a robust, imagination-driven art course designed for aspiring comic creators. With over 60 hours of video instruction, it offers a rare depth in foundational drawing and painting techniques. The course stands out for its focus on visualizing and creating from within, rather than relying on references.

Standout Strengths

• Imagination-Based Learning: The course emphasizes drawing from the mind, helping artists break free from reference dependency. This builds stronger creative instincts and originality in visual storytelling.
• Comprehensive Form and Perspective: The 17+ hour module on 3D form, lighting, and perspective provides a rock-solid foundation. These skills are essential for creating believable comic panels and dynamic scenes.
• In-Depth Figure Drawing: With over 10 hours dedicated to the 'Seven Secrets of Figure Drawing,' learners gain nuanced understanding of anatomy and proportion. This is crucial for expressive and realistic character work.
• Facial Mastery Coverage: The 20+ hour focus on heads and faces is unusually thorough. It equips artists with tools to convey emotion, age, and identity—key for compelling comic narratives.
• Practical Digital Painting: The transition from black and white to color painting is clearly taught. Learners gain confidence in using digital tools to enhance mood and depth in artwork.
• Photoshop and Editing Skills: Despite using CS5, the core principles of layering, masking, and color correction remain relevant. The editing module adds value for artists looking to refine their final pieces.

Honest Limitations

• Outdated Software Version: Teaching Photoshop CS5 may limit relevance for users on modern systems. While concepts transfer, interface differences could confuse new learners unfamiliar with older versions.
• Limited Tool Integration: The course doesn’t cover current digital drawing tablets or stylus techniques. Artists using modern devices may need to adapt methods independently.
• No Vector or Animation Content: Despite being a comics course, it omits vector art and basic animation—skills increasingly important in digital comics and webtoons. This narrows its modern applicability.
• Minimal Feedback Mechanism: As a self-paced video course, it lacks critique or peer review. Learners must seek external feedback to improve, which can slow progress for beginners.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Dedicate 3–4 hours weekly to internalize concepts. Break modules into 90-minute sessions to maintain focus and retention over several weeks.
• Parallel project: Start a personal comic strip while taking the course. Apply each lesson directly to build a portfolio and reinforce learning through creation.
• Note-taking: Sketch thumbnails and annotate key principles like light direction and form breakdown. This builds a personalized visual reference guide.
• Community: Join online art forums or Discord groups focused on comics. Sharing progress and getting feedback enhances accountability and growth.
• Practice: Redraw lessons multiple times with variations. Experiment with poses and lighting to internalize techniques beyond rote copying.
• Consistency: Commit to daily 15-minute sketching using learned concepts. Small, regular practice builds muscle memory and creative fluency faster than sporadic sessions.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: 'Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain' by Betty Edwards complements the course by enhancing observational and imaginative skills.
• Tool: Use a modern drawing tablet like Wacom or iPad with Procreate to apply techniques in a current digital environment.
• Follow-up: Enroll in an anatomy course or life drawing class to deepen figure work beyond the course’s scope.
• Reference: Study comic artists like Mike Mignola or Fiona Staples to analyze how form and lighting are used in professional work.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Relying too much on tracing or copying without understanding underlying forms. This hinders the ability to draw original characters from imagination.
• Pitfall: Skipping foundational modules to jump into painting. Without mastering form and perspective, final artwork lacks depth and realism.
• Pitfall: Overusing Photoshop effects instead of learning manual techniques. This creates dependency and weakens core artistic skills.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: At 60 hours, the course demands significant commitment. However, the structured progression ensures steady skill development over 2–3 months with consistent effort.
• Cost-to-value: Priced as paid, the course offers exceptional value at roughly 50 cents per hour. Comparable art instruction often costs significantly more per hour.
• Certificate: The Certificate of Completion adds credibility to portfolios, though it’s not accredited. It’s best used as proof of dedication in freelance or self-promotion contexts.
• Alternative: Free YouTube tutorials lack the cohesion and depth of this course. While cheaper, they often fail to build a systematic understanding of drawing and painting fundamentals.

Editorial Verdict

This course is a powerful resource for anyone serious about creating comics from imagination. Its greatest strength lies in the depth and clarity of its foundational instruction—especially in form, lighting, and human anatomy. The 60-hour curriculum is thoughtfully structured, moving from basic drawing principles to complex painting techniques. While the use of Photoshop CS5 is a drawback, the core artistic concepts remain timeless and transferable to modern software. Learners gain not just technical skills, but confidence in inventing visuals without relying on references.

For aspiring comic artists, illustrators, or concept designers, this course offers exceptional value for its price. The emphasis on drawing from imagination sets it apart from more mechanical 'how-to-draw' tutorials. However, learners should supplement it with current tools and community feedback to maximize growth. With consistent practice and real-world application, graduates can build strong portfolios and pursue creative careers. Overall, it’s a highly recommended foundation for visual storytelling through comics.