Panel layout is an important element in allowing readers to enjoy a story smoothly.

In this article, we will introduce some tips for webtoon panel layout and some webtoon-specific features that are unique to Clip Studio Paint.

Check the flow of frames using the Clip Studio Paint app on your smartphone.

Webtoons are comics that can be enjoyed on smartphones.

 

Although they are created on a PC or tablet, it is most important to check them on the smartphone where they will actually be viewed.

 

Checking your work in an environment where it will actually be read makes it easier to find unnatural panel layouts.

 

Using the smartphone version of Clip Studio Paint, you can easily check the webtoon you are drawing.

 

Use your smartphone to check that the pictures and text are arranged so that readers can enjoy the story smoothly.

How to install the Clip Studio Paint app and use companion mode

How to install the app

1. Open the app store on your smartphone.

2. Type "Crysta" in the search bar and search.

3. Select the Clip Studio Paint app and tap "Install."

4. Once the installation is complete, open the app and log in.

How to use Companion Mode:

1. Open the Crysta app on your smartphone and select "Companion Mode" from the main menu. At this time, when you press the gear icon, the Companion Mode button will appear.

2. Open the work in question on your tablet (computer).

3. Connect your tablet (PC) and smartphone

4. Tap the area in the red frame below on your smartphone.

4. Once connected, the work you created will be displayed on your smartphone. You can now check your work on your smartphone.

Separate folders for each frame to make editing easier

When you check your work on a smartphone, you may notice that the frame layout looks unnatural.

However, even if there are parts you want to correct, it can be very difficult to correct if the pictures are all on the same layer.

 

As shown in the image below, separate your picture into frames in advance to make it easier to move and correct frames.

It will be easier to make corrections if you separate the characters and background into each frame.

Points

It is convenient to register the characters and background folders you have created as materials so that you can reuse them many times.

Tip

If you have too many layers and can't find the one you're looking for, try using the layer selection tool.

Drag with this tool to select the layer, making it easier to find.

Tips and techniques for panel layout

Webtoons are digital comics that you read by swiping through the pages.

As a result, you don't often have to look closely at each individual picture.

It's important that the screen is clear and easy to understand at a glance what is being depicted. You can also use speech bubbles to keep the reader from getting bored.

 

Below are some techniques for creating well-balanced panels in webtoons.

Create a frame with only a speech bubble

Since webtoons are colored comics, you can express a variety of emotions just by coloring the speech bubbles.

 

Even without adding pictures, you can express dark lines by coloring the speech bubbles blue, or crazy lines by adding red blood stains.

Unlike manga, webtoons are colored, so they can express a lot of emotion even in panels without pictures.

Instead of just lining up pictures, try expressing emotions with speech bubbles to add contrast to the screen.

Create a clear background that doesn't interrupt the flow

Webtoons are digital comics that you read by swiping through the pages.

When you view them on a smartphone, you may find that the flow of the parts you want to show is lost because the background is drawn too much, and you need to subtract some parts.

You can easily subtract some parts by blurring the background, so please give it a try.

Pay attention to what's behind your piece

To keep the viewer reading from frame to frame, it's important not to interrupt the flow.

Don't just line up the frames, but also pay attention to what's behind the frames.

For example, if you have a sad scene, try adding a sad effect behind the frames.

If you place an effect in the background of the entire sad scene, it will be easier to see where the scenes change, making it easier to create effective frame layouts.

I hope this information will be of some use when creating webtoons.

That concludes "Tips for dividing webtoons into panels."