Imaginary Worldbuilding for Comic Book Drawing
A course by Liam SharpWriter and Illustrator
A course by Liam Sharp, Writer and Illustrator
Learn to enhance your storytelling skills by exploring illustration techniques to create rich, believable environments for comic books and other artistic pieces
For award-winning comic artist Liam Sharp, storytelling is a defining part of what makes us human; it has inspired us to cross oceans and reach for the stars. Through his striking artwork and immersive worldbuilding, he has collaborated with best-selling authors and publications like DC Comics.
In this online course, Liam takes you through his creative technique to create compelling illustrated universes that enhance a comic or story. By combining pencils, ink, paint, and Photoshop, he takes you step by step through** creating a detailed universe** that can transport a reader into another world.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 18 downloads
Analyzing the Script
14 minutes, 1 second
Organic Shapes: Basic Exercises
13 minutes, 51 seconds
The Layout 1
14 minutes, 56 seconds
The Inking Process 1
11 minutes, 58 seconds
The Inking Process 2
13 minutes, 14 seconds
Final Details 1
16 minutes, 20 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know comic artist Liam Sharp. He shares his creative journey, which has seen him go from publishing, to advertising, to concept art for TV and film. Then hear his favorite comic artists who’ve inspired him most.
Get an overview of the** fundamentals of worldbuilding,** and see how to break down a script. Liam goes through all the materials needed for the course. Then, he guides you through some drawing warm-up exercises for experimenting with free-form shapes.
Next, learn Liam’s process for laying out a page while sketching, and see how to do it with a sponge and brush. Since worldbuilding is all about details, he also shows you how to use fine-nib pens to enrich your artwork.
Lastly, learn how to create texture with coloring techniques using paint. To wrap up the course, Liam shows you how to enhance your artwork using Photoshop.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Illustrate a page of comic art using pencil, ink, paint, and Photoshop, then apply a written script.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in comics or mixed-media illustration.
Requirements and materials
Some drawing experience is beneficial, but not essential.
To take this course, you need a sketchbook, Indian ink, sponges, a brush pen, pencils, an eraser, a ruler, acrylic paint, brushes, a spatula, and access to Photoshop if you wish to digitally enhance your illustration.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
Good course. Provides a lot of useful techniques on how to set up a page
- lloyd_davidPLUS1 year ago
I have a better understanding of written narrative to images in regards to comic books
- 1 year ago
Eu comprei o curso porque já conhecia o trabalho do Liam Sharp nos quadrinhos. Achei o curso muito melhor do que eu esperava. E me acrescentou novas ideias que eu acrescentei em meu próprio trabalho, principalmente nos cenários.
- 2 years ago
un gran curso muy completo deja conocimientos muy interesantes para desarrollar una forma diferente de trabajar y ver el arte el entorno la composición.
- 2 years ago
Great course!! He explains how to think out of the box when it come to world imagination, gives paint techniques that help create spontaneous shapes and figures and shows how to set up a page etc.
He’s drawn the Hulk, Spider-man, Venom, Spawn, and more recently the best-selling Wonder Woman Rebirth series, The Lies and The Truth. He also illustrated an issue of The Justice League, a Dark Knight Metal tie-in, and the acclaimed The Brave and the Bold: Batman and Wonder Woman series, which he also wrote. Liam recently finished a 24-issue illustration of The Green Lantern,, and Batman: Reptilian for DC's Black Label imprint.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
The Fundamentals of World Building
- Materials
- What Is the Corridor?
- Analyzing the Script
- Organic Shapes: Basic Exercises
- U3
The Establishing Shot and Inset
- The Layout 1
- The Layout 2
- The Layout 3
- The Inking Process 1
- The Inking Process 2
- Final Details 1
- Final Details 2
- Final Details 3
- U4
The Colouring Technique
- Creating Textures
- Applying Textures in Photoshop 1
- Applying Textures in Photoshop 2
- Applying Textures in Photoshop 3
- FP
Final project
- World building for comic books
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate artists who have some experience with drawing and storytelling and want to deepen their skills in worldbuilding, character design, and comic page creation.
You’ll need Bristol paper, brush pens (like Pentel), fine line pens, gouache, acrylics, a white pigment pen, sponges, a toothbrush for splatter, and access to Photoshop for digital integration.
You'll learn how to create immersive comic worlds, design unique characters, use advanced inking and texturing techniques, build believable environments, and prepare a professional comic art portfolio.
Yes, the course teaches techniques for ambient perspective, foreground/middle ground/background layering, and using scale and composition to create depth in comic panels and splash pages.
Absolutely, the course covers page layout, panel composition, storytelling transitions, and how to guide the reader’s eye for maximum narrative impact.
Yes, you'll explore designing alien environments, organic fantasy dwellings, and unique settlement scenes to enrich your visual storytelling.
Yes, the course includes guidance on portfolio preparation, helping you showcase your worldbuilding, character design, and storytelling skills to stand out in the comics industry.