Write a script for your comic strip. You can write your initial draft on paper or type it out, if that's more comfortable. Use scratch paper to make rough sketches of how you envision the strip. Having a script helps identify the key parts of the story and allows you to arrange the panels and pacing in a way that emphasizes the strip's climax or punch line. Scripts are also helpful for story arcs that span over multiple comic strips.
Draw the comic strip in pencil. It is best to draw on a slightly elevated surface, so use a drawing table or a drawing board propped up on an object. Drawing pencils are rated on a scale from hard to soft. Hard pencils range from 6H to H and soft pencils range from 2B to 6B. Start with 2B pencils and branch out as you become more comfortable. Use the clear ruler you can see through to draw straight borders. Bristol paper is a good drawing paper for comic drawing and comes in various sizes. Remember comics are a visual medium, so your drawings should carry most of the storytelling weight.
Go over the pencil sketch in ink. Using inks in comic strips add more dimension to the image. First use the marker pen to go over the panel borders. Next use the quill pen and India ink to go over the rest of the line work. Remember to vary the thickness of the in lines throughout your art. Use thicker lines on the bottom of objects to denote weight. After inking, wash the nib with window cleaner.
Using the flatbed scanner, scan the comic drawing into the computer. On your computer, the scanner resolution should be set to 300 dpi (dots per inch).
Open the comic strip in a graphics editing application such as Photoshop. Adjust the hue, saturation, brightness and contrast, and adjust the settings to get rid of the texture of the paper and any stray pencil lines. You should be left with a pure black and white image.
On the Layers pallet, label this black and white image "Linework." Create two more layers: one called "Colors" and the other called "Text Bubbles."
On the Layers palette, set the Linework layer to Multiply. Choosing this setting will keep the black lines visible but make the white areas of the Linework layer transparent. Now you will be able to see the black lines of the Linework layer and the colors you add onto the Colors layer at the same time.
Add flat colors to the comic strip. You do this by selecting the Linework layer and using the Magic Wand tool to select an the area you want to color (for example, a character's T-shirt).The Magic Wand tool will select the area of the T-shirt enclosed by black lines. A dotted line should appear bordering the T-shirt.
Select the Colors layer. The dotted outline from the magic wand tool should still be visible. Select the base color you want and apply it with the Paint Bucket tool bucket or the Brush tool. Next add shadows and highlights (darker and lighter variations on the base color) to the folds of the T-shirt give it a three dimensional look. Repeat for all parts of the comic strip. If you plan for the strip to be printed, the CRT monitor will give you a good idea of what the final colors will look like.
In the Text Bubble layer, add text bubbles as necessary.
Publish your comic strip either by posting electronically on the nternet or physically on paper. You can either post your comic on your own website or find a comic hosting site that publishes members' comics. If you find a printed publisher who is interested in your work they might publish you under their banner. Another option would be for you to self-publish, although this is a difficult route because the production costs will come out of pocket and you will have to bear the responsibilities of promotion and finding vendors to sell your comic.