Beginner’s Guide to Comic Illustration in Clip Studio Paint

What is Clip Studio Paint?

Clip Studio Paint is the most popular software tool for digital comic art. Its robust features are perfect for creating both manga and Western-style comics.

How to use the Clip Studio Paint desktop app on your iPad

You can pair Clip Studio Paint with Astropad Studio to use the full desktop version on your iPad. Astropad Studio mirrors any desktop app on your iPad, with support for Apple Pencil and touch gestures. → Free 14-day trial

A software interface displaying comic book illustrations. A character shouts while another appears intense. The left panel shows tools and a color wheel for digital art editing.

Video tutorials:
How to make a comic book in Clip Studio Paint

In these step-by-step tutorials, we’ll help you get started with your first comic in Clip Studio Paint.

The videos follow each phase of the comic creation process: Layout and lettering, penciling, inking, coloring, and finishing touches. Let’s get started!

Digital sketch depicts a person standing, viewed from behind. Interface elements like toolbars and color wheel frame the drawing space. Center text reads "INTRO."

Getting Started

 

An overview of helpful tools within Clip Studio Paint; How to create a new file with print-ready preferences; How to set up your workspace and assign shortcut keys. → Go to tutorial

A sketch of a humanoid figure stands in a dynamic pose with lines suggesting motion. Text across the center reads "LAYOUT". Background shows sketchy, radial lines adding intensity.

Layout & Lettering

 

How to lay out a comic page based on the script; Loosely drawing the layout with basic figures and composition; Posing characters and adding text balloons. → Go to tutorial

A sketch of a cloaked, masked figure points forward, surrounded by angular lines. A black banner with white text reads "PENCILING" across the center.

Penciling

 

What Clip Studio Paint tools to use to make penciling more efficient; How to adjust light sources; How to use the ‘Create Ruler Perspective’ tool. → Go to tutorial

 

 

A person runs down a hallway, leaving papers scattered. Others are in the background. Bold text in the center reads "INKING."

Inking

 

Understand the difference between outline inking versus detailed inking; How to adjust the G-pen in Clip Studio Paint. → Go to tutorial

 

A large robotic figure confronts a soldier. The robot raises an arm to strike, amidst a dramatic action scene. Text in the foreground reads "COLORING."

Flatting & Coloring

 

How to use the fill from reference layer tool for flatting; How to create a color correction layer; How to select shading colors for your comic illustration. → Go to tutorial

A stylized depiction of people walking through a city square with modern buildings, overlain by the bold text “FINISHING” across the center, dividing the scene.

Finishing

 

How to make last-minute changes to the background, colors, and text of your comic; How to prepare your comic for printing.  → Go to tutorial

mirror any desktop app on your iPad

Use the full Clip Studio Paint desktop app on your iPad with Astropad Studio.

  • Turn your iPad into a drawing tablet
  • Works with Mac and PC
  • Connect over WiFi or USB cable
  • Set unlimited custom shortcuts
  • Quickly switch tools with tap gestures
  • Customize your pressure curve

Try Astropad Studio free for 14 days

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A laptop and a tablet display the same colorful digital painting of a human face. The devices rest on a white surface, accompanied by a stylus pen.

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A digital illustration of a character with vibrant colors is being created using Clip Studio Paint, shown in the software interface with toolbars, color wheels, and layer panels visible.

How to Organize a Clip Studio Paint Workspace for iPad

 

In this guide, we’ll help you organize an efficient workspace for using the Clip Studio Paint desktop app on your iPad:

  • Arranging panels
  • Setting menu shortcuts
  • Using quick keys, the on-screen keyboard, and touch gestures
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A digital illustration in progress shows a woman with a teal headscarf and earrings, surrounded by floral outlines. The interface of Clip Studio Paint displays various tool options.

How to Adjust Brushes in Clip Studio Paint

 

Clip Studio Paint offers a wide variety of settings to fine-tune its features. Use this guide to get started with brush adjustments:

  • Adjusting your iPad settings
  • Adjusting your brush settings
  • Customizing your pen pressure
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