Adding Text and Speech Bubbles to a Webtoon: A Beginner's Guide
As a webtoon creator, adding text and speech bubbles is an essential step in bringing your story to life. In this article, we will explore two methods for adding text and speech bubbles to your webtoon using Clip Studio Paint EX.
Method 1: Using the Story Editor
The first method involves using the Story Editor, a feature available only to EX users. To add text using the Story Editor, follow these steps:
- Click on the gray box in the Story Editor
- Type your text and hit enter twice to create a new line
- Continue typing and pressing enter to add more text and speech bubbles
- To edit text, double-click on the speech bubble and make changes
Method 2: Using the Canvas
The second method involves using the canvas directly. To add text using the canvas, follow these steps:
- Click on the canvas using the text tool
- Type your text
Adding Speech Bubbles
To add speech bubbles to your webtoon, take the speech bubble tool and click on it. You can then adjust the size and shape of the speech bubble to fit your needs.
About the Video
This article is based on a video tutorial that covers the beginner process of creating a webtoon. The video uses the Wild Words Roman and Anime Ace fonts from Blambot.com, but you can use other Sans surf style fonts as well.
Action Steps
To add text and speech bubbles to your webtoon, follow these action steps:
- Add text to your webtoon using either the Story Editor or the canvas
- Add speech bubbles to your webtoon using the speech bubble tool
Drawing Tool and Digital Art Program Used
The video tutorial uses a Wacom display tablet (Cintiqua) as the drawing tool and Clip Studio Paint EX as the digital art program.
Note
This article is part of a series on how to make a webtoon for beginners. Future articles will cover drawing techniques, using different digital art programs, and creating a webtoon on different devices (e.g., iPad, smartphone).
Adding Fonts and Text to a Webtoon
In addition to adding text and speech bubbles, you can also add fonts to your webtoon. To do this, follow these steps:
- Click on "Story" and then select "Open Story Editor" (only available for EX users)
- In the Story Editor, you can add fonts from files
You can also add text without using the Story Editor by clicking on the text button in the toolbar and tapping on the canvas where you want to add text.
Adding Word Balloons to Your Webtoon
Word balloons are an essential element in webtoons, and Clip Studio Paint EX provides two ways to add them:
Using Pre-Made Word Balloons
- Go to the Manga Material panel and select "Volume" and then "Dialogue"
- Choose a pre-made word balloon template and drag it to your desired location
- Hold the template over the text and a green check mark will appear when it fits correctly
- Adjust the size of the word balloon as needed by making it bigger or smaller
Manually Drawing Word Balloons
- Use the Pen Tool to draw a circle around the text
- Adjust the shape and size of the word balloon as needed
- Use the points to move and adjust the shape of the word balloon
Action Steps
To add word balloons to your webtoon, follow these action steps:
- Add text to your webtoon
- Add word balloons using either pre-made templates or manually drawing them with the Pen Tool
Additional Resources
For more advanced topics on creating a webtoon, check out our ebook that covers marketing, software, and art programs, as well as alternatives. We also plan to create a beginner-friendly ebook that compiles all the video tutorials into a comprehensive guide.
Overcoming Artist Block
As artists, we all face times when motivation and creativity seem to dwindle. Instead of forcing ourselves to stay motivated, taking a step back to unwind and recharge can be beneficial. For instance, experiencing the magic of The Lion King musical was a great way to unwind and find inspiration. The musical's themes of remembering one's true self and embracing Hakuna Matata (no worries) resonated deeply and helped overcome artist block. Remember to enjoy the creative process and not get bogged down by worries.