Draw a Splash Page
Create a colorful comic-style splash page by sketching a bold central scene, adding action lines, lettering, and color to tell a short story.
About this activity
Create a colorful comic-style splash page by sketching a bold central scene, adding action lines, lettering, and color to tell a short story.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Write one short exciting sentence at the top of your paper that tells the moment you will draw.
- 2
Step 2
Draw a tiny thumbnail sketch in the corner to plan where the big action will sit on the page.
- 3
Step 3
Lightly sketch the bold central scene in pencil so it fills most of the page.
- 4
Step 4
Add one or two supporting characters or objects around the main figure to help tell the story.
- 5
Step 5
Draw action lines and motion marks around the main action to show speed and energy.
- 6
Step 6
Pencil in a big comic-style title or sound effect word near the action to make it dramatic.
- 7
Step 7
Carefully trace all main outlines and lettering with your black marker or fine-liner.
- 8
Step 8
Wait a moment for the ink to dry and then erase the pencil lines with your eraser.
- 9
Step 9
Color the main characters and foreground first using bright contrasting colors.
- 10
Step 10
Fill the background with simpler colors so the central action stands out.
- 11
Step 11
Add shadows with a darker shade and highlights with your white gel pen or light colored pencil for depth.
- 12
Step 12
Write your name and a one-line caption about the scene in the corner of the page.
- 13
Step 13
Share your finished splash page on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I draw a comic-style splash page that tells a short story?
Start by choosing a single dramatic moment that tells a short story. Make quick thumbnails to plan composition and choose a bold focal point. Sketch a large, central scene with exaggerated poses, add action lines and speed effects, then include sound lettering (BAM, WHOOSH) and speech or caption boxes. Ink over pencil with fine liners, erase pencils, then color using markers, colored pencils, or watercolors. Finish with highlights and a white gel-pen for pops.
What materials do I need to create a colorful splash page with lettering and action lines?
You'll need drawing paper or Bristol board for a sturdy surface; pencils and erasers for sketching; fineliners or ink pens for inking; a ruler or T-square for layout; markers, colored pencils, or watercolors for coloring; a white gel pen for highlights; optional: lightbox or tracing paper, reference images, and a chisel-tip marker for bold lettering. For kids under seven, use washable markers and safety scissors; keep small tools supervised.
What ages is drawing a splash page suitable for and how can I adapt it?
This activity suits ages 6–12, adjustable by complexity. Younger children (6–8) can make simple, colorful splash images with big shapes and stickers; older kids (9–12+) can plan thumbnails, refine anatomy, and try inking and lettering. Offer guidance on composition and safety with tools. Adapt for toddlers with large crayons on heavyweight paper and for teens by introducing digital drawing software and more advanced perspective and storytelling techniques.
What are the benefits of making splash pages and are there safe variations or ideas?
Drawing splash pages boosts storytelling, visual sequencing, fine motor skills, and confidence. It teaches composition, exaggeration, and expressive lettering while encouraging imagination and concise plotting. For safety, use non-toxic markers and supervise small parts. Variations: create a group splash page where each child adds an element; limit a palette for a color challenge; make a silent (wordless) splash to focus on expression; or try a digital version using drawing apps.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
I can't find a white gel pen, fine-liner, or the DIY.org site — what can I substitute?
Use a sharpened black colored pencil or ballpoint pen to trace the main outlines and lettering in step 6, use a white colored pencil, white crayon, or a tiny dot of correction fluid for highlights in step 11, and take a clear photo to share with family or on another kid-safe site instead of DIY.org (step 12).
My marker smeared and my pencils didn't erase well after inking—how do I fix that?
Follow step 7 exactly by waiting longer for the ink to dry before gently erasing with a soft eraser, and if the marker bleeds, test your pen on scrap paper and trace more lightly or use a fine-tipped pen for delicate lettering (step 6 and 7).
How can I adapt this splash page activity for different ages?
For younger kids simplify by doing a big bold central scene with crayons and a thick marker and skip the thumbnail and detailed shadows (steps 2, 3, 11), while older kids can plan tightly with thumbnails, add multiple supporting characters, detailed action lines, layered shadows with a darker shade, and crisp white-gel highlights (steps 2, 4, 5, 11).
How can we make the splash page more special or turn it into a longer project?
Extend the activity by creating a series of splash pages of different moments using the same thumbnail-to-ink workflow and then bind or scan and digitally color them to make a mini-comic to share on DIY.org (steps 2, 3, 6, 12).