The Badge Archive

Activity Description: Scouts watch videos of comic artists sketching and talking about their work to learn how comics are made.

• Fulfills Step 1 of GSUSA Cadette Comic Artist badge requirements.

Info Needed: Explore how comics are created and understood by looking closely at characters, emotions, and storytelling techniques used in comic strips.

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Items Needed:

• Computer or device with internet access
• Videos of real comic artists (see suggestions below)

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 20 min):

1. Watch at least two videos of real comic artists (see suggestions below). (15 min)
   • Scouts observe how different artists sketch, plan, and talk about their comics.
   • Each video shows a unique style and approach to character design or storytelling.
2. Talk about what scouts noticed or learned from the videos. (5 min)
   • What tools did the artists use?
   • What choices did they make while drawing?
   • (Optional) Scouts can name one thing they’d like to try in their own comic.

Suggested Videos

• Drawing a Comic Page with Gabriel Picolo – Gabriel Picolo walks through his process for drawing a comic page.
• How to Draw a Comic Page with Jim Lee – Jim Lee shows how he lays out and draws a full comic page.
• How to Draw Comics with Todd Nauck – Todd Nauck shares tips while sketching characters live.
• Interview with Comic Strip Writer Jim Kraft – Interview with a writer for Garfield comics.
• Interview with Rebecca Sugar | Steven Universe – Learn about how she creates characters.
• Sabrina The Teenage Witch Sketched By Tania del Rio (Artists Alley) | SYFY WIRE – Watch Tania del Rio sketch Sabrina and explain her process as a comic artist.