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COMPARE EVERY  PLAN.

Exactly what you get in each tier of the Academy.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

ESSENTIALS

LIVE

PRO

Price

$197 one-time

$29 / month

$439 / month

Full lesson library (100+ hours, downloadable)

New lessons added every week

Comic Layout Generator app

Live drawing classes with real-time demos

—

Join me in the live studio: ask questions and share your screen

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Weekly Studio Sessions

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Critique Sessions with personalized feedback & draw-overs

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Academy community

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Four 1-hour one-on-one mentoring sessions per month

—

—

Priority feedback

—

—

Request lesson topics

—

—

Comic Creator Project Management app

—

—

Billing

Pay once, keep forever

Monthly or yearly, cancel anytime

Monthly, 5 spots only

Money-back guarantee

7 days

7 days

—

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

QUESTIONS BEFORE
YOU JOIN?

Straight answers to what people ask before they join.

VIEW ALL FAQS

What if I have no experience in drawing comics?

No problem! Our course starts from the basics, so even if you're new to drawing, you'll find lessons tailored to beginners. We guide you through the entire process from conception to completion.

Which plan is right for me?

Academy Essentials is the full lesson library, yours to keep for a one-time payment. Academy Live adds the live side: weekly classes, feedback on your own work, studio sessions where you can come on camera with me, and the forums. Academy Pro is everything in Live plus four one-on-one mentoring sessions with me every month. Not sure? Send me a message and I’ll tell you straight.

Can I pay for Academy Live yearly?

Yes. Academy Live comes monthly or yearly. Yearly is one payment of $290 a year, which works out to two months free, and you get exactly the same things as the monthly plan. It renews once a year until you cancel, and the 7-day money-back guarantee applies.

How does the learning process work?

Learning at How to Draw Comics Academy involves:
• Live Classes: Real-time instruction with step-by-step guidance.
• Video Lessons: Pre-recorded tutorials you can watch at your own pace.
• Personalized Feedback: Critiques and draw-overs to help improve your work.
• Community Support: Interaction with other artists for mutual growth.

What if I can’t make the live sessions?

That’s fine. Every session is recorded and the replay goes into the library, so you can catch up whenever it suits you. The Live Classroom shows every session in your own time zone, so you can see which ones you can make.

Do I have to be on camera?

No. You can watch in the Live Classroom, draw along and ask your questions in the chat. If you’d like me to look at your page, you can come into the studio and share your screen, but only when you’re ready.

What do I need to get started?

A pencil and paper is enough. The lessons work just as well for traditional and digital drawing, so if you have a tablet and a drawing app, use that. A computer is best for the live sessions, but you can watch the lessons on any device.

Are the lessons downloadable?

Yes, our lessons are downloadable. You can access all video lessons from the Lesson Library, where you can download them for offline viewing.

Can I access the Academy Course on any device?

Yes, the Academy Course is designed to be accessible on various devices, including desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones, ensuring you can learn from anywhere.

Do you offer one-on-one coaching?

Yes. Academy Pro includes four one-hour, one-on-one mentoring sessions with Clayton every month, booked straight into his open time slots, plus priority feedback and the chance to request lesson topics. Pro is limited to five artists at a time. On Academy Live, the live classes give you real-time interaction and the critique sessions give you personalized feedback on your art.

Is there a community aspect to the Academy?

Yes, there's a supportive community of like-minded artists where you can share your work, get feedback, and collaborate. This community helps keep you motivated and accountable.

What if I'm not satisfied with the Academy?

Academy Essentials and Academy Live come with a 7-day money-back guarantee: email me at claytonbarton@howtodrawcomicsacademy.com within 7 days of joining and I’ll refund you. No hard feelings. And whatever plan you’re on, if something isn’t working for you, tell me and I’ll do my best to fix it.

Can I unsubscribe at any time?

Yes, you can unsubscribe from your membership at any time. Just go to your account settings and follow the cancellation process.

What is How to Draw Comics Academy?

How to Draw Comics Academy is an online learning platform dedicated to teaching aspiring artists how to master comic book illustration. Founded by Clayton Barton, a veteran in comic illustration, it offers step-by-step drawing tutorials, live classes, personalized feedback, and a supportive community of artists.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

WHY MEMBERS  STAY

What Academy members and pro comic artists say about learning with Clayton.

Jamie talks about the Academy

“The critiques are life-changing. I’ve never improved this fast — worth every second!”

Jamie

Academy Member

★★★★★

Brent Woodroof talks about the Academy

“Best value out there. The live classes and community make it one-of-a-kind.”

Brent Woodroof

Academy Member

★★★★★

Ed Foychuk talks about the Academy

“The Academy is where it’s at. Clayton changed how I looked at my approach to drawing everything.”

Ed Foychuk

Comic Art Instructor

★★★★★

ENDORSED BY COMIC ART PROS

“There’s no way you could be following comics and not know about How to Draw Comics Academy. It’s a phenomenal website, with all sorts of tutorials.”

David Finch

David Finch

Pro Comic Artist at DC Comics

“The How to Draw Comics Academy is where it’s at. Clayton changed my approach to drawing everything, and lead me to become an art instructor myself.”

Ed Foychuk

Ed Foychuk

Comic Art Instructor

“Clayton is extremely committed to the comic art community and his lessons are a valuable resource for anyone looking to level up their work.”

Robert Marzullo

Robert Marzullo

Comic Art Instructor

“Clayton’s Academy is packed with crystal-clear, in-depth lessons, an absolute amazing resource for any comic artist wanting to level up.”

Mike Van Orden

Mike Van Orden

Comic Art Instructor

Lina, a sword-wielding warrior, inked by Clayton Barton

TAUGHT BY PRO COMIC ARTIST CLAYTON BARTON

LEARN TO DRAW
COMICS
LIKE A PRO.

Step-by-step video lessons, live classes and honest feedback on your own pages, from someone who’s spent 20+ years drawing, editing and teaching comics. Build the skills to finally draw the comics you keep imagining.

David Finch
Ed Foychuk
Robert Marzullo
Mike Van Orden

JOIN 250+ COMIC ARTISTS

Endorsed by pros like David Finch (DC Comics)

100+ HOURS OF LESSONS

Step by step, at your own pace

LIVE CLASSES

Learn, ask questions, get answers live

FEEDBACK & CRITIQUE

Draw-overs that show what to fix

STUDIO SESSIONS & MENTORING

Draw together, one-on-one on Pro

SOUND FAMILIAR?

WHY MOST ARTISTS  STALL

It’s rarely talent. Most artists stall because nobody shows them what to fix in their own work, or what to practice next.

THE ACADEMY GIVES YOU A CLEAR PATH.

Lessons that tackle each of these in order, live classes where you can ask questions, and draw-overs on your own pages.

Amateur Superhero Character Lineup2.jpg

STIFF, UNNATURAL POSES

Figures feel rigid and lifeless without a solid understanding of form, movement and anatomy.

Clayton Barton - Old Ar2.jpg

FLAT, UNINSPIRING DRAWINGS

Characters lack depth, expression and impact without the right construction and design skills.

Bad Perspective.jpg

CONFUSING PERSPECTIVE

Environments and complex scenes feel overwhelming without a clear, structured approach.

Unfinished Comic Art.jpg

UNFINISHED PAGES

It’s easy to get stuck, lose momentum and never turn your ideas into finished stories.

SIX WAYS TO LEARN

WHAT YOU GET INSIDE
THE ACADEMY

Every plan includes the full lesson library. Academy Live adds the live classes, Studio Sessions, feedback and community, and Pro adds one-on-one mentoring.

Learning Program.jpg

VIDEO LESSON LIBRARY

ALL PLANS

100+ hours of step-by-step lessons, from fundamentals to finished pages. Watch online or download them to keep, with new lessons every week.

How to Draw Comics Academy Live

LIVE CLASSES

LIVE · PRO

Draw with me in real time. I demo a topic from start to finish while you follow along and ask questions, in the chat or right there in the studio with me. Every class is recorded, so you can catch the replay.

Studio Sessions.jpg

STUDIO SESSIONS

LIVE · PRO

A weekly virtual studio where we sit down and work on our own projects together. Accountability, company and a few hours set aside for your art.

Feedback Sessions.jpg

FEEDBACK & CRITIQUE

LIVE · PRO

Submit your work and get an honest, constructive critique, with draw-overs that show exactly what to fix and why. Pro members get priority feedback.

Members’ posts and artwork in the Academy community

THE ACADEMY COMMUNITY

LIVE · PRO

A private community of comic artists at every level. Share your work, join the monthly challenge and stay motivated between classes.

Clayton Barton - Mentoring.jpg

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING

PRO

Four private one-hour sessions with me every month: portfolio reviews, career advice, project planning or a deep dive into whatever you’re stuck on.

FOUR LEARNING PATHS

FOLLOW A CLEAR PATH FROM
FUNDAMENTALS TO FINISHED PAGES.

New to drawing? Start at 01 and work through in order. Already drawing? Jump straight to the path you need.

Forms drawn in perspective by Clayton Barton

01

FUNDAMENTALS

Build the core skills every great artist needs: lines, forms, perspective and construction.

Start with the basics →

FUNDAMENTALS: Start with the basics
Five female figure studies by Clayton Barton

02

FIGURE & ANATOMY

Draw the human figure with confidence, energy and believable proportions.

Explore figure drawing →

FIGURE & ANATOMY: Explore figure drawing
A character drawn front and back, with a close-up, by Clayton Barton

03

CHARACTER DESIGN

Create memorable characters with strong design, shape language and personality.

Design better characters →

CHARACTER DESIGN: Design better characters
Three pencilled comic panels by Clayton Barton

04

STORYTELLING & PAGES

Turn your ideas into compelling comic pages with clear panel flow and pacing.

Tell stronger stories →

STORYTELLING & PAGES: Tell stronger stories
KOZOR, a warlord with a battle axe, inked by Clayton Barton

WHY IT WORKS

DON’T JUST DRAW MORE.
DRAW BETTER.

Drawing more won’t fix mistakes you can’t see. The Academy gives you a path to follow, a monthly challenge to draw, and feedback that shows you what to fix next.

LEARNING PATHS

Lessons in order, from the basics up.

MONTHLY CHALLENGES

A new brief to draw every month.

WEEKLY STUDIO SESSIONS

Draw alongside other members.

THE COMMUNITY

Share your work and get eyes on it.

Thea charging into battle, inked by Clayton Barton

WHO IT’S FOR

IS THE ACADEMY
FOR YOU?

It works best for artists who’ll put in the practice.

You want a clear learning path, from fundamentals to finished comics.

You need accountability to keep drawing and make consistent progress.

You want honest feedback from a professional artist and a supportive community.

You want to improve your anatomy, your pages and your storytelling.

You’ve got comic ideas you want to actually finish.

PLANS & PRICING

CHOOSE YOUR WAY INTO
THE ACADEMY.

Every plan includes the full, downloadable lesson library and the Comic Layout Generator app.

ACADEMY ESSENTIALS

Lifetime access to the full lesson library.

$197

one-time

Lifetime access to 100+ hours of downloadable video lessons

Weekly updates with new lessons

Comic Layout Generator app

Self-paced, no recurring fees

7-day money-back guarantee

GREAT FOR SELF-PACED LEARNERS

MOST POPULAR

ACADEMY LIVE

The full Academy experience, live every week.

$29

/ month

Billed once a year. That’s about $24 a month.

100+ hours of downloadable video lessons

Live drawing classes with real-time demos

Join me in the live studio: ask questions and share your screen

Weekly Studio Sessions

Critique Sessions with personalized feedback

Academy community access

Every new lesson while you’re a member

Comic Layout Generator app

7-day money-back guarantee

CANCEL ANYTIME

ACADEMY PRO

Everything in Live, plus one-on-one mentoring.

$439

/ month

Everything in Academy Live

Four 1-hour one-on-one mentoring sessions every month

Priority feedback

Request lesson topics

Comic Creator Project Management app (downloadable)

ONLY 5 SPOTS AVAILABLE

SECURE CHECKOUT

Payments are processed securely by Wix.

7-DAY MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE

On Academy Essentials and Live.

CANCEL ANYTIME

Academy Live and Pro: no lock-in.

NOT SURE WHICH PLAN?

Ask me. I’ll tell you straight.

Not sure which plan?
The Company Men, a team of comic characters inked by Clayton Barton

JOIN 250+ COMIC ARTISTS

YOUR NEXT COMIC
STARTS HERE.

Join How to Draw Comics Academy and start building stronger characters, clearer pages and better stories.

Browse Lessons

7-day money-back guarantee on Essentials and Live · Cancel Live or Pro anytime · Secure checkout

I’ll see you in class.

Clayton Barton’s signature

STUDENT PROGRESS

JAMES FONDREN,
BEFORE AND AFTER.

Here’s where he was at, and where he got to.

James Fondren on camera, talking about his time in the Academy
James Fondren’s first version of a standing figure

BEFORE

James Fondren’s finished version of the same figure

AFTER

★★★★★

“After not drawing for 20 years, I found Clayton Barton’s How To Draw Comics Academy. In just four months I have seen results in my drawing that have inspired me to continue to develop as an artist. If you follow the program, do the practice, and attend the live sessions with Clayton, I promise you will see results in your artwork that will amaze you.”

— JAMES FONDREN, ACADEMY MEMBER

LIVE, EVERY WEEK

COMING UP IN
THE STUDIO.

Live classes, feedback sessions and studio sessions with me, every week. Times are shown in your time zone.

THU

15

OCT

FEEDBACK SESSION

1:00 AM UTC · 1 hr 30 min

Feedback and Critique: Session 113

Members share their art and get honest, constructive critique with live draw-overs…

SAT

17

OCT

LIVE CLASS

1:00 AM UTC · 1 hr 30 min

Live Lesson: Spotting Blacks

Where to place solid blacks to add depth, contrast and focus to your pages.

MON

19

OCT

STUDIO SESSION

1:00 AM UTC · 1 hr 30 min

Studio Session

Dedicated drawing time with Clayton. Show up, put your head down and get pages done.

WED

21

OCT

FEEDBACK SESSION

1:00 AM UTC · 1 hr 30 min

Feedback and Critique: Session 114

Members share their art and get honest, constructive critique with live draw-overs…

Every session is recorded, so if you can’t make one live, the replay is waiting for you in the library.

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