IN-DEPTH LESSONS
100+ hours, step by step
LIVE CLASSES
Draw with Clayton in real time
PERSONAL FEEDBACK
Constructive critique & draw-overs
SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
Share, learn and stay motivated
EXPERT MENTORING
One-on-one guidance (Pro)
Talent is
mostly
mileage.
TURN YOUR PASSION INTO REAL SKILLS
LEARN. PRACTICE.
IMPROVE. BELONG.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced artist, the Academy gives you a clear path to grow. Learn the fundamentals properly, master advanced techniques, get honest feedback on your work and join a community that pushes you to be better.
STRUCTURED LEARNING PATHS
From fundamentals to advanced
PRACTICAL, REAL-WORLD SKILLS
Apply what you learn to your own projects
LIVE CLASSES & STUDIO SESSIONS
Draw together, get real-time feedback
A GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Connect with artists who get it
PERSONAL MENTORING
Guidance from Clayton Barton (Pro)
LIFETIME ACCESS OPTION
Keep learning, on your terms (Essentials)
WHAT’S INSIDE THE ACADEMY
Everything you need to become a stronger, more confident comic artist.
STEP-BY-STEP LESSONS
100+ hours of video lessons, from fundamentals to advanced techniques, all downloadable.
LIVE CLASSES
Weekly live drawing classes with Clayton. Ask questions, see real-time demos and draw together.
STUDIO SESSIONS
Work on your own projects alongside other artists in a relaxed, focused virtual studio.
FEEDBACK & CRITIQUE
Personalized critiques with draw-overs that show you exactly how to improve.
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
Reference sheets, brushes, practice exercises and the Comic Layout Generator app.
A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
Share your art, get feedback and stay accountable with artists who share your passion.
CHOOSE THE PLAN
THAT FITS YOUR GOALS
Every plan includes the full, downloadable lesson library and the Comic Layout Generator app. Add live classes, feedback and community with Academy Live, or go all in with one-on-one mentoring in Academy Pro.
SECURE CHECKOUT
Payments are processed securely by Wix.
JOIN 250+ COMIC ARTISTS
A growing, global community.
Not sure which plan?
Ask me. I’ll tell you straight.
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
MOST POPULAR
ACADEMY LIVE
The full Academy experience, live every week.
$29
/ month
100+ hours of downloadable video lessons
Live drawing classes with real-time demos
Weekly Studio Sessions
Critique Sessions with personalized feedback
Academy community access
Every new lesson while you’re a member
Comic Layout Generator app
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.
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
—
Weekly Studio Sessions
—
Critique Sessions with personalized feedback & draw-overs
—
Academy community
—
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, cancel anytime
Monthly, 5 spots only
Money-back guarantee
7 days
—
—
HOW EACH PART OF THE ACADEMY WORKS
No fluff. Here’s what actually happens inside.
Video Lesson Library
ESSENTIALS · LIVE · PRO
100+ hours of step-by-step lessons covering fundamentals, anatomy, figure drawing, perspective, character design, environments and sequential storytelling. Watch online or download them to keep, with new lessons added every week.
Live Classes
LIVE · PRO
Draw with me in real time. I demo a topic from start to finish, you follow along, ask questions in the chat and get answers on the spot. Every class is recorded, so you can catch the replay if you miss it.
Studio Sessions
LIVE · PRO
A weekly virtual studio where we sit down and work on our own projects together. Connection, accountability and a few hours set aside for the art that matters to you.
Feedback & Critique Sessions
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.
The Academy Community
LIVE · PRO
A private community of comic artists at every level. Share your work, join the weekly challenges, get feedback from fellow artists and stay motivated between classes.
One-on-One Mentoring
PRO
Four private 1-hour sessions with me every month. Portfolio reviews, career advice, project planning or a deep dive into whatever you’re stuck on. Book straight into an open slot that suits you.
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.
Who can benefit from this academy?
Anyone interested in comic art can benefit, from absolute beginners to advanced professionals looking to refine their skills. This includes those wanting to illustrate comics, manga, graphic novels, webcomics, storyboards for movies or games, or character design for various media.
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.
What lessons are available in the Academy Course?
The Academy Course offers a wide range of lessons covering topics like character design, anatomy, perspective, inking, coloring, and storytelling. It also includes tutorials on specific techniques like crosshatching or shading, and workshops for creating full characters or scenes.
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.
How often is new content added?
New content is added weekly to keep the curriculum fresh and aligned with current comic art trends and techniques.
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.
See you in class.
READY TO DRAW THE COMICS
YOU’VE ALWAYS IMAGINED?
REAL STUDENTS. REAL PROGRESS.
Join a global community of creators building a brighter creative future.
“After 20 years of trying, I saw results in just 4 months. This Academy is a game-changer!”
James Fondren
Academy Member
★★★★★
“Best value out there. The live classes and community make it one-of-a-kind.”
Brent Woodroof
Academy Member
★★★★★
“The Academy is where it’s at. Clayton changed how I looked at my approach to drawing everything.”
Ed Foychuk
Comic Art Instructor
★★★★★
“The Academy had just what I needed — weekly critique sessions where I could get direct feedback.”
Will
The Will Studios
★★★★★
“The Academy helped me level up to the point where I’ve launched my own comic art business.”
Matthew Nickola
Academy Member
★★★★★
“The critiques are life-changing. I’ve never improved this fast — worth every second!”
Jamie
Academy Member
★★★★★
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
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
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
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
Comic Art Instructor
REAL ART SKILLS. REAL SUPPORT. A BRIGHTER CREATIVE FUTURE.
BECOME THE COMIC ARTIST
YOU WERE MEANT TO BE.
Step-by-step lessons, live classes, personal feedback, studio sessions, mentoring and a global community of artists, all designed to help you build real skills, create with confidence and finally make the comics you keep imagining.
Twenty years in comics.
Still learning.