Is Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring worth it if you’re shopping in Comics & Graphic Novels?
You’ve got the line art. You’ve got the tablet. You’ve got the software open. And you’re staring at a blank white canvas, wondering why coloring a comic page feels like a completely different skill set than drawing one. That gap between “I can draw” and “I can make this look like a finished, professional graphic novel page” is exactly where most digital artists get stuck, often spending hours on a single panel just trying to figure out which layer mode to use. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
Reuben Lara’s Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring is a $12.99, 80-minute video tutorial built specifically to close that gap. It’s not a generic “how to use Photoshop” crash course; it’s a focused production workflow that takes you from stark black-and-white line art to a print-ready, colorized piece of art. If you’ve been colorizing by trial and error, this is the structured reset you need to learn the “flatting” and blending techniques that actually save you time in the long run.
Quick answer
| Best for | Digital artists who already draw but need a structured, professional workflow to colorize line art efficiently in Clip Studio Paint or Photoshop. |
| Skip if | You are a complete beginner to digital painting (you don’t yet know what a layer is) or if you don’t have a graphics tablet. |
| Price | $12.99 |
| Format | 80-minute video tutorial + high-res line art + downloadable action presets |
| One-line take | A high-value, practical bootcamp that turns messy color attempts into a repeatable, print-ready production pipeline. |
What you’re actually buying
At $12.99, you aren’t just buying a video; you’re buying a complete production toolkit. The core of the package is an 80-minute, step-by-step demonstration where Reuben walks you through the entire colorization process using both Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop. This dual-software approach is a massive value add: if you’re a Photoshop loyalist, you don’t have to guess how to translate Clip Studio techniques, because Reuben shows you the exact equivalent tools and workflows for both programs. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
The real magic, however, is in the deliverables that make the technique repeatable. You get a set of high-resolution line art files that you can use to follow along with the lesson, ensuring you’re working with the exact same assets the instructor is using. But the standout feature is the inclusion of downloadable action presets for both Clip Studio and Photoshop. These aren’t just “nice to have” extras; they are the specific, professional-level tools and settings Reuben uses in the class, packaged so you can import them and get up and running quickly. It’s the difference between watching a chef cook and getting the exact spice blends and timing charts to replicate the dish at home. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
This tutorial is also an evolved, more thorough version of Reuben’s earlier “Dino Head” lesson. It features a dedicated, deep-dive section on “flatting”—the foundational step of laying down base colors—and includes professional best practices that prevent the frustration of messy, hard-to-edit color layers. By the end of the hour and twenty minutes, you won’t just have a pretty picture; you’ll have a print-ready, colorized piece of art and a mental model for how to tackle your next comic page without starting from scratch. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
Why it’s on our radar
This is on our radar because it solves a very specific, high-friction problem for a niche that usually gets ignored by generic digital art courses: the transition from line art to professional-grade color in a comic/graphic novel context. Most coloring tutorials are either too basic (just “use the brush tool”) or too broad (a 10-hour course on general digital painting). This hits the sweet spot of being a focused, job-to-be-done tutorial that gives you a complete, actionable workflow. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
The inclusion of the action presets is what elevates this from a “watch and nod” video to a practical asset. By providing the exact tools and settings used in the demonstration, Reuben removes the guesswork and the “how do I find that specific adjustment layer?” friction. It’s a rare $12.99 purchase that feels like a full production kit rather than just a lesson. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
A Gumroad review captures the accessibility of the instruction perfectly: “This was a fantastic, thorough, and easy to follow class with lots of great tips.”
What actually matters
Before you hit buy, here’s what you should confirm to make sure this Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring tutorial fits your current setup:
- You need a layer-based workflow. This tutorial is built on the assumption that you are using software that supports layers and adjustment layers. Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Affinity Photo are the primary examples, but any program with a robust layer system will work. If you’re using a simple, non-layered drawing app, this won’t translate. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
- A graphics tablet is recommended. While you can follow along with a mouse, the precision and speed of the techniques—especially the flatting and blending—will be significantly more efficient and enjoyable with a tablet. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
- You should have basic digital painting knowledge. Reuben is clear that some basic knowledge of your software is expected. He will explain where to find specific tools, but he’s not teaching you how to open a file or what a canvas is. If you’re brand new to digital art, you might want to start with a more fundamental tutorial first. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
- You’re looking for a repeatable system, not just one pretty image. The value here is in the “production techniques.” If you just want to color one panel and never do it again, you’re fine. But if you’re working on a comic, a graphic novel, or a series of illustrations, the presets and the organized workflow will save you hours of frustration on every single future project. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
Mid-check
If you’ve got the line art and the software ready, this is the tutorial that turns your coloring from a guessing game into a professional workflow. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
FAQ
Do I need to own both Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop to take this course? No. The tutorial demonstrates the techniques in both programs, but you only need to own the one you primarily use. Reuben clearly explains the equivalent tools and methods in both, so you can follow along in your software of choice. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
Is this tutorial suitable for absolute beginners to digital art? It’s best for artists who already have a basic grasp of digital painting and layer-based software. While Reuben explains the specific tools used, the course assumes you know how to navigate a digital canvas, use a brush, and understand what a layer is. If you’re completely new to digital art, you might want to start with a more foundational course first. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
What’s the difference between this and the “Dino Head” tutorial? This is an updated, more thoroughly explained version of the basic methods shown in “Dino Head.” It features a new, dedicated section on “flatting” with professional tips, a more organized structure, and the inclusion of very helpful action panel presets for both Clip Studio and Photoshop that make the process much easier to implement. (Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring)
Bottom line
If you’re a digital artist who can draw but feels stuck in the coloring phase, Intro to Graphic Novel Coloring is a no-brainer at $12.99. It’s a focused, practical bootcamp that gives you the exact tools, presets, and professional workflow you need to take your line art from black and white to print-ready color. You’re not just watching a video; you’re importing a system that will make every future coloring session faster and less frustrating.