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Manga mondays

Writer's picture: Mark NorthcottMark Northcott

Thumbnailing and Story Development

Welcome back to Manga Mondays, where we dive into the process of crafting a compelling manga, one sketch at a time. In this third installment, we focus on the thumbnail phase and story development—a crucial step that bridges the gap between raw ideas and polished pages.



From Concept to Clarity: The Role of Thumbnails

Thumbnails are miniature versions of your manga pages, designed to quickly lay out composition, paneling, and story flow. They act as blueprints, allowing you to experiment without committing to detailed drawings too soon. This phase helps to:

  • Establish pacing and rhythm

  • Refine panel layouts

  • Ensure a smooth visual narrative

  • Identify potential storytelling issues early

Tip: Keep your thumbnails small—around 2x3 inches—so you focus on composition rather than details. This forces you to think about clarity and readability first.



Developing the Story: The Heart of Your Manga

Before diving into thumbnails, you need a solid story framework. While a complete script isn't necessary, having a structured outline ensures you maintain focus. Here’s a breakdown of what you should have in place:

  1. Premise & Hook – What is your story about? Why should readers care?

  2. Characters & Motivations – Who drives the story? What do they want?

  3. Three-Act Structure (or Shonen Formula) – Setup, conflict, and resolution.

  4. Emotional Beats – Where should readers feel excitement, tension, or relief?

If you haven’t already, write a brief summary of your manga’s plot, theme, and message. Even a one-page synopsis can be a guiding light as you start thumbnailing.



Thumbnailing in Action

With a rough story outline in hand, it's time to sketch out the flow of your pages. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

  1. Divide Your Story into Scenes

    • Break your story into manageable chunks (intro, rising action, climax, resolution).

    • Decide which moments deserve full-page spreads versus smaller panels.

  2. Plan Panel Layouts for Readability

    • Use a mix of panel sizes to control pacing.

    • Diagonal or overlapping panels can add dynamism to action sequences.

    • Avoid clutter—each panel should serve the story.

  3. Focus on Composition & Perspective

    • Ensure each panel leads the reader’s eye naturally across the page.

    • Use angles to emphasize mood (e.g., low angles for power, high angles for vulnerability).

  4. Experiment with Flow

    • Read through your thumbnails as if you were the audience. Does it flow smoothly?

    • If a sequence feels clunky, tweak the order or try different compositions.

Tip: Print out or digitally layer your thumbnails to check for consistency. Flipping the page or mirroring the image can highlight awkward compositions.



The Balance Between Text and Visuals

Since manga is a visual storytelling medium, the dialogue and narration should complement, not overpower, the artwork. When thumbnailing:

  • Ensure speech bubbles flow logically from panel to panel.

  • Use body language and facial expressions to convey emotions instead of relying on excessive dialogue.

  • Limit unnecessary text—let your art breathe.


Iterate, Adapt, and Improve

Your first round of thumbnails won’t be perfect—and that’s the point. This phase allows for flexibility before committing to detailed drawings. After finishing a round of thumbnails:

  • Show them to peers, mentors, or even AI critique tools for feedback.

  • Make revisions based on clarity, pacing, and panel flow.

  • Once satisfied, move on to rough sketches or pencils for refinement.



Final Thoughts

The thumbnailing phase is where your manga starts to take shape, transitioning from raw ideas to structured storytelling. It’s a playground for testing layouts, refining pacing, and ensuring your story is visually compelling. Whether you're working on a one-shot or a long-running series, investing time in thoughtful thumbnails will save you headaches in later stages.

In the next Manga Mondays, we’ll tackle refining sketches and inking techniques. Until then, keep experimenting, refining, and most importantly—keep drawing!

What’s your biggest struggle with thumbnailing? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss!

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