panel-composition

name	panel-composition
description	A panel composition skill used by the storyboarder and image-generator agents. Provides comic panel layout patterns, camera angles, gaze flow design, and page rhythm methodologies. Used for 'panel layout,' 'composition,' 'storyboard design,' 'gaze flow,' and related topics.

Panel Composition — Panel Composition Methodology

Expert knowledge used by the storyboarder and image-generator agents when designing comic panels and generating images.

Why Composition Defines Comics

Comics are a medium that converts time into space. Unlike film where time flows automatically, comics rely on the reader's gaze movement to create time. Panel size, shape, and arrangement are the tools for directing time and emotion.

Basic Panel Layout Patterns

4-Panel Comic Layouts

Pattern	Structure	Best For
Setup-Development-Twist-Punchline	4 equal vertical panels	Comedy, observational humor
Wide to Close	Wide -> Standard -> Standard -> Close-up	Drama, emotional emphasis
Zoom In	Long shot -> Medium -> Close -> Extreme close-up	Building tension, discovery
Time Jump	Past -> Present -> Present -> Result	Contrast, growth

Webtoon Layout (Vertical Scroll)

Technique	Panel Composition	Effect
Expanded Spacing	2-3x normal spacing between panels	Time passage, lingering emotion
Full-Width Panel	Uses entire screen width	Impact, scene transition
Tall Vertical Panel	Vertically elongated panel	Falling, height, overwhelming scale
Rapid Cuts	3-5 small panels in succession	Fast action, tension
Silent Panel	Scenery/expression with no dialogue	Emotional space, reader interpretation

Camera Angle Emotional Effects

Angle	Emotional Effect	Use Case	Prompt Keywords
Low Angle (looking up)	Intimidation, authority, heroic	Character introductions, confrontation	"low angle shot, looking up"
High Angle (looking down)	Vulnerability, isolation, overview	Crisis, solitude	"high angle shot, bird's eye"
Eye Level	Equality, objectivity	Conversation, daily life	"eye level shot"
Dutch Angle (tilted)	Unease, tension, confusion	Psychological tension, danger	"dutch angle, tilted frame"
Over-the-Shoulder	Conversational tension, POV	Dialogue, confrontation	"over the shoulder shot"
POV (First Person)	Immersion, reader = character	Horror, discovery	"POV shot, first person"

Panel Size and Time Relationship

Small panel = Short time (fast action, instant)
Large panel = Long time (leisure, emotion, scenery)
Borderless panel = Time freeze (daydream, flashback)

Size Usage Guide

Size	Ratio	Use
Small (1/6 page)	15%	Reactions, SFX, capturing a moment
Medium (1/4 page)	25%	Standard dialogue, regular actions
Large (1/2 page)	50%	Emotional moments, action highlights
Full (entire page)	100%	Establishing shots, climaxes
Double Spread (2 pages)	200%	Maximum impact, battle panoramas

Gaze Flow (Reading Flow)

Z-Pattern (Western)

-> -> -> ->
           v
<- <- <- <-
v
-> -> -> ->

Reverse-Z (Korean/Webtoon)

<- <- <- <-
v
-> -> -> ->
           v
<- <- <- <-

Gaze Flow Rules

1. Entry Point: Where the reader's eyes land first on each page — place the most important information here
2. Gaze Path: Character gaze direction should point toward the next panel
3. Bubble Order: Top-to-bottom, left-to-right (for left-to-right reading languages)
4. Action Direction: Rightward motion = advance/progress; leftward = retreat/flashback

Page Rhythm Design: Musical Patterns

Rhythm Pattern	Panel Composition	Effect
Strong-Weak-Strong-Weak	Large-Small-Large-Small	Stable, conversation scenes
Weak-Weak-Weak-STRONG!	Small-Small-Small-Full page	Tension buildup -> explosion
Strong-Weak-Weak-Weak	Large opening -> small progression	Scene transition then detail
Even	All same size	Uniform time flow, daily life
Decreasing	Large -> Medium -> Small -> Small	Zoom in, focus
Increasing	Small -> Small -> Medium -> Large	Zoom out, scale expansion

Image Generation Prompt Structure

[Style] [Angle] [Composition]. [Character description]. [Action/Expression].
[Background/Environment]. [Lighting]. [Emotion/Atmosphere].
[Text instruction: dialogue text or NO TEXT]

Prompt Example

Manga style, medium shot, slightly low angle.
A young woman with short black hair in a lab coat,
looking surprised with wide eyes, holding a broken test tube.
Modern laboratory background with blue LED lighting.
Dramatic side lighting, tense atmosphere.
NO TEXT in the image.