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.
```