Things You'll Need:
- Scanner
- kneaded eraser
- drawing pencil
- figure drawing book
- black ink pens
- sketch pad
- blending stub
- drawing pad
- graphics software
- pencil sharpener
- white eraser
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Step 1
Assemble some basic drawing tools: drawing pencils (4H to 6B), pencil sharpener, 18 by 24 inch drawing pad, portable sketchbook, blending stump, kneaded eraser, white nylon eraser and black ink pens (various line weights.)
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Step 2
Doodle basic lines and shapes (sphere, cube, cylinder, cone) to become familiar with the tools.
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Step 3
Find a book on basic figure-drawing techniques that includes step-by-step lessons and examples, such as Jack Hamm's "Drawing the Head and Figure." Follow the lessons.
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Step 4
Take a figure-drawing class at your high school, local college or community art center. Even after you've grasped the basics, a class gives you time, space and incentive to practice.
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Step 5
Study manga style. The "How to Draw Manga" series by Hikaru Hayashi and the "How to Draw Anime & Game Characters" series by Todashi Ozawa include good examples. Internet tutorials by Julie Dillon, Patrick Shettlesworth and Atley also cover the basics.
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Step 6
Use a scanner to import your line art to an image-editing program that supports layers (e.g. Photoshop). Before purchasing software, check for educational discounts, bundled software and freeware (like The Gimp).
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Step 7
Ink your drawings to produce refined black lines over the rough pencil lines. Ink by hand before scanning or ink on the computer, depending on your preference and proficiency. Color your drawings using the computer unless you are willing to invest in additional tools and training. Save your working files in a "lossless" format like TIFF or Photoshop's native format to avoid introducing compression artifacts.
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Step 8
Study successful mangaka like Masamune Shirow, Akira Toriyama and Rumiko Takahashi. Don't steal art - steal techniques and use them to create your own art.
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Step 9
Practice, practice, practice. Challenge yourself with new subjects and work on your weak areas. Draw primarily from life and your imagination, not other drawings.
Comments
Nyko said
on 1/29/2007 www.deviantart.com ; if you search 'how to draw manga' the artists on the site have created tutorials to follow on certain aspects of drawing.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Collect a portfolio of your favorite drawings by your favorite artists, study their styles, then you can work out what your manga style needs.
I find movies with incredible artwork to be fantastic inspiration.
Just remember that your drawing style is your own, and most people like it better if it looks individual.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 To get a cool manga effect that many pros use in their work, to make a splatter (eg. paint, water, blood, goop) get an old toothbrush and some ink and basically go wild splattering and experimenting.
Anonymous said
on 8/8/2006 Add oval-like circles to the eyes to make it look like there is light reflecting in them.
Anonymous said
on 7/14/2006 Try finding an anime or manga, that some what matches your own style, try practicing drawing those characters. Remember to make your own changes though, so your style stays unique. This technique also helps if your experimenting with different styles. It's also help full cause you can start from a point that is comfortable for you instead of following step by step instructions. Everybody's different, learn to draw your own way and your art will show more personality and you'll feel better about it.