How to Draw Manga

By eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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Manga is a dessert of pure entertainment frosted with artistic flair. Sound yummy? The recipe is simple: mix 1 percent manga style with 99 percent figure-drawing fundamentals; repeat daily to learn how to draw manga.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

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

Step1
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.)
Step2
Doodle basic lines and shapes (sphere, cube, cylinder, cone) to become familiar with the tools.
Step3
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.
Step4
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.
Step5
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.
Step6
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).
Step7
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.
Step8
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.
Step9
Practice, practice, practice. Challenge yourself with new subjects and work on your weak areas. Draw primarily from life and your imagination, not other drawings.

Tips & Warnings

  • If your budget is limited, start with a #2 pencil, paper, cotton swabs (for blending) and the resources of your local library and the Internet.
  • Study anatomy. There's no substitute for understanding the human figure, even if you aren't drawing humans.
  • Save examples of your work. Tangible proof of your progress keeps frustration at bay.
  • Don't focus on style before you learn the fundamentals - it can lead to bad habits and slower progress.
  • Manga artists spend years honing their craft. Expect to do the same if you want to become a mangaka.

Comments

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Nyko said

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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

Anonymous said

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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

Anonymous said

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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

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 Add oval-like circles to the eyes to make it look like there is light reflecting in them.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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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.

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eHow Article:  How to Draw Manga

eHow Arts & Entertainment Editor

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