How to Draw Anime Comics
Anime is a very popular form of comic drawing that originated in Japan. Some people believe that Betty Boop was actually the first Anime character, and that the Japanese stole the idea from America. If that was true, however, Americans did not seem interested in using that style of drawing until the Japanese became so successful at it. Anime characters are usually composed of exaggerated features embodying every feature that almost no Japanese person has. Anime characters usually have wild and crazy-colored hair, huge eyes, super long bodies and enormous feet.
Things You'll Need
- 2b and 1b pencils Eraser Ink Ink pen Paper Colored pencils Screen prints Tissue paper Ruler Basic stencil shapes (circle, thought balloons, etc) Exacto knife Watercolor paints
Instructions
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Getting Started
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1
Decide what story or events you want to draw about. Write out all the dialogue and plot lines. Make an outline of what you want to happen on each page, and then draw a rough sketch.
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2
Use your rough sketch to plan the action boxes to use for your comic. Make sure to add variety to the boxes. Six squares all in a row aren't very interesting. Divide some boxes up with angled lines, or consider drawing outside of a box for a few panels. Size the boxes according to importance of the box. The larger the box, the more important the picture.
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3
Add the characters to your boxes. Make sure to leave enough room to write text. Try to draw the characters in such a way to communicate what they are thinking and feeling. Anime characters are known for large eyes, angled faces, long bodies, crazy hair, and large feet.
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4
Add backgrounds and dimensions to your anime. Use simple lines so that the reader is not distracted from the main events happening in the comic. Make the backgrounds relevant to the story. Write the text that you want the characters to say in the text boxes.
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5
Add dimension and texture to your anime with screen prints. Cut the prints with the exacto knife to the shape of the part of the drawing that you want to cover. These prints are usually used to add texture to the drawings. They are typically used for clothing and backgrounds.
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6
Use the ink and ink pen to outline your finished comic. This will make the drawings stand out. You can also add shadows and highlights with the ink. This gives the comic a professional and completed look.
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7
Use colored pencils to color in your comic. Usually only the title pages and covers are colored drawings in anime comics. However, you can choose to color any elements of your comic that you desire. Watercolor paints can also be used to color in a picture for a more delicate look.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use a piece of tissue to protect your drawing from smudges while you are drawing and inking the picture
Inking the drawing can be quite messy, and easily destructive to your drawing. The best thing to do is to leave the original drawing done in pencil, and make a copy of it to ink.
