Everyone wants to learn how to draw manga, but it can be a daunting task for beginners. Don’t let the complicated characters and stories scare you away; with practice and a few simple tips, you too can create your own manga masterpiece. Here’s how to get started:
Begin by drawing the shapes and angles of your characters. Many manga characters have exaggerated features, so don’t be afraid to get creative with the proportions of your figures. Draw the head, shoulders, body and legs, making sure the arms and feet look balanced with each other. To make your character more expressive, experiment with the facial features: try using different eyes, eyebrows, and mouth shapes. If you’re aiming for an action-heavy genre, consider more asymmetrical features; if you’re doing a romantic comedy, then you might want softer features.
Once you’ve mapped out the basic shapes, layer on the details. Manga characters often have distinct hairstyles, clothing that speaks to their character, and intricate facial features. With clothing, you can use bold lines, patches, pockets, and other details to give them unique style. When drawing facial features, dont just draw lines; consider the way in which light and dark can be used to give the face more depth and emotion. When you’ve perfected the details and added color, your character is ready for action.
Now that you have a character ready to go, it’s time to build a story. Start by planning out the basic plot. Ask yourself the who, what, where, when, and why questions—Who’s your protagonist? What do they want? Where do they live? When does this story take place? What’s motivating them? Drawing on existing genres and tropes of manga can be helpful in developing your story.
Next, start fleshing out the narrative before you draw it. Build arcs and expand on the characters and their relationships to one another. Provide both internal and external conflicts—both comedic and dramatic moments—that will keep your audience hooked. Think about how your characters will interact, converse and evolve. Fill in the gaps with passages of dialogue, and begin to draw out the story arc. Once you have an overall arc in place, you can start drawing out panels and scenes.
When constructing your visuals, keep your story in mind. Manga is characterized by its dynamic panels, angled layouts, and clever visual metaphors. Take inspiration from existing manga, use scenes and images to set the tone, and make sure your audience knows what’s going on with colors, props and other key elements. Vary your panel sizes and add frames to direct the eye, making sure to create a sense of movement.
Manga is a deep and complex medium, and perfecting it can take years. Remember that practice is key, and don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes. Eventually, you’ll find your own unique style and storytelling techniques that resonate with your audience. So, relax, let your creativity flow, and before you know it, you’ll have created your own Manga masterpiece.
