Anime books are a wonderful escape for readers, a captivating way for artists to share their creative passion with others, and a great form of expression for many. Drawing anime books can be a great challenge, but with a few tips and tricks, it can become much more achievable. Understanding the basics and having the right tools can make the task of learning how to draw anime books more manageable.
Making your Character come alive
Whether you’re starting from a blank page or starting from an existing character, there’s a lot of ways to make the character you draw come alive. First, consider the aesthetic details of the character. For example, anime characters tend to have unique facial features, hairstyles, and clothing. Consider how the character will fit into the world they inhabit. Color, shading, and pattern can help bring the character to life, making them stand out and helping them to become memorable. Drawing simple backgrounds can also help to create a vivid setting for your characters and help make the story even more vivid.
Choosing the right tools
When choosing drawing materials and tools, anime artists should look for something that will allow them to create their characters with as much detail as possible. Pencils with graphite, charcoal, ink pens, watercolor, and markers can all help animate characters. Additionally, many skilled anime artists use digital art software to create their designs. Software such as Photoshop and Illustrator provide a great way for artists to digitally create and edit their works.
Understanding Composition
In order to create a great anime book, it’s important to understand composition. Begin by laying out the basic structure of the piece, like the dimensions of the page, the size of the characters, and any other specifics that you’ll need to keep in mind. Once you’ve laid the structure, you can begin creating the composition by drawing rough sketches and deciding the positions of the characters and scenery. Knowing the basics of composition can help create a more balanced layout, more vibrant images, and could even save time in the long run.
Finding Inspiration
Good art often comes from great inspiration. Anime artists should always be on the lookout for ideas from their everyday life and experiences. Taking a stroll outside can provide some much-needed inspiration, or even reading a book or listening to music are great ways to infuse your characters with unique personalities and styles. Even art that isn’t anime related can bring a new perspective to the anime books you’re creating.
Practice the Basics
To create a stunning anime book, it takes lots of practice. Before tackling complex designs and character motions, beginning artists should start with easy sketching and basic shapes. Start by drawing basic geometrical shapes such as squares, circles, and triangles and then practice drawing more complex characters and shapes. Start with anime designs you’re familiar with and create something one step at a time until you feel confident tackling more complicated designs.
Creating the Story
Drawing anime books isn’t only about drawing, it’s also about creating stories. Consider the characters’ backgrounds, their motivations, their goals, and any obstacles they may have to face. Create a believable story and create a world for your characters to inhabit. Readers should be able to relate to the characters and feel like they’re a part of the story.
Add Color and Details
Once the basic lines and characters of the anime book are in place, it’s time to bring the story to life with color and details. Experienced artists should use a combination of light and dark, bright and muted colors to create depth in the artwork and level of detail, while also using subtle shifts in color and texture to create depth and contrast. Finally, consider using different mediums such as watercolor, markers, pencils, and even digital art software to add texture to the work and make it truly 3D.
Creating a Cover
When an anime book is finished, the last step to creating a true and complete work of art is to create a stunning cover. Capturing the essence of the book in one image is no easy task, but with enough thought and creativity, an amazing cover can bring readers in and make them want to read what’s inside. Consider adding symbolism and imagery that will capture the attention and add to the story of the book.
Finishing the Piece
When the anime book is complete, showcase it in the best way possible. Find creative ways to share the work by posting it online, printing copies, and spreading the word. Whether the intended audience is the world or loved ones, sharing the work can bring a sense of accomplishment and continued growth.
