How To Draw Manga Style

Section 1
So, you want to learn how to draw manga style art? Good for you! Drawing manga can open up an entire world of art possibilities – different characters, adventures, and wild worlds – all of your own making and design. Learning how to draw manga takes a bit of time and practice, but it’s not too difficult if you know the basic principles and techniques. Let’s get started!
First, it is essential to know the correct proportions of manga characters. Manga style art is always drawn in a slightly deformed way, but it is important that the characters remain recognizable and visually appealing. The size of the character’s head should be between one-third and one-half of the total height of the character’s body. Also, keep in mind that the limbs should be big and round and the fingers and toes should be distinct and small. Next, pay close attention to the eyes. They are the most important feature of a manga character, their size and shape must look equal in proportion to the rest of the face. The nose and mouth should be kept quite small.
In addition to knowing the proportions of manga characters, it is important to pay close attention to the facial expressions. A good manga artist needs to be very adept at creating expressions that convey the character’s emotions with ease. Big eyes and wide mouths are a great way to convey a sense of emotion in manga art. Also, pay close attention to the hair, clothing, and overall body language of the characters. All of these help to further express their personalities and emotions.
When drawing the backgrounds, remember to stay true to the manga style of art. Keep the lines clean and simple, but try to stay creative with the colors and composition. Don’t put too much emphasis on the details and rather focus on the overall look. A good tip is to pay close attention to the lighting and shadows. These help create a more three-dimensional look and add more drama to your cartoons.
Section 2
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to move on to the more complex aspects of drawing manga style. Let’s start with depth and perspective. In order to create a sense of depth, arrange the characters and other elements in the background and foreground in a way that creates a realistic three-dimensional scene. Use subtle Lighting effects and shadows to emphasize the perspective.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it’s time to focus on the manga-style. Manga art has a unique, distinct style, and in order to capture that, there are a few important techniques to keep in mind. One important technique is the use of speed lines, or the little lines that create a sense of movement. These can be used to create a sense of speed and action, but you should use them sparingly to avoid over-cluttering the composition.
Another technique for creating the manga-style is the use of exaggeration. Manga characters and objects often have an exaggerated look to them. This adds a whimsical, cartoonish feel to the art, and can be used to great effect. Always remember that ‘less is more’ when it comes to exaggeration – try not to overdo it.
Finally, color can be a powerful tool in conveying emotion and intent in manga-style art. Color can be used to draw attention to certain elements and set the mood of a scene. However, it is important to use color sparingly. Too much color can easily overwhelm the composition and draw attention away from the characters and other important elements.
Section 3
Now that we’ve gone over the fundamentals, it’s time to get creative. One of the great things about creating manga is that the possibilities are endless. Experiment and try new things. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. Never be afraid to add your own unique style and perspective to the art.
An easy way to add depth, interest, and emotion to your manga art is by adding accessories to your characters. Accessories such as hats, masks, and jewelry can be used to subtly hint at a character’s personality or the mood of the scene. You can also use the accessories to create interesting poses and compositions for your characters.
Another way to add emotion to your manga art is by using body language. Expressions, poses, and gestures can be used to draw attention to a character’s feelings or intentions. Pay close attention to the overall body language of your characters—it can say more than words ever could.
Finally, no manga-style art is complete without dialogue and sound effects. Expressions, actions, and even special effects can all be used to add a sense of energy and excitement to your art. Sound effects can help to indicate movement, add drama, and give a scene more life. Draw attention to certain parts of the dialogue by writing it louder, bolder, or even coloring it a different color.
Section 4
Manga-style art is all about telling unique, interesting stories with images. To truly bring your manga art to life, you must learn how to properly use visual storytelling. Visual storytelling is all about capturing moments of tension and drama with the use of images. As a manga artist, you must be able to make the reader feel the emotions, motivations, and suspense of the characters and story.
To really capture a moment in manga-style art, use various visual elements to create tension. For example, you can use shadows to create a sense of mystery or blurring to create a sense of excitement. Alternatively, you can use body language and expressions to quickly convey emotions to the reader. There is also much to be said for the use of perspective and scale to add a sense of anticipation or awe to a scene.
Most importantly, your manga-style artwork should be fun to create. Have fun with it, experiment, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Just remember that practice makes perfect – if you keep at it, you will become a great manga artist in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Grab some paper and get started!

Robert Ortiz is an artist who has been writing about art and design for over ten years. His writing focuses on the creative process of art, from the conceptual to the material, and highlights its importance in our daily lives. He has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Texas at San Antonio and has also attended other prestigious art schools like Savannah College of Art and Design. He has a passion for exploring the boundaries between fine art, design, commercial work, and technology. His work extends to social media campaigns, website development, magazine articles, video tutorials and more.

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