by Kensuke Okabayashi
The Fun and Easy Way to Create Your Own Manga Characters and Adventures
 |
| Manga For Dummies |
Kensuke Okabayashi is a professional freelance illustrator/sequential artist.
Born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Kensuke has been inspired by
manga artists such as Fujiko Fukio, Osamu Tezuka, and Rumiko Takahashi
since childhood. While shopping his manga portfolio in Japan, he visited
various animation and comic book studios to hone his skills. There Kensuke
met with Matsumoto Leiji and Akazuka Fujio and interned with other manga artists.
After studying music and psychology at Wheaton College in Illinois, Kensuke
shifted his focus from playing the piano to honing his art skills. He earned his
BFA in Illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City after studying
traditional painting and further developing his drawing skills. Upon graduating,
he began picking up illustration and storyboard clients. His works eventually
caught the eyes of several illustration agencies that currently represent
him. His recent storyboard clients include Diesel Clothing, Diet Coke, Diet
Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, Absolut Vodka, Wendy’s, Allstate, State Farm, Canon Digital,
All Nippon Airways, and Camel.
In addition to storyboards, Kensuke also actively illustrates for mainstream
entertainment industry clients, including Wizards of the Coast, Takara Toys
U.S.A., Kensington Books, Skyzone Entertainment, and Carl Fisher Music.
Inspired by his past experience of working long hours at a well-known coffee
shop corporation, Kensuke developed and illustrated his creator-owned
comic book series titled JAVA!, which portrays the quirky futuristic society of
Neo Seattle, where mankind must consume coffee in order to live. The title
attracted attention and was picked up by Committed Comics and published
as a miniseries. His main character, Java (a high-power caffeine girl fighting
crime), received positive reviews from major comic book review sites as well
as from readers and distribution. Kensuke continues to work on creatorowned
projects with other established colleagues and writers in the industry.
His upcoming publication projects include Image Comics, Arcana
Publications, and Archaia Press. His online portfolio is posted at his studio
Web site at www.piggybackstudios.com.
On the side, Kensuke continues to draw from life and teaches art. He taught
illustration courses at Mercer College of New Jersey for several years. He currently
teaches studio art classes at the Education Alliance Art School in New
York City. When not drawing or painting in his studio, Kensuke still enjoys
playing the piano from time to time and honing his martial arts skills regularly
at a local Tae Kwon Do club.
Author’s Acknowledgments
I would like to thank my acquisitions editor, Michael Lewis, my project editor,
Chrissy Guthrie, and my copy editor, Sarah Faulkner, at Wiley for all their
hard work, advice, and support while I was writing this book. Big thanks to
Wiley’s composition department for scanning the illustrations and laying out
the book. In addition, I want to thank my colleague, Takeshi Miyazawa, for his
role as technical editor. My biggest thanks goes to my family, Michio, Sahoko,
Yusuke, and Saichan, who have been my greatest supporters and fans. None
of this would have been remotely possible without their help.
Thank you and God bless you!
Introduction
YØkoso (welcome) to Manga For Dummies. Manga is a cultural phenomenon
that continues to grow in popularity not only in the United States,
but also worldwide. Throughout this book, I focus on the basic skills you
need to create your first manga characters for your own creator-owned manga
series. Whether you’re an aspiring artist or a professional illustrator wanting
to explore a different style of drawing, this book is a great place to start.
About This Book
As you see throughout this book, more than 50 percent of the content is
devoted to illustrations. I show you examples in the illustrations, and I tell
you how to replicate them (or create your own examples) in the step-by-step
instructions that accompany them.
All tips, advice, and drawings that I provide are based upon my own experience,
both as a professional illustrator/sequential artist and as a former art
student. I designed this book to take you through various drawing techniques
and popular styles of drawing manga. Although you draw some manga characters
realistically, others are more exaggerated. I encourage you to try out
these different styles and find out which ones you like drawing most. As you
become familiar with different faces and body types, you may want to combine
different elements to come up with your own individual style.
Throughout this book, I cover a variety of popular manga topics. I introduce
basic proportions and anatomy to demonstrate how to draw your first manga
character from start to finish. I also cover different must-know character
archetypes, including popular main protagonists, their supporting sidekicks,
evil villains, wise ones, damsels in distress, and shØjo characters. In addition
to characters, I show you how to create cool effects to apply motion and
emotion to tell a story. For mecha fans, I also show you how to create your
own mecha. Finally, I talk about some tips for self-publishing your first manga
works and preparing to exhibit your works at your first manga convention.
Conventions Used in This Book
While writing this book, I used a few conventions that you should be aware of:
Numbered steps and keywords appear in boldface.
Whenever I introduce a new term, I italicize it and define it.
Web sites and e-mail addresses appear in monofont to help them stand out on the page.
What You’re Not to Read
Now, I didn’t spend hours upon hours writing this book and drawing all the
illustrations because I want you to skip over them. However, to be honest,
you can skip over certain elements in this book and still get the gist of what’s
being covered. The sidebars (the gray boxes) throughout the book contain
information that’s interesting yet nonessential, so if you’re pressed for time
or just not into anything that isn’t essential, feel free to skip them. Also, feel
free to skip any information that has the Technical Stuff icon attached, because
that info goes beyond what you absolutely need to know. You won’t hurt my feelings (much).
Foolish Assumptions
When I sat down to write this book, I made a few assumptions about you,
dear reader. This book is for you if
You’re really into manga, and you want to draw your own manga characters
and come up with your own stories.
You’ve never sketched anything other than a stick figure before, but you
want to try your hand at this style of art because it seems pretty fun and easy to pick up.
You’re a fan of one kind of manga (maybe kodomo manga), and you want
to know more about other kinds of manga (like shØnen or shØjo manga).
You know very little about manga, but you want to know how it got
started and what it’s all about.
You’re an aspiring manga artist who hopes to be published someday.
You don’t care whether you’re published or not. You just like to draw,
and you like manga. So there!
While we’re on the subject of foolish assumptions, allow me to take a
moment to dispel a few foolish assumptions I’ve heard over the years:
After reading this book from cover to cover, I should become a successful
manga artist. One misconception of most reference books is that
you should be able to master the art of manga by reading through the
book from front to back. Drawing isn’t an overnight phenomenon. Unlike
those final exams in high school, you can’t cram good art. My strong
advice is not to be dissuaded if your drawings don’t come out the way
you want on your first try. Like many skills, practice is essential to getting good results.
I’m not as talented as my other friends — I may as well give it all up!
Nonsense! One of the glories of manga rests in its simplicity in line and
form. Although having drawing skills or drawing lessons certainly helps,
they aren’t required. In my opinion, the key to achieving success isn’t
raw talent or even hard work, but passion. If you’re not passionate about
what you draw, no amount of talent or long hours you work will help you in the long run.
Like other comics, manga is for kids — people will make fun of me for
taking this art form seriously (even more so if I pursue it as a career).
If this is your first time experiencing manga, this is an understandable
false assumption. As I explain in the first chapter of this book, manga
has a tremendous diversity of topics and genres (ranging from sports to
politics to romance). It’s no surprise manga is a multi-billion-dollar
entertainment industry enjoyed by all ages and sexes.
How This Book Is Organized
This book is broken up into six different parts. Following is a summary of
each of these parts, so that you can decide what appeals to you.
Part I: Manga 101
Think of this part as your first day in a class for your favorite subject. This
part provides an overview of manga’s history and different genres, it tells you
what tools you need to get started, and it wraps up with some basic drawing
exercises to get your brain and your hand moving.
Part II: To the Drawing Board
Even though this book is set up to be modular (meaning that you can start
anywhere you like), unless you’ve drawn manga before, you don’t want to
skip this part. Here I show you how to draw the essential components of any
manga character: the head, eyes, body, and basic clothing. These chapters
are the foundation for the rest of the book, especially Part III, where I show
you how to draw specific types of characters.
Part III: Calling All Cast Members!
This is where things get juicy. Although you can find thousands of storylines
and characters in today’s popular manga world, most stories use certain
archetypes as their protagonist or lead characters, sidekicks, antagonists,
and so on. For whatever reason, this method has been a winning formula
that’s stood the test of time.
In this part, you take the basics and apply them to draw various types of
characters, such as heroes, villains, and elders.
Part IV: Time to Go Hi-Tech
Like drawing those cool robots, machines, and weapons? How about those
small sophisticated electronic devices? In this part, I cover the basics to get
you started on drawing your own machines (referred to as mecha).
Part V: An Advanced Case of Manga
In this part, I go over the more advanced topics and manga subject matter.
I start off with basic principles of perspective that allow you to add depth
and interest to your drawings. I then show you how to create the illusion
of motion and emotion by using different types of lines. Next, I cover backgrounds
and storyboards. Finally, I tell you what goes into a good manga
story and how to get your work noticed if you’re looking to break into the biz someday.
Part VI: The Part of Tens
As a new manga creator, it’s important to keep a look out for what other hot
manga artists are drawing. As part of this section, I include ten of the most
influential manga artists who continue to inspire the manga community
worldwide. I also list ten places where you can present your work to the public
Screenshot
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Product details
Price
|
|
|---|---|
File Size
| 19,982 KB |
Pages
|
433 p |
File Type
|
PDF format |
ISBN
| 978-0-470-08025-2 |
Copyright
| 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc |
Contents at a Glance
Introduction
Part I: Manga 101
Chapter 1: Welcome to Manga World
Chapter 2: Gearing Up and Getting Ready
Chapter 3: Drawing: Starting with the Basics
Part II: To the Drawing Board
Chapter 4: Taking It from the Top with the Head
Chapter 5: Nice Bod: Manga Body Basics
Chapter 6: Customize and Accessorize Your Manga Character
Part III: Calling All Cast Members!
Chapter 7: The Main Protagonists
Chapter 8: Those Loveable Sidekicks
Chapter 9: The Dreaded Villains
Chapter 10: Elder Figures
Chapter 11: Damsels in Distress
Chapter 12: Girl Power! Sho_jo Manga
Part IV: Time to Go Hi-Tech
Chapter 13: Designing Mechas
Chapter 14: Gadgets and Weapons
Chapter 15: Taking Off: Vehicles and Airplanes
Part V: An Advanced Case of Manga
Chapter 16: Putting Manga into Perspective
Chapter 17: Using Speed Lines to Create Motion and Emotion
Chapter 18: Thumbnails and Scenery
Chapter 19: Writing a Good Story
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Chapter 20: Ten (or so) Manga Artists
Chapter 21: (Nearly) Ten Places to Strut your Stuff
Table of Contents
Introduction.............
About This Book..............
Conventions Used in This Book .......
What You’re Not to Read......
Foolish Assumptions .....
How This Book Is Organized.....
Part I: Manga 101 ..........................
Part II: To the Drawing Board..............
Part III: Calling All Cast Members! ............
Part IV: Time to Go Hi-Tech.............
Part V: An Advanced Case of Manga...
Part VI: The Part of Tens ..............
Icons Used in This Book.........
Where to Go from Here....
Part I: Manga 101 ......................7
Chapter 1: Welcome to Manga World . . . . . . . . . . .9
Tracing the Rise of Manga’s Popularity.........................................................9
All Manga Is Not Created Equal: Looking At the Different Genres...........10
The Key Components of Manga ...................................................................12
Manga versus American Comics ..................................................................12
Broader readership than American comics......................................13
Availability differences ........................................................................14
The guts and glory: Differences in workload and
credit for artists ................................................................................15
“Making It” in the Manga World....................................................................16
Chapter 2: Gearing Up and Getting Ready . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Materials You Need to Get Started...............................................................17
Paper (genk∂y∂shi) ..............................................................................18
Drawing supplies ..................................................................................19
Inking materials ....................................................................................21
Miscellaneous items.............................................................................23
Setting Up Your Studio ..................................................................................24
Finding a quiet place to draw .............................................................24
Using the right equipment ..................................................................25
Upgrading your basic studio...............................................................25
Chapter 3: Drawing: Starting with the Basics . . . . . . . . . . .29
Making Your First Moves with the Pencil....................................................29
Exercises Using Your Ruler ...........................................................................31
Drawing and inking basic straight lines ............................................32
Inking from thick to thin ......................................................................34
Splattering .............................................................................................35
Creating Patterns ...........................................................................................37
Trailing pattern.....................................................................................37
Half-tone patterns.................................................................................38
Fixing Mistakes ...............................................................................................41
Brushing it out ......................................................................................41
Cutting it out .........................................................................................43
Part II: To the Drawing Board .................47
Chapter 4: Taking It from the Top with the Head . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Heading Out on a Manga Mission.................................................................49
Drawing the female head.....................................................................50
Drawing the male head ........................................................................51
The Eyes Have It!............................................................................................53
Beginning with the basic eye structure.............................................54
Seeing eye to eye ..................................................................................56
Drawing all shapes and sizes ..............................................................57
Filling In the Features ....................................................................................60
Being nosy .............................................................................................61
Lend me your ear .................................................................................64
Speak your mind: Drawing the mouth ...............................................70
Capping it off with hair ........................................................................74
The Emotions Tell All.....................................................................................77
Neutral face ...........................................................................................78
Serious face ...........................................................................................78
Mad face ................................................................................................80
Psycho mad...........................................................................................80
Sad face..................................................................................................81
Even sadder face ..................................................................................82
Total devastation..................................................................................83
Surprise or shock .................................................................................84
Happy face.............................................................................................85
Super happy face..................................................................................85
Chapter 5: Nice Bod: Manga Body Basics . . . . . . . . .87
How Many Heads? Setting Up Your Character’s Proportions...................87
Drawing a Wire Frame ...................................................................................90
Getting in Shape with Geometry ..................................................................94
Defining the head .................................................................................95
Taking on the torso ..............................................................................96
Can you stomach this?.........................................................................98
It’s all in the hips ..................................................................................98
Forging the arms...................................................................................98
On to the legs......................................................................................101
All hands on deck ...............................................................................102
Getting off on the right feet...............................................................108
Merging the shapes to the wire figure .............................................111
Beefing up with muscles and rhythm ..............................................113
Adding a woman’s touch with curves..............................................119
Growing Pains...............................................................................................121
Chapter 6: Customize and Accessorize Your Manga Character . . . .123
Know When to Fold ’Em: Drawing Fabric Folds .......................................123
The art of the pinch, pull, and tuck: Exploring drapery folds ......124
Is that leather, silk, or what? .............................................................127
Shadows revisited ..............................................................................128
Dressing Up for the Occasion.....................................................................130
Starting from the top..........................................................................131
Do these jeans make my butt look big? ...........................................139
Equipped to Make a Positive Impression..................................................145
Hair and head accessories ................................................................145
What else can we add or carry? .......................................................152
Part III: Calling All Cast Members! ..............155
Chapter 7: The Main Protagonists . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Drawing Male Lead Characters ..................................................................157
The androgynous student .................................................................157
The varsity team captain...................................................................161
Army Special Forces rookie...............................................................164
Drawing Female Lead Characters ..............................................................168
The daydreamer .................................................................................168
Martial arts warrior............................................................................171
Hi-tech girl ...........................................................................................175
Chapter 8: Those Loveable Sidekicks . . . . . . . . . . .179
Drawing Male Sidekick Characters ............................................................179
Hustle with Mr. Muscle ......................................................................180
The loyal little brother.......................................................................183
The intellectual veteran.....................................................................186
Drawing Female Sidekick Characters ........................................................190
The spoiled brat .................................................................................190
The nurturing and caring soul..........................................................193
Chapter 9: The Dreaded Villains . . . . . . . . .197
The Handsome yet Icy-Cold Villain............................................................197
The Awesome Warrior .................................................................................201
The Military Vixen........................................................................................205
The Evil Sorceress........................................................................................208
Chapter 10: Elder Figures . . . .. . . . .213
Enter the Grandmasters..............................................................................213
The thin grandmaster ........................................................................214
The huge grandmaster.......................................................................218
The Wizards ..................................................................................................221
Chapter 11: Damsels in Distress . . . . . . . . . . .227
The “Little Sister” Princess .........................................................................227
The Innocent Schoolgirl ..............................................................................232
The Loyal, Selfless Damsel..........................................................................237
Chapter 12: Girl Power! Sho–jo Manga . . . . . . . . . . .243
Drawing Classic Sh∂jo Manga Faces and Hair ..........................................243
Blondes and brunettes are cool .......................................................244
Female and male sh∂jo faces ............................................................244
Traditional sh∂jo hair ........................................................................249
Today’s sh∂jo hairstyles ....................................................................250
Drawing the Rest of the Body.....................................................................254
Dressing up the sh∂jo female............................................................254
Dressing up the sh∂jo male ...............................................................258
Art Nouveau Backgrounds in Sh∂jo Manga...............................................263
Part IV: Time to Go Hi-Tech........267
Chapter 13: Designing Mechas . . . . . . . . . .269
Creating Simple and Cute Mechas .............................................................269
Drawing a single-shape body ............................................................270
Mixing it up with a multishaped body .............................................272
Drawing Pilot-Operated Mechas ................................................................275
It’s all about the shapes.....................................................................275
Enter the lightweights........................................................................277
Here come the heavyweights............................................................283
Chapter 14: Gadgets and Weapons . .. . . . . . . . . .291
Small Gadgets ...............................................................................................291
Communicators ..................................................................................291
Remote devices ..................................................................................294
Battle Arms ...................................................................................................296
Swords .................................................................................................296
Guns .....................................................................................................297
Chapter 15: Taking Off: Vehicles and Airplanes . .. . . . . . . . .305
Cars ................................................................................................................305
Drawing different angles using basic shapes..................................306
Drawing standard cars (a.k.a. “grocery getters”)...........................309
Drawing faster, sleeker cars ..............................................................311
Planes ............................................................................................................312
Drawing the jumbo jet .......................................................................312
Drawing the F-18 fighter jet ...............................................................320
Part V: An Advanced Case of Manga.........327
Chapter 16: Putting Manga into Perspective . . . . . . .329
Creating Buildings and Backgrounds with Basic Perspective................329
Drawing one-point perspective ........................................................330
Trying two-point perspective ...........................................................333
Shaping up for three-point perspective...........................................335
Adding People to the Environment............................................................339
One-point perspective characters ...................................................339
Two-point perspective characters ...................................................341
Three-point perspective characters ................................................342
Using Perspective and Camera Angle to Tell the Story...........................344
Creating strong establishing shots...................................................344
Establishing the strong versus the weak.........................................345
Chapter 17: Using Speed Lines to Create Motion and Emotion . . . . .347
Getting Your Character Moving..................................................................348
Making your character move fast ....................................................348
Creating the illusion of moving along with the character.............349
Making objects and characters come toward readers ..................351
Slowing down your character...........................................................353
Zooming Around for Emotion.....................................................................354
Striking fear into your character ......................................................355
Shocking your character ...................................................................356
Chapter 18: Thumbnails and Scenery . . . . . .359
Creating Effective Thumbnails ...................................................................359
Why bother with a thumbnail? .........................................................359
Practicing thumbnails........................................................................360
Transferring the thumbnails to final paper.....................................361
Sketching Scenic Backgrounds...................................................................362
Cityscapes ...........................................................................................362
Heading to the country: Trees, bushes, and pastures...................364
Rocks and bodies of water ................................................................373
Chapter 19: Writing a Good Story . . . . . .379
Deciding Who Your Audience Is .................................................................379
Establishing a Synopsis and Plot ...............................................................380
Creating a synopsis ............................................................................380
Constructing your plot ......................................................................381
Seeking Inspiration.......................................................................................387
Part VI: The Part of Tens ................389
Chapter 20: Ten (or so) Manga Artists . . . . . . . .391
Chapter 21: (Nearly) Ten Places to Strut your Stuff . . . . . . . .397
Index........................................................................403
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