How-to-draw Manga books
Does anyone have any of the How to draw Manga series of books? I''ve been experimenting with the online tutorials on the accompanying site with good results.
I''ve been looking at the books on Amazon, specifically the ''Introduction'' book and am tempted to buy one. My local bookstores stock the specialised books (vols 1-5) but not the beginners book. I''m just wondering if anyone here has the Getting Started book and whether they''d recommend it?
The tutorials they have on that site are by Julie Dillon, and they''re not like the books.
I borrowed a couple of the books off a friend, as I couldn''t decide if I wanted to buy them, like you.
IMHO, the style of manga in the books is outdated and unpleasant. They don''t seem to "teach" so much as just show you examples, either.
If I were you, I''d stick with online tutorials, and a lot of practice
.
I borrowed a couple of the books off a friend, as I couldn''t decide if I wanted to buy them, like you.
IMHO, the style of manga in the books is outdated and unpleasant. They don''t seem to "teach" so much as just show you examples, either.
If I were you, I''d stick with online tutorials, and a lot of practice
.
I have the Couples book, and the Male character book - those were the only two I thought were worth buying. I agree that the drawing style in the other books, especially the bishoujo ones, is unpleasant looking. The _How to Draw Anime and Game Characters_ series is better IMO, especially the Expressing Emotions_ volume.
The expressing emotions is the thing I''m finding most ''difficult'' at present.
I agree that when I looked in the books over in Borders, the style did seem quite ''ugly'' and that it was just a bunch of examples over a ''tutorial''.
The tutors on the site are good, they teach you the basics which aren''t that much different to character drawing in general - they just show how to get the Manga style.
sunandshadow: Thanks - I''ll look into that series...
yspotua: Thanks for the link - I''ll have a look at that.
I agree that when I looked in the books over in Borders, the style did seem quite ''ugly'' and that it was just a bunch of examples over a ''tutorial''.
The tutors on the site are good, they teach you the basics which aren''t that much different to character drawing in general - they just show how to get the Manga style.
sunandshadow: Thanks - I''ll look into that series...
yspotua: Thanks for the link - I''ll have a look at that.
Look I wanted is some pages of how to draw manga pages . Does anybody know where there are some pages of how to draw manga ?
I own several of those books, and I would recommend several of them (but not all). They frequently get good feedback on Amazon as well. They helped me personally move from stick figures to drawing some pretty decent looking stuff.
My personal favorites is the Costume Encyclopedia Vol 1. It does not contain any drawing tips, really. Just a great reference on clothing styles.
Some people say they are all pictures and not enough text. Well, it really depends on how you learn things. For me, they were pretty balenced at having pictures with a few tips just on things that aren''t obvious (you''d only notice them if they were wrong...)
Some people don''t like the drawing style in the books. Over time, you''ll hopefully begin to develop your own style and tastes anyway, so it really doesn''t matter too much.
A good-sized bookstore will usually carry a few, in addition to comic book stores. Just crack them open and see which ones you like. Then try things out... don''t strictly copy pictures. Make new stuff from mixing and matching their suggestions with your own ideas. Or take one of their pictures and change it, etc.
My personal favorites is the Costume Encyclopedia Vol 1. It does not contain any drawing tips, really. Just a great reference on clothing styles.
Some people say they are all pictures and not enough text. Well, it really depends on how you learn things. For me, they were pretty balenced at having pictures with a few tips just on things that aren''t obvious (you''d only notice them if they were wrong...)
Some people don''t like the drawing style in the books. Over time, you''ll hopefully begin to develop your own style and tastes anyway, so it really doesn''t matter too much.
A good-sized bookstore will usually carry a few, in addition to comic book stores. Just crack them open and see which ones you like. Then try things out... don''t strictly copy pictures. Make new stuff from mixing and matching their suggestions with your own ideas. Or take one of their pictures and change it, etc.
Hi,
I''ve read several of the HTDM books (including the Getting Started one with the femail maid like character) and the ones by Tadashi Ozawa (How to draw anime and game characters volumes 1 to 3) and in my opinion, I''ve wasted a lot of my money and here''s why. My obsession to drawing anime specifically has what lead me to this mistake. I thought that when I wanted to draw anime exclusively, that I should buy how to draw anime books right? My mistake. The thing is I''m an average illustrator at that point so my level of drawing human figures is not so good but after I''ve read those books, I''ve learned little. Yes, it improved my drawings but when I read a book on drawing real human figures (only one, and that''s figure drawing for all it''s worth) it increased my skill level and knowledge in drawing human figures way beyond all my HTDM and HTDAGC books could ever provide for me so it''s basically dissapointing just thinking of all the money I''ve earned and spent to this books. I''m not saying they''re worthless but if you really want to draw anime, I suggest downloading this book (though a bit technical, but I know you can manage) and when you''re good enough, just change the proprotions and the eyes to make it anime looking (look for tutorials on the net). Sorry if it took so long (and probably nonsense) and I could be mistaking about your skill level (you''re probably way better than me) but all these are just my opinion about those books.
I''ve read several of the HTDM books (including the Getting Started one with the femail maid like character) and the ones by Tadashi Ozawa (How to draw anime and game characters volumes 1 to 3) and in my opinion, I''ve wasted a lot of my money and here''s why. My obsession to drawing anime specifically has what lead me to this mistake. I thought that when I wanted to draw anime exclusively, that I should buy how to draw anime books right? My mistake. The thing is I''m an average illustrator at that point so my level of drawing human figures is not so good but after I''ve read those books, I''ve learned little. Yes, it improved my drawings but when I read a book on drawing real human figures (only one, and that''s figure drawing for all it''s worth) it increased my skill level and knowledge in drawing human figures way beyond all my HTDM and HTDAGC books could ever provide for me so it''s basically dissapointing just thinking of all the money I''ve earned and spent to this books. I''m not saying they''re worthless but if you really want to draw anime, I suggest downloading this book (though a bit technical, but I know you can manage) and when you''re good enough, just change the proprotions and the eyes to make it anime looking (look for tutorials on the net). Sorry if it took so long (and probably nonsense) and I could be mistaking about your skill level (you''re probably way better than me) but all these are just my opinion about those books.
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