Wanted: How-to-draw books!
D. Tkach
I've just discovered the Sailor Moon manga and I am so impressed with
Naoko's beautiful drawings!
Has anyone ever seen a book about learning how to draw in the manga/anime
style (particularly in the style of Ms. Takeushi)? For my own personal
enjoyment (and in my very amateur way) I'd like to give it a try, for
fun! (Books in Japanese, English or French, preferably!)
Thanks! --Darca
tk...@uvic.ca
Zoe Tsukino
Don't bother with books! Try it on your own like I did! The results
may not be great at first, but after a while they definitely get better.
Of course it would be good if you can draw in the first place...
--
Zoe Tsukino (ztsu...@geocities.com)
who's warily eyeing the 200+ new posts... I guess my reader's working
again!
Visit my page! Sign my guestbook!
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/4940/
(If anyone can scan all of the last manga, please e-mail it to me
(zipped appreciated) at mrp...@gte.net)
Genef
In article <5eg9ts$e...@news.compmore.net> ady...@compmore.net (Andrew Dyche) writes:
>"D. Tkach" <j...@bc.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>>I've just discovered the Sailor Moon manga and I am so impressed with
>>Naoko's beautiful drawings!
>
>>Has anyone ever seen a book about learning how to draw in the manga/anime
>>style (particularly in the style of Ms. Takeushi)? For my own personal
>>enjoyment (and in my very amateur way) I'd like to give it a try, for
>>fun! (Books in Japanese, English or French, preferably!)
>
>>Thanks! --Darca
>> tk...@uvic.ca
>
>five months now (most manga-kas remember a specfic manga, or event,
>etc. that made them want to draw. Not me. I just woke up one morning
>and said, "Hell, I'd like to draw stuff like that."). I can vaguely
>draw her style, but it's not a great style to start off with (if
>anyone started with this style and was successful, then correct me.
>I've yet to meet someone who was so lucky). I've never seen a how-to
>manga book in my entire life, in *any* language. Myself, and everyone
>else I know that draws Manga, learned simply by practice. Buy manga.
>Copy it. Copy it again. Copy even more. Try some yourself. Don't get
>frustrated. If your mind blanks for inspiration, copy some more. If
>you've had previous art experience, that's a bonus, and you can
>probably pick it up more quickly. I'm a good writer, and my goal is to
>become as good at drawing as I am at writing (fat chance of that, I've
>been writing for my entire life and drawing manga for less than a
>year). Sketching should always be relaxed; many artists start trying
>to get very complex and show incredible detail. They quickly run into
>basic problems with proportion and foreshortening. Don't make this
>mistake. Finally, if you know any artists, ask them for advice. If
>they know what manga is, so much the better. If they know what it is
>and can draw it, great. Don't give up- I've seen too many promising
>artists (writers, manga-kas and otherwise) try something a few times
>and say "Crap, I can't do it," and quit. Oddly enough, it just sort of
>comes to you...
>
>Sorry I couldn't be more help!
>
>Andrew
I have made up a list of Japanese "How to Draw Manga" books. They can be
purchased or ordered from bookstores like Kinokuniya and Asahiya bookstores.
If you are fortunate enough to live near a major city, you can look at tehm
yourself.
I've noticed some manga artists use a small pose-mannikin (found at most
art-supply stores)
A note about Naoko Takeuchi. She uses a fine-line Pigmagraphic
markers to draw her work. Her color work uses pastels and Dr. Martin's
watercolors. Assistants take care of details like screentones and
buildings.
Anyway, here is the list...there should be enough detail to order them
yourself.
Clip and save 8<
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Are there art books that teach how to draw anime and manga?
Yes. You won't find them in the art instruction section of most
bookstores, because the anime/manga styles we all love so much are still
unique to Japan. That means you can get anime/manga instruction books,
but from Japan and in Japanese. This part of the faq will tell you what
books there are and how you can get them.
Do I really need them?
That depends on you. These books will show you the basics of drawing in the
manga style, many have good illustrations, but the text is in Japanese.
Many of the books listed here are "technique" books. Technique books
assume that you can draw, and so they go into how to construct manga and how
to work with materials like pen, ink, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, and so
on. Many of these books feature big names in the manga field such as
Tezuka, Go Nagai, Shirow, and CLAMP with very good illustrations on how they
do their work. Some of these books are so well illustrated that they are
worth it for the manga fan who is not an artist, but is interested in how
their favorite manga-ka goes about it.
So how do I get them?
The best place to start would be Japanese bookstores such as Asahiya and
Kinokuniya. If at all possible, visit these stores and browse their art
books. They should have these books in stock, and if not they will be glad
to special order them given the information below. See this resource guide
for information on Japanese bookstores locations and phone numbers. Expect
to pay something like $18 for a 1200 yen book plus shipping costs and expect
a wait of up to two months for special orders.
What books are out there?
Many. What follows is a list of the more popular titles, and the ones that
I have ordered. I'll be as descriptive as possible and will give
information that is needed to get them. So, let's get started.
Magazines:
---------
COMIKERS Bi-monthly as of the December 1996 issue 880 yen Bijutsu
Shuppan-Sha is the publisher.
Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha Ltd.
Inaoka Building 6th floor, 2-36 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101
Tel. 03-3234-2153 Fax 03-3234-1365
Bijutsu-Shuppan-Sha began by publishing "Manga Technique--Basic Course"
in 1989. This lead to a quarterly magazine "MT" that began in May 1994.
MT changed its name to "Comickers" beginning with the June 1995 issue.
Comikers is a technique magazine featuring names such as Yui Toshiki, Naoko
Takeuchi, CLAMP, Mitsumi Inomata, Shirow, and others. The featured artists
give interviews, talk about their influences, and show step by step how they
work. Other sections talk about using computers, art material spotlights,
and themes such as "battle heroines" like Nausicaa or Deunan of Appleseed.
Each issue comes with a pin-up of the cover art, or even art paper so that
you can try your own hand at coloring!
You should find this magazine at Kinokuniya or Asahiya. You can also order
back issues, which are shown in the back of this magazine.
Books: How to Draw
------
Graphic-sha has come out with a series of "How to draw" books that are
excellent. Very good step-by-step layouts, and the Japanese instructions
are formal which should make translation easy. Recommended for those who
want to get an idea of drawing in this style.
Graphic-sha 1-9-12 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102
Tel. 03-3263-4318 Fax 03-3263-5297
"Manga no kakikata" Vol 1 Characters *recommended*
(How to draw manga) 123 pages 1200 yen ISBN4-7661-0911-2 Graphic-sha
Start with this volume, and look at the others if you are satisfied.
"Manga no kakikata" Vol 2 "saku-ga" Picture Production (Backgrounds)
(How to draw manga) 123 pages 1200 yen ISBN4-7661-0912-0 Graphic-sha
"Manga no kakikata" Vol 3 "ouyou-jissan" Practical application
(How to draw manga) 123 pages 1200 yen ISBN4-7661-0913-9 Graphic-sha
"Pen to to-n no tekunikku"
(Pen and Tone Technique) 123 pages 1200 yen ISBN4-7661-0915-5 Graphic-sha
Very entertaining basic technique book that concentrates on what pens
are out here and how to use them. The second part of this book talks
about screen tones and how to create scenery and special effects.
"Anime no kakikata" Hiroyuke Kitazume (Moldiver)
(How to draw anime) 133 pages 1650 yen ISBN4-7661-0914-7 Graphic-sha
This is the only book I know of about producing anime. It is well
illustrated and there is a section on coloring cels, but unless you have a
background in animation and/or a way of translating this book, I'm not sure
you could benefit. It is nice to have, but not neccesary.
__________________
Books: Manga Technique* Technique books assume some ability to draw, and so
the focus is on how to use the various art materials out there, and how to
produce manga. Some of the materials recommended are sold only in Japan
(such as "G-pens"), but still the techniques are helpful. Here are two good
recommendations:
How to Art - Vol 1 Basic Lesson 1900 yen Kadokawa Shoten
How to Art - Vol 2 Mixed Media Lesson 1900 yen (no ISBNs given)
Kadokawa shoten publishes the monthly Newtype magazine. One of the columns
in Newtype is called "How to Art." This column features famous guest
artists who show their style in step-by-step color photos. Now these columns
have been collected in two volumes. These books are divided up by the
maaterials used, such as watercolor, color ink, acrylic paints and so on.
These two volumes feature many of the best artists in Japanese anime and
manga. Mitsumi Inomata, Takuhito Kusanagi, Haruhiko Mikimoto, CLAMP, and
Kenichi Sonoda just to name a few. This two books are illustrated with
examples of their artwork in full color, and of course shows how they
produce their illustrations. These books are well worth the price for the
illustrations alone. Highly Recommended even if you are more fan than
artist.
Manga Kiso Tekunikku Kouza 1200 yen ISBN4-568-50098-2
(Basic Manga Technique Course) Publisher: Bijutsu Shippan-Sha
This was one of the first manga technique books to be published, and it
is always being reprinted. This book opens with none other than Osamu
Tezuka giving his thoughts on manga and being a manga-ka. A retrospect of
his works is shown, and some pictures of him in his studio. This is followed
by Miyu Sato who shows what tools are availiable to the prospective artist
and how to use them. This covers papers, pencils, erasers, pens, brushes,
markers, technical pens, white-out, color inks, pastels, and so on. The
pictures do a nice job showing the results, but it is more text than the
above books. Next follows "My Works", interviews with noted personalities
such as Masamune Shirow, Tetsuya Chiba, and 22 other mangaka. Again, it's
more text than illustration. Still, it is a favorite.
Manga Ouyou Tekunikku Kouza 1200 yen ISBN4-568-50131-8
(Applied Manga Technique Course) Bijutsu Shuppan-Sha
This volume, opens with a spotlight on Go Nagai. Next Bang Ippongi takes up
the next 50 pages showing how she uses pen, ink, pastels and so on to make
her work. She has a lot of fun with it by dressing up as the character she
will draw. Among the 20 or so artists featured in "My Works" is Kazuhiro
Kiuchi of "BeBop High School" fame.
Manga Su-pa- Tekunikku Kouza 1133 yen ISBN4-568-50086-9
(Super Manga Technique Course)
This volume opens featuring Moribi Murano, and follows with Tetsuo Hiroi
giving lessons in the use of various materials. Featured artists include
Ryoichi Ikegama of "Crying Freeman", and there is a wonderful "tone
technique" section by Tomoyuki Fukutomi, and and a few pages featuring
"Akira" author Katsuhiro Otomo.
Odds and Ends:
--------------
Fanroad is a magazine dedicated to the amateur manga artist published by
Raport KK. 2-1-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160
Tel. 03-3354-3951 Fax 03-3354-1366
A feature in the monthly Fanroad magazine is "Irusuto Rabo" or Illustration
Laboratory. These columns have be collected into four volumes called
"Irusuto Rabo Supesharu" -- Illustration Lab Special /1200 yen per volume.
What follows is half color illustrations and half black and white. In the
middle is an "picture catalogue" that displays a featured materials such as
color pencils, color ink, and water colors. if you can read katakana, you
can pretty much understand what materials went into a certain drawing, and
try the items for yourself. I've seen these books at Kinokuniya...they
shouldn't be too hard to find.
That's it! While books alone can't make an artist, they are sure to help
those interested in the manga style see how it is done and to take in the
information learned into one's own style. Whether you draw or not, hope this
is a learning experience either way. Have fun!
Dan Kingsbury
> Has anyone ever seen a book about learning how to draw in the manga/anime
> style (particularly in the style of Ms. Takeushi)? For my own personal
> enjoyment (and in my very amateur way) I'd like to give it a try, for
> fun! (Books in Japanese, English or French, preferably!)
The thing is that each manga artist is very unique, unless they are drawing
for a series that has already been established, like Gundam or something...
I tried to learn Takeuchi's style when I first started buying manga, but it
didn't work out.. It really gets to the point where you just have to start
copying drawings and learning the style by osmosys.
-Bijo Hogosha Sailor Ursa
Paul Sudlow
Nice post, Genef.
To that I'd add two books.
The first I don't own, so I can't give you the exact title. It was
produced by Shonen Sunday Comics back in the mid-eighties, and features
manga techniques presented by their popular artists, including Takahashi
Rumiko, Mitsuru Adachi (Rough, Tough, etc.), and so on. It may be out of
print.
>>Has anyone ever seen a book about learning how to draw in the manga/anime
>>style (particularly in the style of Ms. Takeushi)? For my own personal
>>enjoyment (and in my very amateur way) I'd like to give it a try, for
>>fun! (Books in Japanese, English or French, preferably!)
The second book is a manga technique book specifically for drawing in the
shojo style. It's called Kitagawa Miyuki's Manga Academy ("Academy" is in
kana). It is a Flower Comics Special. Everything you'd want to know about
drawing the shojo way; drawing those leggy heroines, big liquid eyes,
etc.
I picked up my copy in Iwase Bookstore in Atlanta last summer. You can
probably order it from any Japanese bookstore with the information above.
Good luck!
While we're on manga, see if you can find Puff (Pafuu) Magazine. It
profiles most of the weekly and manga series running in Japan at any
given time, and highlights new stories, new tonkubans, and up-and-coming
artists. I like it better than Comic Box, which isn't as in-depth in its
coverage. I haven't seen Puff in a few years, though, and it may be out
of print.
Paul
Genef
>The second book is a manga technique book specifically for drawing in the
>shojo style. It's called Kitagawa Miyuki's Manga Academy ("Academy" is in
>kana). It is a Flower Comics Special. Everything you'd want to know about
>drawing the shojo way; drawing those leggy heroines, big liquid eyes,
>etc.
Thanks. That is the only shojo drawing style book I have heard about. I'll
order a copy and add it to the list.
Genef
Bruce "B-chan" Lewis
To: Paul Sudlow
Hey, Paul, speaking of drawing--are you planning on tribbing to this
ANIMANGA or what?
Fly Me To The Moon,
Bruce "B-chan" Lewis
(still working for Disney...)
Anime lover since 1969
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Are you reading the coolest comic book in America?
You should be! STAR BLAZERS MAGAZINE from Argo Press.
Ask for it at your local comics shop or call 800-704-4040.
Now Running in STAR BLAZERS: "Be Forever Yamato"
Script/layouts by Bruce Lewis Pencils/Finishes by Tim Eldred
Color/Effects by John Ott Produced by Studio Go!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoe Tsukino
Andrew Dyche wrote:
>
> "D. Tkach" <j...@bc.sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
> >I've just discovered the Sailor Moon manga and I am so impressed with
> >Naoko's beautiful drawings!
>
> >style (particularly in the style of Ms. Takeushi)? For my own personal
> >enjoyment (and in my very amateur way) I'd like to give it a try, for
> >fun! (Books in Japanese, English or French, preferably!)
>
> > tk...@uvic.ca
>
> Well, Naoko's style is rather...unique. I've been drawing manga for
> five months now (most manga-kas remember a specfic manga, or event,
> etc. that made them want to draw. Not me. I just woke up one morning
> and said, "Hell, I'd like to draw stuff like that."). I can vaguely
> draw her style, but it's not a great style to start off with (if
> anyone started with this style and was successful, then correct me.
I was successful! In my old art pad, the pictures I drew were like
Naoko's. Then someone stole it ;_; Now that I have a new one, I can't
draw it as well. It still looks like her art style, but the faces are a
bit wider. The only problem I have is drawing the guys (I did get
Mamoru once though!)...
Now I can draw the anime one as well (even though I like drawing the
manga better), and I can sort of draw the girls from Tenchi Muyo (oh
yeah... need to finish that picture of Tenchi's mother...). I was
successful at Clamp once, but that was one of the ones that was stolen
;_;
--
Zoe Tsukino (ztsu...@geocities.com)
who's going to stop now...
DJorgen104
Here's a couple more how-to books you might be interested in:
Both are available through the February Diamond Distribution Previews
catalog of your local comic book shop at that!
Comickers Bible: Screen Tone Encyclopedia
This book gives in-depth instructions for the use of all manner of screen
tone ( them patterns of little dots you see in all the manga books).
ISBN 4-568-50186-5 $33.95
Techniques for Comic Illustration Vol.6
This is an ongiong series which studies the styles and techniques of a
wide variety of manga and anime artists, covering both black and white
work and color work.
ISBN 4-89799-195-1 $22.95
the Gypsy Prince
m...@loom.net.au
Zoe Tsukino wrote:
>
> D. Tkach wrote:
> >
> > I've just discovered the Sailor Moon manga and I am so impressed with
> > Naoko's beautiful drawings!
> >
> > Has anyone ever seen a book about learning how to draw in the manga/anime
> > style
Yeah, I do it too. I actually found it quite easy to adopt the Takeuchi
style (being a compulsive drawer, I guess I'm just used to being
adaptable). It's much freer than the anime.
One point - if you really want to sum up the Takeuchi style, two words:
ART NOUVEAU - study it, she's obviously obsessed with it.
Doing the colouring is proving a real challenge though - according to
the Art Books, she uses markers, 'colour spray' and coloured inks, but
I'm buggered if I know how she achieves those ivory skin tones on a dark
blue Canson paper background!! I suspect she draws the figures on white
paper then collages them on the dark paper.
Pity I don't have a scanner or a web page, I'm dying to know what you
all might think of the 'Sailor Moon - the Next Generation' ;) charas
I've created!
Your News reader's been acting up too, Zoe? Fancy!
Sailor Mimi
'..Si, mi chiamano Mimi, ma in nome della lune, io voi puniro!!'
Genef
>One point - if you really want to sum up the Takeuchi style, two words:
>ART NOUVEAU - study it, she's obviously obsessed with it.
>Doing the colouring is proving a real challenge though - according to
>the Art Books, she uses markers, 'colour spray' and coloured inks, but
>I'm buggered if I know how she achieves those ivory skin tones on a dark
>blue Canson paper background!! I suspect she draws the figures on white
>paper then collages them on the dark paper.
Comikers (June 1995) gave an interview with her. She uses pastels, Dr.
Martins Watercolors, and Mechanorma Jetbrush (spray on color). There is a
breif discussion on her studio technique, but I would have to have it
translated.
If you have a good source for Japanese books in the UK, you should be able
to get this back issue with no problem. As a bonus, interviews with Kyosuke
Fujishimi and Yui Toshiki are included, including a poster by Yui Toshiki.
Sailor Jewelle
True, I tried drawing Naoko's style with colour and I was THAT close!
I'm still wondering how in the world did my cousin's classmate's aunt
got her that SM drawing-style book from HK. Now all of you may start
going to HK before China takes over!
David E Wills
Sailor Jewelle <j...@pc.jaring.my> writes:
>True, I tried drawing Naoko's style with colour and I was THAT close!
Check out UCI Bookstore's web page (and shop-bot). They recently got the
"How to draw manga" books back in. They come in three levels; beginner,
experienced, and advanced. ($39, $29, and $29 I think)
Jade Hwang
Would you happen to know if these are mostly text/pictures? I can't read
Japanese.
Can you give me a description of them?
Also, which which Sailor Moon art books have the most pictures of the
Outer Senshi?
Thanks,
Jade
jsh...@ucdavis.edu