Drawing: Manga

MANGA BASICS

Composition

Before beginning a drawing, think about the image as a whole—the format, perspective, focal points, and lines. As every panel in manga tells a part of a story, it’s helpful for you to think about the flow and theme of your drawing and what you want to accomplish as a whole. Consider portrait, landscape, and other format shapes as well as different perspectives for a range of visual effects. To direct the viewer’s eye through a drawing, include focal points, or areas of interest, and use a variety of lines to capture mood and action. Planning out these elements early on will prevent major revisions later in the drawing process.

Compelling Compositions In both drawings, the characters’ eyes and weapons are powerful focal ...