Draw Your Own Manga: Beyond the Basics (Draw Your Own Manga Series)

I originally found this book at a library while I was passing by, and decided to purchased a copy (slightly used) from here because I liked it so much! The book is very helpful for folks who are interested in learning about the art and creating, but don't have experience in the details that truly make a comic. The book covers the following: how to design characters based on age and gender, drawing hair, feet, hands, eyes, clothes, and textures, the importance of textures in setting a scene, how to shade characters and scenes, facial expressions, effects with tone, flashes, converging lines, and sound effects, backgrounds, time effects, various perspectives and angles, and how to use illustrative materials (which brushes/markers/pens/inks/papers/tools/etc. to use and when), as well as how to color. When I say this book addresses pretty much anything involved with illustrating a manga, I do mean it. It also includes an interview with famous sports manga artist Shinji Mizushima. This book is very helpful, and I would recommend!

My friend recommended me this book to check out at my school library but I never really got a chance to use it for drawing (practicing drawing). However, since I just graduated, I won't be able to check out this book and since the public library doesn't have this book, I thought, "maybe I should order this book" and so I did.Now, let's get to the main point. I was a bit worried when I did not get my package but in the end I got it today–crammed in the mailbox. When I opened it, it looked fine until I found some wrinkles/ripples on the book jacket and I was a bit upset about it. At least the book was still new, so it wasn't a big issue. I guess I have to blame USPS for their shipping.The book is a great reference for drawing people, backgrounds and more, but it doesn't really give you the basics (step by step) to drawing and goes 'beyond the basics' to what [the book assumes] you already know. Although this may seem like a downside for many beginners, this is still a great book to look at once you learn the basics to drawing manga. For beginners, I recommend basic drawing manga tutorials (drawing human anatomy) and PRACTICE by sketching.*I am a beginner with some basic knowledge and drawing skills. I do not call myself an artist but I've taken art class. There may be other great drawing books but this book drew my attention.I know this is my first review and it is pretty long, but I hope those who start drawing will pick up this book once he/she learns the basics.

First off, let me say that this book is great. Hands and feet were kicking me until I got this book (not to mention shading, clothing and hair). It certainly is a good reference point for beginners (like myself) to get a feel of how each thing should look.That said, there is a thing or two that I was hoping for, but didn't find. The hand position part, for instance, only concentrates on the right hand. I had a character that was doing stuff with his left, so I had to wing it. The other spot that hit me was the backgrounds. It didn't give any real help with angles when you're looking at something from a certain point of view.Other then that, though, it's a great reference book to have.

this book is amazing, other drawing books do lots of random character drawings with little explanation. This book never once did a full page full color picture of some random anime girl no this book goes over very important details such as anatomy, emotions, Hair, hands, feet, toning, backgrounds(it gave me lots of amazing tips for backgrounds) AND materials. What this book does is not only tell you the materials needed to color in manga but it tells you how to use it and how it compares to other forms of media. other books plop it all on 2 pages and go into the other stuff.I give this book a 5/5 it does exactly as it says and lacks the basics (says beyond the basics). i was also amazed that this book is only 20 bucks new, the quality of this beats the typical American manga artist drawing book that just show pictures in skeletons with little explanation. Th

Paying thirty dollars for both this book and the one before it - "All The Basics"- is worth it. You will have everything you need to know.This book has everything the first one didn't. It really gets into the drawing itself. People of varying ages, perspectives, and the things we really need: backgrounds, perspectives and viewpoints of such, shading and light source, hand-drawn effects, coloring, and WRINKLES. I know that's a big need for many artists- this book has wrinkle guides, and even details about some different types of fabrics.If you are forced to choose just one guide book, choose this one. But eventually, get "All The Basics" as well.These and "All The Basics" are the indispensable manga guide books.

My niece is getting into drawing and loves the Japanese Manga. I sent it to her early in the mail and she loved it. Another one or two for Christmas I think.

It contains a lot of information on the basics of manga such as eyes, clothes, hands, feet etc. although I would not recommend this to absolute beginners since it doesn't tell you "how to draw them", it's more like a reference. If you are experience with drawing manga just a little bit buy this book, it helps.

I am a pretty accomplished drawer - I found the examples in this book to be fairly advanced for most people (including myself). I have the whole series and find it to be a good resource but not very instructive.

My Daughter LOVES this! Her artworks improved greatly!

Great book for people interested in illustrating Manga.

A well received present

This was a christmas prezzie for my niece. She is haveing such fun inproving her Manger figers. Will buy the next book for her birthday.