How to Draw Realistic Manga

Instructions

• 1

  Ideally, you will be requiring many pencils in order to pay close attention to every dynamic of manga. However, a sharpened H pencil will do the job for you.
  
  With time, you can use a non-photographic blue pencil as well. Inking pens will be used to brighten the sketches of your manga art. A standard A4 size printer paper is the starting point but many use electronic media or Doujinshi paper for precision. Other items will include eraser, compasses and a T-square. Lastly, don’t forget to have a model figure in front of you.
  
  You will do good to consult some professional books for basic drawing techniques. It will be a step by step guide on specific elements to manga. For a reference, consult Jack Hamm’s book “Drawing the Head and Figure”.
• 2

  The biggest element that differentiates manga from anime is that every aspect is covered in detail. However, some of aspects will be left minimal or for interpretation. For instance, eyes will carry more detail and definition, where as little focus will be given to mouth. The eyes must depict realism with the eyelid pointed at the reader. The whole idea of drawing manga is to capture a realistic image.
• 3

  Start your drawing. Ideally start by sketching a basic framework of the face. This could be egg shaped.  Sketching the neck and shoulder area will give you more to play with, as you narrow down on the expression. Depending on your imagination, you can further decide whether to draw a front on image, or focus on 3/4 view.
• 4

  Split the image by drawing a vertical line and two horizontal lines. The horizontal lines will be in the middle, indicating the eyes. Draw the eyeballs and shade the pupil area.  Move on to the other facial portion and draw the mouth and the shape of the face.
• 5

  Now work on the hairstyle.  Mark the area of the head which you have left for hair before sketching a basic outline. Manga characters have pointed hair, strands or clumps so draw one which works for you.
• 6

  Now sketch in the ears, and neck portion. Do some shading and erase all the lines and shapes you drew for reference.