Tag Archives: art with kids

Learning to Draw Manga #4 – Your own Character (Partial Fail)

Posted on June 22, 2013 | 8 comments

This week, my son was experimenting with the dreaded 3/4 view, and started making his own characters. He came up with a few really nice ones, so I decided to give it a try myself.

Partial Fail. I’ve never been good at forming something in my head. Dude kept saying “What are you trying to draw? What do you see in your mind?

I guess that’s my problem. I can’t get a clear view in my head. It’s not like this character is moving around in my novel and I know what she’d thinking, you know? Anyway, this is what I cam up with.

My son is still growling at me, but I tried something a little different, and I’m not thrilled. I went for a more realistic eye, and I had to play with it a lot. I think I made the hair too high. She started with an open mouth, but my son said it was all wrong… so I made her sad instead.

This is “I have to write a query” Manga. Can’t you tell with the sad face and frazzled hair?

Mastering manga with Mark Crilley (halfmythoughts.wordpress.com)
My Old Manga Illustrations part 2 (izabelawoszek.wordpress.com)
Latte artist creates manga-inspired caffeinated drinks (tokyotimes.com)
A Beginner’s Guide to Reading Manga (narutonets.wordpress.com)

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Posted in Artwork

Tagged Anime, art, art with kids, Beauty, Fandom, hobbies with kids, learnig art, learning to draw, List of Naruto characters, Manga

Learning to draw Manga #3 Front View Boy

Posted on June 15, 2013 | 19 comments

This week my son and I tackled the front view boy. I figured I’d show you the step by step process to show you how easy it is.

First, start with a circle. Cut it into four equal parts and then cut the lower half into four equally spaced sections. I go freehand. Dude likes to use a ruler.

Next, add a frame for the chin. Manga likes a pointy chin. I’ll probably start putting my own spin on this soon.

Next, add the eyes in the third lower section. Eyebrows on the line above, each slightly towards the outer circle. The nose line just to the left of the center line, right on the outer circle mark, and do your best on the ears. Dude and I agree ears are EVIL.

Next, the dreaded Manga Hair. I drew this directly from the diagram. I don’t get the flow of the hair yet. Dude does better than me on this aspect.

Next, darken and add a little clothing if desired. I decided to round the chin at this point as well. Also add a shade under the chin. Once your lines are nice and dark, erase the light lines of the “cheat” circle originally drawn.

That’s it. Break it down a step at a time, and it’s really not that hard.

Yes, Dude is still growling at me, but I’m glad I’m doing this with him. It’s giving him the competitive charge to try to get better than me. Nope, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. (He writes, too.) 🙂

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