How to Draw Manga Special: Colored Original Drawings

This book tells how to use Copic markers, and has some good ideas in it. It even gives advice for using the special airbrush system compatible with Copic markers. The section about paper wasn't really useful though because it talks about paper available in Japan, but most of it probably isn't available in the US. I found the coloring tips in this book useful. If you use Copic markers (or other art markers, I'm sure the rules are pretty much the same) I would recommend this as a how-to guide.

The tutorials are very easy to follow going in a step-by-step manner from original pencil drawing to fully-colored finished image. All the instructions are in color which allows for easier visual than black and white. There were surprisingly a good amount of other handy tips you can use for other purposes such as the tracing down technique for those without a lightbox, using origami paper as part of the image, and using a cotton swab to hold down the paper while you're airbrushing. This is more of a book on how to color your pin-ups or manga covers than anything. Considering the materials used in this book are markers, airbrushes, brush, colored pencils, pastels, and an etching knife, this book is for the more intermediate and advanced artists. Aside from the fact that this is basically one big ad for COPIC markers and airbrush, you can apply the techniques you learn in here with other more readily available and less expensive products. For those that are hypersensitive to anything that has nudity on it, there are two images that may make you want to avoid this volume. One is a female sleeping on her side and wearing a buttoned down shirt and underwear showing quite a bit of her right chest, and the other has no clothing but hides her chest with her hands.

This is a very unique manga-drawing guide as it covers specifically colored pictures. However, I I felt that it did an excellent job of covering that subject.For example, this book had a section that showed how the same colored drawing would look on many, many different types of paper. It also explained the differences between, water, oil, and alchohol-based markers and important little things to know about them. (For example, oil-based markers will dissolve toner.) It also mentioned things such as not coloring too quickly or too slowly, and photocopying your images when coloring to make room for mistakes. It even tells you multiple ways of storing and protecting your finished artwork and where to make copies...The guide also goes on to airbrush techniques...Also, this book provided several solid examples of doing colored drawings step by step. And, this volume was quite free of ecchi material, which is an enormous plus in my view.Finally, the little mini-manga at the beginning and end of the book added a cute touch to the guide. The store salesperson who appears often throughout the pages makes the book more fun to read despite the fact that this guide is much more technical than other volumes.Overall, this is a wondeful How to Draw Manga book. Although it it more for the slightly advanced drawer who has some decent experience with drawing manga, it's a fun and educational (in terms of drawing) read for anyone who loves drawing manga.

Great examples of how to use your copics, etc, to add color to your artwork the way the professionals do. I think this could help all kinds of artists, actually.

Great techniques and instructions for adding color to your works of art and bring them to life. A must have for any inspired manga/anime artist.