The Basics of Characters and Materials

I bought this book to complete my set of Ultimate Manga Lessons, but it's a bit too basic for me. It is *very* similar to volume 1, but seems to be more of a detailed look. Objectives of this volume: "Basic Concepts in Producing an Original Manga Draft, The ABCs of Using Art Tools and Materials, The Basics of Distinguishing Characters, Basic Special Effects." Get this book if you don't know what materials are used for producing manga or are having trouble with drawing characters. I'm going to list the contents so that you can get a better idea of what's in this book. Contents: Prologue Objectives of This Volume Chapter 1: How to Make an Original Manga Draft Part A: Studying the Original Draft -Common Components of a Single Panel --Component 1: Panels --Components 2: Speech Balloons --Component 3: Characters --Component 4: Backgrounds --Component 5: Effect Lettering Part B: Steps up to Producing a Page of Original Manga Part C: Art Tools and Materials -1. Panel Layout and Under Drawing Materials -2. Inking Supplies -3. Curves, Templates, and Straightedges for Use with Special Effect Lines and Props -4. Tools for Adding the Finishing Touches -5. Implements for Attaching Tone Wrap-up Chapter 2: The ABCs of Character Drawing Part A: Key Concepts in Drawing Faces Part B: Facial Feature Fundamentals Part C: Eyes and Hair -The Eyes and Hair: Key Components in Making Characters Distinct -All about Eyes -All about Hair Part D: The Basics of Figure Drawing -Steps in Drawing the Full Figure -Basic Form of a Female Character -Basic Form of a Male Character Wrap-up Chapter 3: Portraying Characters Part A: Character Basics Part B: Figure Proportions -Head-to-Body Ratio -Characters of Various Proportions -Sample Head-to-Body Ratios According to Age Part C: The Fundamentals in Drawing Clothes -Clothing of Cylinders -Common Pitfalls -Creasing Concepts Part D: All about Shoes -The Fundamentals of Feet and Shoe Shapes Part F: Casting Part G: Special Effect Lines for Highlighting Characters -Effects Using Radiating Lines -Parallel Line Effects Wrap-up Chapter 4: Manga Techniques Learnt from the Professionals -Cheerful and Festive -Dynamism and Heroism -Girlish and Mysterious -Gargantuan Foes and Magnificent Images -Grand Entrances and Sex Appeal

This is the second book in the Ultimate Manga Lessons. I own the first and the fifth one. This one gives you great insight on the tools used for drawing and creating your own manga. It gives great step-by-step instructions on how to use them as well. It also explains speed lines and how to start creating your own manga. I highly suggest this book to anyone. Each book that I have gotten from the Ultimate Manga lessons I have been extremely pleased with. If you want to draw great manga, these are the books for you!