Sometimes it happens … you can run out of enthusiasm for your usual way of creating. Then it’s time to shake things up. Why not try a different style? I am doing this currently with a book (The Master Guide to Drawing Anime: Amazing Girls: How to Draw Essential Character Types from Simple Templates) I have by Christopher Hart on Manga and have reimagined some of his art, picking up some Manga tips in the process.
Manga has some specific features such as extra large eyes and certain ways of drawing facial features for different expressions. There is also a lot of storytelling to the way characters are dressed and their body posture and accessories. These things are useful when creating art journal pages even if you are just cutting and pasting from magazines/internet.
In my video on YouTube I show the process of making my page, including all changes but sped up a bit (so you have time to make your own page …). I really wanted to show the rough and ready nature of the process including my scruffy drawing. The point is you can change your mind/refine your ideas throughout the creation of your page.
I don’t feel I have to accurately reproduce the Manga drawing I see but instead change things as I like. This is good for avoiding copyright infringements too.
I will continue studying Manga drawn by other artists until I feel like creating my own unique characters. They are so fun to draw and you can be really creative with them too. Maybe you could give Manga a go ..? Or maybe study Beatrix Potter and try creating some characters like her’s. Or maybe you could go for a flat, graphic style for your characters? I would love to see what you come up with.
Hugs, Ceri xx.
