Manga ManiaT: Romance: Drawing Shojo Girls and Bishie Boys

by Christopher Hart

Overview

Pencils! Paints! Passion! The Japanese-style comic books known as manga have a huge following in America. Chris Hart, author of several bestselling how-to-draw books, now offers aspiring young artists a complete course in the manga-romance genre. He shows how to create classic manga characters: sweet-and-caring pretty girls with huge, glistening eyes; exciting boy heroes, including handsome teen-idol types, rough-hewn rebels, and young mystery men; girl comedy characters, who not only provide laughs, but also help high school girls deal with their insecurities; and many others. With thorough art instruction and lots of ideas for story plots, this is an intriguing invitation to an art form that anyone who loves to draw will find irresistible. 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781933027432
Publisher:	Sixth & Spring Books
Publication date:	07/01/2008
Series:	Manga ManiaT
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	391,018
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Cartoonist and teacher Christopher Hart is Watson-Guptill’s top-selling author with a track record of phenomenal sales of more than a million copies. He lives in Westport, Connecticut.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 6 Up

This crisply illustrated work aims to give aspiring cartoonists the basics of drawing as well as some of the trademark stylistic elements of the increasingly popular shojo style of romance manga. This work starts off with the basics of figure drawing, character design, and facial expressions for both female and male characters; special care is given to explain the details of creating those luminous eyes so popular in Japanese comics. Movement and perspective are given a brief explanation, and the chibi style of humorous facial expression is explained as well. Basics on creating costuming for characters (especially the famous schoolgirl uniform) are included; tips are also given for creating the popular "magical girl" characters à la Sailor Moon. The bishies of the title certainly aren't forgotten, and care is given to explain and depict some of the most common male characters. Advice on creating romantic and humorous scenarios, staging, and more essential elements of cartooning round off the work, along with a useful list of popular Japanese male and female names and some basic Japanese written characters commonly used in sound effects. Although not for advanced artists, this is nonetheless a wonderful introduction to the shojo style. A great first choice for creating a cartooning/drawing collection.-Dave Inabnitt, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

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