HTDM Series

[Proto Stryker]

Alright, to kick off this section, I have a good ol' question...

There are tons of How to Draw Manga books out there, most of them in the series of the same name. I'm big into drawing this and that, but I still feel like I'm in the beginning stages. So basically... which of these books would be a good one to pick up as a beginner? I really can't think of anything else to add other than that.

[Pinkie Pie]

I'd guess what-ever type you'd want to draw. Altough to be honest, the "how to draw manga" books seem.. really.. childish... I know i've seen better varients of it about, the more "Comic Book" shops should stock better and more detailed books on how to draw it.

[Quickman]

What I'd suggest 'fore you start looking into the HTDM books is to pick up some basic art instruction books. "Human Anatomy Made Amazingly Easy" by Christopher Hart is a good choice for the basics of human anatomy. It'll get into all the fun stuff like proportion, perspective, foreshortening along with drawing the head and figure.

"How To Draw Comics the Marvel Way" is another book I'd reccommend. It covers the basics of proportion and such, but with more attention paid to constructing a comic page and whatnot. For a looser style and details on movement, check out "Cartoon Animation I" by Preston Blair.

I'm not too fond of the HTDM books myself as they're just around to popularize on a craze and have spawned numerous bastard offspring (Though "How NOT To Draw Manga" is a good one. Definetly worth the look and laugh!) that repeat the same overused style and the same steps that're offered in the books I mentioned above; only confined to the Japanimanga style.

Other than the three books I mentioned, the best thing I can suggest is get as many illustration books as you can. I have art books everywhere of varying styles; I try not to limit myself to a certain media or medium. The larger variety of art reference you have, the more varied and unique your style will be.

Don't limit yourself to just the HTDM; other books will give you the same steps only in a different style.

[Cyraka]

I have several different "How To Draw Manga" books and from what I can tell is that there simply all the same.

[gagaman]

Piece of advice: Ifyou want How to draw Manga book,s just get the one's by the publishers raphic Sha, which have the word Manga spelt out in Red on the side. All over "how to draw manga" books are wrote by 17 year old Amercian artists who can't draw for toffee. The Graphic Sha series is actually by professionals in the Japanese industry, and actually have good anatomy.

[Proto Stryker]

Thanks guys. Next chance I get I'll stop by a comic book store and see if they have anything of the sort that ACE or Quickman mentioned. I do at least want to give the HTDM series a shot before I cast it aside, so I'll pick one o' those up too. Thanks for the advice thus far guys/gals, I'm taking it all into thought. ^_^

[BlueSonnet]

Personally i don't have need for those books. All my stuff learnt is from reading many mangas, spending countless hours in front of the tube and having a lot of practise. The trends in manga can be easy to pickup methinks.

Those "How to draw manga" books aren't exactly bad imo. It's just that given the foremention info makes you wonder if they are necessary. Besides 10 odd volumes for a tenner each? I don't think so.

[Perks]

Piece of advice: Ifyou want How to draw Manga book,s just get the one's by the publishers raphic Sha, which have the word Manga spelt out in Red on the side. All over "how to draw manga" books are wrote by 17 year old Amercian artists who can't draw for toffee. The Graphic Sha series is actually by professionals in the Japanese industry, and actually have good anatomy.

I fully agree. All the ones that aren't Graphic-Sha make me weep, they're so badly drawn and focused on drawing ladies with assets that would give them many problems in later life...

[Quickman]

Thanks guys. Next chance I get I'll stop by a comic book store and see if they have anything of the sort that ACE or Quickman mentioned. I do at least want to give the HTDM series a shot before I cast it aside, so I'll pick one o' those up too. Thanks for the advice thus far guys/gals, I'm taking it all into thought. ^_^

"Cartoon Animation I" by Preston Blair can be found at AC Moore, Micheals, Hobby Lobby and similar arts-and-crafts stores.

"Human Anatomy Made Amazingly Easy" by Christopher Hart can also be found at the above mentioned stores.

"Drawing Comics the Marvel Way" by Stan Lee and John Bushema can be found at Borders, Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, B. Dalton Booksellers, various online bookstores, comicbook stores (if they stock it) and mebbe the mentioned craft stores.

In bookstores, the art instruction books will usually be found with other art reference books, so check that section first 'fore you mosey along to the manga/graphic novel section.

QuickEdit: If you're interested, the "How NOT to Draw Manga" book is available at Borders I think (or was it Barnes & Noble?). It spoofs the whole HTDM craze and is a real hoot. It provides decent art instruction while being a decent book to just read.

I'm thinking of getting a copy one of these days; it's really funny.

[rickysio]

I know of a japanese book that offers help on how to draw FANTASTICALLY DETAILED machine drawings (Think Gundam). Unfortunately, i dont know the name.
I mainly learn how to draw by looking at my brother and comics.
My bro's a fantastic drawer.