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Draw Like a Mangaka: The Complete Beginner's Guide to Learning to Draw Manga
Go from beginner to mangaka (“comic artist” in Japanese) with this comprehensive yet fun and accessible guide to drawing manga .
In Draw Like a Mangaka , the creative force behind the wildly popular Draw like a Sir YouTube channel, Marcel Kühn, compiles the secrets he has honed over a decade of manga drawing, demystifying manga illustration for artists of all skill levels . Learn about the essential tools and materials, foundational drawing techniques , and the secrets of crafting expressive faces, well-proportioned bodies, and intricate hairstyles.
With every page, “Sir,” the author’s manga avatar, injects humor and warmth into the learning process, offering insightful tips and encouragement that resonate with both beginners and seasoned artists. Whether you’re sketching with pencil and paper or exploring digital drawing platforms, the guide provides step-by-step instructions that cater to various preferences. The book’s approachable and engaging narrative transforms these complex concepts into achievable milestones.
In this fun, easy-to-follow guide, you’ll
From essential tools to dynamic poses, this book equips you with the skills you need to bring your characters to life . Draw Like a Mangaka is the perfect resource for anyone who loves manga and aspires to draw like a manga artist.
In Draw Like a Mangaka , the creative force behind the wildly popular Draw like a Sir YouTube channel, Marcel Kühn, compiles the secrets he has honed over a decade of manga drawing, demystifying manga illustration for artists of all skill levels . Learn about the essential tools and materials, foundational drawing techniques , and the secrets of crafting expressive faces, well-proportioned bodies, and intricate hairstyles.
With every page, “Sir,” the author’s manga avatar, injects humor and warmth into the learning process, offering insightful tips and encouragement that resonate with both beginners and seasoned artists. Whether you’re sketching with pencil and paper or exploring digital drawing platforms, the guide provides step-by-step instructions that cater to various preferences. The book’s approachable and engaging narrative transforms these complex concepts into achievable milestones.
In this fun, easy-to-follow guide, you’ll
From essential tools to dynamic poses, this book equips you with the skills you need to bring your characters to life . Draw Like a Mangaka is the perfect resource for anyone who loves manga and aspires to draw like a manga artist.
- GenresArtNonfictionManga
144 pages, Paperback
Published May 28, 2024
42 people are currently reading
2521 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 23, 2025
The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Learning to Draw Men
Disclaimer: I’m not a total beginner, but someone trying to improve consistency and perspective and anatomy in my art.
The tips in here aren’t bad per se. The steps are easy enough to follow, and there are lots of illustrations to show what the author is saying. Much of it is pretty much what you’d find in any “learn to draw” guide—in other words, it’s not terribly manga-specific apart from certain features like eyes.
My biggest quibble with this book is that, as I was going through I began to realize that nearly every single illustration, guide, example, etc. was a dude. There are a couple of pages about female anatomy (how to draw realistic breasts and how to draw a thigh gap), but that’s just a couple of pages out of the whole book. There’s also a page saying “Male and female anatomy isn’t all that different!” which shows how noses or eyes might differ, and then the author proceeds to continue to show how to draw manly, manly men. Over and over and over again.
So if you’re looking to draw women, you’ll kind of just have to figure it out on your own, because this guy isn’t going to help you out much. You’ll literally start out drawing a lot of sharp jawlines and brow ridges over and over, and then have to look at the “how female faces are slightly different” example and figure out the proportions and measurements and shapes on your own. The examples of drawing younger or older or heavier characters are all men too, so … have fun figuring that out as well.
But, you know, if you truly are looking for a guide to learn how to draw men, this book would be great for you. I just definitely wasn’t looking for that and this book therefore is limited in its usefulness for my artistic endeavors.
Disclaimer: I’m not a total beginner, but someone trying to improve consistency and perspective and anatomy in my art.
The tips in here aren’t bad per se. The steps are easy enough to follow, and there are lots of illustrations to show what the author is saying. Much of it is pretty much what you’d find in any “learn to draw” guide—in other words, it’s not terribly manga-specific apart from certain features like eyes.
My biggest quibble with this book is that, as I was going through I began to realize that nearly every single illustration, guide, example, etc. was a dude. There are a couple of pages about female anatomy (how to draw realistic breasts and how to draw a thigh gap), but that’s just a couple of pages out of the whole book. There’s also a page saying “Male and female anatomy isn’t all that different!” which shows how noses or eyes might differ, and then the author proceeds to continue to show how to draw manly, manly men. Over and over and over again.
So if you’re looking to draw women, you’ll kind of just have to figure it out on your own, because this guy isn’t going to help you out much. You’ll literally start out drawing a lot of sharp jawlines and brow ridges over and over, and then have to look at the “how female faces are slightly different” example and figure out the proportions and measurements and shapes on your own. The examples of drawing younger or older or heavier characters are all men too, so … have fun figuring that out as well.
But, you know, if you truly are looking for a guide to learn how to draw men, this book would be great for you. I just definitely wasn’t looking for that and this book therefore is limited in its usefulness for my artistic endeavors.
December 18, 2024
Great Resource
It’s very helpful for learning how to draw and I like that his personality and humor is included. I can automatically hear his voice and tone (due to watching him on his “Draw Like a Sir” channel on YouTube) with every word I read, because it’s written in the natural way that he speaks. Very enjoyable and useful book.
It’s very helpful for learning how to draw and I like that his personality and humor is included. I can automatically hear his voice and tone (due to watching him on his “Draw Like a Sir” channel on YouTube) with every word I read, because it’s written in the natural way that he speaks. Very enjoyable and useful book.
June 19, 2025
So Easy To Understand and Follow!
This book has some of the easiest guides and explanations for drawing figures I’ve come across on my journey to bettering my drawing skills. It keeps things as simple as they can be without losing any value of information. Love it!
This book has some of the easiest guides and explanations for drawing figures I’ve come across on my journey to bettering my drawing skills. It keeps things as simple as they can be without losing any value of information. Love it!
June 5, 2024
Still working on it, but perfect for beginners. I would love to draw my own characters.
November 5, 2024
Handy step-by-step guide to drawing people manga-style. Accessible and encouraging manual for people of all ages.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews