How to Make Manga with NO Drawing Skills | Start Drawing Manga!

Introduction

Have you always wanted to create your own manga but feel that your drawing skills aren't good enough? Are you filled with amazing stories, characters, and adventures trapped in your head simply because you can't draw them on paper? Many beginner mangakas face this struggle, but today we're going to talk about how you can start your own manga, even if your art skills aren’t quite there yet.

Stop Holding Yourself Back

It's easy to get discouraged when you see professional manga art. You might tell yourself, "I'll start making my manga once I'm better at drawing." This mindset is a trap. The truth is, you'll likely always feel like your art is not quite good enough. Instead of waiting for the right moment, focus on progress. Rather than overthinking your skills, use that time to practice and draw. The sooner you start creating, the sooner you'll see improvement.

Japanese mangaka Na Yazawa shared that during her early years, she didn't know what she was doing, but she kept drawing and eventually saw growth as a mangaka. By participating in amateur manga competitions, she moved closer to having her work adapted into an anime! Her advice? Just keep drawing.

Let's Get Started!

Now that you're motivated to start drawing, the question is: where do you begin?

Skip the Technical Stuff at First

As a beginner, you don’t need to focus on anatomy, perspective, or angles right away. Such technical skills can be dull and overwhelming. You might find yourself demotivated and burned out quickly. To keep your passion alive, start by drawing what you enjoy.

Take PewDiePie, for example; he decided to learn how to draw and experienced rapid improvement by copying art from his favorite animes like Chainsaw Man and Blame!. Master studies, where you replicate art from creators you admire, can provide you with a fun and effective way to improve.

Learn from Your Favorites

Choose an art style you love and replicate the work of that artist. This doesn't mean tracing but using their art as a reference. Keep practicing until you can draw from memory and eventually create your original artworks inspired by that style.

Compare and analyze your works versus the original to see where you can improve. Some of our students, like Tyler, drew inspiration from multiple sources to develop a unique art style. By exposing yourself to different mangas and genres, you'll expand your horizon, which can lead to a better understanding of what you want to create.

Inspiration is Everywhere

Consume a wide range of manga, and pay attention to what captures your eye. Take notes on memorable panels and scenes, as they can inform how you want to structure your own stories. Like Ken Wakui, the creator of Tokyo Revengers, who was inspired by other time travel stories, use the stories you read as a springboard for your ideas.

Even legendary mangaka like Kentaro Miura, who authored Berserk, found inspiration in "Fist of the North Star." What this shows is the importance of research and inspiration in developing your art and storytelling techniques.

Enjoy the Process

At the end of the day, remember to enjoy what you’re doing. Though your art may not be where you want it right now, improvement will come with time and practice. It can be incredibly fulfilling to see your stories come alive on paper.

Collaborate if Needed

If drawing isn't something you enjoy or excel at, consider partnering with an illustrator. Akasaka, the writer behind Kaguya-sama: Love is War, transitioned from illustrating to writing after realizing his strengths lay in storytelling. Finding the right illustrator may take time, and it’s essential to work with someone who shares your vision.

If you're inclined to create a manga independently, you might want to check out programs that help aspiring creators learn the ropes, including storyboarding, character creation, and drawing techniques.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you draw your manga or collaborate with an artist, the key is to start now. With consistent practice, research, and passion, you'll be one step closer to bringing your stories to life.

---

Keywords

• Manga
• Drawing skills
• Begin creating
• Master studies
• Inspiration
• Art style
• Collaboration
• Improvement

FAQ

Q: Do I need to be good at drawing to make manga?
A: No! You can start creating manga even if your drawing skills are still developing. Practice and focus on your storytelling first.

Q: How can I improve my drawing skills?
A: One effective method is to copy the art styles of your favorite manga artists as part of mastering their techniques until you develop your unique art style.

Q: Can I collaborate with someone else to create my manga?
A: Absolutely! If you prefer not to draw, you can partner with an illustrator who shares your vision to bring your story to life.

Q: What should I do if I lose motivation?
A: Revisit what you love about drawing or storytelling. Experiment with different styles or topics that excite you to rekindle your passion.

Q: Is studying different manga genres important?
A: Yes! Exposing yourself to various genres can broaden your scope and will help you discover what themes and styles resonate with you.