Manga – the mega guide || Samantha Gorel

I know nothing of Manga, but I do know a well laid- and thought-out book when I see one and this is first class.

It’s the usual big-eyed kids, which are a bit cutesy for me, but the book seems a lot more solidly grounded in the practical aspects of drawing than many. I often remark that this kind of book is usually handy if you want to draw figures – I think the authors are somehow less hung up on the artistic side of things and therefore simplify the practical aspects. Samantha is particularly sound on the basic shapes of bodies, hands, feet and so on. If it’s clothed figures you’re interested in, there’s plenty here too. I also like the fact that there’s a lot of discussion of the properties of materials – inks, markers, watercolours, acrylics and their practical uses.

As long as you can get past the very particular style, this is a really good primer on figure drawing.

Click the picture to view on Amazon