Basic Anatomy for the Manga Artist Everything You Need to Start Drawing Authentic Manga Characters

2011·12.67 MB·English

by  Christopher Hart

Contributing artists: Yuu Sanau, Makiko Kanada, Rhea, Morgan Long, Roberta Pares
Copyright © 2011 by Art Studio, LLC
All rights reserved. Published in the United States by WatsonGuptill Publications an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group
a division of Random House, Inc., New York
www.crownpublishing.com
www.watsonguptill.com
WATSONGUPTILL is a registered trademark and the WG and Horse designs are trademarks of Random House, Inc.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Hart, Christopher, 1957-
Basic anatomy for the manga artist : everything you need to start drawing authentic manga characters / Christopher Hart.
-- 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes index.
eISBN: 978-0-82308227-8
1. Comic books, strips, etc.—Japan—Technique. 2. Cartoon characters—Japan. 3. Figure drawing—Technique. I. Title.
II. Title: Everything you need to start drawing authentic manga characters.
NC1764.5.J3H36915 2011
741.5′1—dc22
2010038623
v3.1
For Candace Raney, my longtime editor.
I hope this makes up for all the times
I’ve interrupted your morning muffin
and latte with my phone calls.
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
INTRODUCTION
1 BASIC HEAD ELEMENTS
The Skull
Manga Eyes in Four Easy Steps
The Manga Nose
The Mouth and Teeth
Ears
Creating Specific Characters
2 THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE BODY
Understanding the Skeleton
Simplifying the Skeleton
Height Proportions
Muscles from All Views
3 TOPOGRAPHIC ANATOMY
Neck
Chest
Abdominals
Shoulder
Upper Arm
Forearm
Back
Upper Leg
Lower Leg
Hidden Muscles, Pleasing Line Flow
General Muscle Direction and Shape
4 BODY SYMMETRY & ASYMMETRY
The Ins and Outs of the Muscles
Arms
Hands
Legs
Feet
Feet from All Angles
5 HOW MOVEMENT, LIGHT & PERSPECTIVE AFFECT THE BODY
Standing
Sitting
Light and Shadow
Perspective and the Figure
Running in Perspective
Sitting in Perspective
6 PUTTING IT ALL INTO PRACTICE
Romantic Dress
Stylish Suit
Kimono Jumpsuit
Mod ’60s Coat
Pretty Maid
Fantasy Villain
Winged Fantasy Fighter
Fantasy Knight
Samurai
Muscles through Clothing
INDEX

INTRODUCTION
The ability to represent the human head and figure is essential for those
who want to draw manga. And yet it’s often the main sticking point for
most aspiring artists. Finally, there’s one source you can turn to for the
answers you’ve been seeking. In this book, you’ll learn about manga
proportions, posture, poses, and shortcuts used by the pros to check that
their drawings are on track. You’ll also see how to draw the clothed
figure.
Why an anatomy book designed specifically for manga? Why not just
get any old book on anatomy? Because manga is a distinct style, with
important unique characteristics. Basic Anatomy for the Manga Artist
contains instructions specifically designed for drawing idealized heads
and bodies in the authentic Japanese style of manga. In addition, this
book tells you exactly which muscles to emphasize when drawing the
human body. Most books don’t, and as a result, you can’t tell which
muscles to define and which to omit.
There’s a complete section on the muscles that provides all the
technical information you could want, but there’s also an extensive
material on how to simplify the body to make drawing easy. This isn’t just
a technical book; it’s also very practical. And unlike so many books on
anatomy, this one features many step-by-step sequences that will allow
you to practice your newfound knowledge of anatomy on original,
appealing manga characters.
So if you want to improve your manga and don’t know where to begin,
this is a great place to start. If you’re a beginner, this book can help you
build a solid foundation. If you’re already experienced in drawing, this
book can raise your game to the next level. It’s a must-have reference
that will serve you throughout your adventures as a manga artist.