Shojo Fashion Manga Art School

June 1, 2010
Gr 6 Up-Flores explains how to create characters with a manga flair. Through black-and-white and color artwork, she provides the basics of figure drawing, specifically teenaged characters. Step-by-step instruction includes heads, facial features, and bodies. Posing and settings are briefly covered. The illustrations incorporate blue pencils for the initial sketches, then finishing with detailed pencils and inks. The premise is that an understanding of human anatomy is key to good character design, and essential for drawing attire. Half of the book is devoted to drawing garments, starting with folds, then pieces of clothing. The underlying body, sketched in blue or red, shows how it affects the shape of what the person is wearing. Characters sport trendy, but not otherworldly, outfits. Absent are the magical girls and costumed ninjas. The author's approach is that with a few variations on the standard figure, you can make your character design "mangalike." Chris Hart's"Manga Mania Romance: Drawing Shojo Girls and Bishie Boys" (Sixth & Spring, 2008) and Colleen Doran's "Girl to Grrrl Manga: How to Draw the Hottest Shoujo Manga" (Impact, 2007) provide wider and deeper coverage of art techniques, special effects, and other conventions distinctive to Japanese manga."June Shimonishi, Torrance Public Library, CA"

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