The manga's style is relatively minimal compared to other types of comics, but its apparent simplicity is deceiving. Each line of manga is the result of careful selection, because the mangaka mindset is based on never using 10 strokes where one correctly chosen line is enough.
This principle of focusing on the essentials permeates all stages of manga creation. Each panel is an exercise of your choice: size, scale, angle, speech bubble position, and background type. Each page as a whole works to control the reader, in particular, his pace.
Here are 15 tips to help you create an authentic manga ...
01. Set the pace
The goal is to reduce the number of panels on the page
When creating manga, keep in mind that it is more dynamic and less intense than other types of comics. It has more pages with fewer panels on each one. The different types of manga vary; Seinen manga aimed at older boys will be denser than the shoujo manga usually read by young girls. But as a guideline, try to use no more than three speech bubbles per panel, an average of five panels per page and about four pages per scene.
02. Decide on the direction of reading
Traditionally, manga is read from the upper right corner to the lower left, but ...
Manga originates from Japan, and the Japanese usually read from top to bottom and from right to left. Therefore, in any published Japanese manga, you will start reading at the top right corner and end at the bottom left. When translating, the direction of reading often remains the same as in the original. But if you create in Russian from the very beginning, it is not necessary to follow the tradition: it all depends on you! Decide on a reading direction and stick to it.
03. Group your panels
Use grooves to bond between individual panels
Typically, manga consists of panels of different sizes and shapes that vary from page to page. It doesn't have arrows or numbering to help guide the reader, so you'll have to group the panels to make sure the previous group is read before moving on to the next. Separate one group from the other by increasing the space between the panels (groove). Then make sure that the narrow grooves within one group do not overlap with the grooves in the other.
04. Explore Abstract Markup
Characters are not always limited to their panels
The manga does not adhere to the traditional lines with square frames. It often uses dynamic layouts of panels stretched to the height or width of the entire page, as well as panels with diagonal and complex shapes. Sometimes there are no frames at all: blurry patterns are used as outlines, or the character breaks out of his panel. Panels can even disappear and appear as the story progresses.
The hardest part is keeping the reading order of the panels clear for readers, regardless of their arrangement. Read more manga to find samples to play with.
05. Show different angles
Apply different scales and angles of view
Manga is known for its cinematic quality. Each panel is like an action movie, in which the close-up is replaced by a two-shot of the conversation, then the camera captures the characters from a bird's eye view, widens the angle of view, and then crashes into the floor like a stiletto heel. However, try to demonstrate different angles and frame scaling in your story.
06. Add speakers
Blurred limbs and background strokes are common in manga to create a sense of speed.
Manga is a dynamic form of storytelling; when characters are engaged in full-scale combat, they really look like they are moving, almost flying off the page. Unlike superhero comics, in which the characters and impact locations are fully delineated, manga prefers moving background lines blurred by the speed of the limb and emphasizing the impact location with lines emanating from it. This is mainly done with hatching, but it can also be done with texture.
07. Match the background to your mood
Background flowers hint at an incipient romance
One of the key differences between manga and other types of comics is the use of abstract backgrounds that match the atmosphere and emotions of the characters. Once you've shown the physical setting in the pinning frame, you can use whatever background you want: lace and flowers to mark the beginning of the romance; flames if someone is full of burning rage; black shadows and swirling knots to convey inner shock; or biscuits and cakes if the character is incredibly nice! This technique is especially popular in shoujo and josei manga aimed at girls and women.
08. Don't use bubble tails
The speech bubble is usually positioned to indicate the speaker
The Japanese traditionally read from top to bottom and then from right to left. Therefore, speech bubbles in manga are much higher than in Western comics. They are more spacious, there is more free space around the inscription. Another key feature is that the tails that indicate the speaking character are either very small or nonexistent. Instead, the bubbles are placed next to the speaker's head - use angles wisely! Japanese dialogue also tends to clarify who is speaking using specific verb endings and slang.
09. Create your own speech bubbles
Don't limit yourself to bubbles
The speech bubbles in manga are much more organic than in other types of comics. They are almost always hand-drawn and have a slightly irregular shape. Several bubbles are connected with each other not by a thin line, but by uniting together. When one character interrupts another, his line is literally superimposed on top of the interlocutor's words. The scream in the manga is depicted as a mass of sharp, outward strokes, and thought bubbles are not drawn in the form of a cloud; most often they are surrounded by haze, painted or textured.
10. Add texture
Just overlay the texture over the lines of the drawing, and then cut off any excess.
The manga uses textures in black and white. Start by preparing your line - it should be pure black and white with no grayscale, so set your scanner resolution to at least 600 dpi. Then set the threshold for converting each pixel to black or white. The same goes for your texture: each pixel must be black or white / transparent.
Paste the texture on a layer above the line, so that it covers all the lines of the picture. If the selected texture is opaque, for example on a white background, then set the layer to multiply so that you can see the lines below it.
Finally, remove the extra areas of the texture. There are tons of ways to do this: you can select the Lasso / Magic Wand tool and cut out, you can use the Eraser in pencil mode, or you can use a layer mask with a hard brush to avoid introducing grays.
11. Explore Texture Effects
Textures aren't just for shading
Textures can be used for more than just shading. Add a highlight with a white pencil over the lines and textures. Try soft, blurry lighting using the Eraser set. Blend the texture only on top of the line to give the picture a blurry feel.You can increase the contrast of the shadows by overlaying different textures on top of each other, but be careful: if you use textures of different densities or align them incorrectly, moire may occur.
12. Use Japanese sound effects
Onomatopoeia in Japanese is different (and often more realistic)
Japanese sound effects are incredibly varied and use all sorts of vowel and consonant combinations to describe collisions, rumblings, and rattles. Their writing is often more realistic than in Russian. 'GA-O-!' (Stand on end) or 'pa-tan!' (cotton). What is unique to Japanese onomatopoeia is sound effects for abstract concepts ("shiiin" for a look or silence), for facial expressions ("niko" for a smile) or temperature ("poka poka" for warmth). They are an integral part of the artist's work, therefore they are drawn by hand and in the appropriate style.
13. Add visual grammar
Sparks and beads of sweat in the background indicate the mood of the character.
To improve the viewer's understanding of how the characters are feeling, comics often use symbols, such as punctuation marks. Hearts are used to demonstrate romantic intentions, and a burning light bulb is used when one of the characters has an idea.
The manga has several unique tricks: a bead of sweat for nervousness or embarrassment, a grille on the forehead when someone is angry (mimics raised veins), and small ghostly lights around someone who feels depressed.
14. Try chibiks
Chibiki - cute mini-versions of the character
Chibi is a cute, soft petite version of the character, about three to four times the height of your head, with a large head and a chubby body. The shoulders are rounded, the hips are widened, and the arms and legs are shorter.
Despite the childish proportions, remember that you are not actually drawing a child! An adult chibik should still look like an adult, just stylized. Manga characters are often portrayed in chibi style for comic effect when the story takes a light-hearted turn. Examples can be seen in the illustrations for this article.
15. Emphasize emotions with anthropomorphism
Feline traits indicate this character's deviousness.
Another popular technique used in the manga is kemonomimi, which literally translates to "animal ears". For example, if your character is as cunning, mischievous, and cunning as a cat, you can give him feline features such as ears and a tail. You can even go further and paint it with slit pupils like a cat, or use a feline mouth shape. Why not draw a frustrated boy as a sad puppy? An angry dragon mother? Similar to chibi, kemnomimi can be used to add effect to certain scenes, but it is also popular as a character design technique for fantasy stories.
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