Is learning manga art worth it? maybe I should do something different?

So I have sitting behind me manga how to draw books. Certainly have the books for learning how to draw manga. But is it really worth doing it? I want to be able to make 3d models of humanoids, including people. A cartoon proportional model is what I am looking at. Should I learn manga? Or maybe I should just stick with my own invention.

 

Eh, maybe? I tend to find most of the "how to draw manga" type books pretty crappy (at least the ones in English). They tend to be closer to a style guide than any good way to learn how to draw or anatomy.

 

What do you mean “is it worth it?” If you want to it is, if don’t, it isn’t. It’s pretty much that simple.

 

Based on the context of his recent threads I believe he means "Will I be able to make money off of it?".

 

Sure I want it, but is this something that is needed by game developers. It will be of no use to me unless I can do something with it. Do game developers want manga models? if they do, is there enough in the market to make it worth learning?

 

I think it is worth it, but you'll still have to study anatomy anyway.

The bonus of manga artwork is that body anatomy can be quite realistic and detailed.

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^^^ This is also a manga artwork

The problematic thing is that it started from doodling, meaning some things are flat, and do not translate into 3d. This usually applies to faces.

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^^^ Try to translate such face in 3d in such way so it looks EXACTLY like this at this angle, and you'll be in a world of pain.

I actually like when author use "realistic" or semi-realistic style.

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(Berserk)

 

Anime style is quite popular, however, making proper anime model is major pain and is not easy.

I gave it a stab before, it is not easy to pull off.

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If you manage to create artwork on the level of "Tales of..." games, I'm sure you'll have clients.

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(Tales of Berseria)

 

I can tell it's Ranma at least. For what it's worth, more than a few people have sold models that's have the same structure as that.

I may have developed a bizarre fascination with the weird cultural breakdowns of the style, because it's not just western vs Japanese. There's a divide between the anime and manga side from the game side, and they tend to do things rather differently.

 

Stop beating about the bush. Follow this link, go straight down to item #1 at the end of the article, read it, and then come back and tell us whether or not you really want to learn to draw manga.

Then open this spoiler tag.

Spoiler

If the answer is "no, it turns out I don't really want to do that" then that's totally cool and I'm really glad that you realised that now and were honest with yourself, rather than fooling yourself wasting time for years like most people do.

If the answer is "no" then chances are that there's something you want to do, and it just doesn't happen to be drawing manga. So figure out what it is and do it.

 

Hire somebody good. They are usually not as expensive as you would imagine, especially if you are giving them bulk work. It depends on how much you are using in a project. You are not going to outdraw someone who has done it for 15 or 20 years. It doesn't hurt to start, though. If you want to do it, start trying.

 

I wouldn't bet on it. In studying how to do something there's a matter of diminshing returns, so it'll be possible to at least catch up or get close. It'll require a lot of hours of practice, though.

 

I guess everything is worth it when you have the passion for what you do. The challenge is there, but if you really want to invest in Manga artwork then you go ahead.

 

You would have to be highly invested, and probably wouldn't even ask the question "if you should do it". People who draw manga love drawing manga. I completely support learning it though.

 

Drawing manga might not be the thing with me. The eye size and nose annoys me. So does the mouth. I want something with more accurate proportions. I looked at western style art and tried to find a book that teaches this method. The only thing I could find was some old 70's methods from marvel and DC comics. I want something modern, but cannot find any information on it. I do not want to draw deformed characters.

I am missing the terminology on this, if I knew what it was called, I could find the information I am looking for.

 

It is not worth specialising in Manga, Chibi, Anime until you have a strong grounding in life drawing. It is easy to adapt to a style but hard to gain the core skills if you start with a style. What you want right now, are fundamental skills. Perspective. Proportion. Judgement. Practice. Practice makes perfect.

The reason I know you lack the basic skills is because you're asking this question. For art, a huge, huge part of it is practise. You want to draw for a couple of hours each day, as part of a habit or routine. Grab a decent book for beginners. Draw something that takes your fancy every day.

Don't need to (and probably shouldn't) spend a lot of time on per day (unless you love it, then by all means do so) but you should do it daily.

 

In general you know right away if it’s worth it.

Like...you learned the smallest thing ever, and that gets you super exited, because now from that point forward you know that new thing that will improve what you do, that knowledge is yours and it’s a new part of you. That’s all you need to know.

There’s probably no realization further along the way. You gotta enjoy it now, today.

What you could do, however, try to make yourself enjoy the little accomplishments more... instead of wondering if it will pay you back somehow in 10 years.

 

I might learn some manga, but only to learn how it's done. Then I will alter the manga so it will fit my taste. It will no longer be manga. But not right now, right now I need some life drawings. After doing some life drawings I will look at manga again. I only want the manga so I can make desirable 3D models. So unless I can render the manga form in 2D, I might have to look at something different.

 

I started drawing realistic human bodies, back when I was in school.
And then I got interested in manga, when I saw the original pokemon
cartoon series. And some 80's cartoon, with a girl, who uses a magic mirror
to turn into a super powered alpha Chun Li girl.

It was fun trying to emulate the Japanese art style.
And it helped me later on, especially, when it comes to girls hairstyles.

Later on, I got some How to draw manga books.
Most of the time I draw in my own style. Which is near realistic.
And I love drawing cartoony creatures.
But sometimes, I draw realistic human faces, and human characters too.

Tip: Learn manga if you want to learn/like manga.
Someone posted something similar above.

And if you want, learn how to draw realistic humans, in your spare time too.
Learning realistic human proportions, does come in handy, when you least
expect it.

If you have your own art style, improve it and well go with it.
Whichever suits you best.

 

I decided that manga is something I am going to learn. The only 2d renderings I will be doing are for the concept to create my 3d models with. I have been studying the human figure by doing gesture drawings of people. So far I have learned more about the face of people, then I have known. I will certainly be drawing more of them, as this has become fun to do. And then, I will step into one of my manga books.

 

Life drawing classes help even when not drawing humans.
Gesture drawing helps.

From my sketch book, many years ago.

 

I think that it is worth learning manga art because it is actual and there are a lot of fans that will be delighted by what you do. I personally am also a fan of manga and I can say that I am actually addicted to it.

 

Please don't revive years old threads.