Observe Details to Improve your Manga Drawings by Watching Videos

By Rick Feathers

Do you have a favorite anime show you taped or a DVD that you watch over and over? You know the one I am talking about, the one you keep rewinding to watch that cool battle scene or that special tender moment which warms your heart. Of course, everybody does. But do you take time to look at the details?

This tip will give you the chance to watch your favorite anime show and see your Manga character in action with a new perspective and inspiration to draw more.

First the preparation, get your favorite anime DVD or video from the internet. Next you will want to have your sketch pad or notebook handy for drawing and taking notes.

Now let us get started. Usually when watching a show we are drawn to all the new stuff and our mind is focused on the story line as we see the beautiful animation pictures. It’s not until we watch it a second or third time that we notice things we did not see before.

And that is what I want you to focus on, the details of the anime artist’s work.

Start by watching the video and when you get to a scene you like, pause it. Then take time to look at the details even closer. Each frame in a video is drawn individual or graphics with slight changes and each pause of the remote or click of the mouse reveals tons of new details and color schemes.

Use the function on your remote controls to slow the video down to better capture the moment of a specific scene or pose you are looking for. Then begin to sketch out details of a hand, costume or weapon you like or write down an idea you have been looking for. It might be a facial expression or pose that is unique to a new manga drawing you are creating.

Now the down side to this is that you will have to draw quickly but if you have a way of capturing the still image all the better. Another draw back is if you lose the frame by accident. Work on getting proficient with your pause techniques before working on something and set time aside for long term use of TV or computer to do this exercise.

So have fun with this new tip.