Good art book for upcoming artist?

Well I have done so much reading on different books and styles in the Manga style itself... Really liking what I have been able to come up with so far, BUT, I was hoping maybe someone could point me in the direction of a simpler art form book that requires less detail.

Something about the Manga style is very complex for me, and I want to do simpler cleaner art. So I need to find a new book to read... Anyone know of a book and style?

~Apple~

It won't help with "simpler and cleaner art", but it will help you with figure drawing if you got a good anatomy book.

Could you post an example of what you mean, Manga and Anime both have large spectrums... also not to mention Korean Manhwa, which I think is a superior more evolved style...

Well and then there's the amerimanga popularized by Joe Mad and J. Scott Campbell, which blends aspects of manga and traditional comicbook art styles.

My teachers are always saying to get a foundation in real life drawing, then you'll not have such a hard time "getting it right" while drawing the human form in different styles.

Triumph: White Succubus: 50 Ill/Emp/PF Snow Globe: 50 Ice/FF/Ice Strobe: 50 PB Shi Otomi: 50 Ninja/Ninjistu/GW Stalker My other characters

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Well and then there's the amerimanga popularized by Joe Mad and J. Scott Campbell, which blends aspects of manga and traditional comicbook art styles.

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I think Campbell has a lot more of a Disney influence than manga.

Could you specify the "too detailed" look you're trying to avoid and the simpler look you'd like to emulate?

K, will find some examples on the web... my scanner is down *cries*

~Apple~

Example of too detailed: Here


~Apple~

Sounds like you're looking for something more along the "Timm" style (Bruce Timm). Which I have to agree with another that's mentioned it already. Take a study into Anatomy or pick up a few "atlas of anatomy" style books at a local store if possible [Borders/Barnes&Noble I do know of depending if one is in your area, they often a variant of those books on sale/clearance for $5-$10) and get a general feel for where everything belongs. From there you can hash out the general shapes and connect the dots to a "simple" look.

A friend took me to Barnes&Noble last night and showed me a bunch of Manga Books... Over and over again the author that had almost all of the books were Christophe Hart... Anyone know if following his instructions on drawing is a good idea?

~Apple~

He's hit and miss in my opinion... while occasionally his books cover up to date topics, they're full of information you can get anywhere, but compiled for convenience. That being the case, any book on Manga will cover what he's done... BUT not on everything he's done. His basic anatomy book is fine, it's very basic, but for superhero anatomy his Cutting Edge Anatomy is a must have in my opinion.

I was very disappointed in his Manwha book, but since there is not much like it out there, I bought it to have. Do yourself a favor and buy 3 books... a basic anatomy, a comic book anatomy, and a manga anatomy. They are all different things, and only the first one will help you understand the other two... but without the other two, you won't be able to convert your knowledge into something simplified and practical.

And again recommending a book to you, would require me to see first what you are capable of, to judge your level of skill.

After I finish with this little piece of art I am working on I can try to fix my scanner. It will be alittle while though.

~Apple~

I would *strongly* urge you to get a true 'how to draw anatomy' book before you go the route of Manga and Comic style books.

I know... your eyes are already glazing over... but stick with me here.

I started some of my earliest explorations into drawing people by copying an old show called 'Star Blazers' (Star Cruiser Yamato). I could faithfully draw most of the characters and used that stayle as the basis for many of my early drawings. But then, I was asked to draw something that wasn't from the show... and I froze up. I didn't know how. I didn't understand how muscles work, how shadows fell, or how clothing wrinkled.

Once I got to college and my eyes were truely opened to art, I became humbled by how GOOD the other students were, and how many BAD habits I had developed. In my pride, I told myself I was a good artist because I could draw fast, dynamic images... but in my heart I knew they were just smoke and mirrors.

I had to UN-learn everything and start over. To this day, I still have some bad habits from my Manga days and tend to draw people with oversized eyes and triangles for noses... and I jealously admire the works of Scott Campbell and Adam Hughes, who's works are both unique and expressive, while maintaining a GREAT grounding in true anatomy.

Please... for your own future... don't start drawing by copying Manga. Once you can draw a true human form, you'll be able to mutate it into any style you want. But get the basics down first.

If you start by copying Manga, you will be setting yourself back a decade. I know - I did the same thing.

Yeah you don't want to turn out like Doug, he's a complete artistic failure!

Maybe I should have noted I am not into making my art a profession... I just really enjoy drawing and want to do some fan art that looks better than what I do now... *atm it looks like crap in my eyes.*

I do alot of animalistic Eyes and such, and when I draw it kinda looks like the DBZ art... But I didn't even watch that show... which scares me... hah!

~Apple~

Good fan art starts with a healthy imagination... you probably don't want to do the kind of art that is just a cookie cutter of what you see out there. That kind of art has not passion, and looks static. Doug's advice is very good on several terms, one of the most fitting that healthy drawing habits will help to stimulate your creativity. More so than just copying someone else's style, my suggestion in the post prior to his was basically to build a library of reference... but learning to draw from observation, taking classes, and learning fundamentally basic anatomy cannot be beaten... whether you are just learning to draw, or wish to dabble, or turn semi-pro someday...

Good luck to ya.

LJ

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Maybe I should have noted I am not into making my art a profession...

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That's cool. Whether professional or hobbiest, I'd still recommend drawing from life and not copying any set style.

But it's your choice. Above all, have fun and good luck =)

Style isn't something that you learn. It's something that's developed over time after learning the basics. Worry first about form and function, style will come on its own.

OP, I recomend the basics so long as you don't fall victim to the realistic "Only" approach I have seen people fall into.



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Could you post an example of what you mean, Manga and Anime both have large spectrums... also not to mention Korean Manhwa, which I think is a superior more evolved style...

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I agree Anime and Manga do have large spectrums of art styles. However, how exactly are artist like Hyung-taekim "superior" or "evolved"? If I misinterpeted your meaning I apologize, but if not then I am curious.