How to Draw Manga

In this simple tutorial, you’ll learn how to draw manga. By following these simple instructions, you’ll be able to create a great drawing and understand the basics of this style!

As you know, manga is the name for Japanese comics that have gained worldwide popularity. Manga characters share basic traits.

We’ll use an anime male as an example and focus on the basic construction techniques commonly used in manga drawing.

How to Draw Manga Step by Step

Step 1: Sketch the basics of the body in manga style.

Draw a vertical line to indicate the spine and overall pose. Add separate oval shapes for the head, rib cage, and pelvis, placing them along the central guideline.

Step 2: Mark the manga figure’s limbs

Use thin lines to indicate the positions of the arms and legs. Mark the shoulders, elbows, hands, knees, and feet with simple shapes to form the complete figure framework.

Step 3: Build the shape of the upper body

Add two facial guidelines across the head. Use smooth lines to form the neck, sloping shoulders, sides of the chest, waist, and hips around the original construction shapes.

Step 4: Add volume to the manga arms

Mark the shoulder joints with circles, then outline both upper arms and forearms with flowing lines. Make the forms narrow and leave the hand shapes simple at this stage.

Step 5: Construct the simplified manga legs

Use cylindrical forms to draw the legs around the initial guidelines. Indicate the knees with rounded shapes, then block in the ankles and simple feet.

Step 6: Draw the manga facial features

Use the guidelines to draw the face. Outline the large eyes and eyebrows, then add a small nose and mouth with short, clean strokes.

Step 7: Draw the spiky manga hairstyle

Use short angular strokes to draw the hair around the head. Vary the length and direction of the pointed locks to create an anime hairstyle.

Step 8: Refine the face and neck outlines

Outline the narrow lower face and form a pointed chin beneath the hair. Draw two short lines for the neck, then remove the unused parts of the original head oval.

Step 9: Draw the raised jacket collar

Use smooth and slightly curved lines to outline the jacket around the shoulders. Add the broad raised collar on both sides of the neck.

Step 10: Outline and detail the jacket

Draw the sides and lower edge of the short jacket around the torso. Add a vertical center opening, small rectangular pockets, seams, and the lower waistband.

Step 11: Draw the jacket sleeves and cuffs

Outline the loose sleeves over the arm construction using curved lines. Add several folds near the elbows and wrists, then draw broad cuffs around the lower ends.

Step 12: Outline the manga man’s hands

Below the cuffs, draw the hands with long outer contours and simple thumb shapes. Show one hand fully while leaving the other partly hidden behind the torso.

Step 13: Draw the character’s pants

Use long lines to outline the pants from the hips to the lower legs. Add the waistband, center seam, fabric folds, and uneven cuffs above the boots.

Step 14: Add the character’s tall boots

Below the pant cuffs, draw the boots with narrow shafts and rounded feet. Add the top edges, soles, and a few short lines to define their form.

Step 15: Refine the manga line drawing

Erase the remaining construction lines from the head, torso, arms, and legs. Correct uneven contours, then darken the final outlines of the character, clothing, and boots.

Step 16: Color your manga drawing

Color the skin with a natural tone and fill the hair with a dark shade. Use blue for the jacket, dark gray for the pants, and deeper tones for the cuffs and boots.

This manga drawing tutorial is complete, and now we’ll be waiting for your comments. You can use the same construction method to draw another manga character in a different outfit.

Also, the same method can be used to draw another manga character or even an animal with a different pose, hairstyle, or outfit.