Hello everyone. Firstly i like to apologize if am writing this in the wrong section.

My question to people with experience with drawing what kind of tools do you have ?

I have been using copic sketch markers for a very long time now, am really a fan of copic.
i was wondering how you get this effect " http://www.mangafox.com/manga/mahoutsukai_to_deshi_no_futekisetsu_na_kankei/v03/c011/2.html ".
Because if there are any pens that have this effect if you could tell me that would
be great. Because to me it looks like this picture was done on computer not 100% though ^^.

Thanks in advance

That's just a green drawing pen from what i can gather. Artists i work with often draw a rough sketch in brightly coloured pens like that so they can see the guidelines behind the main picture.

Anyway you really need to start looking at computer programs and getting a graphics tablet since all the good artists in manga are doing that now since it's less time consuming and easier. But good programs are expensive the one i know of well is a program called Manga Studio. It's costly but worth the investment if you want to create good manga. Combine that with a decent graphics tablet and get good at using it.

Most people who want to draw manga are sometimes clueless as to what tools to buy. You can spend up to $100 just on basic essentioal in drawing manga characters. For greater quality artwork, more patience, time, and


better tools will be required.

PENCILS

Pencils will be the first thing you want to purchase. Sure #2 pencils will be find until you get the hang of how to start drawing, but you will eventually want some quality grade pencils by Prismacolor or some other brand that makes h, hb, b, f, and other grade pencils. If you have done drafting before, your mechanical pencils will be fine, too. Purchase some cheap ones and only fill them with certain types of lead. Mark in the outside of the pencils what type of lead you have in them so you don't forget. Pencils will be your best friend.

Don't forget to purchase non-copy blue lead pencils so that you can quickly sketch out what you want to draw. You can fill in the rest later without having to erase any of the line work. Be careful not to draw too hard with these because even though they say they won't copy they will if you press down too hard.

ERASERS

Unless you like pink erasers, stay away from them. These are notorius for smearing linework on paper and can leave a pink trail that you may not be able to remove. The best eraser for the said purpose is the white plastic erasers by Alvin or Staedler. These can sometimes erase ink as well. Try not to touch the eraser as it will soak the oil out of your skin and transfer it to the artwork.

The light tan 'gum' erasers are crumbly, and are not usually preferred by beginners since they don't see the benefit of them. These are what I call the final eraser as they can pick up debris as you sweep them off the artwork with your artist brush. The other eraser that is also a favorite among many artists is the kneaded eraser. This is that gummy dark gray eraser that you may not like at first, but it is such an essential.

Mostly used for enhancing linework and putting in highlights, the kneded eraser can be used over and over. This ultimate eraser will bring out your pencil worked Manga to its full potential. With much practice you will


learn how to shape it to fit your needs.

PAPER

There are so many types of papers as there are sizes. Your finished product to submit as a cartoon or single panel portfolio will look best on Bristol paper. This is a thick paper that is thicker than poster board, yet not as thick as matting. Most cartoonists use this, that is unless they do all their work on a computer. If you are trying to keep supply costs to a minimum, just buy a ream of cheap copy paper so you can get into your style of art. Once you do, learn how the same media will look on various types of paper.

The size of paper you work on is up to you. The most common sizes to work with are 9" x 12" and 11" x 14". For all practical purposes, purchase a pad of newsprint and learn not to be afraid to draw big. This will help you learn to draw with your arm moreso than with your hand. This is how those fluid curves and straight lines come to be.

DRAWING SURFACE

I use a table, clipboard, and artist's travel board depending on what I am working on. You need a flat surface that is smooth so you aren't messing up you linework with bumps underneath. You know what I am talking about. Remember trying to draw that straight line in grade school, and the pencil or crayon skipped at a certain point? Yeah! That was annoying wasn't it. This is why you need to make sure the surface your paper is on is flat and clean of debris.

ARTIST'S BRUSH

These can run about $10 at the most, but are worth the expense when it will remove eraser debris from your paper. It also helps in identifying a smudge when you are in doubt. You could just blow, but do you really want to take the possibilty of getting spit on your manga artwork?

PENCIL SHARPENERS

The dreaded pencil sharpener can be your best friend or worst enemy. A sharp blade will keep from loosing those leads as a dull one will whack away at the shell of the pencil causing the lead to break. Whether the case is plastic or metal, keep the blades changed on a regular basis. A duo sharpener will allow you to decide on how you want the tip of the pencil. You can also use a pocket knive or an artist's sandpaper pad. These options are up to you.

FIXATIVE

Fixative comes in a spray can you can purchase even at Wal-Mart. This only needs to be used on pencil work. If you are going to work in inks and markers, you won't need this at all.

PENS




The best pens to work with for Manga art are felt tip and calligraphy. With calligraphy pens, the linework is less predictable when you first start out. Should you choose to work with this pen, take much time to learn how to use it properly. Felt tip pens are more controllable. You can buy a set for less than $15 at most art stores. This would be a set of five.

You can also learn to draw Manga with just about any other type of pen. Take the time practicing on paper that you don't mind wasting so that your good paper doesn't go quickly. When collecting a variety of pens to work with, you will need to get organized so that you know which pen you are reaching for. There are many types of pen and pencil holers out there that will come in handy.

COLORED PENICLS

Again, you can buy cheap colored pencils at the Dollar Store, Everything's a $1, etc., but remember you get what you paid for. Once you have the money, either buy a set or individual pencils to get started with better quality. There are a few brands out there. Spend time finding which produces the quality of Manga you are looking for. Colored pencils are also used as texture because of the way they appear on the paper. Understanding how they show a grainy look will help you in deciding where you want to apply them in your artwork.

MARKERS

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, you get what you paid for. I can understand if you don't have much money to spend, but do learn the difference in the qualtiy from one to the next. If you just purchase one of each brand to see how they work, you will eventually find out which you like the most. Copic markers are the most widely used, but are quite the investment.

The least you can do is to purchase a permanent white marker for highlights in eyes and along the edges of linework to show the direction of the light source. You will be glad you bought one of these. These also work well on acrylic paintings for great detail.

MANGA ART BOOK

The most important tool of all is a book on how to draw Manga. There are hundreds of these online that you can purchase. They even let you know of all the tools you will ever need


as a beginner. Visit a library and bookstore to browse through them to see if they are going to teach you what you want to learn. Take a pad of paper and a pen or pencil and write down the tools that the book recommends. You will find that there are many more tools than I have mentioned, but when you compare the costs to what I have listed you will see the big picture on the expense you are getting into.

You will find as you continue drawing Manga that discovering new tools for your craft may be more fun than you thought. Some of them may be around your home. You can sell your work on www.deviantart.com, www.yessy.com, or many other places online. Do the research, and let your artwork pay for your new materials.

Am really bad with anything to do with computers so i think programs for computer is out of the questions :P. Yeah it might be a green hehe

And to the second post thanks also whats a non-copy blue lead pencils ^^