Drawing....

[isd_isd]

This is probably a very awkward question... But, if I can't draw anime characters so well, or at all... maybe. How can Manga Studio help?

[KaYoKitten]

Um...in a word...no. ^^; Manga Studio is a program that allows you to draw and tone on the computer. It is a tool, like any other. Like a pencil or a pen, only on the computer. You'd need to learn to draw first. ^^;

[SweetNymph]

Okay, me is peeved now. Digital drawing is not a magical tool that will automatically make you an artist. It's a TOOL. That's it. I'd suggest practicing with traditional means first, as it's cheaper than a tablet and a drawing program, and digital drawing is to traditional as movies are to theater: just a spin off of the original. Becoming proficient in traditional methods will make drawing digitally a lot easier than it would be just going in as an absolute beginner.

[YamPuff]

Hey, ease up; Isd_isd is just asking a question and he/she's a newb around here. Don't take out your anger on the newbs.

In answer to the question, it can help in a lot of ways. Toning and coloring for example. Mistakes are easier to correct and if you use the wrong colors you can fix it up easy. Also, toning is made super easy. Things like panelling are also easier to do because it'll come out perfectly straight. Ditto with speech bubbles and text. If you have a shaky hand, putting on the 'correct' feature can fix that up.

So basically it can enhance your drawing skills and maybe even make drawing easier. However, it is not a cop-out. Don't think you can get out of practicing by using digital methods.

Check out some of the threads on MS and on drawing. maybe that'll help you out somre more. this one, for example:
http://messageboard.tokyopop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3458

[isd_isd]

Thank you so much :). This helped me a lot! Er- sorry for being a newb er- anything....

Thank you though :D :

uglykitten
SweetNymph
YamPuff

[SweetNymph]

That was hardly an angry post, Yami. And I DO think it'd be better to practice with traditional means, particularly since by the time a beginner gets fairly good at drawing, there will probably be better tablets and a new version of MS out.

[isd_isd]

I know how to draw eyes and hair pretty well... it's just the body structure that makes the whole picture turn out wrong.....

[SweetNymph]

You'll definitely want to start with stick figures to get the pose right and get the proportions right. For anatomy, I'd suggest Chistopher Hart's Human Anatomy Made Amazingly Easy. ALWAYS get the form worked out first, then add the eyes and hair.

[isd_isd]

Oh, ok. Thank you SweetNymph :) I'll try that.

[KaYoKitten]

XD Sounds like me starting out seven years ago~! I was really good with faces and hair, but everything else was like...o.o You gotta be kiddin' me. Just draw, though. I wouldn't worry about getting a program just yet, because you've really got to get used to paper and the feel of it. You sound like you're still in school...so...draw your classmates! ^^ That always helped me!

[RavenHeart]

Just because the program is cool, it doesn't mean you will be able to draw magically. It's like trying to win a basketball game when you know nothing about the game, not even how to dribble. I use traditional tools and wouldn't dream of trying to use an expensive program in order to better my style. I draw how I draw. It may help what the finished product looks like, but the outer coat of paint on a boat doesn't decide if it floats or sinks. The workmanship does. And that's what the skill is: the work on the boat. Learn how to draw anime/manga first. And listen to them ^^ they know what they're talking about. Draw constantly and re-draw your drawings.

[YamPuff]

That was hardly an angry post, Yami. And I DO think it'd be better to practice with traditional means, particularly since by the time a beginner gets fairly good at drawing, there will probably be better tablets and a new version of MS out.
Eh, you kind of attacked the poor guy. ;) In any case, starting out traditional is usually the best way to go. On the other hand, I believe the author of Fool's Gold said that the computer is what helped her draw; she even joked once that if people asked her to do sketches by hand she might not know how. There's a different way to start for everyone.

And...I don't know...I just don't like Christopher Hart's stuff. ><

[SweetNymph]

If you mean his other How to Draw Manga books, I agree entirely. The guy just can't draw decent manga (though the ones where OTEHR artists do most of the drawing are much better).

I like the anatomy one because it shows realistic renditions, how to simplify the form, goes over various parts of the body like leg and arms and face separately, and it's just somehow very easy to simplify the anatomies even further. It even has tips on positioning the knees when standing (as in which will be higher and why).

If you haven't read it, Yami, give it a look. Probably not for everyone, but I liked it. ^^

[Rikubunny]

I love to draw!!!!! that's my favorite hobby!I like making my own manga!I actually use notebook paper and just draw and write and color.It's not a real manga.

SweetNymph>>>>you like Dramacon?

~mina~

[SweetNymph]

<<

>>

Don't see how that relates at all to the topic at hand, but yeah.

[Chavez760]

Hi Everyone! Every Comment here has been helpful. I went to Barnes and Noble and checked out some books about drawing and even the ones that talked about traditional art to Digital. I will TOTALLY agree on YamPuff on her earlier comment that it does help with your drawing. It wont make you into "THE" artist but it does help. Traditional drawing is the best route to learn to draw, but what I had problems was that when I used pencil and finished my sketch, I was afraid to start using "INK" because I didn't know how to shade, get the width of the Ink correctly, and the most fearful thing of all.... Not able to correct a mistake. Even with tracing it.

The digital art programs, like MS and Photoshop has helped my confidence tenfold!!! … Mistakes? Shoooot. I can delete the line, or correct it. My Fav feature on MS is that you can tilt the page around as if you are doing it to a piece of paper. FREAKING AWESOME!

So why no drawings in my profile? I am currently a Marine Drill Instructor and my tail has been with recruits forever and a day. My tenure here is near it's end, and I can't wait to get back to drawing as a hobbies. Over a year ago I Met Pencilkiller at the ComiCon in San Diego and she encouraged and motivated to get back to my hobby.

Well, enough of me running my suck. I just wanted to put my two cents in, since that's all we get paid a day!! J/King.