References for Artists

All artists out there, either budding or seasoned, need some type of help or references to draw well. I've discovered quite a few media (books, tutorials, tools, etc.) that are necessity for anyone who draws, or wants to learn to draw. I hope you will find these informative and useful. I know I did!

BOOKS: (Most of these you should be able to find at your local library.)
    Comics, Cartooning, Realistic, and Manga

Understanding Comics: The Invisible ArtScott McCloud's Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art. This book is fun to read, and explores the history, meaning, and art of creating comics. Highly recommended for anyone and everyone interested in the comic industry.

               Scott McCloud's Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga, and Graphic Novels. "
     ...in Making Comics, McCloud focuses his analysis on the art form itself, exploring the creation of comics, from the broadest principles to the sharpest details (like how to accentuate a character's facial muscles in order to form the emotion of disgust rather than the emotion of surprise.) And he does all of it in his inimitable voice and through his cartoon stand–in narrator, mixing dry humor and legitimate instruction. McCloud shows his reader how to master the human condition through word and image in a brilliantly minimalistic way. Comic book devotees as well as the most uninitiated will marvel at this journey into a once–underappreciated art form."

         Christopher Hart's Manga for the Beginner

     "...Using his signature step-by-step style, Hart shows how to draw the basic manga head and body, eyes, bodies, fashion, and more. Then he goes way beyond most beginner titles, exploring dynamic action poses, special effects, light and shading, perspective, popular manga types such as animals, anthros, and shoujo and shounen characters. By the end of this big book, the new artist is ready to draw dramatic story sequences full of movement and life."

        Christopher Hart's Manga for the Beginner Chibis.

     "...Excruciatingly cute, highly stylized, and beloved in all manga genres (fantasy, magical girls, shounen, anthro, sci-fi-, and more), without them, manga would barely exist. And now you can learn, step by step, how to draw virtually every chibi out there, how to "chibify" ordinary manga characters—and how to invent your very own designs! Covering facial expressions, those iconic manga eyes, costumes, character interaction, and story settings, Manga for the Beginner Chibis has it all."

    (Various authors) How To Draw Chibi Pocket Manga (How to Draw Manga)
     "Get ready for a book of (nearly) unheard-of proportions! "Chibi," super-deformed, small-bodied... whatever you call 'em, they're one of the major elements of comedy (and even semi-serious) manga, and no manga artist's education is complete without knowing how to draw'em! Antarctic's top talent give you the lowdown on the low-down, from stubby limbs to oversize heads and everything in between! It's the biggest book ever about manga's smallest characters..." This book is great for proportions. Great help!

             Mark Crilley's Mastering Manga with Mark Crilley.
     "...In these action-packed pages, graphic novelist Mark Crilley shows you step-by-step how to achieve an authentic manga style—from drawing faces and figures to laying out awesome, high-drama spreads. You'll learn how a few basic lines will help you place facial features in their proper locations and simple tricks for getting body proportions right. Plus, you'll find inspiration for infusing your work with expression, attitude and action."

            Barbara Bradley's Drawing People: How to Portray the Clothed Figure
      "...Bradley begins by teaching the basics of any drawing, including proportion, perspective and value. Next, you'll learn how to overcome the special challenges posed by clothing, including fabric folds and draping effects. Bradley illustrates how they're constructed and how to draw them in different situations—on male and female figures that are active or at rest. These reliable, proven drawing techniques will add a natural feel to your art, resulting in figures that look as if they could walk, run or dance right off the page."
--->This book is great for younger artist because only semi-nudity, unlike many drawing/anatomy books. A+

VIDEO
    Online Tutorials
        Manga Studio EX4 Tutorials by Doug Hills: 



I would still be lost in the software without these! VERY helpful.

        Drawing Manga Tutorials by Mark Crilley:


Clear instructions make drawing easy.
click here for Mark Crilley's Youtube channel


DRAWING MEDIA: (Available at most art/craft stores in the U.S.A.)
These are my preferred drawing tools. I like them because they work well and are reasonably cheap. Therefore...my simple sketching "tool box"...

Pentalic - Hardbound Sketchbook - Black Cover - 8.5x11    Pentalic - Hardbound Sketchbook - 8.5x11 (A great size for larger pieces and more movement.) Plenty of pages (110 sheets). I suggest this sketch book because the hardbound cover both protects the pages and prevents them from falling or ripping out easily. I previously used a spiral bound sketch book and the pages constantly fell out. Around $10-$15 depending on where you get it.

    General's Kimberly Graphite Pencils. Great quality. Smooth graphite and easy to sharpen. Wide range of degrees available. $1-$2 each at most craft stores.

#1Pentel PD277TP Twist-Erase Click Mechanical Pencil #2    A mechanical pencil. Almost any brand will do, but I the brand I like best would be (#1) the Pentel PD277TP Twist-Erase Click Mechanical Pencil. (#2)  Papermate is also a good brand: The finger grip is good (since I pinch my pencils weird), but the lead comes out a little to easily and may break. Best lead size, in my opinion: 0.7 mm. Mechanical pencils are great when out and about because you don't need to worry about sharpening them.

 Papermate Tuff Stuff Eraser Stick (and refills).  Cannot live without! Most favorite eraser out there. Good eraser is small for hard to get details/mistakes and highlighting. Only at specialty art stores or online. Approximately $3.

 Westcott Wooden Ruler. Metal edged wood great for creating clean lines. Should be below $4.

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