Pop Manga

How to Draw the Coolest, Cutest Characters, Animals, Mascots, and More

Renowned manga artist and comics creator Camilla D'Errico's beginner's guide to drawing her signature Japanese-style characters.

From comics to video games to contemporary fine art, the beautiful, wide-eyed-girl look of shoujo manga has infiltrated pop culture, and no artist's work today better exemplifies this trend than Camilla D'Errico's.  In her first instructional guide, D'Errico reveals  techniques for creating her emotive yet playful manga characters, with lessons on drawing basic body construction, capturing action, and creating animals, chibis, and mascots.  Plus, she gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at her character design process, pointers on creating their own comics, and prompts for finishing her drawings.

Pop Manga is both a celebration of creativity and an indespensible guide that is sure to appeal to manga diehards and aspiring artists alike.
"Whenever I’m creating a new character, I always start with the eyes. You get all the emotion from the eyes; they are the gateway to the character’s soul. Eyes are the manga artist’s catchphrase or calling card. Next time you’re reading NarutoChobits, or even Vampire Knight—some of my personal favorites—take a look at the characters’ eyes and notice the differences in the style and execution. Each manga artist has a signature way of drawing eyes. My eyes are “circle eyes,” and that’s the style you’re about to learn. But I want you to take the steps I teach you and run with them, altering them to match your own style and your own characters’ personalities. Remember, it’s your signature, so have fun!"
© Britney Berrner
Camilla d’Errico is the author of The Pop Manga Sketchbook, Pop Manga Cute and Creepy Coloring Book, Pop Manga Drawing, Pop Manga Mermaids and Other Sea Creatures, Pop Manga Coloring Book, Pop Painting, Pop Manga Dragons and Other Magically Mythical Creatures, Best of Pop Manga Coloring Book, Pop Manga Beauties and Beasties Coloring Book, and Pop Manga, which she co-authored with award-winning writer and director Stephen W. Martin. She has worked with Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics, Hasbro, Disney, and Sanrio. She is also well known for her melting rainbow, big-eyed girl oil paintings, which have made her a hit in the international Pop Surrealism Art movement. View titles by Camilla d'Errico
© Alan Mamaril
Stephen W. Martin is a writer and director, with several award-winning short films to his credit. He is the author of Robot Smash and is also the coauthor of Pop Manga with renowned manga artist and comics creator Camilla D'Errico. View titles by Stephen W. Martin

Interview with Camilla D'Errico

Science Fiction and Sex Panel at San Diego Comic Con 2015

About

Renowned manga artist and comics creator Camilla D'Errico's beginner's guide to drawing her signature Japanese-style characters.

From comics to video games to contemporary fine art, the beautiful, wide-eyed-girl look of shoujo manga has infiltrated pop culture, and no artist's work today better exemplifies this trend than Camilla D'Errico's.  In her first instructional guide, D'Errico reveals  techniques for creating her emotive yet playful manga characters, with lessons on drawing basic body construction, capturing action, and creating animals, chibis, and mascots.  Plus, she gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at her character design process, pointers on creating their own comics, and prompts for finishing her drawings.

Pop Manga is both a celebration of creativity and an indespensible guide that is sure to appeal to manga diehards and aspiring artists alike.

Excerpt

"Whenever I’m creating a new character, I always start with the eyes. You get all the emotion from the eyes; they are the gateway to the character’s soul. Eyes are the manga artist’s catchphrase or calling card. Next time you’re reading NarutoChobits, or even Vampire Knight—some of my personal favorites—take a look at the characters’ eyes and notice the differences in the style and execution. Each manga artist has a signature way of drawing eyes. My eyes are “circle eyes,” and that’s the style you’re about to learn. But I want you to take the steps I teach you and run with them, altering them to match your own style and your own characters’ personalities. Remember, it’s your signature, so have fun!"

Author

© Britney Berrner
Camilla d’Errico is the author of The Pop Manga Sketchbook, Pop Manga Cute and Creepy Coloring Book, Pop Manga Drawing, Pop Manga Mermaids and Other Sea Creatures, Pop Manga Coloring Book, Pop Painting, Pop Manga Dragons and Other Magically Mythical Creatures, Best of Pop Manga Coloring Book, Pop Manga Beauties and Beasties Coloring Book, and Pop Manga, which she co-authored with award-winning writer and director Stephen W. Martin. She has worked with Dark Horse Comics, Image Comics, Hasbro, Disney, and Sanrio. She is also well known for her melting rainbow, big-eyed girl oil paintings, which have made her a hit in the international Pop Surrealism Art movement. View titles by Camilla d'Errico
© Alan Mamaril
Stephen W. Martin is a writer and director, with several award-winning short films to his credit. He is the author of Robot Smash and is also the coauthor of Pop Manga with renowned manga artist and comics creator Camilla D'Errico. View titles by Stephen W. Martin

Media

Interview with Camilla D'Errico

Science Fiction and Sex Panel at San Diego Comic Con 2015