The Monster Book of Manga: Draw Like the Experts

This book definitely isn't for the amateur artist! With the massive amounts of detail and not enough line-by-line detailing and explanation, it would be difficult for the less-experienced to follow along unless they were copying directly from the book. Essentially though, this book packs lots of bang for the buck and it comes with a guarantee of inspiration! Plus, this thing is so huge, you would be crazy not to get it! The back does do quite a bit of explaining of how to digitally enhance pictures you've drawn. It wasn't much help to me seeing as I have already learned how to use my Intuos4 tablet, but it was a bit helpful in telling me that I should probably buy a new scanner! ^_^'So if you've already gotten a bit of experience drawing manga/anime styles under your belt but need some ideas, this book is for you! You'll also learn about drawing a few strange creatures, which are always adorable! So this book with definitely pack a punch for someone needing that little kick to make drawing entertaining again!

Are you interested in being able to draw ALOT of different types of anime characters step by step? if yes this book can help it works for beginners or advanced artists, shows you 6 steps per character, points out various details which you can use to make your own unique characters, LOTS of different characters that span a few categories like girls, fantasy, music, Monsters, Science Fiction, Samurai, and drawing manga digitally. In each category theres several different types of characters. If your wanting to learn to draw manga, this book is sure to have you satisfied.

Although this book has 300 pages, it does not go into great detail when it comes to sketching out each character that is depicted. To some, that might throw them off if they're just learning, but for me, the images were good examples to use as references.Each chapter deals with different genre's, such as Girls, Fantasy, Monsters, etc. Several of the illustrations are good in detail, but they lack any major guidance for beginners. Vague captions are inserted here and there around the images, but that's about it. I suppose the author assumes that you have some knowledge of drawing and digital coloring, which is probably why he doesn't go into great detail.For me, this book is great to use to form ideas for character concepts. My favorite portion of the book is towards the end, where you're given a better idea on how to digitally color your drawings and how to utilize Adobe Photoshop. It's a shame it's one of the shortest chapters.Overall, if you have a good grip on drawing and you don't need a great deal of guidance, then this book is for you. Every page shows a step by step progression of a character.However, if you're just learning how to tackle this style and you're looking for in-depth detail on how to make things look right, then this book may not be for you.Great illustrations throughout and they're all in color, too.

I would say this book is great. This book was great all around. Excellent techniques and tips for starters to advanced drawers. The book breaks down simpler drawings and more advanced techniques to allow for more illustrator input. With so many options, it allows for multiple aspect and gives many idea for a drawer to come up with and blend for their own creation.

I give it an OK rating (3 out of 5). The book is thick, colorful, and full of different characters and monsters. It's also very cheap and made out of good materials.However, this is not what I would call authentic manga. The artists are great, don't get me wrong, but the artwork is simply not authentic Japanese comic style. Ever watched The Boondocks? Totally Spies? Though they may look anime (Japanese cartoon) style, it's simply not anime. Same goes with this book.I don't know about anybody else, but if I want to learn something, I want to learn from the real thing. However, if you just want to look at different styles to make your own, then this book is pretty decent. It's not a real "how to" book, but more of an illustrator with little comments on the sides.

When they say monster they are not joking, it's huge (that's what she said) but any ways. It's a great book, I truly love it. More info then I was thinking would be in there. I think it has the right amount of text vs step by step. It's 300+ pages of greatness. A most buy in my eyes

My sister loved this book so much.

Posseggo 5 volumi di questa serie“The Monster Book of Manga” - Draw like the Experts;“The Monster Book of Manga” - Fairies and Magical Creatures;“The Monster Book of Manga” - Girls;“The Monster Book of Manga” - Boys;“The Monster Book of MORE Manga” - Draw like the ExpertsIl primo è stato realizzato dall’Estudio Joso, mentre gli altri dall’Ikari Studio, che a mio parere sono quelli con i disegni migliori.Ogni libro ha una specifica tematica e si suddivide in capitoli relativi a vari soggetti legati al tema portante.Sono tutti libri di ~380 pagine, ma i soggetti rappresentati sono all’incirca una sessantina per libro.Ogni soggetto viene rappresentato nelle diverse fasi del processo creativo: si parte dallo scheletro semplificato, per passare ai volumi, allo schizzo, alla rifinitura, ai toni di grigio con luci e ombre, fino ad arrivare al colore e talvolta agli effetti speciali.Di questi 5 volumi in mio possesso posso garantirvi che molte illustrazioni sapranno catturare la vostra attenzione (non tutte, alcune sembrano realizzate con minore impegno rispetto ad altre), avrete molti spunti creativi e le varie fasi della creazione sapranno aiutarvi o spronarvi a migliorare.Lo stile è molto simile a quello degli anime o alla classica colorazione di illustrazioni manga. E’ una colorazione ridotta all’essenziale (perlopiù con semplici definizioni di ombre e luci e colori piatti sovrapposti)… per diventare veramente esperti, dovrete rivolgervi altrove. Il più delle volte, il lavoro sul disegno è sicuramente migliore del colore.Sia chiaro, non è un libro per chi è già abbastanza esperto, che potrebbe trovarne l'utilità solo per avere qualche spunto creativo, ma, per tutti quelli che si stanno avvicinando al disegno, sarà un’ottima base da cui partire.Una volta capito il concetto, non è un libro su cui tornerete spesso.A mio parere, il migliore della serie è l’ultimo: “The Monster Book of MORE Manga” - Drawing like the Experts.Divertitevi! ;-)

When I bought this book I was so excited! It looked really good. It came the day I after I ordered it (great) but when I opened it on the back the filmy stuff that gave it a shiny effect was peeling! Not so great. But it glues back on. Anyway, don't give it to anyone under 9. (Some characters don't wear substantial clothing e.g. Bionic girl, visual rock etc)The book is amazing! Just so you know if you are looking to buy a book with chapters dedicated to proportions and stuff, it doesn't have any, although it does kind of explain it a little bit on each character. It has a 6 step tutorial on every drawing. The chapters are:Girls (including a cat girl, warrior, schoolgirl, and pinup girl etc)Fantasy (elves, knights, dwarf, goblin, the whole shebang)Monsters (dragon, werewolf, mummy, vampire etc)Science fiction (bionic girl which is creepy, demon, android, cyber pet etc)Music (hip hop, J-pop, j-rock, Gothic, visual rock, kitsch pop etc)Samurai (witch doctor, geisha, ninja, sakura)And then a bit about doing it on the computer. Not useful if you are an 11 year old like me who just wants to draw them. But good for people who take it very seriously.You should get this book!

My sis really enjoyed it.

It was shipped quickly and I was very pleased with the contents of my package. It had some shelf wear and the cover was slightly lifted at the edges, but what matters about a book is its contents and not the condition or look of the cover. The insides of the book were like new as it had said in the description and this book gives a perfect step to step guide of how to build up a picture. It is designed to help with digital artwork, but what is shown can easily be interpreted into how it can be done with normal physical art supplies as well. I am very pleased with this purchase especially because I compared its price here to prices it was sold at elsewhere and found that I had saved myself 10 pounds from the original price in stores. All in all I am very pleased with this and would recommend it to both digital and old-school artists like myself.