Learn to draw authentic Japanese Anime & Manga style illustrations from real Japanese professionals. We were granted the opportunity to speak with Sozoroo and ask them the biggest questions beginners have about starting Anime & Manga style digital illustration.
Header Image : ©Sozoroo
Table of Contents
- Learning Digital Illustration for Beginners
- Can a complete beginner start learning to draw digitally?
- Is it better to learn basic analogue drawing skills first before trying digital illustration?
- What tools do you need to start drawing digital illustrations?
- What are the benefits of joining an Online Digital School?
- When is the best time to join a digital illustration course?
- Japanese Abilities Helps to Learn Japanese Anime & Manga Style Illustration
- The Future After Learning Japanese Anime & Manga Style Digital Illustration
- English Communities for Japanese Anime & Manga Style Art
- Welcome Message and Invitation to Anime Expo 2023
Japanese anime & manga and American cartoons and comics have very distinct styles. Learning how to draw authentic Japanese anime & manga style illustrations is difficult when you are not in Japan because of the lack of resources. With the birth of online Japanese Anime & Manga Style Illustration schools however, these dreams are no longer out of reach.
Our WeXpats Team was granted the opportunity to speak to Sozoroo, an Online School for Japanese Anime & Manga Digital Illustration, and ask them frequently asked questions about digital illustration and Japanese Anime & Manga style art.
Learning Digital Illustration for Beginners
© Sozoroo Courses
“I can’t even draw well on paper, how can I draw digitally?” is a common question and psychological hurdle that many people face when wanting to start digital drawing. So, what is the truth? Is it really impossible to start digital drawing without mastering analogue?
Let’s see what the experts had to say.
Can a complete beginner start learning to draw digitally?
There’s no one path for drawing art.
- Sozoroo
Yes, knowing how to draw is not necessary for digital art. There are many ways you can start learning to draw, whether digital or analogue, so it’s fine to start at any stage you are at.
Is it better to learn basic analogue drawing skills first before trying digital illustration?
Some basic drawing skills are helpful, as well as understanding of lighting, shading, and perspective, for learning digital art, but not necessary. These skills can be picked up in the process of learning digital illustration.
For beginners, it is important to learn basic skills. Not many people know where to start, so begin with a course that focuses on the fundamentals.
What tools do you need to start drawing digital illustrations?
You need a digital art program and a device to run the program on. Many programs are available, the best ones being Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Procreate, etc. As for devices, a computer paired with a drawing tablet or a tablet is recommended. There are also artists that use a computer and a mouse, which to use depends entirely on the user and artist’s preference.
Generally, the teachers use Clip Studio Paint but I work with a program called Procreate (which is cheaper) and use an Ipad.
Even with different tools, the drawing tips taught are transferable and I still learnt a lot.
The lessons work with any program.- Sozoroo
What are the benefits of joining an Online Digital Art School?
Different schools have their own style of teaching, but generally the benefits of Online Digital Art School are:
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Study whenever and wherever at your convenience.
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Proper guidance on creating digital art.
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Tips and tricks from professional digital artists.
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Cheaper price than attending lessons physically
For benefits that can only be enjoyed at Sozoroo:
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Dedicated to teaching authentic Japanese Anime & Manga Style Digital Illustration
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Sozoroo’s teachers are professional Japanese illustrators
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Sozoroo’s classes teach students step-by-step how to use the digital art programme, highly recommended for beginners
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Sozoroo collaborates with Japanese manga artists and professionals to provide art correction and feedback
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Sozoroo’s subscription plan is not course-based, which means access to unlimited courses
When is the best time to join a digital illustration course?
Anytime! Beginner, intermediate, or advanced, pick a digital illustration course that fits your level.
Since American and Japanese art styles are so different, the lessons, no matter at what stage, are very beneficial.
You get to learn the techniques and knowledge to create anime & manga style.- Sozoroo
Writer's Pick
Japanese Abilities Helps to Learn Japanese Anime & Manga Style Illustration
© Sozoroo Sensei
Surely, learning materials for how to draw Japanese Anime & Manga Style are limited outside Japan, not to mention they are most probably in Japanese. So, does that mean not knowing Japanese will be a huge hurdle to mastering drawing anime & manga style illustrations?
Is it difficult to study without Japanese abilities?
Learning authentic Japanese anime & manga style art is difficult when you do not live in Japan because of the lack of learning materials.
Based on my experience living in America, if you walk into a public library or bookstore, you can find “How to Draw Manga” books.
And when I take a look at those, it is manga, but it is not the kind you will see in Japan, there’s a bit of American cartoon style mixed into it.- Sozoroo
What about online YouTube tutorial videos in English?
… this also applies to YouTube videos online about how to draw manga.
They are usually non-Japanese people that share how to draw that’s heavily inspired from reading manga but has their own touch to it, so it is difficult to learn especially when you don’t know the language.- Sozoroo
What is the solution then? Will learning Japanese help?
It seems then that learning Japanese will be helpful as it opens up many more options for learning materials, especially authentic Japanese ones. For example, Japanese digital illustration books, YouTube tutorial videos, online lessons by Japanese illustrators or manga artists, and even Twitter drawing tips. All this will help you gain a Japanese perspective and way-of-thought to create authentic Japanese Anime & Manga Style art.
Sozoroo is catered to non-Japanese speakers.
The lessons are directly from Japanese professionals themselves.
Captions are available so there is no language barrier.- Sozoroo
The Future After Learning Japanese Anime & Manga Style Digital Illustration
“What lies ahead after learning Japanese Anime & Manga Style Digital Illustration?”, we asked. Career options include digital artist, illustrator, graphic designer, teacher, multimedia artist, etc. Having learned how to use digital art programs, you can also expand your skills by learning animation, 3D modelling etc. Your career options are not limited to the manga and anime field.
What can Sozoroo offer in terms of career paths?
Sozoroo’s future plans include making partnerships with Japanese animation studios, production companies, and schools in Japan. The aim is to make it easier for people who live overseas to get a job in Japan or get support to attend Japanese manga school. They are also looking at the possibility of remote working a job in Japan while still living overseas. Connecting illustrators and writers together for a manga project is also a project they are interested in starting.
English Communities for Japanese Anime & Manga Style
「あるある aru aru」is a Japanese phrase meaning “I can relate to that”. It is commonly used on Japanese Twitter when someone shares a relatable post. People who feel the same way will comment “aru aru” on the post.
Sadly, there is no similar catchy phrase in English, but we do wonder whether Sozoroo has any relatable stories to share with the English Anime & Manga Style community, or for that matter, is there even a community in existence?
What “aru aru” relatable story can you, Sozoroo, share?
One of the most common problems that artists face is overly focusing on drawing characters. Can you relate to this?
I’m an artist that focuses on character art, so I hardly ever draw backgrounds.
For backgrounds, I use just one colour or maybe a cute pattern, then call it a day.
Additionally, it seems like getting direct feedback and tips from teachers can really motivate students.
One time, I had to prepare an illustration that is a mix of character and background, and I don’t usually draw that.
So, not only did I have to plunge myself into something out of my comfort zone, but I had the pressure of having the Sensei correct my work.
After receiving some feedback and tips, it really helped me to push myself to try harder and to do something I don't normally do.
It helped me improve for the future and get over my fears of drawing backgrounds.- Sozoroo
Trying something new also seems like great motivation for illustrators.
What is it like studying illustration in America?
Most people around me were drawing American-style Comic illustrations, I was the only one that kept on drawing Japanese Anime & Manga-style. In America, Japanese Anime & Manga-style isn’t widely accepted, and it does not have a very good image. There are teachers that did not really like it, while some were totally fine with it. While studying in that environment, I thought it would be nice if I had friends who felt the same way. With Sozoroo as a centre, I think it would be nice if like-minded people that love Japanese Anime & Manga-style can be connected.
- Sozoroo
Is there an English community for Japanese Anime & Manga Style art in America?
Unfortunately no, not to the extent of Japanese Twitter and Pixiv. It seems that a lot of artists like to use Twitter and Instagram, the latter for sharing their artwork. To fill that gap, Sozoroo is planning to build a community on Discord, which is something to look forward to.
Is there any similar event to Japan’s Comiket in America?
Comiket is a doujinshi convention in Japan that is held twice a year in summer and winter. The closest thing to Comiket in America is the Anime Expo. Another similar, but smaller neighbourhood scale, event is “Artist Allies”.
Just what it sounds like.
An artist alley is where people set up little booths and shops to promote their artwork to people.
People visit booths to see the display of artwork and merchandise - like keychains, stickers, prints of their own illustrations.
People walk by and take a look, and if interested, maybe they’ll purchase it.
It’s a really, really fun way to share and feel connected with others’ art.- Sozoroo
Welcome Message and Invitation to Anime Expo 2023
Beginners and also professionals are welcome. We will continue to create content for learners of different levels. Sozoroo welcomes everybody who is interested in making anime-style art.
- Sozoroo
Sozoroo will be opening a booth at Anime Expo on July 1st to 4th, 2023 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. For those interested in trying out Anime & Manga Digital Illustration, this is a great opportunity to gather more information. Plus! Japanese Illustrator Iruka-Sensei will be there to offer corrective artwork! So, bring a copy of your best Anime & Manga Digital Illustration to receive feedback and advice.
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