Drawing: Manga

MANGA BASICS

Full Figure Male

Understanding the human form is integral to becoming a manga artist, as human bodies are featured prominently in this character-driven art form. Below is a brief overview of a standard male form. While there are many types of male bodies—thin, overweight, or bulky—I generally like to draw relatively fit males with broad shoulders and slim waists. I also use angular lines, sharp muscle definition, and geometric shapes to convey strength and firmness. The guidelines below show how to use a character’s head as a measuring unit. A standard figure’s height is equal to seven of its heads. These proportions apply to the four major full-figure views—front, three-quarter, side, and back. Another general observation is that ...