Christopher Hart - Chibis, Mascots, and More

Compilation copyright 2013 by Christopher Hart, Cartoon Craft LLC, Star Fire LLC, and Art Studio LLC

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Watson-Guptill Publications, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

www.crownpublishing.com
www.watsonguptill.com

WATSON-GUPTILL is a registered trademark and the WG and Horse designs are trademarks of Random House, Inc.

This work is based on the following titles by Christopher Hart published by Watson-Guptill Publications, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc.: Manga Mania Chibi and Furry Characters , copyright 2006 by Christopher Hart; and Manga for the Beginner Chibis , copyright 2010 by Star Fire LLC.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hart, Christopher, 1957
Christopher Harts draw manga now!: chibis, mascots, and more / Christopher Hart.-1st ed.
p. cm.
1. Comic books, strips, etc.JapanTechnique. 2. CartooningTechnique. 3. Comic strip charactersJapan. 4. ART / Techniques / Drawing. 5. ART / Studio & Teaching . 6. ART / Techniques / General.
NC1764.5.J3 H36917 2013

741.5/1
2012042477

eBook ISBN: 978-0-385-34533-0
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-0-385-34546-0

Cover and book design by Ken Crossland

v3.1

Chibis (pronounced chee-bees) are among the cutest and funniest characters in all of manga. Manga is made up of many genres, but only chibisthose miniature characters with huge personalitiesappear in every one of them.

Normal characters turn into a chibi when they have a sudden, giant outburst of emotions, instantly transforming into outrageously cute characters with mini-proportions.

The thing that makes chibis special for manga artists like you and me is that they are not only fun to draw but easy, too! So if youre a beginner, you can pick no better place to start drawing manga characters than with chibis.

Chibis also have pals, or mascots, and you wont want to miss these. They will make your heart melt. Theyre so fluffy and cute, you just want to squeeze them! These mascots are inseparable from their human chibi counterparts. And guess what? We have a whole section devoted to showing you how to draw them.

Everything you need to create a world of chibis is at your disposal in these pages. You might start off as a beginner, but youll be on your way drawing cute and funny chibis in no time!

This book may look small, but its jam-packed with information, artwork, and instruction to help you learn how to draw manga like a master!

Well start off by going over some of the basics youll need to know to draw chibi characters, and, of course, their furry mascot friends. Pay close attention; the material we cover here is very important. You might want to practice drawing some of the things in this section, like the bodies, faces, and expressions, on your own.

Next, itll be time to pick up your pencil and get drawing! Follow along my step-by-step drawings on a separate piece of paper. When you draw the characters in this section, youll be using everything you learned so far.

Finally, Ill put you to the test! The last section of this book features drawings that are missing some key features. Its your job to finish these drawings, giving characters the eyes, hair, or facial features they need.

This book is all about learning, practicing, and, most importantly, having fun. Dont be afraid to make mistakes, because lets face it: every artist does at some point. Also, the examples and step-by-steps in this book are meant to be guides. Feel free to elaborate and embellish them as you wish. Before you know it, youll be a manga artist in your own right!

Lets begin!

You cant just shrink a regular-sized person down to the size of a chibi; it wouldnt work. Chibis have a very specific look. In this part, I will introduce you to some of the basic proportions and characteristics of a chibi. Youll see what makes a chibi character different from regular manga charactersfrom the obvious size difference to more specific features.

All chibis have particular traits in common. Once we recognize these traits, we can create these adorable, high-energy characters.

When you think of chibis, think of four things: Think big, think simple, think round, and think chunky.

Think big, because chibi heads are much bigger in relation to the size of their bodies than the standard manga characters head. While a normal-size person is six to seven heads tall, chibis are only two to three heads tall. Their heads look huge on their tiny, little bodies.

Think simple, because things that are simple are cute.

Think round, because the rounder something is, the younger it looks. Plus people respond positively to round shapes.

And, finally, think chunky, because chibis are never skinny, but tend to be slightly chubby (or at least, have a little tummy, which gives them that sweet, innocent look that is so cute).

Teen Girl

Chibi Girl

Body is adorably plump.

Legs are shorter in relation to the size of the body than on standard-size characters.

Shes only about two heads tall.

Teen Boy