Katy Coope, How to Draw Manga: A Step-by-Step Guide Review

Overall Rating

It's great for a game of "SPOT THE ERROR" coupled with a laugh or three...

But that's about it.

Everything.

The anatomy is off by a mile when she applies it in her drawings, her 'different' hair, eye and mouth styles are essentially the same and when she says to 'add blush' I hope you don't do it.

People blush when embarrassed, crying hard, laughing hard or otherwise flustered. They do not have blood rushing through their face 24/7 (and if they do, I really hope you send them to a doctor's to get medical attention)

There are so many images that just do not work. No one stands still with their arms out while casting spells, several of her characters in the book have two left hands (how did this book even get published?), and don't get me started on the chibis or the anatomy...

I have to wonder who is writing all these positive reviews about How to Draw Manga: A Step-by-Step Guide. As far as I'm concerned, this book deserves a 0.

Why?

Because;
a) everything in this book has been written/taught in another book and probably with better results, or at least decent references for the beginner artist.
b) the author herself obviously cannot grasp the idea of human anatomy... or common sense. Ask yourself this; when you can't even tell that your character has two left hands, should you really be telling other people how to draw?
c) KAWAII DESHO DESHO?! Fact; blushing does not make your character cuter, nor should it be applied to ALL your characters.

Have any of you ever READ any of the animanga that is mentioned on the back of the book? None of them draw in this abysmal style. Suffice to say, please refrain from getting this book for your young aspiring manga artist.