I've been subscribed for about 2-3 years now and ever since I've watched your videos, my drawings have changed sooooo much! I've been drawing since I was a child, turning 9, i had a passion for art and when I turned 12, I found this channel, my art improved and now I'm turning 15, my art is so good and I've even been asked to publish my book in 4 years time. This is long but if I never found this channel, my art would be lacking and now I'm the best artist in my art class and publishing a manga in 2019. Thank you so much for being my idol and the biggest inspiration to my art! xx
How to make a Original Character Step 1: No Tracing or Coping other people's artwork Step 2: Learn The Fundamentals of Drawing (ex. Gesture, Anatomy, Perspective, Proportions and etc.) Step 3: Learn how to study people's artwork instead of tracing and coping. Draw their art work as a studies get into the mind of the art, try to figure out how he or she came up with the drawing you're studying. Utilizing other people's rt work can help you, however it can and will cripple you if all you do is copy (ex. You draw a cartoon cat, then try to draw a realistic man, resulting in a failure.) Step 4: Buy some books on drawing realism and cartoons Step 5: Give you're character a story, where they're from, powers and abilities, origins, flaws and etc. Step 6: Give your self time to grow, I know how much you wanna draw a character based off of Naruto or fan-art, but you need to learn the fundamentals. If you skip the fundamentals you will produce some really bad art. Step 7: You must work be persistent, passionate and dedicated to drawing. If you can't draw eyes get some pictures of eyes and draw them 100 times, but when you reach your 101th drawing, you better know how to draw those eye from you're mind. Step 8: Don't procrastinate, if you get tired of drawing, take 20 minute break then get right back to it. Remember, skipping the fundamentals will get you no where, once you've become proficient in them, then you can start to experiment and design. If you finished reading the steps and are saying no way I'm doing all that. Well, I know you will never be an artist or create a OC that looks accurate and cool, as for people who actually want to try my steps..... Good Luck! I know you will improve on your art skills and create wonderful original character.
soritan zosa Like I said in step 3, don't copy, study their work If you suck at drawing arms don't just copy one arm and then try to draw a realistic human, study many kinds of arms, realistic, cartoons, different style. If you have any more questions please ask :D
***** As I said in my comment, your gonna have to copy just learn how to do it correctly and also I like to call it studying other people's art-work, practice makes perfect :)
berniemacsgreatesthi Now there is suppossed to be a strict line separating what is truly original work and what is plagiarism or even art theft. I'm sure quite a bit of artists have had this kind of situation before (myself included). There are a few reasons to explain the situation such as "I really liked that particular character design and I wanted to make it my own" or "I wanted to replicate this guy's work, but it evolved into my own" I've got quite a bit of experience at drawing and I'm afraid to be called an "art thief". How do I deal with this situation? BTW, really liked these steps of yours, they're quite motivating!
That bit where you say how your own characters can surprise you. I know what you mean, I've been working on a story with a friend for over a year and we both are surprised at what our own characters are willing to do. That even though we created them, that they can still surprise us. And I think that's when you know that your character has had a lot of development. :) This was an awesome video, Mark! Keep it up!
In regards to tip #2 about making cheat sheets, I find it also sometimes helps to base the appearance of your characters in part on real-life people. Actors, actresses, models, athletes, etc. Also I find it amusing that Spuckler looks a bit like Neil Gaiman XD
I got both of your Mastering Manga books today! I've thrown enough money into music equipment, I thought maybe it's about time I start investing into becoming a multi-disciplined artist. :)
Your videos are excellent! For a class I’m required to write an at least 30 page comic in 2 months with zero prior experience and your channel is helping me immensely. Keep making awesome content
I rate, right now, I really need to learn how to keep consistency when drawing characters. It irks me when I draw my "protagonist" and he has a different face every single time, especially when there's one time when it all comes together and I finally think, "This is it." I've been watching your videos since I was 11 and I can say your influence really helped me. I've learnt so much from you and you always surprise me. You're a beast. Glad I found your channel. Thanks, Mark.
Wow you don't know how much of an inspiration you've been. I've been trying to draw anime for months and I could never get it right. Finally I stumble on your videos and I feel stupid for not seeing them earlier. I'm still currently drawing my of and I'm proud of it. Ultimately its all thank to you and your channel. Like in the fic I've been experimenting with different styles to find my own and now I have. Once again thank you and I look forward to your videos every Friday.
Totally agree, he NEEDS to make a video over this. Also if he could show how to draw the body from different angles, I'm having great difficulty with this also.
Been working on a Manga for about a year now and I just have to say thank you because your videos have been a tremendous help. Cannot express my gratitude enough.
This manga playlist is pretty helpful, but do you know how to mechanized suits like Iron Man? if so, for the futuristic drawers and me could you make a tutorial on how to draw them?
I still can't believe you wrote Miki Falls! I LOVED that series when I was little! Me and my sister loved it soooo much and that was one of the first mangas I ever read and it has contributed to my dream of being a manga author.
Do you keep a "police line up" chart for height and size comparison? I fully agree it isn't just the look of the character but the dialog, posture, and general reactions that make them distinct. Very helpful.
That would be awesome, it would be really useful for flashbacks to a protagonists childhood or general character development like from Goku's change from child to adult.
I really love watching these videos. I've never felt confident about my drawing, and have tried learning from other tutorials and books, but I never seemed to make any progress until I found these videos and the Mastering Manga books. I'm practicing my drawing when I find time to using the tips from the videos and books, and going beyond my comfort zone. I'm planning on setting up a blog where I will be posting my progress. I'm also working on making characters for a story I've been wanting to tell, and can't wait for more videos like this so I can feel like I can handle drawing a character consistently. I have most of the characters planned out, including personalities and motivations, but don't feel quite confident enough yet to draw them.
I'm making a obliviously not real manga for my school class to read but I don't have and inspiration but whenever i see your videos I get inspired. The thing is thought that when I actually pick up the pencil I don't want to draw anymore...
Yeah. Trying to focus and stay motivated can be hard at times, I know I've lost inspiration many, many times :/ Sometimes you've just got to make yourself do it. Like just sit down and start, even if you don't feel like doing it. And if you're having trouble coming up with ideas and have artist/writers block, try freewriting and/or doodling.
Comment for all your videos I've seen: I love the way you explain things. You don't explain it from a master point of view showing off, but from a 'father's point of view. You give tips (advices) for us to succeed and you do it with a lot of 'pedagogy'. And you think outside the box like the 'don't forget about the dialogue'. Great work and it does help me. Thank you.
this is so interesting and very very helpful, thank you Mark! You are a big inspiration! :) Would you be able to make a video talking about writing? I'd really be interested in hearing about your process with writing and dialogue. I find that that is my weakest point when trying to create a story.
I have to say thank you because at first I was a OK drawer. But now I've gotten better over the past two days thanks to ur (and others) videos. now thay don't look regular drawings, but live drawings with passion.
Obviously I'm not Mark but one bit of advice I can give in this regard is referencing, referencing, referencing. If you have a character you should view them in a three dimensional way. You should have a general idea of what they look like from every angles. Make sure your character is fully fleshed out in your mind and then use references of pictures of either real life people or other (well done) drawings from the angles you wish to have your character facing. There;s nothing wrong with using references. Every accomplished artist uses references.
Mark, your videos continue to amaze and inspire me to no end. Thanks for all the help! I don't know where my art skills would lie now if it wasn't for your amazing and helpful videos. Keep it up :)
This is very helpful! Most people consider me a good artist but I suck at create original Characters, no matter what I do I can never enjoy my creation, so thanks for the video!
I dunno if you'll read this, but PLEASE do more videos like these! I like all your videos, but I find these the most inspirational and educational. Like, how to design characters and all that. And what you said about dialogue really got me thinking a well. thank you!:3
I love watching your videos, I love listening to your voice, and your jokes crack me up man. Mark you're a very likable dude. Thanks for sharing those awesome tips.
With the clothing thing, I have a possessed puppet who died in WWII and was a British soldier. and the puppet he possessed is something he carved 10 years before he died, and his puppet wears a British WWII medic uniform.
Mark, You came to my school ,S.P.E, a couple if years ago and ever since you have been my inspiration towards manga drawing I have bought all your books and find the content so helpful. -Best Wishes Alex
I've wanted to start making Manga for a little over 10 years now and thank to your videos I'm not only much more well equipped to do so but have much more drive to make that happen. I can't thank you enough for taking the time you do to make these and give people that motivation to do something like this!
Your videos are SO helpful. I'm one of those people that have these great ideas in their head but can't express it on paper. I know that practice is key and I'd love to do that with the help of your Mastering Manga books. They're definitely one of the top things I'll get myself after saving some money. Keep up the good work, you are amazing! :D
you should definitely make an anime and do your own voices it would be awesome and hilarious. i love the voice you made to the captain, the cop and Brody.
Seeing Talia again breathing back memories of when I had just started drawing. I watched a video of you drawing chibi Talia on demand. It was the first picture I drew successfully. It made me feel very proud. Thanks so much Mark😀
I love your work, I have both mastering manga and use them religiously when drawing my own comics, but your talk of drawing a character consistently brings to light a problem I've been having for some time. So a video detailing your process of how to do it would really be awesome.
gotta say i love your advice on doing dialogue with your characters, something that had never crossed my mind, but after hearing it i feel like it could really help a lot with my drawings. Thanks dude! and on a side note.. I love your videos, they've helped me considerably with my technique and style. Keep it up Mark, people like myself truly appreciate what your are doing. Many thanks.
Do you write you stories/dialogue out like a book or a play first and then illustrate them? Or do you just have the story in your head and plop it down in the bubbles as you're drawing? How's that aspect of it work?
Hey Mark, I just want to say I've been following your videos for quite a while and I'm finally getting to drawing. I'm at the stage where I copy a lot though and feel like I can't draw anything on my own. I bought your first Mastering Manga book hoping it will help me understand how proportions work and eventually create my own characters and stories. My work is mediocre at best but you inspire me to keep going! Thanks for everything you've done for your viewers, and I plan to purchase your mangas soon.
Oh and mark? I wanna know how much backgrounding you should do while drawing in the panels. I always see some people do half done shaded backgrounds or high detail super backgrounds but I want to know how much backgrounding is needed, when, where and how. I'm really terrible at doing backgrounds and stuff so this would be really helpful.
I am far from being an expert, but what I've read is that it is best to do a large background when introducing a new surrounding(classroom, park, street, etc.) and less detailed backgrounds during conversations(just parts of the background to remind the reader of the location of the characters and just halftones/black/white). I hope this helps a bit :)
You wrote Brodys Ghost? That was my favorite book back in middle school!(Granted Id only ever read the first volume since that was all I could find but still!)
This video really helped me in be developing stages of my character design for my Fursona - which was in turn slowly being made into a real costume, so it was important for me to get the design right before I started! Thank you for your hard work and the videos you so generously make, I know my character thanks you. :)
For me, writing for characters goes in this order: 1) Where and under what circumstances does this character exist? 2) What is this character's core motivation? 3) What is their psychological disposition? 4) Why? 5) What kind of people does this person associate with? Once I answer these questions, I begin to flesh out the story in this order: 1) What happens at the end? 2) What are the most important details I want to incorporate? 3) Why would the reader want to read it a second time? 4) How close to the end can I start? 5) How much unnecessary clutter can be removed?
Hey i'm thinking about buying your mastering manga books. I'm really trying to learn on clothing,hair,and eyes. Do your books have a lot of those things?
Lou The Dragon Henry who? Are you sure you dont have the wrong person? wait olivia is that you? Or maybe lori? IM SO CONFUSEDDDDDDD!!! New question- Who are you? Like do i know you...?
When I cam up with my characters, I learned o draw them over and over at first by breaking down the elements in their faces and bodies and basically doing a study of my own drawings so I can reproduce them at that angle and at different angles. I also noticed certain things like the character's smile, the way they would move vs. the way other characters move is equally important to making the characters distinguishable from one another.
Mark, could you create a video that explains how to draw (both guys and girls for this) from wire-frame body to fully clothed and shaded people? All of your videos are great, but none of cover this in depth and if you did this (especially in real time,) I think it would benefit all of your subscribers. I have purchased both of your mastering manga books and feel showing how to go from wire frame to character would be the jump from light speed to hyper drive if you understand what I mean. As always, thanks so much for all your work into your videos and books. You are awesome!
This is an excellent video Mark! I can draw pretty well, I do lots of observational drawing, perspective studies, and anatomy studies. But writing and designing characters is something I really, really struggle with. Thanks for the tips!
I love being a writer, and I've had a few times the characters reacting in a different way then I kinda expected. So I understand a bit what you mean. But well, I'm not really good in social situations. The part I'm actually the best in is trying to be alert of all thoughts that reach your mind, even if they are there for a split second, or conflicting on high speed, I try to recall them and write them down. I always have the feeling most people don't try to think of the thoughts, but that's what makes a personality. The only trap is to find out what your own thoughts are and which the one you made while trying to place yourself in the character. That's hard to figure out. Oh well, I just wanted to say that it's funny to hear that again, and if you experience stuff like that, it's a sign that you're really good at writing and make the characters kinda 'live' in your head. Also, thanks for the tips, I never thought about looking at it like that, but hearing you say that made me realise you can't just create a character in one, two, three and poof! there it is! I'll definitely use them!
Normally, a story is better when the character is created first. If you try to build a plot around a character, it develops better and has more potential. When you create a plot and try to fit in a character, it doesn't' really mesh and it can feel out of place. However this doesn't mean you *have* to develop the character first. As long as the plot and character blends and makes sense, then you'll have a better outcome in a story.
KitKat1122 I have to agree yet disagree. Characters "thrown" into already developed plot can also work pretty neatly, as long as you can make it fluid. Of course, that takes a lot of skill and experience, but it's beautiful when masterfully applied.
Hello Mr Mark. I just wanted to say that I find your work really inspiring, and I've only watched your videos, so I can only imagine how much more motivating your actual books are. And also you are my biggest role model, you see because it's my dream to become a Graphic novelist. Tank you so much for all your tips and guides, they help a lot. one of your biggest fans, Michelle.
markcrilley Hi Mark! I know this is one of your slightly older videos, and this comment is has absolutely nothing to do with shading, but I just wanted to say that you are my favorite artist and a great inspiration and thank you for uploading this video. It really helped a lot! I'm not planning on getting it published, but for my own personal entertainment I was thinking on writing a comic of my own. Do you have any other advice? If so, please reply, until then, have a great day!, Ginger (my OC or own character)
Not a visual artist myself, but I'm a devout watcher of your videos because it's certainly helpful to look at the thoughts of someone like you. As a writer I find this particular video very helpful, although the other ones do a great deal towards helping me become a better writer too! Keep it up Mark!
Mark great tutorials. Like the fact that you have a type of cheat sheet for each character. Not only is that helpful but it shows the amount of time you have to take just to develop one character not to mention several for a storyline.
This and the How I Draw Comics video helped me with my comics, sure they aren't exactly that type of anime, in fact they are actually Sonic ones, but the videos still helped me. Forever grateful!
OMG I want mastering manga!!! If that is about what you show us, then I want it. Please never stop creating these amazing artworks. You are, at the moment, my RUclips inspiration. ✌🏼😊
Thank you for making the videos. I've been trying to start my own comic for months, but didn't know how to go about it. I have trouble with buildings and anatomic objects. These tips will help me with the characters that I've created, so thank you!
Oh! I saw Mastering Manga in my local bookstore, I'll have to check it out! These vids are VERY helpful, I'm training myself to be a cartoonist when I get old enough to make money/have a job 'n stuff. So I really appreciate all your doin on youtube!
Remember: Spiders have eight legs!!! I hate people thinking they have six... Uhm sorry ^^ but +Devoid up there is right. You should look at some monsterlike chreatures you are going to draw and see how they can pose and act.
I'm going to get your books. Also your advises are really helpful. I like it how you really don't pay attention to a lot of things and focus on the main points and stuff. I wish you were my art teacher.
I'm going to have a look for some of those books. I seem very interested in Manga style and learning it lately. Except I am absoloutely terrible at it! I love your art!
I am glad you touched on the importance of dialogue. I am mainly a writer, but since I have found it difficult to find an artist to work gratis on my idea, decide to pick up the pencil. (So to speak) And your videos and Mastering Manga books have been helpful.
Character consistency is my biggest challenge when it comes to something like a comic book >_< are there any recommended tutorials for consistency of a character drawn in different poses / angles?
Emma Frost You're welcome! :) So you want to make erotic stories??? Nice! I'm interested in that genre as well! In my mind everything is better if you mix it with SCI-FI! It can be horror, comedy, romance, drama, even erotic!
Hey mark I went to art store recently and found both of your mastering manga books and I just went on to the stores website to find your books again cause I didn't have the money to buy them when I was at the store and that led me here but I just wanted to say your tips are very helpful and i plan on buying both your books cause i have characters ive created for anime/manga roleplays im a part of and ive wanted to draw what my characters look like for a while nowrather than just describing what they look likea and your books are going to be a huge help as will your videos keep up the great work man peace
Mark, weird question: Have you heard of people 'coloring in' your books? Is that a thing? I'm a serial colourist ;) Can't help adding colour to line drawn images :D
I would love more about all of those things, but especially getting a character to look the same from different angles... I can do one, but figuring out how to do a profile, 3/4 view, birds-eye, or worms-eye of the same character is hard for me. Thank you so much for all you do!!! You are an amazing inspiration for me!
he made miki falls? i love that book! what! its even in my school library this guy is talented
OH MA GOD
talented and the right attitude yes
This is without a doubt the best Comic creation channel on the net.
Thanks!!
Its so respectable that you reply to so many people Mark! There are so few RUclipsrs who will do that for their fans. A great video as always.
Thanks Danny; I do what I can. :)
I've been subscribed for about 2-3 years now and ever since I've watched your videos, my drawings have changed sooooo much!
I've been drawing since I was a child, turning 9, i had a passion for art and when I turned 12, I found this channel, my art improved and now I'm turning 15, my art is so good and I've even been asked to publish my book in 4 years time.
This is long but if I never found this channel, my art would be lacking and now I'm the best artist in my art class and publishing a manga in 2019.
Thank you so much for being my idol and the biggest inspiration to my art! xx
Karu Kikonata Glad I can help, Karu! :)
Niceee
What’s the title?
Its almost 2019, hows the progress?
2019, what’s it called?
I love how you change your voice... I do the same thing
Damn that short sneak peak really made me want to read your manga.
Ashuvain Omg I love your profile pic
+Ashuvain same for me
Mom doesn't like Amazon.
+Sierra Aiken same! SAO! xD
+The Gaming Stone is your profile pic a guy from high school story
How to make a Original Character
Step 1: No Tracing or Coping other people's artwork
Step 2: Learn The Fundamentals of Drawing (ex. Gesture, Anatomy, Perspective, Proportions and etc.)
Step 3: Learn how to study people's artwork instead of tracing and coping. Draw their art work as a studies get into the mind of the art, try to figure out how he or she came up with the drawing you're studying. Utilizing other people's rt work can help you, however it can and will cripple you if all you do is copy (ex. You draw a cartoon cat, then try to draw a realistic man, resulting in a failure.)
Step 4: Buy some books on drawing realism and cartoons
Step 5: Give you're character a story, where they're from, powers and abilities, origins, flaws and etc.
Step 6: Give your self time to grow, I know how much you wanna draw a character based off of Naruto or fan-art, but you need to learn the fundamentals. If you skip the fundamentals you will produce some really bad art.
Step 7: You must work be persistent, passionate and dedicated to drawing. If you can't draw eyes get some pictures of eyes and draw them 100 times, but when you reach your 101th drawing, you better know how to draw those eye from you're mind.
Step 8: Don't procrastinate, if you get tired of drawing, take 20 minute break then get right back to it. Remember, skipping the fundamentals will get you no where, once you've become proficient in them, then you can start to experiment and design.
If you finished reading the steps and are saying no way I'm doing all that. Well, I know you will never be an artist or create a OC that looks accurate and cool, as for people who actually want to try my steps..... Good Luck! I know you will improve on your art skills and create wonderful original character.
soritan zosa Like I said in step 3, don't copy, study their work If you suck at drawing arms don't just copy one arm and then try to draw a realistic human, study many kinds of arms, realistic, cartoons, different style. If you have any more questions please ask :D
***** Interesting.
***** As I said in my comment, your gonna have to copy just learn how to do it correctly and also I like to call it studying other people's art-work, practice makes perfect :)
berniemacsgreatesthi Now there is suppossed to be a strict line separating what is truly original work and what is plagiarism or even art theft. I'm sure quite a bit of artists have had this kind of situation before (myself included).
There are a few reasons to explain the situation such as "I really liked that particular character design and I wanted to make it my own" or "I wanted to replicate this guy's work, but it evolved into my own"
I've got quite a bit of experience at drawing and I'm afraid to be called an "art thief". How do I deal with this situation?
BTW, really liked these steps of yours, they're quite motivating!
Martín Diethelm I wrote a whole big message, but I can't find it, did I send it too you if not tell me about I'll explain everything in your comment.
Never stop doing what you do! You're amazing and I hope to see more of your works!! :)
+Wolfatello TheSingingDancingCosplayer (Also Inuyasha) New video every Friday ^^
+markcrilley
:)
That bit where you say how your own characters can surprise you. I know what you mean, I've been working on a story with a friend for over a year and we both are surprised at what our own characters are willing to do. That even though we created them, that they can still surprise us. And I think that's when you know that your character has had a lot of development. :) This was an awesome video, Mark! Keep it up!
In regards to tip #2 about making cheat sheets, I find it also sometimes helps to base the appearance of your characters in part on real-life people. Actors, actresses, models, athletes, etc.
Also I find it amusing that Spuckler looks a bit like Neil Gaiman XD
I got both of your Mastering Manga books today! I've thrown enough money into music equipment, I thought maybe it's about time I start investing into becoming a multi-disciplined artist. :)
Thank you so much!
Your videos are excellent! For a class I’m required to write an at least 30 page comic in 2 months with zero prior experience and your channel is helping me immensely. Keep making awesome content
Mr. Crilley, have you ever had a time during your manga illustrating phase where you felt like you just couldn't draw right? how did you beat it?
look for different art styles or draw something fictional that you can make up as you're drawing it.
Rass Krispy thank you ^^
+Kaija Akins some days I can't draw anything that's beautiful so I purposely draw ugly characters and things
Rass Krispy I do that too! Or whenever I'm mad or something I'll purposefully draw ugly things and characters. I vent art a lot. XD
Kaija Akins .
i love your art!!
I rate, right now, I really need to learn how to keep consistency when drawing characters. It irks me when I draw my "protagonist" and he has a different face every single time, especially when there's one time when it all comes together and I finally think, "This is it."
I've been watching your videos since I was 11 and I can say your influence really helped me. I've learnt so much from you and you always surprise me. You're a beast. Glad I found your channel. Thanks, Mark.
Naledi Ramphele Try this video for drawing the same character from 3 different angles:
ruclips.net/video/UGCiQySjIp4/видео.html
Wow you don't know how much of an inspiration you've been. I've been trying to draw anime for months and I could never get it right. Finally I stumble on your videos and I feel stupid for not seeing them earlier. I'm still currently drawing my of and I'm proud of it. Ultimately its all thank to you and your channel. Like in the fic I've been experimenting with different styles to find my own and now I have. Once again thank you and I look forward to your videos every Friday.
Erin Gerace Thank you Erin; glad I can help :)
If you could show how to draw the faces in different angles and how to start the basic manga gave guidelines that would be perfect!
Agreed.
Totally agree, he NEEDS to make a video over this. Also if he could show how to draw the body from different angles, I'm having great difficulty with this also.
***** thank you ;3
tactlesstruth exactly!!!
Been working on a Manga for about a year now and I just have to say thank you because your videos have been a tremendous help. Cannot express my gratitude enough.
This manga playlist is pretty helpful, but do you know how to mechanized suits like Iron Man? if so, for the futuristic drawers and me could you make a tutorial on how to draw them?
I still can't believe you wrote Miki Falls! I LOVED that series when I was little!
Me and my sister loved it soooo much and that was one of the first mangas I ever read and it has contributed to my dream of being a manga author.
I cant believe he made a video from my recommendation: D awesome video Mark!!!
Do you keep a "police line up" chart for height and size comparison? I fully agree it isn't just the look of the character but the dialog, posture, and general reactions that make them distinct. Very helpful.
Aging characters. you should make a video about that! for example age 20 and then a drawing at age 30.
That would be awesome, it would be really useful for flashbacks to a protagonists childhood or general character development like from Goku's change from child to adult.
ThatOneSk8rDude Mhm! I often use it and it is extremely useful, I just want other people to know how to do it.
Josh the Pentakid Not all males have mustaches -_- and females do not age quickly but there is a difference. It's not that easy.
I really love watching these videos. I've never felt confident about my drawing, and have tried learning from other tutorials and books, but I never seemed to make any progress until I found these videos and the Mastering Manga books. I'm practicing my drawing when I find time to using the tips from the videos and books, and going beyond my comfort zone. I'm planning on setting up a blog where I will be posting my progress.
I'm also working on making characters for a story I've been wanting to tell, and can't wait for more videos like this so I can feel like I can handle drawing a character consistently. I have most of the characters planned out, including personalities and motivations, but don't feel quite confident enough yet to draw them.
I'm making a obliviously not real manga for my school class to read but I don't have and inspiration but whenever i see your videos I get inspired. The thing is thought that when I actually pick up the pencil I don't want to draw anymore...
+Hina Kanzaki Maybe try painting it instead? Charcoals and pastels work as well.
i dont have the equipment though
Yeah. Trying to focus and stay motivated can be hard at times, I know I've lost inspiration many, many times :/ Sometimes you've just got to make yourself do it. Like just sit down and start, even if you don't feel like doing it. And if you're having trouble coming up with ideas and have artist/writers block, try freewriting and/or doodling.
thanks for the advice
thx
Comment for all your videos I've seen: I love the way you explain things. You don't explain it from a master point of view showing off, but from a 'father's point of view. You give tips (advices) for us to succeed and you do it with a lot of 'pedagogy'.
And you think outside the box like the 'don't forget about the dialogue'.
Great work and it does help me. Thank you.
this is so interesting and very very helpful, thank you Mark! You are a big inspiration! :) Would you be able to make a video talking about writing? I'd really be interested in hearing about your process with writing and dialogue. I find that that is my weakest point when trying to create a story.
I have to say thank you because at first I was a OK drawer. But now I've gotten better over the past two days thanks to ur (and others) videos. now thay don't look regular drawings, but live drawings with passion.
Please, make a video on changing the angle of a character's face.
Obviously I'm not Mark but one bit of advice I can give in this regard is referencing, referencing, referencing. If you have a character you should view them in a three dimensional way. You should have a general idea of what they look like from every angles. Make sure your character is fully fleshed out in your mind and then use references of pictures of either real life people or other (well done) drawings from the angles you wish to have your character facing.
There;s nothing wrong with using references. Every accomplished artist uses references.
I love how you're saying the lines in the book! It's awesome how you were getting into their character like that.
Thanks Alex.
Mark, your videos continue to amaze and inspire me to no end. Thanks for all the help! I don't know where my art skills would lie now if it wasn't for your amazing and helpful videos. Keep it up :)
Aoba Seragaki Thanks!
I'm buying Mastering Manga in a few days! SO EXCITED!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to make those books!
+Eva Westforce Thank you Eva!
markcrilley Your welcome Mark! :)
i love brodys ghost
Thank you! :)
markcrilley is brodys ghost in any barns and nobles
I think so, yea
LogKey Ecksumm there is ^_^
This is very helpful! Most people consider me a good artist but I suck at create original Characters, no matter what I do I can never enjoy my creation, so thanks for the video!
I dunno if you'll read this, but PLEASE do more videos like these! I like all your videos, but I find these the most inspirational and educational. Like, how to design characters and all that. And what you said about dialogue really got me thinking a well. thank you!:3
InuLoverNr1Hitomi Thanks!
I love watching your videos, I love listening to your voice, and your jokes crack me up man. Mark you're a very likable dude. Thanks for sharing those awesome tips.
With the clothing thing, I have a possessed puppet who died in WWII and was a British soldier. and the puppet he possessed is something he carved 10 years before he died, and his puppet wears a British WWII medic uniform.
THE POWWWERRR if he made the carving 10 years before he died in the war then why is it wearing the medic uniform?
Mark, You came to my school ,S.P.E, a couple if years ago and ever since you have been my inspiration towards manga drawing I have bought all your books and find the content so helpful.
-Best Wishes Alex
mark crilley reading the manga was glorious. please, i wouldn't mind a video, mr. crilley, of you reading one of your works or something hahaha
every time i see your videos for advice, it always gets me excited to try it!
I'd like to see a video about the drawing in different angles!
I've wanted to start making Manga for a little over 10 years now and thank to your videos I'm not only much more well equipped to do so but have much more drive to make that happen. I can't thank you enough for taking the time you do to make these and give people that motivation to do something like this!
Thanks!
Dude i would so watch a video where MarkCrilley is narrating any of his comics.
Thanks Joshua!
That's a great idea! Not that you gotta do it Mark, I know it's time consuming, but I agree it's a great idea!
Your videos are SO helpful. I'm one of those people that have these great ideas in their head but can't express it on paper. I know that practice is key and I'd love to do that with the help of your Mastering Manga books. They're definitely one of the top things I'll get myself after saving some money. Keep up the good work, you are amazing! :D
you should definitely make an anime and do your own voices it would be awesome and hilarious. i love the voice you made to the captain, the cop and Brody.
wouldnt it be scarry if he tryed to act out a girl
yeah but hilarious XD or just get a voice actor. actually it would be fun to watch him read his own manga/comic on youtube with the voices XD
yeah it would
Seeing Talia again breathing back memories of when I had just started drawing. I watched a video of you drawing chibi Talia on demand. It was the first picture I drew successfully. It made me feel very proud. Thanks so much Mark😀
WAIT YOU MADE THE BOOK? I HAVE MASTERING MANGA 2
+Sylveon Girl Thank you!
+markcrilley I love it! I'm trying to start drawing in manga and this book helped me so much!
where can I buy one from him?
+KingOzar Gaming ty
+KingOzar Gaming yeah I wanna try and start small and maybe when I'm older make my own anime
I love your work, I have both mastering manga and use them religiously when drawing my own comics, but your talk of drawing a character consistently brings to light a problem I've been having for some time. So a video detailing your process of how to do it would really be awesome.
4:39 I have that book! Its super useful! It helps me a lot when drawing manga :)
frozen fan lol he wrote that back (you probably knew that :/)
Judge Mollie back?
+agb fan i bought it too so helpful ^^
+agb fan I have both his books XD I love them
Me
gotta say i love your advice on doing dialogue with your characters, something that had never crossed my mind, but after hearing it i feel like it could really help a lot with my drawings. Thanks dude! and on a side note.. I love your videos, they've helped me considerably with my technique and style. Keep it up Mark, people like myself truly appreciate what your are doing.
Many thanks.
Do you write you stories/dialogue out like a book or a play first and then illustrate them? Or do you just have the story in your head and plop it down in the bubbles as you're drawing? How's that aspect of it work?
Hey Mark, I just want to say I've been following your videos for quite a while and I'm finally getting to drawing. I'm at the stage where I copy a lot though and feel like I can't draw anything on my own. I bought your first Mastering Manga book hoping it will help me understand how proportions work and eventually create my own characters and stories. My work is mediocre at best but you inspire me to keep going! Thanks for everything you've done for your viewers, and I plan to purchase your mangas soon.
AnimsOnDemand Thank you so much for your support! :)
Oh and mark? I wanna know how much backgrounding you should do while drawing in the panels. I always see some people do half done shaded backgrounds or high detail super backgrounds but I want to know how much backgrounding is needed, when, where and how. I'm really terrible at doing backgrounds and stuff so this would be really helpful.
I am far from being an expert, but what I've read is that it is best to do a large background when introducing a new surrounding(classroom, park, street, etc.) and less detailed backgrounds during conversations(just parts of the background to remind the reader of the location of the characters and just halftones/black/white). I hope this helps a bit :)
Sure does, thanks.
I havent ever readed Brodys ghost, but I have seen many videos from you, but I have never noticed how beautiful she is, her hair is stuning!
You wrote Brodys Ghost? That was my favorite book back in middle school!(Granted Id only ever read the first volume since that was all I could find but still!)
Thank you! :)
+markcrilley WHERE CAN I FIND PART TWO?!
The Dark Knight Amazon
Your my new favorite youtuber. And definitely one of my favorite artist. Much respect sir.
Thank you Ivey!! ^^
can u tell us how to put together a manga of our own? please I have a story line and characters but I don't know how to put it all together yet
I would like to know this aswell
This video really helped me in be developing stages of my character design for my Fursona - which was in turn slowly being made into a real costume, so it was important for me to get the design right before I started! Thank you for your hard work and the videos you so generously make, I know my character thanks you. :)
Viradectus -Stephanie-Louise- That’s really cool! Did you get your suit? If so I hope it turned out good!
For me, writing for characters goes in this order:
1) Where and under what circumstances does this character exist?
2) What is this character's core motivation?
3) What is their psychological disposition?
4) Why?
5) What kind of people does this person associate with?
Once I answer these questions, I begin to flesh out the story in this order:
1) What happens at the end?
2) What are the most important details I want to incorporate?
3) Why would the reader want to read it a second time?
4) How close to the end can I start?
5) How much unnecessary clutter can be removed?
Your awesome mark I feel bad for not watching your videos for a while your awesome and you inspire me to draw more THANK YOU!
Hey i'm thinking about buying your mastering manga books. I'm really trying to learn on clothing,hair,and eyes. Do your books have a lot of those things?
Emma Swan Yes actually both Mastering Manga books have sections on all three of those subjects. :)
Oh great! I'll try to get em! Thanks!
+Emma Swan so uh, hey how is Henry?
Lou The Dragon Henry who? Are you sure you dont have the wrong person? wait olivia is that you? Or maybe lori? IM SO CONFUSEDDDDDDD!!! New question- Who are you? Like do i know you...?
Emma Swan Dont you remeber? Elsa, Regina, Ingrid? Did Ingrid wipe your memory again?
When I cam up with my characters, I learned o draw them over and over at first by breaking down the elements in their faces and bodies and basically doing a study of my own drawings so I can reproduce them at that angle and at different angles. I also noticed certain things like the character's smile, the way they would move vs. the way other characters move is equally important to making the characters distinguishable from one another.
OMG UR SO GOOD! Could u do a vid on how to color people?
Mark, could you create a video that explains how to draw (both guys and girls for this) from wire-frame body to fully clothed and shaded people? All of your videos are great, but none of cover this in depth and if you did this (especially in real time,) I think it would benefit all of your subscribers. I have purchased both of your mastering manga books and feel showing how to go from wire frame to character would be the jump from light speed to hyper drive if you understand what I mean. As always, thanks so much for all your work into your videos and books. You are awesome!
Markcrilley you have such an amazing voice.
playerdude2 ^_^
:D
This is an excellent video Mark! I can draw pretty well, I do lots of observational drawing, perspective studies, and anatomy studies. But writing and designing characters is something I really, really struggle with. Thanks for the tips!
When you talked about dialogue, I was like " oh my gosh you can use this advice for writing too "
I need to watch all of these cause im planning on focusing on drawing people manga style! And so far this is helping alot
I have trouble implying motion to clothing and hair.
I love being a writer, and I've had a few times the characters reacting in a different way then I kinda expected. So I understand a bit what you mean. But well, I'm not really good in social situations. The part I'm actually the best in is trying to be alert of all thoughts that reach your mind, even if they are there for a split second, or conflicting on high speed, I try to recall them and write them down. I always have the feeling most people don't try to think of the thoughts, but that's what makes a personality. The only trap is to find out what your own thoughts are and which the one you made while trying to place yourself in the character. That's hard to figure out.
Oh well, I just wanted to say that it's funny to hear that again, and if you experience stuff like that, it's a sign that you're really good at writing and make the characters kinda 'live' in your head.
Also, thanks for the tips, I never thought about looking at it like that, but hearing you say that made me realise you can't just create a character in one, two, three and poof! there it is! I'll definitely use them!
when you create a story what comes first for you character design, character personality or the plot of the story?
Normally, a story is better when the character is created first. If you try to build a plot around a character, it develops better and has more potential. When you create a plot and try to fit in a character, it doesn't' really mesh and it can feel out of place. However this doesn't mean you *have* to develop the character first. As long as the plot and character blends and makes sense, then you'll have a better outcome in a story.
KitKat1122 I have to agree yet disagree. Characters "thrown" into already developed plot can also work pretty neatly, as long as you can make it fluid. Of course, that takes a lot of skill and experience, but it's beautiful when masterfully applied.
VERY helpful. You really know how to rough in your ideas to quicken the production process so you can later add in your beautiful detail.
I've got your mastering manga and i like it so much ! You are a very good artist .Keep it up ! ;)
Thank you!!
Hello Mr Mark. I just wanted to say that I find your work really inspiring, and I've only watched your videos, so I can only imagine how much more motivating your actual books are. And also you are my biggest role model, you see because it's my dream to become a Graphic novelist. Tank you so much for all your tips and guides, they help a lot.
one of your biggest fans, Michelle.
Will you do a video on shadowing and shading also one on bases please thanks hope you can help
Search RUclips for "Crilley shading video" :)
OK xD thanks hahahahah
I get so mad I actually have to step away when I try to draw a tree
TheRussianCommrade trees are way harder than they look to draw
markcrilley Hi Mark! I know this is one of your slightly older videos, and this comment is has absolutely nothing to do with shading, but I just wanted to say that you are my favorite artist and a great inspiration and thank you for uploading this video. It really helped a lot! I'm not planning on getting it published, but for my own personal entertainment I was thinking on writing a comic of my own. Do you have any other advice? If so, please reply, until then, have a great day!,
Ginger (my OC or own character)
I remember seeing this in your book and I was amazed by all the changes
+Payton Simmons Thank you Payton :)
markcrilley you are very welcome
Have the urge to buy your books now. They look very good :D
Same! They look really interesting 😂
Not a visual artist myself, but I'm a devout watcher of your videos because it's certainly helpful to look at the thoughts of someone like you. As a writer I find this particular video very helpful, although the other ones do a great deal towards helping me become a better writer too! Keep it up Mark!
Thanks so much-- glad my videos help you!
It's nice to see you replying to comments. Very befitting for someone so skilled :)
Facial expressions and angles! I'v been having so much cry time with that. :s
Mark great tutorials. Like the fact that you have a type of cheat sheet for each character. Not only is that helpful but it shows the amount of time you have to take just to develop one character not to mention several for a storyline.
I like to give my OC's several outfit/ hairdos but I use one as a trademark/common outfit and hair
This and the How I Draw Comics video helped me with my comics, sure they aren't exactly that type of anime, in fact they are actually Sonic ones, but the videos still helped me. Forever grateful!
Mark, I stay up late on a school night just to watch your videos =^_^= (pls don't tell my mom)
Lou The Dragon Your secret is safe with me. :)
Me to lool
I draw in the night lol
Inari Burke i sometimes do that too =P
Your secret is also safe to millions or thousands of people ❤️
OMG I want mastering manga!!! If that is about what you show us, then I want it. Please never stop creating these amazing artworks. You are, at the moment, my RUclips inspiration. ✌🏼😊
Wait, MASTERING MANGA?! I saw that at Michael's the other day! :0 WHOA!!
Thank you for making the videos. I've been trying to start my own comic for months, but didn't know how to go about it. I have trouble with buildings and anatomic objects. These tips will help me with the characters that I've created, so thank you!
I Really needed those tips!! Thank you sooo much xD
Hello! :D
Hiiiieee
Saki Yammy how are you?
I'm good, hbu
Saki Yammy im feeling great!
Oh! I saw Mastering Manga in my local bookstore, I'll have to check it out! These vids are VERY helpful, I'm training myself to be a cartoonist when I get old enough to make money/have a job 'n stuff. So I really appreciate all your doin on youtube!
Do you have any advice on how to create supernatural characters? So ones that don't resemble humans and are not animals, as such.
Remember: Spiders have eight legs!!! I hate people thinking they have six...
Uhm sorry ^^ but +Devoid up there is right. You should look at some monsterlike chreatures you are going to draw and see how they can pose and act.
Excellent advice! :D
JamoeMills try this video at about 30min he show realy interesting whay to create strange character watch?v=diMDoFkN73s&list=WL55DD9308C8FA80B2
That video is literally the best thing ever for inspiration! Thank you so much!
It's good stuff! for sure :)
I'm going to get your books. Also your advises are really helpful. I like it how you really don't pay attention to a lot of things and focus on the main points and stuff. I wish you were my art teacher.
And now's the time I realize that's your book. XD I got it a few weeks ago and I didn't realize lol
+Rubee Games (oulisyue) Thank you!
+Rubee Games lol
his name is 4 times within the first 3 pages
I don't watch his channel much.
I'm going to have a look for some of those books. I seem very interested in Manga style and learning it lately. Except I am absoloutely terrible at it! I love your art!
Such a good video thank you for your help
I am glad you touched on the importance of dialogue. I am mainly a writer, but since I have found it difficult to find an artist to work gratis on my idea, decide to pick up the pencil. (So to speak) And your videos and Mastering Manga books have been helpful.
+narayantx Thanks! Have you seen my video devoted exclusively to dialogue? ruclips.net/video/zJGX2raiafU/видео.html
+markcrilley I'll check it out tonight. Thanks
Character consistency is my biggest challenge when it comes to something like a comic book >_< are there any recommended tutorials for consistency of a character drawn in different poses / angles?
Squid Army Try this one:
How to Draw a Manga Face: 3 Different Angles
Thanks
Hahaha..I love the voices you do for your characters. Thanks Mark, always fun and useful!
I wish I could make those Dousjhi..something, I have great stories in mind that words can´t describe.
same
Jocelyn Vazquez I'll look for some online lessons
You mean "Doujinshis"!!!
Macnavor Yeah. Thank you
Emma Frost You're welcome! :) So you want to make erotic stories??? Nice! I'm interested in that genre as well! In my mind everything is better if you mix it with SCI-FI! It can be horror, comedy, romance, drama, even erotic!
Hey mark I went to art store recently and found both of your mastering manga books and I just went on to the stores website to find your books again cause I didn't have the money to buy them when I was at the store and that led me here but I just wanted to say your tips are very helpful and i plan on buying both your books cause i have characters ive created for anime/manga roleplays im a part of and ive wanted to draw what my characters look like for a while nowrather than just describing what they look likea and your books are going to be a huge help as will your videos keep up the great work man peace
Mark, weird question: Have you heard of people 'coloring in' your books? Is that a thing? I'm a serial colourist ;) Can't help adding colour to line drawn images :D
I WISH I KNEW HOW TO COLOUR! i keep tryingto learn,but i dont get it!
Amalrose Vayalinkal i know its really hard :(
onepiecerocks4242564 Try digital painting is so hard!
In Paint Tool Sai is really hard.
Ikr, I'm trying to digitally paint. It is hard!
I would love more about all of those things, but especially getting a character to look the same from different angles... I can do one, but figuring out how to do a profile, 3/4 view, birds-eye, or worms-eye of the same character is hard for me. Thank you so much for all you do!!! You are an amazing inspiration for me!