What do you think of Christopher Hart's Anime/Manga Tutorial books?
@TrinityDownpour (790)
Liechtenstein
April 26, 2013 5:12am CST
To me, those books are generic and bland. His Cutting Edge Anatomy book isn't good either because it only teaches you to draw superhero body types (the females have only one body type in that book). For anybody who want to learn how to draw manga/anime, they should buy those books from the Japanese. There are English how to draw books by Japanese, why don't they just go for that instead of Christopher's Hart or Katy Coope's book? My art college has his books, I can't believe it, of all college, an art college has his book. Christopher Hart's book are known to have anatomy mistakes. Don't believe me, try to do some Googling.
2 responses
@Aja103654 (5646)
• Philippines
27 Apr 13
LOL, anyone is capable of drawing anime or manga even without those books. They just have to be more observant with their environment and draw from what they see not copy someone else's technique through reading books or tutorials.
Mind you, tutorials are useful that it gives you an idea how to draw but I greatly discourage one to copy their technique otherwise one's art won't be special, unique and it would end up being generic and typical. We don't want that.
Copy other mangaka's drawings and see any anatomy you find that suits you and come up with your own, modify and put more creativity and originality.
@Aja103654 (5646)
• Philippines
28 Apr 13
If you like that style then go for it! There will be people who will be drawn to a certain art more than another.
I like the anime art of getbackers, breaker and that shinsengumi anime of which I forgot the whole title. 
What kind of drawing style do want then?
What kind of drawing style do want then?@TrinityDownpour (790)
• Liechtenstein
27 Apr 13
I do have my own style. I used to use those how to draw manga books but now I abadon them because I wanted a style that's not too anime.
@TrinityDownpour (790)
• Liechtenstein
27 Apr 13
*abandoned them* Typo mistake.
Also my drawing style is starting to look a bit American rather than Japanese. (But it's not like the Marvel/DC style)
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
26 Apr 13
Mr. Hart's art isn't bad. It's just not anime/manga. You can see the influence of American cartoons in his work and that's not what people are looking for when they want to learn to draw in the Japanese style.
I don't even know what to say about Ms. Coope except she needs to take some more lessons before writing another book teaching others how to draw. I've seen better work from a preschooler.
@Aja103654 (5646)
• Philippines
27 Apr 13
Good point. Each artist has his or her own drawing style. If you don't like the style, then come up with your own or look for another artist's tutorial whose art style you like.
@TrinityDownpour (790)
• Liechtenstein
27 Apr 13
Ms Coope was a teen that time when they hire her to draw those books. She's an adult now and her drawing style hasn't change much.
Besides I already developed my own drawing style and didn't really rely that much on those manga books. Instead I rely on anatomy books especially the ones from Andrew Loomis.
@Aja103654 (5646)
• Philippines
28 Apr 13
when i was a child I was taught to refer to human anatomy books to study the shapes and the techniques on how to draw the human body.
It is not a good thing that Ms Coope art has not changed. It should improve, not stay the same.
