Girl to Grrrl Review: and a few words about The Beyonder and Pens
on November 2nd, 2009
Here’s a really nice review of Girl to Grrrl Manga, my book for Impact, which actually came out some time ago, yet still sells quite nicely.
Detail is the most apropos word to describe this book. Ms. Doran goes into detail at a level far greater than most how to books. She begins with the basics of drawing; as most do, but she then goes on to spend several pages describing the creation and placement of the eyes. She even shows how the drama of a scene can be heightened by the size and complexity of the tears. She spends a good deal of time showing how the face and body is built, from a simply stick drawing to full Shoujo complexity. She even takes time to discuss the subtle differences that help show the characters age and gender.
I truly enjoyed working on my how-to books for Impact and though they have been out a while now, they are still in print. I immodestly suggest they would make excellent gifts for Christmas. I think Manga Pro is actually a better advice book, but Girl to Grrrl is a fun style guide.
Here is one of the many original drawings I did for the project. I like working in this type of line. Maybe I will do a comic entirely in this style someday.
For years I’ve recommended Deleter Neo-Piko Line pens, but they are Japanese imports and hard to get in the USA. If you are looking for a good substitute, try the new Prismacolor Premier. The Premier pen .01 point is comparable to the Deleter .03 point. The Premier pens also seem to last longer. They are archival quality, acid free, and lightfast. I am very happy with them.
More importantly, it’s easy to find them in any art supply store. I even found them in stationary stores. I have to mail order every Deleter pen I buy, which is costly and inconvenient.
The Deleter .03 has a much sharper point with a little bit of give that I love, and I can’t find anything comparable. But that point is best used on faces and hair. For general drawing, I now use the Premier pen and I save a lot of money by swapping out the pens – I can go through several Deleters per page, especially if I am using paper with a bit of tooth to the surface! It tears the point up long before the ink is gone.
Since I never know when I won’t be able to get the Deleter, I feel comfortable using the Premier for all my work.
Holy cow, I can’t believe I drew this picture of The Beyonder.
I agree with you about the difference between the two books. Girl to Grrl is about the drawing. Manga Pro is about what to do with it once you get the drawing going. Use the first book to develop your look and the second for putting it into a proposal that a publisher will want to look at and read and buy.
Not that I own both or anything
Thanks!
To illustrate how often I go to Amazon, I had not seen my reviews there until today. I’m pleased people enjoy the books! It looks like they got across what I wanted to get across.