Manga & Anime Art Studio

From big, expressive eyes to dramatic action poses, manga and anime have a style all their own — and in Manga & Anime Art Studio, students learn how to draw it. This four-session course for middle schoolers breaks the style down into techniques students can practice and master: proportioning anime faces and bodies, drawing signature eyes and hairstyles, showing emotion with simple expressive lines, and posing characters in motion. Students then put it all together by designing an original character of their own and bringing them to life in a short comic-style panel layout. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering the art form, this class gives you the skills to create characters that look like they stepped right off the page.

Anime Faces and Proportions Students learn the proportions and guidelines manga faces and bodies are built on, then draw the big, expressive eyes and bold hairstyles that define the style.

Expressions and Action Poses Simple, exaggerated lines show emotion on a character's face. Students then sketch full-body figures in dynamic action poses, adding shading, patterns, and clean, confident line work.

Designing an Original Character Students create a character of their own, deciding on everything from personality to outfit while developing a personal take on the manga style.

Telling Stories in Panels To finish, students lay out a short sequence of comic panels that brings their original character to life and tells a story, as if it stepped right off the page.