Professional Manga

Combine high-end manga storytelling theory and advice with the tools for digital creation in Manga Studio, guided by expert professional manga-ka.

You'll discover manga storytelling techniques, from speed lines to technology, from toning to big sound effects. Steve Horton and Jeong Mo Yang then show you how best to accomplish these techniques using the leading manga art creation program, Manga Studio EX. Every ounce of theory is backed up with step-by-step manga illustrations and Manga Studio screenshots that show how these illustrations were created.

See the techniques in action in The Other Side of the Tracks, a new manga short story in the book centerfold which demonstrates at least one example from every technique described. You can also follow the continuing story as a webmanga available at comicspace.com.

And there's more! The companion CD includes trial version of Manga Studio EX along with high-resolution image files from the book.

Smith Micro has also included a coupon for $100 off the full version of Manga Studio EX.

--Authors are expert professional manga-ka (creators), with credits such as TokyoPop's Star Trek: the Manga and Dyoz, Image Comics' Strongarm, and Grounded Angel on the web.

--There is no other Manga book that melds high-end Manga storytelling theory and advice, with the tools for digital creation in Manga Studio.

--In the book centerfold is a new manga short story: The Other Side of the Tracks, which shows at least one example from every technique described. This story will continue after publication as a webmanga.

--Demo version of Manga Studio EX on CD (plus exclusive value-adds not found elsewhere) along with high-resolution image files from the book.

--Smith Micro (makers of Manga Studio) will provide a coupon in the back of the book for $50 to $100 off the $220 Manga Studio EX software.

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Force: Character Design from Life Drawing

Design creative characters inspired by real people. Let Mike Mattesi show you how to use life drawing to discover the poses, features and personalities which form the basis of character and then build, develop and 'PUSH' your drawings to new heights of dramatic and visual impact for believable characters audiences can relate to.

Packed with color illustrations and photographs of the models who inspired them. With step-by-step explanation of how the characters were developed and exercises for you to sharpen your skills this is everything you need to bring your characters to life.

* Push your character designs to the next level with creative life drawing
* See how it's done; with photographs of models and the characters they inspired
* Unlock your imagination; put the theory into practice with detailed exercises to sharpen your skills

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Character Design for Graphic Novels

Character Design for Graphic Novels not only showcases the best in character design from the world's leading artists onscreen and on the printed page, but provides you with a hardworking guide to the process behind the evolution and development of character design, the key milestones of the art, the genre busters, and the genre definers.

This stunning book offers a unique insight into the creative process, interviewing the genre's leading artists, showcasing their work, and showing how it is done so you can benefit from their expertise when creating your own graphic novel characters.

Throughout the book biographies of the major artists in each field, their inspirations, their achievements, and their finest hours, are highlighted to give you the inspiration required to succeed in this competitive field.

Learn how popular characters evolved from sketches, drawings, and initial inspirations, through fine-tuning, discussion, and alternative proposals, to onscreen debut and first-edition publication on the printed page.

Featured artists include: Colleen Doran (Illustrator on the Neil Gaiman's - New York Times bestselling author- Sandman series), Kurt Busiek (Writer for Marvel Comics), Eddie Campbell (Illustrator of Alan Moore's acclaimed 'From Hell')and Stan Sakai (creator of the famous character Usagi the bunny).

* Learn how some of the great contemporary and near contemporary illustrators design their graphic novel characters
* Benefit from the professional invaluable insight into how character design changes depending on the medium, the audience, trends, and different decades
* Fully illustrated in color thoughout to showcase the best artwork and inspire your creativity!

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Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators, Second Edition

Capture the force in your life drawing subjects with this practical guide to dynamic drawing techniques - packed with superb, powerfully drawn examples that show you how to:

* Bring your work to life with rhythmic drawing techniques
* Create appealing and dynamic poses in your drawings
* Experience the figure's energy in three dimensional space
* Use the asymmetry of straight and curved lines to clarify the direction of force in the body
* Build on your foundational anatomy and figure drawing skills to animate your drawings
*Apply the theory of force to your on-location and animal drawing observations


Whether you are an animator, comic book artist, illustrator or fine arts' student you'll learn to use rhythm, shape, and line to bring out the life in any subject while Mike Mattesi's infectious enthusiasm will have you reaching for your pencils!

Mike Mattesi is the owner and founder of Entertainment Art Academy (www.enterartacad.com) based in Southern California. He has been a professional production artist and instructor for the last fifteen years with clients including Disney, Marvel Comics, Hasbro Toys, ABC, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, DreamWorks and Nickelodeon.

Audience level: Intermediate to advanced

* Discover and master the techniques of rhythmic drawing and bring your work to life
* Learn from a professional production artist who has successfully taught his unique techniques for the last fifteen years
* Written in an accessible, enthusiastic style which will have you reaching for your pencils!

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Character Design for Mobile Devices Character Design for Mobile Devices

Mobile gaming on cell phones and portable consoles is a huge business, and many characters have become design icons. However, the physical limitations of these small screens, and the technological challenges of different gaming platforms, mean that designers have had to become experts at creating characters with just a few points of light. Creating art for these devices is a completely different process than used when creating art for highly sophisticated 3D games. The difference between pixel art and art created for 3D games is two-fold: there are practical considerations that must be addressed as well as aesthetic considerations. This book will cover both subjects as well as examining the evolution of gaming graphics-explaining the significance of the changes we've seen in game artistry and what we can learn from examining successful icons and graphics created in the past. Character Design for Mobile Devices looks at the techniques, the inspiration, the technologies, and the creative challenges behind designing characters with only a few pixels at your disposal.

Filled with:
*Practical and inspirational tutorials that enable you to clearly understand the processes involved in creating art for mobile devices
*Timely and inspirational information
*Features over 400 full-color images to inspire and instruct

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