What Tools Do Professional Manga Artists Use?

Kayleigh

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    I know this is a silly question coming from someone who draws so much, but I'm working on a manga book at the moment and I need to find out the certain types of pens/markers/tools/whatever that professional [shoujo] manga artists use. Such as in the type of drawing in Tokyo Mew Mew. (I'll post a picture later so you can see) The lines are so thin and fine, and none of my pens allow me to draw like that. I've tried several brands but I can't seem to find the exact type. I'd also like to know what kinds of tools they use to create the sparkly backgrounds and shading effects. ^_^; If anyone could answer these questions then I would be eternally grateful. A price and location where to get them would help a lot too. Thanks!
     
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    The nibs typically used by shoujo artists are round, G, school and spoon nibs. I use panatone, even though it's kinda a pain to use. x.x I don't think it really matters what kind of paper you use.

    As for the sparkly backgrounds. You can use the pen for strippling effects, and add correction fluid to give it a shiny effect. =3 There are also allot of screen tones that have pretty, sprakly effects like that, along with plaids, hearts, etc.
     
    I use Photoshop 7, Paint Shop Pro, and Flash MX to do my art and graphics..

    they come out nice at the end. ^_^
     
    Here's a site I know of that ships to the U.S. n.n-
    https://www.howtodrawmanga.com/htpens.html
    They sell Tachikawa and Nikko pen nibs, and have a nice selection of cute screen tones so Id suggest you check it out. =3

    I'm not sure if anyone in your area sells manga supplies (Never been to Texas ;_;), so ordering them online might be your only option for now.

    Edit: I don't think she's talking aboutCGI, Haruka. n.n() Manga is typically done 100% by hand... Well...with an exception of the text. The artist usually attaches tracing paper over the finished project containing the text before they ship it off to the publisher. That way, they can add the text before it's published.
     
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    Okay, thank you both very, very much! ^_^ (Though I don't have Photoshop yet so I can't make computer graphics. I may get it someday and see.) I'll look at that website and see about the different pens.

    Also, orange*berry, would you mind adding 'Manga' between 'Professional' and 'Artists' please? I meant to put it but I forgot. ._. I am talking about the manga type of art, so it would make more sense. Thank you!
     
    Done! Glad I could help, Kay. n.n
    Also, if your going to be doing color stuff, the same site sells Copic supplies.
    Edit: Hn? What on earth? x.x I changed the title, but it looks as though it only changed when your in the topic. Weird...
     
    Ohh, okay! n.n() I thought I could just edit it that way, but I guess not. *Goes off to do it correctly*

    Anyway, Copic makes really neat-o markers that are good for that sort of thing. They have an airbrush too, but Iv never used it before. x.x
     
    Templates. n.n() *L* I only have a circle one, but I use it so much. It's really been helpful for me, and I'm sure you've got a ruler or some kind of straight edge laying around.

    And, correction (white opaque) ink is nessisary in shoujo manga. Lots of little white spots you've gotta throw in. *L* n.n()

    Another thing I like to use for manga is a rapidograph nib. They're pretty common in the U.S., so you don't have to order it online or anything. I just like the lines they make; really convenient for some things like strippling. *L* n.n I used a thick one for filling in black areas, but it broke over one of my projects not to long ago. x.x That made a mess...()
     
    Well, a template is kinda like a stencil. It's just a peice of flat plastic with circle shapes cut out of it. n.n() I suppose you could do the same thing with a compas, though. There are also oval ones... I wish I had one. x.x()

    Strippling is when you make tiny dots with your pen. Kinda like... Hmm.. *Attaches image* This! =3
     
    Oh, yes. Of course they do. n.n- My dad has one with triangles and things, but he refuses to share it with me. x.x()

    I actually scanned that from my manga book. I think the site I showed you has it. It's the shoujo one. You might want to get that too since it touches on allot of little things like tones and such. n.n()
     
    Oh, why thank you, Kay. n.n- Yessu. I adore that book. It's taught me quite a bit. Makes me wish I had some money to stock up on cute screen tone patterns, though. x.x

    And yes, both my parents are artists. They actually met in art school. Guess that explains where I got it from. n.n()
     
    No problem, Kay. n.n You can send me a PM or whatever if you happen to run into any problems.

    And! Once you get going on your project, you had better post it here. =P
     
    I did a self-research online about those tools, and I was confused to no end ^_^;;
    I wonder if there is any manga drawing classes around here where I live (My friend and I are interested)
     
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