Читать книгу Drawing Cute Manga Chibi - Ryusuke Hamamoto - Страница 7

Lesson 1

CHIBI BASICS

CHANGING EXPRESSION THROUGH PROPORTION

IN THIS CHAPTER, WE’LL LOOK AT THE BASIC METHODS FOR DRAWING CHIBI CHARACTERS RANGING IN HEIGHTS FROM 1.5 TO 4 TIMES THE SIZE OF THEIR HEADS. THIS WAY YOU’LL BE ABLE TO COMPARE THE VARIOUS CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS AT A GLANCE. THE TRICK TO GETTING IT RIGHT IS TO REMEMBER THAT THE SMALLER THE BODY IN PROPORTION TO THE HEAD, THE SIMPLER THE DETAILS SHOULD BE.

Emphasizing Changes in Expression

Although all the drawings use chibi techniques, the depiction of the limbs and torso becomes simplified as the head-to-body ratio increases. On a figure whose body is four times the height of her head, finger movement is perceptible, but on a figure with a high head-to-body ratio, hand details are significantly reduced.

In comic book illustrations, figures are generally six heads tall. For women, the swelling of the chest and the curve of the waist are clearly defined.

Although the figure is a caricature, it maintains its femininity. Six heads tall is an ideal choice for depicting children.

The eyes are large in comparison with the face and the joints become simplified. On a figure with these proportions, it’s still possible to define the gender.

It’s All in the Eyes

As the head-to-body ratio increases, the face becomes more compact, with the eyes taking up more room. The eyes are important features for characters’ expressions, so make sure they are balanced with the specific head-to-body ratio you’re using.

The sense of the character’s gender is lost, replaced instead by a generic “cuteness.” Often when drawing the hands, even the thumb is left out.

At this height, it becomes difficult to express age via the physique. The legs become shorter, and the neck all but disappears. The joints are also simplified.

This is around the height and physique for mascot-type figures. Gender is impossible to define through the physique, so it’s expressed through hairstyle and clothing.

The head and body are the same size and you’re not able to draw body parts in detail. The eyes take up much more room on the face, and the nose is omitted entirely.

PROPORTIONS FOR FIGURES 1.5 HEADS TALL

AT 1.5 HEADS TALL, BODY PARTS ARE SMALL AND IT’S PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DEFINE A CHARACTER’S GENDER. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE THICKNESS OF THE LIMBS AND OTHER FEATURES BECOMES CRUCIAL. LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCES.

Front on

The thickness of the limbs helps express whether a character is male or female. Large, blunt limbs appear masculine, while tapered limbs seem more feminine.

At this height, the ends of the hands and feet are significantly simplified or omitted. Doing this makes for a more adorable, caricaturized look.

Side view

Define the tip of the nose when drawing the side view. The stomach protrudes in the way a baby’s would.

View from below

The physique doesn’t alter much when seen from below, but as the drawing is distorted, the chin is omitted.

Bird’s-eye view

There’s little change when the figure is shown from above, but the overhead angle means the crown of the head is larger.

Rear view

Draw characters’ legs angled outward to express energy and momentum or angle legs inward to convey an unassuming, adorable impression.

PROPORTIONS FOR FIGURES 2 HEADS TALL

AT TWO HEADS TALL, THE LIMBS BECOME LONGER, BUT THE FIGURE IS BASICALLY THE SAME AS AT 1.5 HEADS TALL. THE WAYS TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN GENDERS, SUCH AS THE THICKNESS OF THE LIMBS AND OTHER PROPORTIONS, ARE ALSO VERY SIMILAR.

Front view

As for a figure 1.5 heads tall, taper the limbs for female characters and make them blunt for male characters, accompanied by a sturdier body.

Side view

From the front on, the neck is concealed by the chin, but when viewed from the side it becomes apparent, although still very short. This is the main difference between figures of this height and those that are 1.5 heads tall.

View from below

When showing the figures from below, draw the limbs for male and female characters differently. The male’s feet should be firmly planted.

Bird’s-eye view

Viewed from above, the legs can be seen barely extending from the torso. Differentiate between male and female feet through their shape.

Rear view

The figures’ bottoms are about the same size, but make the male’s look larger by drawing his legs slightly farther apart.

PROPORTIONS FOR FIGURES 2.5 HEADS TALL

THIS IS THE MOST ADAPTABLE PROPORTION TO USE WHEN DRAWING CHIBI CHARACTERS. IT’S EASY TO INCORPORATE CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES AND SKILFULLY USE THE SENSE OF DISTORTION AS WELL AS THE CHARACTERS’ INDIVIDUALITY TO CUTE EFFECT.

Front view

For figures at this height, don’t pay too much attention to the joints, but create limbs with smooth lines.

Side view

Don’t draw the stomach flat; make it stick out a little. This results in a faintly child-like look, an adorable effect particular to the chibi style.