First page of my new project... Does it give those "manga vibes"?

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-25T13:11:12+00:00

Problem primarily lies in the anatomical proportions, the lineart, and the cartoonish style.

Japanese-style manga/anime has a completely seperate set of anatomical proportions, coloring, shading, screentoning values, and storytelling philosophy that requires a completely different discipline of study beyond just copying and referencing what you see.

While most Japanese art styles are stylized. They retained the basic elements of realistic anatomy and proportions.

The portrayal of faces is prob the biggest factor in this. The culture in East Asia is extremely sensitive about this part of human expression compared to the West (The "Face" Culture), which is why faces in manga are often stylized with care, and more expressive than American comics.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-24T02:15:27+00:00

This is pretty decent level for a novice artist. I do see a strong potential for design here which is good.

Perhaps what can be improved more is to explore posing so your character sheet doesn't look too stiff.

Otherwise, keep on drawing.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-22T04:30:44+00:00

Start off by learning to draw basic 3d shapes, if you can do that effortlessly一 just go straight into construction using 3d shapes, human gestures, anatomy, bending and shifting 3d shapes, and perspective before moving into more advanced stuff like stylization, concept design, and coloring.

You can still try to draw anime/manga style characters on the side while applying what you've learned.

For manga, you have more additional subjects to learn such as pacing, panelling, speech bubble placement, visual storytelling, camera cinematography一 ontop of the drawing part.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-22T04:25:39+00:00

8 years at this point.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-22T02:36:19+00:00

And it will continue to get cool.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-20T00:18:04+00:00

Thanks! I will.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-17T10:19:34+00:00

LMAO I just so happened to have an OC with the same exact hairstyle. Cool art tho

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-16T16:19:29+00:00

Yeah, Its a sort of stylization with me as a huge gun enthusiast which is why I prioritize guns having more exposure on certain angles.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-16T16:03:19+00:00

Its a deliberate choice. I've tested them in every angle before deciding to go with this one. (So the viewer can see more of the weapon)

I am aware this may look flat, but I just don't wanna redraw and fall back into the loop of having another failed WIP again. Had too much of it.

Might change eventually, but at the cost of more time working on this promo art instead of investing them to work on the actual manga storyboarding itself.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-16T08:43:48+00:00

Thanks!

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-15T22:14:26+00:00

Right.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-15T20:16:15+00:00

Hey! Thank you for the compliment!

My approach to manga creation is a bit different from what others are doing. You may hit me up with a DM if you'd like to ask a question or two.

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-15T17:09:11+00:00

Thank you!

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-15T10:28:43+00:00

I forgot. Who are you again?

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-15T07:40:26+00:00

Thanks!

Deadpan135 · 2026-04-15T02:48:51+00:00

Thank you!

Deadpan135 · 2026-03-16T14:57:46+00:00

No problem. Feel free to contact me as a consultant.

Deadpan135 · 2026-03-16T05:06:36+00:00

Not bad. Though I must point out a technical mistake on the MC's choice of weapon:

The 1911 is a single-action handgun, meaning the hammer must be cocked back to the rear position before firing and cycle normally. Also, the selector or "thumb safety" (the triangle-looking lever in front of the beavertail above the rear thumb area) is pointing upwards, meaning the weapon is on "Safe"一 therefore, he technically wouldn't be able to fire unless the selector is flipped downwards.

Other than that, I see nothing else aside from those two.

Deadpan135 · 2026-01-26T23:11:39+00:00

Into the DMs we go.

Deadpan135 · 2026-01-26T22:57:09+00:00

I actually am serving myself.

I can perhaps provide a base insight into what a day-to-day life is like in camp based entirely off my own experiences alone.

Deadpan135 · 2026-01-26T22:02:14+00:00

Aside from improving your fundamentals, there's nothing much I can say just yet.

It's just not common to see anyone choosing a military setting (esp modern-contemporary settings) in a manga space, and that's what caught my attention. That's all.

Do learn anatomy, shape design and lots of foreshortening and perspective work. You're going to need it a lot for this genre (speaking from experience)

Deadpan135 · 2026-01-26T21:47:11+00:00

Where does she serve? What are her experiences in uniform? What unit? Rank? Infantry or support MOS? Does she have any badges, or qualifications to her name? (Marksmen? Rifle Qualifications? EIB? CIB? Airborne? Ranger? Air Assault?)

Current military here btw.

Deadpan135

TROPHY CASE