Professional Manga Course for Beginners

manga drawing course in singapore visual arts centre

How to Start Learning Manga?

Many people are now interested in learning manga. So, how can one master manga drawing? How should beginners get started?

Learning manga drawing isn’t difficult! Whether you are learning hand-drawn or digital manga, it’s essential to start with the basics.

Scroll Below To Find Out More about Steps to Kickstart Your Manga Learning Journey!  

Step 1: Build a Solid Drawing Foundation

  1. Practice sketching and line work to master basic skills such as lines, perspective, structure, and proportion. Start with tracing to get the hang of it.
  2. Study human anatomy, dynamics, and different poses. Practice gesture drawing to improve your figure drawing skills.
  3. Learn about light and shadow, understand the relationship between light and dark, shading effects, and color theory.
manga drawing course in singapore visual arts centre

Step 2: Learn Manga Techniques

  1. Storyboard design: Learn how to break down the manga story into visual scenes, including camera angles, perspective changes, and composition.
  2. Manga Character design: Create unique and recognizable manga characters, including manga’s appearance, clothing, and expressions.
  3. Background drawing: Master the skills for drawing settings, enhancing the spatial sense and narrative quality of the scene.
  4. Dynamic manga’s expression: Draw fluid action scenes, showing rhythm and tension.
manga drawing course in singapore visual arts centre

Step 3: Create Your Manga Story

  1. Plot development: Understand the structure of a story (beginning, middle, and end) and learn how to write scripts and dialogue with your manga characters
  2. Character development: Make characters more three-dimensional by developing their motivations, personalities, and backstories.
  3. Narrative pacing: Control the pacing of the manga story to interest your readers!
manga drawing course in singapore visual arts centre
manga drawing course in singapore visual arts centre

Step 4: Master Manga Drawing Tools & Digital Art Software

  1. Traditional medium & tools: Learn the techniques for manga drawing using pencils, pens, markers and medium like Drawing & Sketching, Acrylic Painting and Watercolour Painting!
  2. Digital drawing: Learn how to use beginner friendly digital art software (e.g., Procreate, Photoshop, Ibispaint) and digital tablets like iPad, Microsoft tablet. Click Here for advice on how to choose the right digital art device & software! 
  3. Post-production:  includes digital art coloring, text layout, and adding special digital art brushstroke technique effects
teens digital drawing and painting course with manga subject Visual Arts Centre

students are learning how to draw manga character using digital art software

teens digital drawing and painting course with manga subject Visual Arts Centre

student proudly showcasing his completed manga character on his digital art device

teens digital drawing and painting course with manga subject Visual Arts Centre

teacher is guiding student on the manga drawing skills and technique on digital art software 

be guided on the right digital art brushstrokes & software on how to create your manga characters, beginners friendly session! 

Professional Manga Course by Visual Arts Centre

The Singapore Visual Arts Centre offers manga courses covering both hand-drawn and digital manga. From fundamental manga drawing techniques to full manga creation, the courses feature comprehensive content. With guidance from professional instructors, students can build a solid foundation in manga art throughout the learning process.

manga drawing course in singapore visual arts centre

What You’ll Learn in this 12 Sessions Professional Manga Course:

Recommending 6 sessions Manga Drawing on Traditional mediums like Drawing & Sketching, Acrylic Painting, Watercolour Painting.

Recommending 6 sessions Manga Drawing on Digital Art Software & device like iPad, Medibang, Krita, ibisPaint etc

Learning Outcomes from this Professional Manga Course:

  • Learn manga drawing on traditional and digital art skills & techniques 
  • Prepare drawings and paintings for digital or print.
    • Apply the knowledge of traditional manga drawing 
  • Freedom to create manga project pieces based on subjects of personal interest.
  • Individualised guidance by professional teacher to complete and improve manga and digital art skills.
  • Explore Digital Art Drawing and Painting software and its tools to create artwork, learning how to use different button, brushstrokes, paintbrushes choice & layering features effectively.

Join us and embark on this exciting manga & digital art journey!

Lesson Schedules:

Monday: 7:30pm-9:45pm
Thursday: 3:30pm-5:45pm
Saturday: 6:30pm-8:45pm

Course Fees: 12 Sessions $1,188nett (*digital art device is not provided)

Venue: Visual Arts Centre Dhoby Ghaut Art Studio (within Dhoby Ghaut Green Park, above Dhoby Ghaut MRT exit B- left turn 20m)

Visual Arts Centre Dhoby Ghaut Exhibition Gallery how to get here

Foundation In Digital Art

Embark on a captivating journey into the vibrant world of digital art! Our Foundation in Digital Art workshop invites budding creatives aged nine and above to unleash their imagination and hone their artistic skills in a dynamic, supportive environment. From mastering basic digital tools to crafting mesmerizing digital masterpieces, children will explore a spectrum of techniques guided by seasoned mentors. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, participants will discover the endless possibilities of digital expression while fostering creativity and critical thinking. Join us for an exhilarating adventure where young artists transform ideas into stunning visual realities, igniting a passion for digital art

Colour & Texture Exploration With Acrylic Painting & Collage

Prepare to unleash your inner artist in a kaleidoscope of color and creativity with ‘Colour Blast: Acrylic Painting & Collage Techniques’! Dive into a whirlwind adventure where vibrant hues and mesmerizing textures collide in a symphony of imagination. From mastering the art of seamless color blending to discovering the magic of mixed media collage, this journey is a playground for your artistic soul. With each brushstroke, explore new techniques that breathe life into your canvas, transforming it into a vibrant tapestry of expression. Join us and let your creativity run wild as you embark on this colorful escapade!”

World of Manga [Foundation & Styling]

A manga art workshop for children and teenagers sounds like a fantastic idea! Here’s how you might structure it:
Introduction to Manga: Begin by introducing what manga is, its history, and its influence on popular culture worldwide. Show examples of different manga styles and genres to give participants an overview.
Basic Drawing Techniques: Start with the fundamentals of drawing, such as line work, shapes, and proportions. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to draw basic manga characters, focusing on simple shapes that can be built upon.
Character Design: Move on to character design concepts, including creating unique characters, designing their personalities, and developing backstories. Encourage participants to get creative and think outside the box.
Expression and Emotion: Teach how to convey emotions and expressions through facial expressions, body language, and positioning of characters. This can be a fun and interactive exercise where participants practice drawing various emotions.
Storytelling and Paneling: Explore the basics of storytelling in manga, including paneling techniques, pacing, and layout. Show examples of different panel structures and discuss how they affect the flow of the story.
Inking and Coloring: Introduce participants to inking techniques using pens or markers. You can also cover digital inking for those interested. Then, demonstrate basic coloring techniques using markers, colored pencils, or digital software.
Feedback and Collaboration: Provide opportunities for participants to share their work and receive feedback from their peers and instructors. Encourage collaboration by having them work together on short manga projects or collaborative drawings.
Final Showcase: End the workshop with a showcase of participants’ work. This could be in the form of an exhibition, digital gallery, or printed booklet. Celebrate everyone’s creativity and progress throughout the workshop.
Remember to create a supportive and encouraging environment where participants feel free to express themselves and explore their creativity. And don’t forget to have fun! Manga is all about imagination and passion, so let that spirit shine through in your workshop.

Academy Drawing Traditions

The academy drawing and sketching tradition, rooted in centuries of artistic practice, emphasizes disciplined study of form, proportion, and technique. Originating from Renaissance workshops and formalized by institutions like the Royal Academy, it prioritizes meticulous observation and mastery of fundamental skills. Students progress from basic exercises to complex compositions, learning to depict still life and common objects with precision and expression. This tradition values both classical principles and innovation, encouraging artists to push boundaries while maintaining a deep respect for tradition. Through rigorous training and critique, artists within this tradition cultivate a strong foundation for creative exploration and artistic excellence.

Chinese Ink Painting and Calligraphy

This course on Chinese ink painting and calligraphy introduces young learners to the rich traditions of Chinese art. Through hands-on activities, students explore the basics of brush techniques, ink control, and the delicate art of Chinese script. They learn to appreciate the cultural significance of calligraphy and painting, developing skills in creating elegant strokes and expressive brushwork. The course fosters creativity, patience, and fine motor skills, while also providing insights into Chinese history and aesthetics. By the end, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and a deeper understanding of Chinese cultural heritage.

Funk with Graffiti

Funk With Graffiti Workshop for children is an engaging and creative program aimed at introducing young artists to the vibrant world of graffiti and funk-inspired street style art. Participants learn the basics of graffiti history, techniques, and safety. Guided by professional graffiti artists, children explore the art of designing their unique tags, emphasizing creativity, expression, and individuality. The workshop includes hands-on activities, from sketching concepts to creating final designs with spray paint on provided surfaces. By the end of the session, children gain confidence in their artistic abilities and an appreciation for graffiti and funk as legitimate forms of street art. Each child completes two original artworks, which they proudly take home, showcasing their newfound skills and personal style.

Batik Tales

In the Batik Introduction Handkerchief Painting workshop, participants will learn the traditional art of batik, a wax-resist dyeing technique originating from Indonesia. The workshop begins with a brief history and overview of batik, highlighting its cultural significance and various techniques. Participants will then observe a demonstration of applying wax with tjanting tools and dyeing the fabric. Following the demonstration, each participant will design and create their own batik handkerchief, applying wax to create patterns and then dyeing their fabric. The workshop concludes with a group discussion, allowing participants to share their creations and reflect on their learning experience.