How To Draw Backgrounds Manga?

How to Draw Backgrounds in Manga

The backgrounds in a manga can be just as important as the characters and plot. They can set the scene, create a mood, and help to tell the story. But drawing backgrounds can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure where to start.

In this article, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to draw backgrounds in manga. We’ll cover everything from choosing the right colors and perspective to adding details and textures. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to draw backgrounds that are both beautiful and effective.

So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, read on for all the tips and tricks you need to know about drawing backgrounds in manga!

Step Instructions Image
1 Start with a simple sketch of your background. Simple sketch of a background
2 Add details to your sketch, such as trees, buildings, and mountains. Detailed sketch of a background
3 Add color to your background. Colored background

Backgrounds are an essential part of any manga, as they help to set the scene and create a sense of atmosphere. However, drawing backgrounds can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure where to start.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about drawing backgrounds for manga, from choosing the right colors and textures to creating depth and perspective. By following these tips, you’ll be able to create stunning backgrounds that will add depth and realism to your manga.

Choosing the Right Colors for Your Backgrounds

The color palette you choose for your backgrounds can have a big impact on the overall mood and feel of your manga. When choosing colors, it’s important to consider the tone of your story and the setting of your scene.

For example, if you’re drawing a scene in a dark and stormy night, you might want to use cool, muted colors like blues and grays. This will help to create a sense of atmosphere and tension.

Conversely, if you’re drawing a scene in a bright and sunny day, you might want to use warm, vibrant colors like yellows and oranges. This will help to create a sense of warmth and happiness.

Of course, you don’t have to stick to these rules. You can experiment with different colors until you find a combination that you like. Just remember that the colors you choose should be appropriate for the tone of your story and the setting of your scene.

Creating Depth and Texture in Your Backgrounds

One of the best ways to make your backgrounds more interesting is to add depth and texture. You can do this by using different shades of the same color, or by adding shadows and highlights.

For example, if you’re drawing a cityscape, you could use a light blue for the sky, a darker blue for the buildings, and a light gray for the ground. This will help to create a sense of depth and distance.

You can also add depth by adding shadows and highlights. Shadows can be created by using a darker shade of the same color, or by using a black or dark gray marker. Highlights can be created by using a lighter shade of the same color, or by using a white or light gray marker.

Adding shadows and highlights will help to make your backgrounds look more realistic and three-dimensional.

Using Different Drawing Tools

There are a variety of different drawing tools that you can use to create backgrounds for manga. Some of the most popular tools include pencils, pens, markers, and watercolors.

Pencils are a great option for creating rough sketches. They’re also good for adding details and shading. Pens are a good option for creating clean lines and outlines. Markers are a good option for adding bold colors and textures. Watercolors are a good option for creating soft, subtle effects.

The best drawing tool for you will depend on your personal preference and the type of background you’re trying to create. Experiment with different tools until you find one that you’re comfortable with.

Drawing backgrounds for manga can be a fun and rewarding experience. By following these tips, you’ll be able to create stunning backgrounds that will add depth and realism to your manga.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your pencils and markers and start drawing!

Here are some additional tips for drawing backgrounds for manga:

  • Use reference images to help you get the details right.
  • Take your time and don’t rush the process.
  • Experiment with different colors and techniques until you find a combination that you like.
  • Have fun!

Using Backgrounds to Tell a Story

Backgrounds can be used to tell a story in a number of ways. For example, you can use backgrounds to:

  • Establish the setting of your story.
  • Create a mood or atmosphere.
  • Foreshadow events that are about to happen.
  • Reveal information about the characters in your story.

Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.

Establishing the Setting

The background can be used to establish the setting of your story. For example, if you are writing a story about a character who lives in a small town, you could draw a background that shows the town’s main street, with shops and houses lining the road. This would help to give the reader a sense of where the story is taking place.

Creating a Mood or Atmosphere

The background can also be used to create a mood or atmosphere. For example, if you are writing a story about a character who is feeling sad, you could draw a background that is dark and gloomy. This would help to create a sense of sadness and loneliness for the reader.

Foreshadowing Events

The background can also be used to foreshadow events that are about to happen. For example, if you are writing a story about a character who is about to be attacked, you could draw a background that shows a dark and menacing figure lurking in the shadows. This would help to create a sense of suspense and excitement for the reader.

Revealing Information about the Characters

The background can also be used to reveal information about the characters in your story. For example, if you are writing a story about a character who is wealthy, you could draw a background that shows the character’s luxurious home. This would help to give the reader a sense of the character’s wealth and status.

Backgrounds can be an important part of storytelling. They can be used to establish the setting, create a mood or atmosphere, foreshadow events, and reveal information about the characters. By using backgrounds effectively, you can help to create a more immersive and engaging story for your readers.

Practicing and Improving Your Background Drawing Skills

The best way to improve your background drawing skills is to practice regularly. You can practice by drawing backgrounds from life, or by copying backgrounds from other artists. You can also experiment with different drawing techniques and tools to see what works best for you.

Here are a few tips for practicing and improving your background drawing skills:

  • Start with simple backgrounds. Don’t try to draw complex backgrounds right away. Start with simple backgrounds, such as a park, a street, or a house.
  • Use references. When you’re drawing a background, use a reference photo or drawing to help you get the details right.
  • Experiment with different drawing techniques. There are many different ways to draw backgrounds. Experiment with different techniques to see what works best for you.
  • Take your time. Don’t rush your background drawings. Take your time and make sure you’re happy with the results.

With practice, you will improve your background drawing skills and be able to create more immersive and engaging backgrounds for your stories.

Backgrounds are an important part of storytelling. They can be used to establish the setting, create a mood or atmosphere, foreshadow events, and reveal information about the characters. By using backgrounds effectively, you can help to create a more immersive and engaging story for your readers.

Here are a few final tips for drawing backgrounds:

  • Use layers. When you’re drawing a background, use layers to help you organize your drawing. This will make it easier to keep track of the different elements of your background.
  • Focus on the details. Don’t forget to add details to your backgrounds. This will help to make your backgrounds more realistic and believable.
  • Don’t be afraid to experiment. Experiment with different drawing techniques and styles to find what works best for you.

With practice, you will improve your background drawing skills and be able to create more immersive and engaging backgrounds for your stories.

How do I draw backgrounds in manga?

There are a few different ways to draw backgrounds in manga. One common method is to use a combination of drawing and painting techniques. You can start by sketching out the basic shapes of your background, then add details and shading using a variety of drawing tools. You can also use digital painting software to create your backgrounds. This gives you more control over the colors and textures of your backgrounds, and you can easily create realistic or stylized effects.

Here are some tips for drawing backgrounds in manga:

  • Start with a simple sketch. Don’t try to draw too much detail at first. Just focus on getting the basic shapes and proportions of your background correct.
  • Add details and shading gradually. Once you have a basic sketch, you can start to add more details and shading. Use a variety of drawing tools to create different effects.
  • Use color to create atmosphere and mood. The colors you choose for your background can help to set the mood of your scene. Use bright colors for a cheerful or energetic atmosphere, or muted colors for a more somber or serious atmosphere.
  • Experiment with different techniques. There are many different ways to draw backgrounds in manga. Experiment with different techniques until you find one that you’re comfortable with and that produces the results you want.

What are the different types of backgrounds in manga?

There are a few different types of backgrounds that are commonly used in manga. These include:

  • Interior backgrounds: These backgrounds depict the inside of buildings, such as houses, schools, and businesses.
  • Exterior backgrounds: These backgrounds depict the outside of buildings, as well as natural settings such as forests, fields, and mountains.
  • Cityscapes: These backgrounds depict urban settings, such as cities and towns.
  • Landscapes: These backgrounds depict natural landscapes, such as mountains, forests, and oceans.
  • Otherworldly backgrounds: These backgrounds depict fantastical or imaginary settings, such as dream worlds, alien planets, and magical forests.

What are the most important elements of a good background?

The most important elements of a good background are:

  • Proper perspective: The perspective of your background should be consistent with the perspective of your characters and foreground objects.
  • Proper scale: The scale of your background objects should be appropriate for the size of your characters.
  • Adequate detail: Your background should have enough detail to create a sense of depth and realism, but not so much detail that it becomes distracting.
  • A cohesive design: The elements of your background should work together to create a cohesive and visually appealing design.

How can I make my backgrounds more interesting?

There are a few things you can do to make your backgrounds more interesting:

  • Add variety to your backgrounds. Don’t just draw the same type of background over and over again. Vary the shapes, sizes, and colors of your background objects.
  • Include interesting details. Add details to your backgrounds that will draw the reader’s eye and create a sense of depth and realism. This could include things like trees, flowers, buildings, or animals.
  • Use different techniques. Don’t just stick to one drawing or painting technique for your backgrounds. Experiment with different techniques to create different effects.
  • Add a story to your backgrounds. Your backgrounds can tell a story in their own right. Use the elements of your background to create a sense of place and to give the reader a glimpse into the world of your characters.

What are some common mistakes people make when drawing backgrounds?

Some common mistakes people make when drawing backgrounds include:

  • Drawing the wrong perspective. The perspective of your background should be consistent with the perspective of your characters and foreground objects. If your background is drawn in a different perspective, it will look out of place and unrealistic.
  • Using too much detail. Your background should have enough detail to create a sense of depth and realism, but not so much detail that it becomes distracting. If your background is too detailed, it will take away from the focus of your characters and foreground objects.
  • Not using enough variety. Don’t just draw the same type of background over and over again. Vary the shapes, sizes, and colors of your background objects to create a more interesting and visually appealing composition.
  • Not adding a story to your backgrounds. Your backgrounds can tell a story in their own right. Use the elements of your background to create a sense of place and to give the reader a glimpse into the world of your characters.

    drawing backgrounds for manga is a complex but rewarding process. By following the tips in this article, you can create backgrounds that are both visually appealing and effective in supporting the story.

Here are the key takeaways:

  • Use a variety of techniques to create interesting and detailed backgrounds.
  • Choose colors that work well together and that help to create a mood.
  • Pay attention to the perspective and scale of your backgrounds.
  • Use objects and characters to help to draw the reader’s eye into the scene.

With practice, you will be able to create beautiful and effective backgrounds that will help to bring your manga to life.

Author Profile

Carla Denker
Carla Denker
Carla Denker first opened Plastica Store in June of 1996 in Silverlake, Los Angeles and closed in West Hollywood on December 1, 2017. PLASTICA was a boutique filled with unique items from around the world as well as products by local designers, all hand picked by Carla. Although some of the merchandise was literally plastic, we featured items made out of any number of different materials.

Prior to the engaging profile in west3rdstreet.com, the innovative trajectory of Carla Denker and PlasticaStore.com had already captured the attention of prominent publications, each one spotlighting the unique allure and creative vision of the boutique. The acclaim goes back to features in Daily Candy in 2013, TimeOut Los Angeles in 2012, and stretched globally with Allure Korea in 2011. Esteemed columns in LA Times in 2010 and thoughtful pieces in Sunset Magazine in 2009 highlighted the boutique’s distinctive character, while Domino Magazine in 2008 celebrated its design-forward ethos. This press recognition dates back to the earliest days of Plastica, with citations going back as far as 1997, each telling a part of the Plastica story.

After an illustrious run, Plastica transitioned from the tangible to the intangible. While our physical presence concluded in December 2017, our essence endures. Plastica Store has been reborn as a digital haven, continuing to serve a community of discerning thinkers and seekers. Our new mission transcends physical boundaries to embrace a world that is increasingly seeking knowledge and depth.

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