My new book, "Drawing Manga Animals, Chibis and Other Adorable Creatures," is now available in North American bookstores! It will be released early next year in other parts of the world on Jan. 7, 2010.

About the Book:
The world of manga is filled with strange creatures and adorable sidekicks. Just about every manga hero and heroine has an animal mascot, and all the most popular ones have a cute "chibi" form. This book teaches aspiring manga artists how to create the funny critters that populate girls' manga and the more gritty, gothic creatures found in boys' manga.
 
It starts with the basics of creating manga-style characters—everything from drawing heads and faces to eyes and expressions, to creating incredibly cute chibis. Part two features a valuable reference section on the mythological and real animals that have shaped Japanese artwork and stories. The final section has step-by-step demonstrations on using computer programs such as Photoshop and Corel Painter to create manga art and comics. So whether you're just starting out and want to draw a cute, simple mascot, or would like to try something more complex like an Asian dragon, or are ready to create your own otherworldly adventure, this book has something for you no matter what your skill level. Want a sneak peek? Check out randomhouse.com to read several sample pages.

Check out these great reviews!

ActiveAnime.com: It is nice to see a book dedicated to one of the more irresistible and fun aspects of manga and anime – the cute animals and chibi characters.  The how-to book offers a lovely array of illustrations that are as adorable as they are eye catching. It is neatly organized into a logical order for its sections. Read more HERE.

GraphicNovelReporter.com : "Though manga can have many different styles, it is known for its cuteness. If you’re an artist or someone wanting to learn more about making art and interested in all the sweetness possible in manga, there’s a guide specifically for you." Read More HERE.

ComicsWaitingRoom.com : " ....the real solid material comes when she discusses Chibis, which are the “superdeformed” characters with the large heads and smaller bodies. It isn’t just a case of shrinking part of your normal art; there’s a way to shift facial features and body types to make them more attractive and look better on the page " Read More HERE.

This book was two years in the making. I'm very excited now that the time has come for its release. I hope readers will find something they enjoy and can use to improve their own art skills and their understanding of the culture that manga animals originated from.

For more on the book or on me, you can also check out this article from the Kingman Daily Miner, which interviewed me recently.

You may find my new book at your local bookstore, or online.

Look to the right for links to webpages on my awards, photo galleries, and Drawing Wildlife book (including the Italian version, Come Disegnare Gli Animali Selvatici)!

Thanks for dropping by!