Outlines: Black ballpoint-pen
Media: Coloured indian ink
Paper type: Watercolour paper; 250 g/m²
Size: A3 (29,7 x 42 cm)
Time: 9½ h

¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨¨
By painting this artwork, I developed a passion for coloured Indian ink! Before, I didn't know, there is such a difference between watercolour and Indian ink. I was amazed how well and uniform the fluid colour can be applied. The painting works even better on shadows. I had a great control, where the colour runs. A further advantage is the fact, that the ink is waterproof as soon as dried. So I can paint over and over the same part without difficulty. Beyond that, the brightness of the colours are just great, even if they are mixed.

For an especially noble and graceful look, I decided to draw the princess in the style of the shoujo-manga as they've looked in the seventies (who knows "The Rose of Versailles" comprehend my choise ^^). I designed the dress very pompous. Unfortunately, I'm not very happy with the result. The dress is too overloaded and too gaudy. Afterwards, I would have choosen rather pale, more discreet blue tones. Hair and face aro too coarse in my opinion. I've searched and seen many 70's shoujo artworks, and there are such delicat and beautiful images! But mine is still light years away from these images. Nevertheless, I'm glad I painted it. I've learned a lot.

„50 MANGA BABES to draw and paint“ is an English How-to-draw book displaying fifty artworks of different women in manga style along with step-by-step illustrations, detailed descriptions and drawing tips.

I got the wonderful commission to draw fifteen of these "babes" (have a look at the right column). I had to meet following criteria: drawn in manga style, female character, view of the whole body, related to a topic/character type, no background.

This book is great and I can recommend it to all who learns to draw in manga style.