Character Drawing with Alcohol Markers: How to Draw Manga-Inspired Illustrations for Beginners

by Lidia Cambón, Blue Star Press (Produced by)

Overview

Learn how to create stunning, expressive character illustrations using alcohol markers with this beginner-friendly how-to-draw guide from artist Lidia Cambón (@msshanh).

Through her signature ethereal and feminine style, popular artist Lidia Cambón shares the ins-and-outs of creating cute manga-inspired characters with alcohol markers, a type of permanent marker that allows artists to blend vibrant colors easily with little to no smearing.

Using this book's beginner-friendly lessons, example illustrations, and practice pages, learn fundamental character drawing techniques like:

• The basics of color theory, and how it can be used thoughtfully to create unique characters
• Techniques for blending and shading with your markers, and how you can avoid streaks and splotches
• How to draw hair, facial expressions, and other human characteristics to add realism to your characters
• Choosing the right materials to make your illustrations pop
• ...and many more drawing techniques

Whether you're new to drawing or an experienced illustrator, Cambón's guidance will show you how to make your ideas come to life and create colorful, endearing character illustrations.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781958803349
Publisher:	Blue Star Press
Publication date:	01/28/2025
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	8.80(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

After finishing art school in Spain, Lidia Cambón (known online as MSSHANH) became a freelance illustrator as well as a UX/UI designer. Her colorful and feminine works are inspired by '90s media and fantasy characters, with a little touch of melancholy.

Read an Excerpt

INTRODUCTION

If you are reading this book you are probably interested in art, or maybe you are an artist yourself. In that case, you might relate to me when I say that I can’t pinpoint exactly when I started being interested in art. From a very early age I always found interest in the beauty of things; drawing and painting was just a way for me to channel those creative interests. Paper and pencil were always available so I went for it.

I grew up in the 90’s (born ‘92) watching loads of anime, so it is no surprise that my first drawings were recreations of the characters in those cartoons. At the time I didn’t know that those cartoons were in fact anime, but even nowadays my style is heavily influenced by anime and manga. I started just copying the characters and style, but it was an easy way to get into drawing characters, which is what I still do to this day. Looking back, it is so interesting to see how something that happened so long ago still has an impact in my day to day life today.

By the year 2000, I already had a huge interest in the plastic arts, being known in the family and school as the creative kid. However, in the summer of 2001, something happened that completely changed the way I would imagine my own future from that point on. That summer I picked up my first comic book series, with which I would be obsessed for a while. It was no other than W.I.T.C.H. by Barbucci and Caneppa for Disney.

To say that I fell in love with that comic book series is an understatement.

Naturally I started drawing the characters from the series, I would do it almost every day—it became my favourite thing to draw. But most importantly, I then knew that what I wanted to do as a career was to be an artist. I really owe both Barbucci and Caneppa a huge thank you, for without the inspiration that their series brought me I would have never considered art as a career.

W.I.T.C.H. was only the start of course, soon after I realised I really loved comics and manga for girls, and luckily for me by that time manga titles were finally starting to be available in the west.

Overall the early ‘00s were a time in my life that really shaped my style as an artist, from shapes to colour to subject matter.

By the mid ‘00s I was already spending a significant amount of time on the family computer, and soon enough my interest for art and comics transferred to my online activities. That is when I discovered that people were sharing their art online with the rest of the world. 

It was a big revelation!

This is the kind of thing that you only realise years down the line when you reflect upon your past, but up until then I had only shared my art with friends and family who, at the end of the day, had no further interest in art. But being able to show your art to like minded people and getting to interact with them made such a big difference.

Feedback was one of the things I really appreciated at the time when I started joining these online communities. For one, these people had a genuine interest in art and they knew more than people in my real life. But also strangers on the internet are much more likely to be critical of your work than say your parents. 

My favourite website to share my work at the time might sound familiar to you: Deviantart. There were so many artists there, suddenly so much inspiration and art became available to me, it was a game changer. Also, suddenly sharing my art became this super exciting thing, my art was no longer just for me.

Editorial Reviews

A guide that is perfect for a budding artist looking to dive into the world of character design! This comprehensive book covers everything from color theory and shading to facial expressions that breathe life into a character. It’s an essential addition to any budding artist’s bookshelf.”
—Katy Lipscomb, renowned author and illustrator

“Character Drawing with Alcohol Markers by Lidia Cambón is the book I wish I’d had when I started drawing with markers, with mesmerizing illustrations, thoughtful organization, and invaluable advice that will forever change the art you make.”
—Tyler Fisher, award-winning designer and author of The Artist's Drawing Book

"One thing that never fails to mesmerize me is alcohol marker art! From the moment I saw the cover of this book, I knew I was going to love it, and sure enough, I was completely drawn in. The incredible detail you can get with these simple art tools is truly fascinating."
—Alli Koch, bestselling author, artist, and muralist

"An ideal DIY step-by-step instructional guide that will hold a special value and appeal for art students wanting to create manga-style illustrations and artwork."
—Julie Summers, Midwest Book Review

From the Publisher