Children's Artwork Tutorial: Drawing Characters!
In an exciting development for manga fans, especially the younger ones, the Level 2 Gallery is set to host a special workshop in connection with the upcoming retrospective exhibition, 'This is MANGA - the Art of NAOKI URASAWA'. The exhibition, showcasing more than 400 original drawings and storyboards from Urasawa's illustrious career, will run from January 23 to March 28.
The workshop, led by MinoMiyabi - a Los Angeles-based animator and illustrator with an MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco - will provide a unique opportunity for kids aged 6 to 15 to connect with iconic characters from seven of Urasawa's major works, such as Billy Bat, Yawara-chan, and her grandpa Jigoro.
MinoMiyabi, who is originally from Japan, is a regular speaker at annual workshops on character design and manga drawing at Anime EXPO (Los Angeles) and Comic-Con International (San Diego). With experience freelancing for clients like Walt Disney Imagineering and Shinca Entertainment, and having worked as an artist/animator at SPRITE Animation Studios on "Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures" for Disney XD, MinoMiyabi is well-equipped to guide kids through the process of creating their own unique characters.
The workshop, which requires registration, will begin with a simple exercise - drawing a smiley face. From there, kids will learn to add simple shapes to create emotional expressions, much like Urasawa's own character designs. This workshop is not just about learning manga drawing techniques, but also about expressing oneself through art.
It's important to note that Naoki Urasawa, while internationally acclaimed, is primarily known for adult-oriented works like Monster. However, this workshop offers a chance for younger fans to delve into Urasawa's imaginative world under the expert guidance of MinoMiyabi.
A $5 fee includes drawing material for the workshop. For those interested, it may be worth checking official manga or anime convention pages, Urasawa’s official channels, or local cultural institutions for announcements regarding any further events or workshops featuring Naoki Urasawa.
As of now, no public information on a kids' workshop by Urasawa himself is found, but this special workshop with MinoMiyabi promises to be an engaging and educational experience for young manga enthusiasts.
- The Level 2 Gallery is hosting a workshop led by MinoMiyabi, an animator and illustrator, in connection with the upcoming exhibition 'This is MANGA - the Art of NAOKI URASAWA', where children will learn manga drawing techniques.
- The workshop, which is aimed at kids aged 6 to 15, offers a chance to connect with iconic characters from several of Urasawa's major works, such as 'Billy Bat', 'Yawara-chan', and 'Jigoro'.
- MinoMiyabi, who has an MFA from the Academy of Art University and has spoken at workshops at Anime EXPO and Comic-Con International, will guide kids through the process of creating their own unique characters.
- The workshop, open for registration, begins with a simple exercise of drawing a smiley face, followed by adding shapes to create emotional expressions, similar to Urasawa's character designs.
- Interested individuals may find announcements regarding additional events, workshops, or further information on Urasawa's official channels, manga or anime convention pages, or local cultural institutions.
