Every page presents a classic manga pose, from walking and running to jumping for joy, in three different steps:

(1) The simple outline of the body

(2) The key elements of the character (like clothes, hair and facial expression) highlighted for easy tracing so you can practice placing them on the body outline

(3) The completed drawing (for inspiration).

Authors and popular manga artists Junka Morozumi and Tomomi Mizuno guide you through a series of carefully graded lessons to build up your skills gradually.

These six lessons are supplemented by exercises for capturing the right facial expressions, drawing the clothes and getting the perspective and body proportions right.

Beginning manga artists are in good hands with Morozumi, who lectures on illustration in Tokyo, and Mizuno, whose work has been exhibited in the U.S., Europe and beyond. If you've been looking for an easy-to-use guide to drawing manga, The Manga Artist's Handbook: Drawing Basic Characters is the perfect place to start