Digital Illustration with Manga Influence
A course by Akimaro , Graphic Designer and Illustrator
Learn how to create atmospheric scenes and emotional characters with Photoshop
Every culture has a unique way of telling stories. In Japan, they use manga to create stories that are full of symbolism and emotion. Illustrator and graphic designer Adriana De la Torre, also known as Akimaro, has always been fascinated by how manga characters can express so much with their bodies or a look.
In this course, Akimaro introduces you to the world of manga and teaches you how to illustrate using this style. Discover the narrative and visual elements to draw complex concepts in a simple way. Finally, learn how to create atmospheric scenes and characters that are capable of communicating real emotions.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 24 downloads
- 99% positive reviews (501)
- 15,605 students
- 14 lessons (1h 50m)
- 24 additional resources (7 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Adobe PhotoshopWhat is this course's project?
Create an emotion-based illustration as part of a three-image narrative sequence, ready to use in your portfolio or posting on social media.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in the world of manga as a digital medium and who wants to conceptualize better narrative illustrations.
Requirements and materials
To take this course, some basic notions of Adobe Photoshop and a fondness for drawing are recommended.
As for the materials, you will need some illustration basics like paper and a pencil, as well as a tablet with Photoshop or a similar digital drawing software.
Reviews
Akimaro
A course by Akimaro
Adriana De la Torre, also known as Akimaro, is a designer by profession and an illustrator by trade. Combining these two arts, she has devoted herself to helping clients find their voice and telling stories through images. Since she was 16, Adriana has been publishing comics independently and is the co-author of the webcomic Parellet, published since 2012 and with two volumes in print.
Recently, she has worked with publishers like Penguin Random House to create illustrations for a teenage demographic. She loves to experiment and combines her experience in graphic design with her interest in modern Japanese culture.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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What will we do in the course?
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U2
Introduction to Japanese graphics, composition and planning
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Japanese aesthetics, its clichés and how to break them
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Find your own dialogue!
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Visual narrative
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The ABCs of visual composition
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The power of color
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U3
Let's do it
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Exploring the terrain
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Cleaning and outlining
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Base colors
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How to achieve the desired atmosphere?
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U4
The final touch
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Textures and handcrafted elements to finish details
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Ready to go out into the world!
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FP
Final project
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Digital Illustration with Manga Influence
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn contemporary Japanese illustration techniques, graphic storytelling, manga-style character creation, and visual composition, plus resources for self-publishing comics and webcomics, and how to develop your own artistic identity.
Yes, this course is designed for those with prior illustration knowledge looking to deepen their skills in manga techniques, visual storytelling, and comic self-publishing.
Prior experience with manga or anime isn’t required, but basic illustration skills are recommended to get the most out of the course.
You’ll need a tablet or computer, digital illustration software (like Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, or similar), and sketching materials if you prefer mixed media techniques.
You’ll learn practical steps for self-publishing, from concept development and editing to file export and tips for printing and digital publishing.
Yes, the course explores resources for creating diverse characters, including LGBT representation, and how to convey emotions and inclusive stories in your illustrations and comics.
The course covers inking, manga anatomy proportions, expressive eyes, cell shading, color palette creation, sequential composition, and blending manga with pop art styles.
Adobe Photoshop
excelente me encanta como explica el curso
Sinceramente, sentirse identificado en ciertas cosas, ha hecho que le preste más empeño a mejorar como diseñador y artista.
Adorei o curso! A experiência foi leve e muito proveitosa. É inspirador ver como a artista compartilha não só a técnica e os comandos, mas também seu estilo pessoal e vivência. Essa troca torna o aprendizado muito mais orgânico e adorável.
Considero es un curso muy completo con buena explicación y referencias para poder aportar grandes ayudas.
Brilliant course. Definately need some level of skill or experience illustrating but gives amazing tips and help to make your art look beautiful. I especially loved the colouring, shadows and highlights tutorial.