Intro to Black Manga Character Design Tutorials Series Blog

I’ve been creating manga style art seriously for about two years now. That may not sound like much in an industry where people flex decades of experience, but that’s exactly why this project exists.

I’m still a novice. I’m still learning. And I’m documenting the process instead of pretending I’ve “made it.”

When I started drawing manga, I ran into a wall almost immediately: Black characters weren’t being taught well, or at all. Plenty of tutorials showed generic anime faces, vague “tan” skin tones, or stylized caricatures that didn’t hold up when you actually tried to design a believable Black character panel after panel. Hair, noses, lips, facial structure, body language, either glossed over or treated like an afterthought.

So I did what artists have always done: I studied, I practiced, I failed, and I kept going.

This blog, and the tutorials that will follow ,are rooted in that grind.

I’m not here to claim mastery. I’m here to share what’s actually working, what didn’t, and what I wish I had when I started.

Using AI as a Tool, Not a Crutch

I know some people are pretty adamant about using AI in art, and I get why. There are valid concerns, and there’s a real fear of shortcuts replacing skill.

But here’s the reality: references are limited.

Outside of a handful of YouTube videos and scattered examples, there simply aren’t many resources that deeply discuss Black character design within manga frameworks. Even when tutorials exist, they often stop short, skimming the surface and avoiding the uncomfortable or complex parts.

So yes, I use AI.

Not to replace drawing. Not to skip fundamentals. Not to fake skill.

I use it because there are gaps in the conversation, and I need ways to explore those gaps visually. AI helps me test ideas, compare variations, and spot design problems that might take weeks to notice on my own. It’s a study partner, not a substitute.

The hand still has to learn. The eye still has to train. The discipline still matters.

If you don’t put in the reps, AI won’t save you,and I won’t pretend otherwise.

Why Black Manga Deserves Better Tutorials

Manga isn’t Japanese exclusive anymore. That ship sailed decades ago.

Black creators are already here. We’re drawing, writing, publishing, and experimenting,but too many of us are self-teaching in isolation, reinventing the wheel, or second-guessing our designs because the references don’t reflect us.

These tutorials will focus on:

• Designing Black characters that work in manga language, not against it

• Facial diversity without caricature

• Hair that makes sense structurally and stylistically

• Body types beyond the default slimathletic template

• Consistency for longform storytelling (not just single illustrations)

No hype. No shortcuts. No fake expertise.

The Goal

This isn’t about perfection,it’s about progress.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll see someone just a few steps ahead of you. If you’re intermediate, you’ll recognize the struggles. If you’re experienced, you’ll understand why these conversations matter.

This is a workshop, not a pedestal.

Let’s build Black manga characters that feel intentional, powerful, and alive; one sketch at a time.