Introduction
Embarking on a manga journey is both an exciting and daunting endeavor. For years, I focused solely on black-and-white illustrations, honing my skills in line work, composition, and storytelling. However, as I progressed, I realized that incorporating color into my art would enhance the emotional depth, visual appeal, and overall impact of my work. The challenge? Color mediums can be expensive, and I needed a cost-effective way to begin. My solution? Start simple and work my way up. In this blog post, I’ll take you through my research, my choice of colored pencils, and my first steps into the world of color manga art.
Research: Choosing the Right Medium and Techniques
Before diving into color, I needed to research my options. Digital coloring, markers, watercolor, acrylic, and colored pencils all have their own unique qualities, but some were too expensive or complex for a beginner like me. Since I wanted to start with something affordable and easy to control, I decided to go with colored pencils.
Colored pencils are an excellent entry point into the world of color because:
They are inexpensive compared to other mediums.
They allow for precise control and layering.
They don’t require additional supplies like brushes, water, or special paper.
They are easy to carry around and use anywhere.
Once I settled on colored pencils, the next step was finding the right brand within my budget.
I also bought a book called "Anime & Manga Digital Coloring Guide: Choose the Colors That Bring Your Drawings to Life! (With Over 1000 Color Combinations)." This book is an excellent resource as it discusses basic color theory and how it applies to manga. It helped me understand how to choose and use colored pencils effectively. Additionally, I started researching by watching manga artists color their work using colored pencils, learning from their techniques and approaches.
Top 10 Colored Pencils for Artists (From Least to Most Expensive)
Through my research, I compiled a list of commonly used colored pencils by artists, ranked from the most budget-friendly to the most premium:
Crayola Colored Pencils – $5-10 – Affordable and widely available, great for beginners.
Cra-Z-Art Colored Pencils – $7-12 – Another budget option with decent color variety.
Prang Colored Pencils – $8-15 – A step up in quality from Crayola, still inexpensive.
Sargent Art Colored Pencils – $10-18 – Slightly softer and more blendable.
Faber-Castell Classic Colored Pencils – $12-25 – Well-known and better pigment quality.
Arteza Colored Pencils – $20-35 – Great for artists on a budget who want good blending.
Prismacolor Scholar – $25-40 – Student-grade version of the popular Prismacolor brand.
Derwent Academy Colored Pencils – $30-50 – Good quality for beginners looking to advance.
Caran d'Ache Supracolor Soft – $50-80 – High-end pencils known for their rich pigments.
Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils – $70-150 – Professional-grade, soft, and excellent for blending.
Since I was starting out, I decided to go with Crayola Colored Pencils—the most affordable and accessible option.
My First Colored Pencils: Crayola Brand
Crayola might not be the first choice for professional artists, but as a beginner, they offered the perfect balance of affordability and functionality. I purchased two sets:
Crayola Colors of the World (Flesh Tones Set) – This set was important for creating diverse skin tones for my characters.
Crayola 36-Color Set – A variety of colors that would allow me to experiment with shading, blending, and emotional expression.
Having a broad color palette was crucial for my manga illustrations, as color conveys emotion, personality, themes, and atmosphere. With these tools in hand, I was ready to start my first color experiment.
My Coloring Strategy: Organized Practice
One major challenge of learning color is feeling overwhelmed by too many drawings to work on at once. To stay focused, I devised a simple but effective strategy:
Create a Single Line Drawing – I sketched a manga-style character, making sure it had enough detail to practice shading and blending.
Make 10 Copies of the Drawing – Instead of creating new sketches every time, I photocopied my original drawing 10 times. This way, I could focus on experimenting with different coloring techniques without worrying about redrawing.
This method allowed me to test different approaches and improve my coloring skills efficiently.
Initial Experiments with Coloring
With my materials ready, I began testing different techniques on my 10 identical drawings. Here are some key things I learned:
Layering Is Key – Unlike markers or paint, colored pencils require multiple layers to create depth and smooth color transitions. Light strokes worked best for blending.
Blending Colors – Even with Crayola pencils, I was able to blend colors by layering and using circular strokes. I also experimented with using a white pencil for softening edges.
Shading and Highlights – I practiced adding shadows and highlights by varying pressure and layering complementary colors.
Using Colors to Convey Mood – I experimented with warm vs. cool colors to see how they affected the character’s mood and energy.
By working through multiple copies of the same drawing, I gained a better understanding of color theory and technique without feeling frustrated by starting over each time.
Lessons Learned and Next Steps
After completing my first set of colored illustrations, I took some time to reflect on what worked and what I could improve. Here are some takeaways from my first attempt at manga coloring:
Crayola pencils are a good starting point but have limitations. They don’t blend as smoothly as professional-grade pencils, but they helped me get comfortable with color.
Repetition is key. Coloring the same drawing multiple times helped me refine my techniques without the stress of constant redrawing.
Understanding color psychology is crucial. Colors evoke emotions, and I need to be intentional about my choices.
With this foundational experience, my next step is to upgrade to better pencils, explore blending tools, and experiment with digital coloring. While Crayola was my entry point, I now feel ready to invest in a better set, such as Prismacolor Scholar or Arteza.
Final Thoughts
Starting my color manga journey with colored pencils was a humbling and eye-opening experience. While I began with budget-friendly materials, the lessons I learned about shading, blending, and color theory will stay with me as I continue to improve. My goal is to eventually transition into digital coloring, but for now, I am enjoying the hands-on experience of traditional media.
If you’re an aspiring manga artist wondering where to start with color, my advice is: Start small, experiment fearlessly, and upgrade as you grow. Don’t let expensive materials stop you—sometimes, the best lessons come from working with what you have.
What are your experiences with coloring manga? Have you tried starting with colored pencils? Let me know in the comments below!
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