Drawing Class 2 | Build Your Own Characters

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If there’s a budding artist in your family, get out your sketchpads! Los Angeles-based illustrator and animator MinoMiyabi will be your guide through a series of short, fun instructional videos (7-10 minutes each) specially tailored for children & families – no experience required.

Each episode will focus on one subject, starting with creative variations on the classic ‘smiley face’ leading into drawing techniques for the development of more detailed facial expressions. In successive videos, the audience will be encouraged to apply the methods from the clips, referencing various Manga and Anime styles, to draw their own characters, family members, and animals.

Episode 2 | Build Your Own Characters

Building on the first episode, MinoMiyabi will share more advanced techniques of creating expressions in characters’ faces. He’ll introduce simple front and side view perspectives, and delve into the subtle differences of eyes, noses, mouths, and other features within Manga and Anime, that help signify a character’s gender, age, and emotions. Viewers will be guided to explore these features in multiple perspectives, and come away with a new understanding of how to start creating their own characters – both human and animal.

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Full Program Details | Episode 1 – Episode 4

●　Episode 1 | Emotions with a Simple Smiley Face!
●　Episode 2 | Build Your Own Characters
●　Episode 3 | Animals 101
●　Episode 4 | Drawing Characters in Perspective

Participant Information

Audience | Designed for families and kids of all ages!
Materials | Pen/pencil and paper
Videos | JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles YouTube channel

About MinoMiyabi

Born in Yokohama, Japan and based in Los Angeles, MinoMiyabi is an illustrator and animator focused on the balance of aestheticism and consistent logics. After developing his career in an animation studios as a layout artist/animator, he became a freelancer doing illustration, animation, storyboarding, and concept design for clients such as Walt Disney Imagineering and Shinca Entertainment founded by Shin Koyamada, a well-known actor in “The Last Samurai“.

Episode 1 Emotions with a Simple Smiley Face! © MinoMiyabi

Episode 2 Build Your Own Characters © MinoMiyabi

Episode 3 Animals 101 © MinoMiyabi

Episode 4 Drawing Characters in Perspective © MinoMiyabi