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How To Draw Chibis

Pantherart by Pantherart

What Are Chibis?

At first glance chibis might look like any other cartoon character. They're cute, they're colorful and they're characterizations - which means you won't find them anywhere in real life.

But there's really a history and a structure behind Chibis.

They're sometimes compared to anime but anime is more directly related to film. Chibis have actually evolved from the Manga art form.

Manga characters are more realistic - their proportions are more true to life. Chibis are exaggerated, emotional manga characters.

They're typically designed to represent school children but you'll also see fairy chibis, athletes, super heroes, or even animals.

And there's just no denying it - Chibis are cute!

Once you get started drawing Chibis, it's hard to put your pencil down!

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Table of Contents

  2. How to Draw Manga: How to Draw Chibi
  3. Characteristics of Chibis
  4. Manga for the Beginner Chibis: Everything You Need to Start Drawing the Super-Cute Characters of Japanese Comics
  5. Manga Mania: Chibi Sketchbook
  6. More How To Draw Chibis Books
  7. Amazon
  9. Add Your Art and Design Lenses Here
  10. Guestbook Comments
  11. Arts and Designs
  13. About Me

How to Draw Manga: How to Draw Chibi

How to Draw Manga: How to Draw Chibi
by Howcast | video info

21 ratings | 4,140 views
curated content from YouTube

Characteristics of Chibis

Chibis have chubby cheeks! Seriously. The easiest way to see it is to look at a manga character and compare it to a chibi. Chibi's are supposed to be cute little kids and cute little kids just automatically come with chubby, cheeks.

Chibis also have a sparkle in their eye, where manga characters typically don't. Again, it's to give them more of a child-like appearance.

You would think that chibis would have chubby little bodies, too, but the do have a bit of a figure. Their bodies are drawn small in proportion to the head and they're frequently drawn to express motion.

While chibis are typically showing some type of emotion, they're not to be confused with Emo characters. Emo characters have a darker look, and the sketching is rougher. They also usually only have one eye visible and the other is covered by hair.

Manga for the Beginner Chibis: Everything You Need to Start Drawing the Super-Cute Characters of Japanese Comics

This truly is the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to learn how to draw Chibis. Learn to draw the traditional Chibi school kids and then move on to Chibi fairies, Chibi magicians, Chibi mad scientists and even Chibi pets and monsters.

Manga for the Beginner Chibis: Everything You Need to Start Drawing the Super-Cute Characters of Japanese Comics

Manga for the Beginner Chibis: Everything You Need to Start Drawing the Super-Cute Characters of Japanese Comics

by: Christopher Hart

Amazon Price: $11.10 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Christopher Hart walks you through each character, step by lovingly-drawn step, until you, too, can draw these amazing Chibis.

If you need a gift for a young artist, or anyone who just likes to draw cute cartoon characters, you won't go wrong with "Everything You Need To Start Drawing Chibis."

Manga Mania: Chibi Sketchbook

If your budding artist has already got the hang of drawing chibis this is the ideal sketchbook. Also created by Christopher Hart it has 12 pages of Chibi drawing tips and 120 pages of high-quality sketch paper.

Manga Mania: Chibi Sketchbook

Manga Mania: Chibi Sketchbook

by: Christopher Hart

Amazon Price: $4.33 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Using this clever combination of sketchbook and instructional guide, fans of the style will learn how to draw some of the genre's most beloved figures.

The how-to section explains all that young artists need to know to capture groups, action poses, facial expressions, costumes, and lovable monsters.

Among the very special creations featured here: Bishie boy, Shonen boy, Shoujo girl, and more-including a menagerie of super-cute animals.

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Guestbook Comments

  • elizabethknows May 6, 2012 @ 10:10 am | delete
    cute I wanna show this to my kids.
  • OhMe Apr 20, 2012 @ 3:58 pm | delete
    I did not know what a Chibis was so I definitely learned something new today
  • Ladymermaid Apr 7, 2012 @ 9:07 am | delete
    I had to come into this article to find out what a Chibis is. I did not have a clue. Thanks for letting me know that Chibis are actually Manga like characters which are not anime but often confused as them. I am not just a wee smidge wiser in the world of Manga.
  • nightbear Mar 21, 2012 @ 10:09 pm | delete
    Never even heard of this little critter. Very cute indeed.
  • traveller27 Mar 21, 2012 @ 10:03 pm | delete
    Thanks for the drawing lesson!
  • vallain Mar 21, 2012 @ 8:58 pm | delete
    Thanks for explaining the difference between manga and chibis. I had no idea.
  • Tipi Feb 24, 2012 @ 11:56 am | delete
    I think it must be those chubby cheeks that get us, we want to tweek those cheeks!
  • Pantherart Feb 24, 2012 @ 1:06 pm | delete
    Those little cheeks will get you every-time. Thanks you for the nice comments.
  • Tipi Feb 24, 2012 @ 11:55 am | delete
    Thank you for letting us know right at the top that drawing Chibis could be much like Squidoo...addictive and hard to put that pencil down, I can see why with all the cuteness and especially with the Chibis fairies!
  • robertrupert66 Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:42 am | delete
    Impressive lens, definitely thumbs up
    Thank you for sharing Good Stuff!
  • shellybenelli Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:41 am | delete
    Thanks for the information and advice.
    Great lens !
  • ianjulian09 Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:38 am | delete
    Draw one big circle, usually perfect circle. Then draw two circles inside for the eyes, usually chibi eyes are big.
  • loiusereese Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:35 am | delete
    The typical drawing of anime characters was by hand but because of the outburst of technology, the technique that is now used for this purpose is computers and animation software.
  • carlyharley01 Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:32 am | delete
    Totally dig this lens! Lots of good tips here.
  • staceytracey01 Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:29 am | delete
    It takes time, patience, commitment and lots of learning for sure.
  • giodale91 Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:28 am | delete
    Today Japanese Manga is not lumped together in the same category such as cartoons and kid's shows.
  • alexandergrinder Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:25 am | delete
    Japanese Manga is no longer considered a pop culture. It has established a foothold in the mainstream entertainment media.
  • richmonddiamond Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:23 am | delete
    Very professional lens! Great insights. Thanks.
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This So Crafty page written by

Pantherart

My name is Arthur Sherin, I am 64 years old, born March 4th 1948 in a small town in Western PA where I had spent most of my life. I now live in... more »

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