Digital Illustration: Create Manga Characters
By Catalina Carlesi
Overview
In this inspiring intermediate-level class, digital illustrator Catalina Carlesi—also known as “Alpaca”—walks you through how to sketch, ink, and color your own manga-style characters. With techniques adapted to both Photoshop and Procreate, you'll explore drawing the human figure, crafting expressive details, building narrative environments, and mastering lighting and shading. Through hands-on lessons, downloadable resources, and a final project, you’ll learn to bring dynamic, character-rich illustrations to life with clarity and personality.
What you'll learn in this course
Sketch realistic manga characters
Learn human anatomy basics, expressions, and dynamic poses to form character foundations.
Master digital inking & color
Develop clean lineart and apply flat colors using light, shadow, and rendering techniques.
Create engaging narrative scenes
Design environments and compositions that enrich your character’s story visually.
Use light and shadow effectively
Practice grayscale planning and coloring to evoke mood and depth.
Complete a refined final illustration
Consolidate your skills into a polished narrative illustration as the course project.