Be a Mangaka evolving Sketch and Sketchbook

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If you really want to enter the world of manga — and not just as a fan — you need to go beyond talent. Does technique matter? Of course. But what truly shapes an artist is constant practice. And here, two tools can change your game: the sketchbook and the croqui. They are not just notebooks or sketches. They are your foundation for training, creation, and evolution.

You don’t need to have the best story in the world or the cleanest line on the planet. You do need to learn to quickly record ideas and to train intelligently. And that’s what we’re going to explore in this article. If you are just starting out, or even if you have been drawing for a while but feel something is blocking your evolution, this reading is for you.

What is a sketchbook and why should you start one now?

Think of the sketchbook as an extension of your creative mind.

It is basically a notebook for drafts, loose ideas, tests, experiments, and even visual outbursts. But what makes the sketchbook special is the total freedom: there is no right or wrong there.

You can draw characters, practice poses, jot down concepts, sketch facial expressions, or even write dialogues. It doesn’t need to be pretty. It needs to be used. Every day, if possible.

Many professional artists cherish their first sketchbooks. And do you know why? Because that’s where you can see, in a concrete way, the evolution in line work, creativity, and personal style.

Practical tips for using your sketchbook well:

• Choose a model that you like: it can be simple, small, or hardcover — the important thing is that you enjoy opening it.
• Use it freely: don’t wait for the ideal moment or try to make “perfect art.” A sketchbook is a place to make mistakes.
• Jot down ideas: you can’t always draw everything on the spot, so write quick descriptions, scenes, or character names.
• Review your old drafts: sometimes, a forgotten idea can turn into something amazing months later.

If you can, have more than one: one for studies, another for personal projects. But, to start, one is enough to change everything.

Croquis: the secret to capturing ideas at the right speed

If the sketchbook is the place, the croqui is the technique.

A croqui is a quick drawing, made to record an idea in a basic way, without details. It serves to sketch poses, movements, scenes, or compositions before you work on them in more detail. It is the first visual step of a project.

Imagine this: you are on the subway, and a character idea hits you out of nowhere. The design appears fully formed in your head, with hair, clothes, and attitude. But if you don’t record it quickly… it’s gone.

That’s where the croqui comes in. Grab the sketchbook, make some simple lines with geometric shapes, capture the essence. Then you refine it.

How to do croquis the right way:

• Start with basic shapes: circles, rectangles, triangles — everything simplified.
• Avoid details: the focus is on the pose, proportion, and overall attitude.
• Use references: videos, photos, anime scenes, until you have fluency in your lines.
• Practice speed: impose a time limit for each croqui — 1 to 5 minutes, at most.

Croquis are like a warm-up for the brain and hand. The more you do, the more natural your creation will become.

Sketchbook and croqui together: The evolution combo

These two tools complement each other perfectly. The croqui is the seed of the idea, and the sketchbook is the ground where it grows. One feeds the other.

And more: both help you develop something essential for any artist — creative discipline. Because inspiration is great, but it doesn’t show up every day. The habit of practicing, even when you’re not “in the mood,” is what transforms a beginner into a consistent artist.

You will notice that many of your best drawings come from improvised drafts. Ideas emerge gradually, and when you look back at the scribbled pages, you find your voice.

Do you need to spend a lot?

You can buy ready-made sketchbooks at stationery stores or online, with prices ranging from R$10 to R$150, depending on the brand and finish. But you can also make your own with regular sheets and a handmade cover. What matters is to start.

And what about materials? A regular pencil and an eraser are enough for croquis. Later on, you can experiment with ink, markers, colored pencils, etc. But the basics already allow for much more than it seems.

Don’t wait for the right moment

There is no “secret Japanese formula” to become a mangaka. But there is the commitment to draw, sketch, and make mistakes. Again and again.

The sketchbook and croquis are the silent foundation behind every artist you admire. They are where mistakes turn into technique, and ideas into projects.

So start today. Grab any old notebook, make your first awkward croqui, and go for it. Every drawn page is a step closer to your own style — and who knows, to your first manga.