An Introduction to Backgrounds

In manga, a background does not only serve to provide atmosphere and make the more important elements look pretty but also tells the reader where an event is happening, what time it is and other small messages. Even emotional changes in a character need the background to match it so that the reader could feel it.

With regards to settings, we can basically separate manga by modern realism, historic or fantasy. Backgrounds however, can be separated into cities and buildings, natural environment and abstract (meaning fantasy backgrounds).

Of course the last but not least, is the atmospheric type. It doesn't really express any location or passage of time, but uses patterns and differing depths of letratone use to create atmosphere.

Most buildings in manga use a 3D space to represent, and there are a few tricks to drawing things that represent such a space. Below is a picture that shows a clear element of dimensions using lines.

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To draw a 3D object the artist has a choice of three methods. The 1-point, 2-point and 3-point methods are used frequently in most art that involve space.

The picture above shows the 1-point method, where the prism basically relies on the single point in the center for its dimensional calculations.

The picture above shows the 2-point method, where the prism basically relies on the two points on either side for its dimensional calculations.

The picture on the left shows the 3-point method. The dimensions here require a reference of height, width and depth, so this method is a key one to learn for things like posts, columns and statues. The methods shown here all have their uses, most of the time it is sufficient to use the 1-point method as it is simple, efficient and really saves time. But sometimes it lacks the versatility to make a very intricate object come to life. It is important to choose the correct method for the correct situation. You wouldn't, for example, use the 3-point method to draw a television set in a corner of the character's room. You might however, use it to draw a large display screen at the person's favourite shopping arcade or local square. It is still rare you'd use the last method at all in a fully girl's manga. Most of them tend towards atmospheric and simple backgrounds. More on those later.

The positioning of a building relative to the viewer also affects the way it is drawn and perceived by the reader. See below:

As you can see, the way you view a building will effect its relative height/width.

Scenario 1: When the viewer/reader is closer to the front of the building the side will seem smaller, and there is an angle at which the lines will move, the further away the wall extends the smaller it will become.

Scenario 2: When the person walks around a little, and sees more of the side of the building, at this point the angle at which the side is viewed becomes almost the same as the front, and at this point the further side (left) at the front becomes smaller.

Scenario 3: When the person walks around a little further and at this point the angles shown are almost identical, which means the building itself (if it was a cubic building which this is not) would have both of its faces visible to about identical width.

Scenario 4: When the person walks around and arrives nearer the side, the building will seem to have a smaller front than its side. An opposite from earlier.

Scenario 5: This time only the vertical position of the person viewing this building has changed. At the moment he is looking up at the building from the ground, and the construction seems very big, giving a feeling of intimidation and grandeur.

Scenario 6: The vertical positioning (line of vision) is around the midsection of the building, it loses its intimidation and seems quite average, this is the most commonly used angle as a background since the building loses focus and exaggeration.

Scenario 7: The line of vision is quite high, creating a bird's eye view effect, this kind of view is suitable for expressing clusters of buildings and cities.