We’re so excited to kick off Wacom Creativity Camp 2024 with this free online manga workshop from Whyt Manga on July 9, 2024, at 4:30pm PDT!
Wacom Creativity Camp is a series of free, live, online workshops from brilliant artists, creators, and educators throughout the month of July 2024! If you want to learn all about character design, illustration, comics, manga, art education, and more, check out the Creativity Camp homepage for all the details and resources. And make sure to sign up for Creativity Camp to get reminders about and to register for all of the workshops!
Odunze Oguguo, also known as Whyt Manga online, is a YouTuber with 500,000 subscribers, a manga/comic creator, co-founder of Myfutprint Entertainment, LLC, and creator of Apple Black, a manga traditionally published worldwide on Saturday AM. Oguguo is also an art director for Sandstorm Comics in the United Arab Emirates. Check Whyt Manga out on Instagram, YouTube, Tik Tok, X (Twitter), or Twitch — or support his work on Patreon!
Oguguo will be presenting How to Draw a Manga Page from Scratch in in Clip Studio Paint as part of Creativity Camp on July 9th, 2024, at 4:30pm PDT, live on Zoom! Click here for more info about the workshop and how to register.
In advance of his workshop, we spoke to Oguguo about his background, interests, inspirations, what to look forward to during his workshop, and what he’s got going on in the future.
How did you first get into manga and art in general? Were you a creative kid?
I’ve always been drawn to art and storytelling from a young age; it’s how I made friends, honestly. Growing up in Nigeria, due to power outages, I would get bored, and it pushed my creativity as a kid, constantly drawing and coming up with stories allowed me to make lots of friends without being super social. I was introduced to manga by new friends through shows like Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon, Bleach, and Naruto, which inspired me to create my own characters and worlds. The dynamic art style and captivating stories of manga really resonated with me, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that world. Thus, Apple Black was born.
Did you go to art school? How do you feel about the wealth of art instruction resources available online these days? Do you think going to art school is a necessity, or can young or beginning creatives teach themselves what they need to know?
I got a bachelor’s in Fine arts and a Masters in Visual Communication Design at the University of Texas at Arlington, where I learned a lot and met some top-tier teachers. However, about 85% of everything I know about making manga, specifically, is self-taught using online resources with some trial and error. And then, boom, I’m somehow traditionally published worldwide!
Art school helped provide me with a solid foundation, amongst other skills. However, with the abundance of resources available online today, I believe that self-taught artists can achieve just as much. Platforms like YouTube, online courses, and communities offer incredible opportunities for learning and growth. While art school can be beneficial, it’s not a necessity. Dedication, practice, and utilizing available resources can take you far.
You’re a published manga creator. How did you decide that you wanted to pursue manga as a career? What do you love about it?
The decision to pursue manga as a career came from my passion for storytelling and my love for the art form. I initially went to school to study computer science. Still, I later switched majors and graduated with an art degree, but also with a minor in Computer science because I had already taken some classes, and I didn’t always hate coding.
Still, I knew telling stories was what I wanted to do. I enjoy creating characters and worlds that people can connect with. What I love most about manga is its ability to blend visual art with narrative to engage readers deeply. I’m a huge plot twist nerd from all kinds of media beyond just manga, and I incorporate that into my writing. The possibility of inspiring others through my work is incredibly rewarding.
It seems rare for manga creators outside of Japan to be successful or to make their way into the industry. Is this true? How did you break into the manga industry? What tips or advice to you have for students or beginners who might want to follow a similar path?
It is challenging, but not impossible, for non-Japanese creators to break into the manga industry. I broke into the industry through persistence, understanding social media, improving my craft, documenting my journey, teaching others, being lucky, and helping to found Saturday AM, which supports diverse creators.
My advice for aspiring manga artists is to keep honing your skills, stay true to your unique voice, and seek out opportunities to share your work. Networking and building a community around your work are also crucial. Be consistent and just do it, like Nike. Be ready for when the luck comes; as long as you’re consistent and honest with yourself and your growth, it will come.
How did you develop your own personal art style? What are some of your biggest influences and/or inspirations?
Developing my personal art style was a journey of experimentation and learning; starting out, many people said my art style resembled Tite Kubo’s Bleach, and that was because that was the first manga I religiously read. Over time, while consuming media beyond manga, my art style developed into its own unique voice. \
I drew inspiration from various sources, including other traditional manga artists besides Kubo, like Yusuke Murata and Masashi Kishimoto, as well as a few Western comics, filmmakers, and my Nigerian heritage. Combining these influences helped me create a unique style that reflects my background and interests. Studying different styles, practicing consistently, and letting your own experiences shape your art is essential.
How do you stay motivated when you’re feeling stressed or uninspired?
Staying motivated can be challenging, but taking breaks, watching other shows, playing soccer and chess, revisiting favorite works, and engaging with the community helps. Sometimes, stepping away from a project and coming back with fresh eyes can reignite inspiration. It’s also helpful to set small, achievable goals and celebrate progress, no matter how minor it seems. Being organized and cleaning your space also helps clear your mind. Family, friends, and supporters also help keep me motivated; they support me, and I don’t want to disappoint them. Lastly, loving what you do and truly believing that it is a “calling” for you to do it will also take you far.
What Wacom device(s) do you use? Why do you choose to use Wacom products?
I use a Wacom 22-inch Cintiq for my work. Wacom products are reliable and highly precise, essential for detailed manga artwork. The pressure sensitivity and responsiveness of Wacom tablets make them ideal for digital art, allowing me to achieve the look and feel I want in my illustrations. It’s easily the best tablet I’ve used to date, and I’m not just saying that.
What will your workshop at Creativity Camp cover? Who should attend and what can they hope to learn from your workshop?
My workshop at Creativity Camp is… How to Draw a Manga Page from Scratch in Clip Studio Paint! This manga workshop will provide an easy step-by-step guide for creating a professional manga page using our Wacom tablet and Celsys Clip Studio Paint. From idea to execution, all necessary steps will be covered, along with additional tips from my experience as a published manga creator. It’s designed for beginners and intermediate artists interested in manga.
Attendees can expect to learn practical manga-making tips, receive feedback on their thoughts, and gain insights into the industry. The goal is to inspire and equip participants with the skills to bring their stories to life.
Where can people go to learn more about you, your work, or to follow your journey? Do you have any projects coming up that you’d like to share or promote?
Y’all can follow me on Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, where I share all my art and updates. My manga series, Apple Black, is available through Saturday AM. Volumes 1-4, which encompasses season 1 of the Shonen series, are available now; Volume 5 drops later this year, and an Apple Black prequel Light Novel just released – Apple Black Origins: The Spectrum and the Spectre! Apple Black merch and shirts on Atsuko, Hot Topic, and more are also available. I’m also working on new major projects and collaborations that I’ll announce very soon, so stay tuned for more exciting updates!
