Materials Black & White I'll show you our basic materials to draw Manga for black and white prints. Pencils for sketching At first, I sketch the outlines with a pencil. The thickness of the lead is aporox 0.5mm. And the hardness is "B" or "2B". Too hard a lead is no good because it makes scratches on the paper.   Paper I usually use B4 paper. "B4" is an original size in Japan. The B4 paper I use is quite thick, between regular paper and postcard thickness. I'm not sure of the weight in English, it maybe .135kg. (If you have information about it, Please write to our massage board.)   Additional information: I've got information about the paper size in the US from Wendy-J, a college student. Thank you very much Wendy! US Art Paper typically comes in 60 and 80 pound stock. Acid free papers are typically of a higher quality and heavier weight due to the higher "Rag" content. Most Heavy Art Stock is of this High Quality "Acid Free Stock" Paper Size = 258mm = approximately 10.16-inches Paper Sixe = 365mm = approximately 14.37-inches Conversion method used: 25.4mm = approximately 1 US inch. The closest paper size we have to this in the US is 8.5-inches x 14-inches or what we call Legal Sized paper. Most art paper does NOT come in this size. Paper Size = 228mm = approximately 8.976-inches Paper Sixe = 310mm = approximately 12.205-inches Conversion method used: 25.4mm = approximately 1 US inch. The closest paper size we have to this in the US is 8.5-inches x 11-inches or what we call standard paper size. I hope this information was of use and helpful to you. Sincerely, Wendy-J   Pens When the outlines are sketched, I trace over the best lines with an ink pen. I use high quality pens. Do you know the ink pens? That were used 100 years ago? The pens have nibs on the end. There are some kinds of nibs, and Manga artists use several nibs that they like. For example, Mr.Shibata use the G-nibs, Mr.Cagiva use the round-nibs. I use G-nibs for the main outlines and the foreground, and the round-nibs for the fine details and background. Ink I use draught man quality black ink. It is water proof which is important because it doesn't smudge if I use an eraser.   Ruler 30cm(12inch) clear plastic ruler with at least one sloping edge to prevent ink blots.   White Correction Fluid or Bleed Proof White I use these when I draw wrong lines or I want to add some highlights on my art work. These don't inhibit further drawing or artwork on the place.These don't inhibit further drawing or artwork on the place where the white out's applied.   Razor blade cutting knife or a designer's razor blade cutting knife. I use these to cutting screen tones. A designer's it is used to cut fine details more than razor blade cutting knife. I use these properly for purpose. Screen Tone Transparent and adhesive plastic film printed with dots or lines pattern. I cut off pieces of screen tone, and paste it for shading on my art works.I usually scratch the surface of it with a razor blade cutting knife to make some flashing or highlighting effects. There are many hundreds of screen tone patterns and colors available, but it's so expensive. If you are a novice, It is not necessary for you. But if you really want to buy it, at first you get a catalog and choose your necessary patterns carefully. I usually use No.61(55lines,10%dots) for the shadows and No.760-766(dark becoming lighter)gradation pattern effects easy backgrounds."Screen-tone" is a brand name of Letraset co.ltd.But in Japan, it has become synonymouswith this from of artistic effect. >>How to use Screen Tones >>Screen tone Techniques >>NEXT >>MENU