Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mecha’s
Contents
Creating Simple and Cute Mecha’s........................................................................3
Drawing a single-shape body.............................................................................3
Mixing it up with a multi-shaped body................................................................4
Drawing Pilot-Operated Mecha’s............................................................................5
It’s all about the shapes.....................................................................................5
Enter the lightweights............................................................................................ 6
Lead character mecha........................................................................................6
Sidekick character mecha..................................................................................7
Here come the heavyweights................................................................................8
Lead villain mecha....................................................................................... .......8
Construction mecha.......................................................................................... .....9
5. Tighten up the shapes and draw the arms, hands, and accessories.
I draw the wheels for the caterpillar mechanism as well as the track lines. I create the arms by using spheres for
the shoulder and elbow joints and tube cylinders for the arms. I simplify the hands by drawing them as clamps. In
addition, I add a jet pack on the back of the mecha so that it can fly. I draw my jet pack with a flat cube and add
two small cylinders on the bottom as thrusters.
6. Finalize your mecha by adding the cosmetic designs and details.
A lot of mecha manga-ka (or manga artists) add in pipes, model numbers, and decorations (either painted on or
physically attached). Take a look at some of the popular Gundam mecha for inspiration. Although the original
series is over, its impact in the mecha world continues to thrive in spin-offs where more complicated and
sophisticated mecha’s are brought into the spotlight. For a comprehensive listing of the Gundam mecha’s, visit
the Web site www.gundam.jp. Spend time at manga/animé conventions to pick up popular manga and animé
DVDs, which feature popular mecha’s. I also recommend looking at Macross (translated as Robotech in the
United States), Evangelion, Patlabor, L. Gaim, Appleseed, and Bubblegum Crisis. To finish off my mecha, I add
some raccoon eyes as well as a spot mark for his nose. Just for giggles, I add a mechanical raccoon tail.
For starters, avoid drawing the shapes from a three-dimensional angle (3⁄4 angle). Although the 3⁄4 angle gives a
more realistic and dimensional look, it can be quite confusing and hard to grasp at first. For now, keep all the
angles straight on (from the front or from the side). As you become more comfortable drawing the shapes, you
can begin drawing the shapes from other dimensional angles. Now is a good time to introduce the “X” and “A”
shapes you see in mecha poses. Regardless of what types of mecha you plan to draw, they should all assume a
default position in the form of an “X” or an “A.”
2. Sketch the basic geometric shapes based on the wire frame figure
Keep the pencil marks light and loose because you’ll later go over them to refine the shapes. Start thinking about
where you want to place the specific armour, air vents (where hot air is released to cool off the mecha), or other
designs.
3. Rough in the specific shapes for the armour over the geometric shapes
Use some of the shapes that you find interesting in Figure 13-10. Don’t draw the shapes too wide (remember,
you’re drawing a lightweight mecha). Avoid drawing the thick armour — you want to save the bulkier stuff for the
heavier mecha models. With my mecha, I vary the shapes. I make some shapes (such as the biceps and lower
legs) rounder and keep the forearm and torso shapes fairly square. I also block in the basic head shape and
features.
2. Sketch the basic geometric shapes based on the wire frame figure
Keep the pencil marks light and loose, thinking about where you want to place specific armour, air vents, or other
designs.
3. Rough in the specific shapes for the armour over the geometric shapes
When creating these shapes, you want to be sure they reflect the durability, rigidity, and strength that this mecha
needs to back up the lead character. Shapes can be wider and without the curves that the lighter weight mecha
has. With my mecha, I keep most of the shapes except the biceps square. I also block in the basic head shape
and features. I add angular edges, unlike the straight, plain shapes I use on the mecha in the previous section. I
block in a pair of large cannons (one larger for long-distance targeting). On the left side, I sketch in a radar
device.
2. Sketch the basic geometric shapes based on the wire frame figure
Keep the pencil marks light and loose, and think about where you want specific details in the overall design.
Regardless of its bulk, don’t draw the waistline, arms, and upper legs too thick. You can make the torso, hips,
lower legs, and shoulders wider. Remember, this thing is still pretty darn fast in combat and must be able to twist
and turn fast enough to engage its enemies. I exaggerate the torso of my mecha by omitting the neck shape.
This technique gives the impression that this thing has armour that’s at least twice as thick as the lightweight
mecha’s.
3. Rough in the specific shapes for the armour over the geometric shapes
When creating these shapes, you want to be sure that they reflect the durability, rigidity, and strength of the
combat mecha. I give my mecha plenty of armour to protect the shoulders, waist, and legs. I avoid adding the
thick armour at the waist and joints where he needs to move.
Construction mecha
Unlike the previous heavyweight mecha, the construction mecha is more of a giant tool. Its primary function is
limited to lifting and transporting heavy objects from point A to point B. Follow these steps to draw the villain’s
heavyweight mecha:
1. Pose your wire frame figure
The lower legs should be the largest part of the measurement. To keep the mecha from toppling over, the height
proportions should be considerably shorter than the other mecha’s in this chapter; the construction
mecha is approximately 5 to 7 heads tall. Draw the shoulders wide to give it strong balance and reach. Shoulders
also extend around 5 to 10 heads wide. Because this kind of mecha isn’t as humanlike as the lead villain mecha,
the “X” and “A” shapes don’t apply. I set my heavyweight construction mecha to 7 heads tall.
2. Sketch the basic geometric shapes based on the wire frame figure
Draw the wide simple shapes to resemble smooth bubbles and lima beans. The domelike head structure is
tucked into the thick torso, similar to how a turtle pulls its head into its shell. Having the head tucked in ensures
that it’s protected against any accidents that happen on the construction site. Having the torso way in front of the
head gives the image that this mecha is meant to withstand a lot of abuse. To protect the feet from damage, I
sketch large guards on each foot. In order to support all the upper-body weight, the mecha’s legs have to be
large and wide so it doesn’t trip and keel over from walking through debris. I draw large ball bearings at the hips
to connect with the legs. Although this additional weight slows down the mecha’s movement, it strengthens the
leg support and balance.
3. Rough in the specific shapes for the armour over the geometric shapes
In addition to defining the armour, I add smaller design shapes, such as the squares and ovals at the centre of
the body, facing toward the sky. This section bulges outward so that the pilot can fit into the torso cockpit. I define
the hip section by drawing metal plates on top and covering the sides of the legs. This protects the legs from any
large, falling debris. I complete this step by adding the smaller shapes and detail to the feet. Toward the back of
the heels, I sketch the large pin screw that secures the ankles. When drawing the feet, which are larger and
wider than the average combat mecha’s feet, make sure to take the time to draw them in correct perspective. In
addition to getting the perspective right, I draw the “toes” in the foreground larger and the “heel” toward the back
smaller to give the mecha feet additional dimension.