Japanese pro Advice to students – Easy Tips to Make Your Character Stand Out in the Background

Click here to try our Free Taster Course!

Hello everyone,
Ever feel like your drawings are missing that special something? You’re not alone—many artists struggle with the same issues.
In this issue, we’re sharing expert advice straight from one of our professional Japanese instructors, given in response to a real student’s artwork.
It’s full of practical tips you can apply right away to your own anime and manga illustrations—let’s level up your art together!

https://animeartacademy.com/

Easy Tips to Make Your Character Stand Out in the Background

Student
Hello sensei,
Here is my scene with a character in the forest. The idea is that she tries to find her way home, but sunset will happen soon, so she starts to worry about it. She wants to find her way before it’s too late.
Thank you.

Teacher
Hi!
Here’s some feedback to help take it to the next level. Please refer to the attached image for visual guidance:

Guide the viewer’s gaze:
Currently, the character is looking at the map, and the composition feels centered on just the character and the map. You could enhance the scene’s storytelling by directing the character’s gaze outward, towards the direction of the sunlight. This would naturally guide the viewer’s eyes through the scene, making the composition more dynamic and engaging.

Consider the character’s posture and core alignment:
Right now, the girl’s posture appears slightly off-balance, with her core leaning backward. While this might convey fear or uncertainty, the character seems resourceful and focused on finding her way home before sunset—she’s holding a map and actively solving a problem. To better match this narrative, consider grounding her stance by aligning her body with the ground and maintaining a balanced posture. This will give her a composed and determined look that fits her actions and the scene.

Your artwork is already fantastic, and with these tweaks, it can be even more impactful! Keep up the excellent work—you’re doing amazing!

Teacher’s Advice

Student

Aha, I got it.
I like the technique to make viewers follow the character’s eye. I will give it a try.

Now I understand that my version looks a bit unclear. I drew the character leaning backward a bit on purpose. I tried several poses myself and came up with this idea. She leans backward while watching the map to change perspective. It’s like when people put paper closer or further from their face to watch it from a new angle. I probably needed to draw her arms straight to show it better.

Thank you for your feedback!

What is Anime Art Academy?

Anime Art Academy is an online course with video lectures and personalized advice from Japanese professionals as described above.
This course is beneficial for everyone from beginners to advanced students.