Young creatives learn the fundamentals of the beloved Japanese illustration style, shaping characters that reflect their moods and personalities at the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival
Sharjah, May 3, 2025
In the Comic Corner of the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF 2025), imagination took centre stage as children turned blank pages into expressive Manga characters, exploring one of most iconic art forms.
Hosted by SkillDeer, on Wednesday the Manga Drawing workshop welcomed children aged eight and above to dive into the dynamic world of Manga — learning the fundamentals of this beloved illustration style that originated in Japan but now boasts a global fanbase. Over the course of 30 minutes, participants received step-by-step guidance and all the tools needed to let their creativity soar.
The instructions were both casual and precise, helping children grasp the core techniques of Manga drawing. “If you are making a girl character, add eyelashes to the eyes. For boy characters, just draw pupils and an eyebrow,” explained Jay Cortez, lead instructor from SkillDeer.
While most children followed along closely, one teenager preferred to work quietly on her own creation: a character with wild, spiky hair, dressed in a T-shirt emblazoned with the word Alien and featuring a sketched extraterrestrial head. Crescent moons and stars surrounded the figure, with a green hue adding an otherworldly glow to the scene.
The festival’s workshops continue to be fertile ground for young minds—some seeking playful escape, others finding a focused, uninterrupted space to explore their artistic side.
“The goal is to give children a foundation in drawing,” said Jay. “We want them to understand the basics—starting with the eyes, then the nose, mouth, and finally the face. We break it down into stages to suit their attention spans. That way, even if a child needs to leave midway, they still walk away having learnt something.”
Cortez believes art offers more than just technical skills. “Art is a beautiful way to express emotions. Once children are comfortable with the form, they can channel their feelings into original characters and ideas,” he added.
The Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival continues to be a haven for curious and creative young minds. Running until May 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, the event is free to attend and welcomes visitors of all ages. For more details, visit http://www.scrf.ae.
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