[Course]mangaartist,deejuusan Details
Intro
Class Intro
Manga Artist, dee Juusan
"Let's turn your idea into pages that have the capability to leave a lasting impression."
Manga Making, Demystified
What does it really take to make a manga that feels polished, readable, and true to your voice?
This class distills years of hands-on experience—built through countless pages, revisions, and real-world trial and error—into a structured yet flexible guide for aspiring creators. You’ll be taken through every stage of the process, from building layouts and designing characters to integrating backgrounds that do more than just fill space—they tell the story alongside your cast. This isn’t about copying a fixed formula. It’s about learning the tools, logic, and decision-making that allow you to work with intention and independence.
By the end, you won’t just complete a personal web manga project—you’ll gain the confidence, creative clarity, and professional know-how that comes from learning with someone who’s walked the path before you and is ready to show you what really works.
By the end, you won’t just complete a personal web manga project—you’ll gain the confidence, creative clarity, and professional know-how that comes from learning with someone who’s walked the path before you and is ready to show you what really works.
Class Preview
Still Not Sure?
Check Out dee's Class Preview!
Chapter 9.
Composition: From Panel to Page
1. The importance of understanding composition for a panel, a row of panels, and a page as a whole
2. Tips on subtextual visual language for best page flow
Class Perks
Special Gift from dee Juusan
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Timelapse Process Videos- Watch the entire process for 4–6 pages from rough draft to polished final.
- Key sections include audio commentary offering behind-the-scenes insights. -
Downloadable Working Files- Download the original Clip Studio Paint files for all 3 final products—complete with all layers intact.
- A valuable resource to explore the artist’s full workflow, layer structure, and file organization up close. -
Real-Life Reference Photo Pack- A curated collection of 15 real-life reference photos—ranging from objects to scenery—for students to use as drawing practice or as direct references in their artwork. -
Storyboard PDFs from Published Chapters (with Creator Notes)- Explore the full storyboards and rough sketches from 2 published chapters, complete with creator notes.
- Learn the intention behind creator's decisions—through text or audio commentary.
Expert Manga Artist dee Juusan's Portfolio
Why Take This Class?
Years of Experience, Taught in One Course
You’re not just learning textbook techniques—you’re getting a firsthand look at how a seasoned creator actually builds manga from the ground up. With over 15 years of independent experience, this course shares hard-earned insights you won’t find in generic tutorials or industry how-to’s.
Designed for creators who want to do more than follow formulas, this class teaches you how to find your voice on the page while still working with professional-level tools and standards. You'll learn how to handle every part of the process—from layout and character design to the often-overlooked (but absolutely essential) art of background creation.
What sets this class apart is its focus on real-world, modern settings and how to use them not just as decoration, but as an active part of your storytelling. Backgrounds are broken down into simple, repeatable steps that make sense—even if you’ve struggled with them in the past. If you’ve ever wanted to make manga your way, but with the confidence and clarity of someone who's done it before, this is where you start.
16 Class Exercises
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Storyboard PracticeTurn a written script into a sequence of rough square panels to visually tell the story. -
Page Flow ExerciseDraw over existing manga pages to analyze panel layout, page flow, and overall composition. -
Panel Ratio PracticeChoose the most effective panel shapes and sizes to reflect the visual hierarchy on a manga page. -
Drawing from ReferenceUse various types of references—sketches, real-life photos, and 3D models—to build skills in tracing, eyeballing, and recreating from memory. -
Shape & Angle PracticePractice drawing heads from different angles, as well as basic forms like cubes and cylinders in three-dimensional space.
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Line Control PracticeUse real-life photo references to draw selected elements or full scenes in pen to bulid control, observation, and overall line confidence. -
Hatching & Pattern PracticePractice hatching and popular pen techniques on a square grid. -
Line Art ExerciseLine both clean and rough sketches, applying variations in line weight and inking techniques. -
Apply SkillsApply your sketching and inking skills to create a single or double-page manga story. -
Shading Practice Part 1Shade two line drawings using different value ranges to explore contrast, brightness, and stylistic effects.
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Shading Practice Part 2Fill out a value grid using panels from your favorite manga to study how contrast and brightness impact mood and storytelling. -
Mood SettingApply symbols, effects, and evocative backgrounds to empty panels to explore the emotions they convey. -
Form & PerspectiveIdentify cubes and simple shapes that make up scenes using real-life photo and 3D references to better understand spatial depth. -
Depth BreakdownBreak down real-life photo references into foreground, middle ground, and background layers. -
Line BackgroundsLine a background drawing while experimenting with different line weights and hatching techniques. -
Atmosphere PracticeModify a background to reflect various times of day and seasons, creating a stronger sense of mood and environment.
*Above are sample images for a better understanding
Final Products
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Manga Pages -
Background -
Background + Characters -
Fashion Sheet
Instructor
Manga Artist
dee Juusan
Hey, I'm Diana Alabbadi, widely known as dee (yes, all lowercase!)—an award-winning, self-published, and self-taught artist from Jordan. I started out completely uninterested in comics and manga, but over time, I grew into a professional who now embraces the medium for its unique and profound storytelling potential.
My work focuses on themes of friendship, family, and other platonic relationships, highlighting the quiet but meaningful moments that shape us. I also explore the duality of the human soul, portraying realistic narratives filled with warmth, humor, and the bittersweet truths of everyday life.
I strive to depict the rawness of the human condition through visual storytelling and metaphors that are both accessible and emotionally resonant—aiming to deliver messages of hope and positivity to teens, older teens, and adults alike.
My main body of work is the manga series Grey is…, which won the Bronze Award (out of 716 entries) in the 18th International Manga Award in 2025. It's an evocative, character-driven story centered on two childhood friends: Black, an emotional fashion designer with selective amnesia, and White, a rational writer who returns after a two-year absence. Together, they must confront their traumatic pasts and navigate the fragile space between heart and mind as they fight to preserve their friendship on the brink of adulthood.
Manga helped me find my voice, and I hope this course helps you discover yours.
Manga Artist
dee Juusan
[2010 – Current]
Manga Artist
Works & Awards
[Works]
2010-present: Grey is… (Manga)
2018- present: Grey is… Clippings (Webtoon)
[Awards]
2025: Bronze Award in the 18th International Manga Award
2020: Jury Selection in 23rd Japan Media Arts Festival
2014: Excellence Award in the 2nd Silent Manga Audition
2013: Runner-up in the 1st Silent Manga Audition
Highlights
Class Highlights
Mastering Page Layout for Clarity and Flow
Learn how to structure manga pages—place panels effectively, control pacing, guide the reader’s eye using speech bubbles and composition, and build sequences that are visually engaging and easy to follow.
Building Confidence with Background Art
Gain the skills and confidence to treat backgrounds not as filler, but as powerful visual elements that support your characters and enhance your storytelling.
Create Your Manga, Your Way—with Professional Tools
This course empowers students to create with intent and independence, using professional techniques—from file setup to export and screen toning—while developing their unique voice. It’s not about following templates; it’s about building a workflow that supports your personal goals as an online manga creator.
Class Details
You'll Learn
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Building Blocks of Powerful InkworkWe will explore sketching, inking, and hatching techniques, look into how traditional drawing practice improves line confidence, and study how to apply line weight, ink panels, and create contrast. These skills will benefit manga artists and illustrators alike. -
Composition & Visual StorytellingWe will break down the core structure of a manga page—from panel layout and margins to the final polished version—and how to set up your pages in a way that supports both your story and your art from the start. -
Character Design for ChaptersLearn how to prepare your characters for the chapter you're working on, and keep their designs consistent and intentional with fashion sheets that highlight key features and support storytelling from page to page.
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Tools & Techniques for Better BackgroundsYou will learn how to approach backgrounds without fear—breaking them down into manageable steps using photos, 3D models, and observation. -
From Setup to Export and Print: Digital ScreentoningA deep dive into how to use greyscale and digital screentoning to achieve that beloved manga look. Learn how to prepare your chapter file (CSP EX) and export it for print, web, and PDF—along with insights on useful tools, tips, and shortcuts in CSP that improve your workflow. -
Visual Storytelling Deconstructed: Analyzing Finished Layouts from Grey is…You will learn how to make your pages read well—an essential skill often overlooked by beginner manga creators—by studying pages from dee's award-winning self-published book.
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Today's Deal
Interview with
Manga Artist dee Juusan
Question.01
Why did you choose this specific topic?
I chose to teach manga creation because it’s a medium I’ve spent years mastering, with over 2,000 pages of manga created across different mediums. I’m passionate about helping others navigate the complexities of manga creation and self-publishing. Manga is a unique blend of art, storytelling, and self-expression, and I wanted to share what I’ve learned in a way that makes the process feel less overwhelming for aspiring artists. My goal is to make it easier for others to bring their own stories to life, whether they're just starting out or looking to refine their craft.
Question.02
What do you think is the most important trait(s) to success in your industry?
Finding the balance: doing what you love wholeheartedly—even when it goes against what the industry tells you—without slipping into self-indulgent creation, while still incorporating elements the mainstream enjoys to effectively market your work and grow your audience.
Question.03
Is there anything else you would like to share with your students?
Don’t give up’ might sound cliché, but in the long run, it’s essential. If you're pursuing something big — especially on your own, with a deep, sustained passion — you need to anchor your dreams and goals to something simple, good, and somewhat abstract. It becomes your lighthouse, guiding you through the fog when things get unclear.
Required Programs
This course will use
Clip Studio Paint (Preferably EX for Comic File Managment).
Please purchase and install these program(s) for an optimized chapter experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the chapter.
