User Stories

Mario Kluser

Testimonials How long have you been using Manga Studio?
I had to have a look back on my own blog to answer this question! I have been using Manga Studio since November 20, 2009. A day later I posted my first try out on my blog and a new category was born! I never thought that it would get that much weight in the month to come.

How did you find out about Manga Studio?
I saw people talk about it in a forum, but I wasn't into digital drawing at that time and my interest was restricted. But of course I was curious.

What software did you use before Manga Studio?
Before Manga Studio I used Photoshop, but not for drawing. In fact Manga Studio brought me back to my drawing passion.

What software do you use with Manga Studio?
I use Manga Studio for drawing mainly because it is so complete that I don't have to switch between applications. Manga Studio IS my workflow. I have to admit that I want to try it out in combination with Photoshop for the coloring process in the future.

What was your first impression of Manga Studio?
I was very excited about the drawing capabilities this program has, but the first thing I said was: No color? Are you kidding? I have no regrets about finally having my own copy of MS 4 EX.

How did your first creations with Manga Studio go?
I was quite experienced with Photoshop so the step to Manga Studio wasn't hard at all. I use MS with a small Wacom tablet, and it was a little awkward in the beginning not to have my eyes on the computer screen while drawing instead of on the tip of the pen. Of course this has nothing to do with Manga Studio. In the end it's a very short learning curve to change the hand-eye coordination to draw with a regular tablet.

What was your inspiration for creating tutorials with Manga Studio? You have so many!!!

And there will be much more. I promise!

There where two thoughts that lead to making these tutorials.

The first one was the fact that I found it quite disappointing that there were so many videos on Youtube that had the word tutorial in the title but weren't tutorials at all. To break this down: a tutorial is meant to teach something. Doing a so-called speed drawing with a total lack of explanation of what the artist is doing isn't a tutorial. The idea was born to make tutorials that are free and actually explain what the artist is doing. It doesn't matter if you make a video with or without explanation; the amount of time you are investing is pretty much the same. So why waste the time of people who are looking for these kinds of videos and disappoint them?

The second thought was that there are users out there who are too lazy to read the manual (400+ pages) and/or more comfortable looking over the shoulder of somebody else explaining the tools. A nice side effect is that all software has its mistakes in the manual and it's nice to find them and point them out. As a former programmer, I know that it is not easy to put everything in such a large manual without some mistakes or misinterpretations.

What is one of your favorite features of Manga Studio?
One of my all-time favorites is that I can use quick masks for the selection work. It's really a shame that it is overlooked by so many users who are unknowingly wasting their time by not using it. Of course I have a tutorial on my blog that explains this feature.

If you could change one thing about Manga Studio, what would it be?
Honestly I don't know at the moment. I'm sure I will find something during the production of more tutorial videos and then you will be the first one to know.

You can find more tutorials at Mario LIVE! and Mario's YouTube channel.