Akira Toriyama, the renowned creator of Dragon Ball, is celebrated for his dynamic art style. But how did he develop his distinctive skills? While there isn’t a detailed roadmap of his learning process, we can glean insights from interviews, his work, and the evolution of his artistic style.
Early Influences and Practice
Toriyama’s journey likely began with a foundational interest in drawing, common among many children. He’s cited Disney’s “One Hundred and One Dalmatians” as an early influence, sparking his passion for animation and drawing. This suggests an initial immersion in Western animation styles.
Crucially, Toriyama emphasizes the importance of consistent practice. He’s known for his incredible work ethic, often spending long hours honing his craft. This dedication to drawing likely involved copying favorite characters, studying anatomy, and experimenting with different techniques – a process common to aspiring artists.
Formal Training and Professional Experience
While Toriyama didn’t attend a traditional art school, he did graduate from a design college, suggesting some formal training in graphic design principles. This likely provided a foundation in composition, color theory, and visual communication, which are integral to his manga creation.
His first professional job as a graphic designer at an advertising agency further refined his skills. Creating commercial artwork demands clarity, efficiency, and the ability to convey messages visually. This experience likely honed his ability to compose dynamic and engaging images, a hallmark of his later manga work.
Developing a Unique Style
Early in his manga career, Toriyama’s style showed influences from popular manga artists of the time. However, he gradually developed his signature style, characterized by bold lines, exaggerated expressions, and a focus on action and movement. This evolution likely involved continuous experimentation and refinement, driven by a desire to create visually striking and memorable characters and stories.
Toriyama’s emphasis on efficiency and speed in his drawing process also contributed to his distinct style. He streamlined his techniques to meet demanding deadlines, prioritizing clear storytelling over meticulous detail. This resulted in a dynamic and expressive style perfectly suited for action-packed manga.
The Impact of Mentorship and Collaboration
While self-taught in many aspects, Toriyama acknowledges the influence of his editor, Kazuhiko Torishima. Torishima’s critical feedback and guidance pushed Toriyama to improve his storytelling and character development, further shaping his artistic approach.
Collaborating with animators and other artists on anime adaptations of his work also likely influenced his artistic development. Seeing his characters brought to life in animation might have provided new perspectives and inspired further refinement of his style.
Conclusion
Akira Toriyama’s artistic journey highlights the importance of passion, perseverance, and continuous learning. While formal training played a role, his dedication to practice, experimentation, and embracing feedback were crucial in developing his iconic style. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists, demonstrating that talent combined with hard work can lead to extraordinary achievements.
