Manga illustrator Misako Rocks holds drawing workshop at Teen Bookfest By the Bay

Nearly 40 attendees of all ages sat at tables full of drawing utensils and sheets of blank paper waiting to be drawn on during the Illustrator Workshop at the eighth Teen Bookfest By the Bay on Saturday.

Manga writer and illustrator Misako Takashima, professionally known as Misako Rocks, led the seminar and gave participants a step-by-step lesson on how to draw manga characters.

Manga is a Japanese-inspired art style in graphic novels, similar to a comic book.

Takashima got into the art medium after a failed attempt at being a puppeteer on Broadway in New York City.

"Everyone is talented, but I only had passion," Takashima said. "It took a long time until I realized what I wanted to do and what I was good at."

Working at a children's museum around 2006, Takashima started to see young ones with manga everywhere. She told herself she'd become a manga illustrator. She wasn't sure how, but she said "I knew I would do it."

At the American Bank Center, Takashima held two workshops during the day allowing guests to choose what she would draw. Whether that was a character drawn with a side profile or with pigtails and animal ears, attendees got to be the deciding factor.

Matthew Martinez, a 13-year-old from Kingsville's Gillett Middle School, said he was there on a field trip. Interested in art, he said he learned a lot from the workshop and enjoyed learning how to draw eyes.

Takashima said she enjoys teaching kids how to draw because she gets to know them and builds trust. She said she builds a "community" with them and helps them grow as a person.

"Drawing lets them be a critical thinker," Takashima said. "When I teach, I make sure to let kids know to be positive, make mistakes and enjoy yourself. By teaching them my methods, I know I'm teaching them that any dream is attainable."

Refugio High School's art teacher Rita Ramirez said many of her students are interested in manga and anime.

"I knew I had to come here and learn so I can share with them this experience," Ramirez said. "This whole workshop was amazing. Misako is great and I know my kids will love what I learned."

After the workshop, Takashima showed drawings from her personal sketchbook, signed autographs and took photos with attendees. She said she hopes participants not only learn a little about Japanese culture, but build a curiosity for art.

"I've noticed that a lot of kids these days compare themselves to people on social media like TikTok and Instagram," Takashima said. "They get scared of making mistakes, but I don't want them to be scared. It's okay to be vulnerable; the best mistakes are lessons."

For more information on Takashima and her work, visit misakorocks.com.

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Manga illustrator holds drawing workshop at Teen Bookfest By the Bay