<p>One way I think is common among comic artists is through <strong>instancing</strong><sup>*</sup>: after having drawn a few of the figures in different positions, you can copy instances of these individual figures unto the panel using either</p>
<ul>
<li><p>a lightbox or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_table" rel="nofollow noreferrer">light table</a>, when working with traditional tools, or</p>
</li>
<li><p>image editing software (e.g. Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint), when taking a digital approach.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Alternatively, some specialized software allows for importing 3D models that can be positioned, after which a render can be made that looks like a drawing.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p>However, at close inspection, <strong>this particular image doesn't show obvious signs of instancing</strong>, so I think this was all drawn by hand by Kishimoto.<br />
That, or the instances were edited afterward (using any of the approaches mentioned).</p>
<hr />
<p><sup>* I'm not sure 'instancing' is the term used in the comic world, though: I know it from 3D editing software and game engines, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometry_instancing" rel="nofollow noreferrer">where it is common</a>.</sup></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-13T04:32:19.703Z
Perhaps it would worth addressing the medium too, like, if not done digitally, then probably done by applying ink with some sort of device, like a technical pen or marker? Also, mentioning that perhaps a pencil pre/under-drawing was employed?
Levente
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-13T07:01:58.913Z
@Levente Do you mean to describe in more detail the processes required?
Joachim
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-13T12:34:59.620Z
Well, to be honest I focused too much on the title and the image, and I missed the nuance in the line right above the image. So you are right, the things I suggested are not the info OP was after. (However, pre-drawing with a pencil makes the task way less intimidating than the final piece may make it appear, so it could be counted as part of a "trick".)
Levente
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-03-12T15:19:16.693Z
2021-03-12T15:39:21.023Z
2021-03-12T15:39:21.023Z
Joachim
<p>Are these sketches simply drawn by hand with a lot of effort or is there a trick to them?</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/J9EBq.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/J9EBq.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>Credit: Naruto, Vol. 1: Uzumaki Naruto (9781569319000)</p>
<p>(<a href="https://64.media.tumblr.com/9a23acbd3985c8bbda16255b1b46b1b2/d7b3d29ef02e3430-9d/s1280x1920/4ab37400b92071c1d0d506f34884eb58d13c2bf9.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Version with higher resolution</a>)</p>

<drawing><technique-identification><sketching>
How are sketches like this drawn?
Elliot
# How are sketches like this drawn?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-03-12)

Are these sketches simply drawn by hand with a lot of effort or is there a trick to them?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/J9EBq.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/J9EBq.jpg)

Credit: Naruto, Vol. 1: Uzumaki Naruto (9781569319000)

([Version with higher resolution](https://64.media.tumblr.com/9a23acbd3985c8bbda16255b1b46b1b2/d7b3d29ef02e3430-9d/s1280x1920/4ab37400b92071c1d0d506f34884eb58d13c2bf9.jpg))

**Tags:** drawing, technique-identification, sketching


---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-03-12. Score: 4

One way I think is common among comic artists is through **instancing**\*: after having drawn a few of the figures in different positions, you can copy instances of these individual figures unto the panel using either

* a lightbox or [light table](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_table), when working with traditional tools, or
* image editing software (e.g. Photoshop or Clip Studio Paint), when taking a digital approach.
* Alternatively, some specialized software allows for importing 3D models that can be positioned, after which a render can be made that looks like a drawing.

However, at close inspection, **this particular image doesn't show obvious signs of instancing**, so I think this was all drawn by hand by Kishimoto.  
That, or the instances were edited afterward (using any of the approaches mentioned).

---

\* I'm not sure 'instancing' is the term used in the comic world, though: I know it from 3D editing software and game engines, [where it is common](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometry_instancing).

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Perhaps it would worth addressing the medium too, like, if not done digitally, then probably done by applying ink with some sort of device, like a technical pen or marker? Also, mentioning that perhaps a pencil pre/under-drawing was employed?  
> **username_1**: @username_2 Do you mean to describe in more detail the processes required?  
> **username_2**: Well, to be honest I focused too much on the title and the image, and I missed the nuance in the line right above the image. So you are right, the things I suggested are not the info OP was after. (However, pre-drawing with a pencil makes the task way less intimidating than the final piece may make it appear, so it could be counted as part of a "trick".)  

---

