FAQ

How are lessons taught?

At Horie Art School, everyone does not work through the same assignment. Lessons follow what each student wants to draw and what they want to become able to do.

Students learn in the same classroom, but each person may be drawing something different.

Instructors look at each student’s work in turn and advise them on where they are stuck and what could be improved.

Lessons can follow favorite characters, original illustrations, manga, drawing fundamentals, or digital art according to each person’s goals.

Are complete beginners welcome?

Yes.

You do not need to be able to draw well before you begin.

Many students arrive thinking, “I do not know what to practice first,” “I feel a little embarrassed to show my work,” or “I am a complete beginner—will I be okay?”

Lessons begin at a suitable point by looking at what you draw now and what you would like to draw.

This is not a school only for people who are already skilled.

If you want to try drawing, you can begin from there.

Can I attend on different days because of school or work?

Yes.

You do not have to attend on the same day and at the same time for every lesson.

At Horie Art School, you can choose lesson dates from the open schedule to suit your plans.

The system is designed to fit around school events, club activities, work, and family commitments.

Because you can look at your schedule and make reservations month by month, it also suits people who cannot commit to the same weekday every week.

We explain the detailed reservation and transfer process during the trial lesson.

Who attends the school, and how many students are there?

Students range from the middle and final years of kindergarten through elementary, junior-high, and high school to adults.

Many kindergarten, elementary, and junior-high students attend as an extracurricular activity because they want to draw favorite characters, manga, or illustrations.

Some high-school students continue as a hobby, while others attend because they are considering an art pathway or entrance examinations.

Adults include complete beginners, people returning to drawing after a break, fans who want to draw favorite characters, people who use art in their work, people developing personal projects, and aspiring professionals.

Everyone attends for a different reason.

That is why lessons are also shaped around each individual.

How can drawing benefit a child?

Drawing is not only about becoming more skilled.

A child looks closely at something they like, considers its shape, chooses colors, tries to correct what did not work, and turns something in their imagination into a picture. These moments call on observation, thinking, expression, persistence, and many other abilities.

Of course, learning to draw does not cause a dramatic change overnight.

But spending time concentrating on something they enjoy and gradually expanding what they can do can become an important experience for a child.

I want to draw both manga and illustrations. What should I do?

You do not need to decide everything from the beginning.

Because lessons progress individually, you can try manga while working on illustrations, or practice drawing fundamentals while creating characters.

Tell us during the trial if you are thinking, “First I want to draw a favorite character,” “I may want to make manga later,” or “I am also interested in digital drawing.”

We can suggest a suitable course if needed.

Can an instructor review manga or illustrations I made on my own?

Yes, instructors can look at work you have drawn.

It does not need to be complete; work in progress is welcome.

An instructor can advise you from its current state, whether it is a rough sketch, manga storyboard, character design, or a partly finished illustration.

Together you can identify what to revise, what to practice, and how to move the work toward completion.

Showing someone your work can take courage.

The instructor is not looking at it in order to dismiss it.

They look with you to find what already works and what could become even better.

What if I do not own any art materials?

The materials needed for a trial lesson are lent free of charge.

After joining, students generally prepare the materials they will use themselves.

You do not need to buy expensive supplies at the outset.

If you are unsure what to use, ask an instructor during the trial or after joining.

Enrolled students can also purchase supplies at a major partner art store with a discount of 10% to 20%.

Can I learn professional illustration and manga techniques?

Yes.

Horie Art School’s instructors include manga artists, illustrators, painters, and designers with practical production experience.

Lessons can cover character drawing, body proportions, expressions, poses, coloring, manga panel layout, storyboards, digital production, and other skills according to what you want to learn.

Horie Art School also undertakes manga and illustration production as a company, so instructors can talk about real production work.

Can I take lessons using digital drawing software?

Yes.

Lessons can match the software and equipment you use, including Clip Studio Paint and ibisPaint.

Instructors can help with common digital stumbling blocks such as drawing lines, coloring, and working with layers.

Please bring your tablet and pen if you own them.

More than 60% of students take digital drawing lessons.

If you do not know which equipment or software would suit you, you can also ask during a trial.

What happens during a trial lesson?

During a trial, you draw while experiencing the classroom atmosphere and the instructor’s teaching style.

If you already know what you want to draw, the lesson can begin from that.

It is also fine if you have not decided.

The instructor listens and suggests something approachable to draw.

The trial is not used to pressure you to enroll.

It is time for you to decide whether this feels like a place you could attend.

Can a parent or guardian observe the lesson?

Yes.

During a trial lesson, a parent or guardian may sit on the other side of the same table and watch their child.

You can stay nearby if your child is anxious in a new place or if you want to see how the instructor teaches.

Guardians may also observe regular lessons.

The classroom has one or two chairs for guardians.

Dropping off and picking up your child is also fine.

For younger elementary students, some families only provide transport when the child is comfortable alone, while a guardian may wait on a chair when that helps the child settle.

Children may attend from the middle and final years of kindergarten, so please consult us according to the child’s age and individual needs.

A first visit can be a little unsettling for guardians as well as children.

Use the trial lesson to see your child’s response and the classroom atmosphere.

Can a child who is not attending school, or finds school difficult, attend?

Many such children attend.

Even during a period when school is difficult, a child may love drawing, feel able to talk about a favorite character, or want to work on something they enjoy at their own pace.

Horie Art School does not force a child to do the same thing as everyone around them. Lessons follow what that child wants to draw and how they are feeling that day.

Every child responds differently, so please begin by experiencing the classroom atmosphere during a trial lesson.

Can I transfer a lesson if I am absent?

Yes, lessons can be transferred.

If you need to miss a lesson because of sudden illness, a school event, or work, you can request a transfer by contacting the school on the day.

A same-day absence is acceptable.

Under the school’s rules, a transfer may also be carried across a month for a certain period.

The system is intended to stay manageable for people whose plans change suddenly, whose child’s health makes scheduling difficult, or who worry that they cannot attend on the same weekday every month.

The transfer deadline and detailed rules are explained during the trial lesson or when you enroll.