PROFILE

Pen Name / Name: Keanne Lawsin
Country: Philippines
Social media profiles: X: @Zerolaw5
Favorite manga: Blood On The Tracks
Favorite movie: The Hunt, A Tale Of Two Sisters, Detachment
Favorite quote: “A filmmaker doesn’t have to suffer to show suffering. You just have to understand it. You don’t have to die to shoot a death scene.”- David Lynch
Entry title: “One Good Reason”
Round: SMA23 “My Dream”
Award: Grand Prix Runner-up 

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“Draw what you feel and don’t be afraid to be yourself.”

About SMA

How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
Surprising and exciting, but also very sudden. I did not expect my work to win.

What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
I took inspiration from my personal experiences and the works of various manga artists.

What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
I did not plan enough beforehand, so I had trouble dealing with certain panels, particularly the storytelling. Thankfully, I was able to overcome them with constant revisions, as well as gathering a handful of references to keep me inspired. I strictly followed a personal rule to keep an eye on my schedule in order to avoid burnout.

READ Keanne Lawsin’s Awarded Work HERE!

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About Your Manga

How and when did you start making manga? What do you wish you knew as a beginner? What advice would you give to someone who wants to start drawing manga?
I didn’t start drawing manga properly until a year ago, and this was my first time participating in SMA. Despite being fairly new to making manga, I have been familiar with it since I was just a kid. I grew fond of drawing manga and anime characters, and even made my own, too. The only thing I wish I knew as a beginner is that art is subjective; every reader and audience will interpret it how they like, and therefore formulate different opinions about it. External validation does not define you as an artist. My advice for anyone who wants to start drawing manga is simple: don’t be afraid to draw how you feel. Don’t be afraid to be authentic. Just draw and remember why you do it. And, of course, have fun.


Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
Digitally. As a digital artist, I usually go for tablets (such as XP-PEN or Wacom). It doesn’t matter to me whether they have a screen or not, but I personally use the ones without one. As for manga drawing programs, I recommend using Clip Studio Paint because many professional manga artists use it. However, I use Medibang because it’s free. Those two are all you need. Nothing fancy.

What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
Frankly speaking, I don’t read much manga. But when I do read manga, I read online. I believe, if I can recall, the first manga I ever finished reading was Mysterious Girlfriend X. I think it’s an odd “first”, although I loved every bit of it. And yes, manga is fairly accessible where I live. The first manga I bought physically was Goodbye, Eri.


Which manga changed your life?
Blood On The Tracks. I was able to relate to a lot of it. It has affected me severely—both negatively and positively.

Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Seiichi Osabe. We have similar personalities and relationships with people.

What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I’m not sure. All I know is that I want to create something different. I don’t consider myself a manga creator just yet. If I were to think of a few challenges that I face, I would say one would be dealing with the expectations that people put on me and the lack of access to learning art in a manga “dominated” environment, where the aim would solely focus on making manga.

 About You

What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
I play games, watch YouTube, watch Netflix, listen to music, sing, or play the guitar. Even if I’m not drawing manga, I’m usually making other kinds of art.

What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
I’m unemployed.


Where do you see your manga career in five years time?
I don’t know and I don’t want to know. That’s what makes the journey fun. I can only hope that I’ll be in a better place five years from now.

What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Draw what you feel and don’t be afraid to be yourself.

What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
Keep your stories simple yet impactful.

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Thank you, Keanne Lawsin! We’re eagerly awaiting your next manga masterpiece!

The deadline to join SMA24 is May 10th. Enter for a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!