FANS of Manga Japanese- style comics can learn to draw cartoons like top graphic artist Al Davison at a special workshop next month.

A bigger-than-ever Manga ReCon event will be held at Scunthorpe's Central Library and the artist Al has taken time out ahead of his appearance to talk about the popular art-form.

Al has worked on titles for DC Comics, publishers of superheroes such as Batman and Superman, and he also recently illustrated a series of Doctor Who comics for IDW publishing.

He said: "It's my first workshop in North Lincolnshire but I do them up and down the country all the time.

"Not often people get the chance to draw in this way as youngsters wouldn't be able to do it in school, so this workshop will give them chance to learn different skills.

"Ten years ago workshops were attended by boys but as Manga has developed, a lot more girls are getting involved artistically."

Al said his talents for drawing stemmed from his childhood battle with spina bifida.

He said: "I've been drawing since I was a child because I spent most of my time in hospital suffering with spina bifida so I used to draw comics to communicate with the nurses even before I learned to talk.

"My auto-biography The Spiral Cage is the proudest thing I have ever done."

Al said his comic work usually involves producing artwork for 20-22 pages which take him six to eight weeks to complete but said project times differed depending on the publisher.

He said he would encourage budding Manga fans to build their experience in both script-writing and drawing animations.

"It's all about practice," he said. "If you want to be an artist it's good to take part in life drawing classes when you're old enough and draw as many real things as you can, then if you become a comic artist you can work out how to do the animation from the story you are given."

Al will be leading a two-hour drawing workshop with 25 lucky fans, covering topics such as visual storytelling, basic plotting and facial expressions.

For those not lucky enough to secure one of the limited workshop spaces, Al – who Jonathan Ross has described as "one of the most consistently original and thought-provoking creators working in comics today" – will be offering a Manga portrait service and will have examples of his work on sale.

Manga fan Luke Acker, 17, said he was thoroughly looking forward the event.

"I became interested in Manga when I was a lot younger and I was fascinated by the animation," he said.

"It is great to see more and more events being held in North Lincolnshire and it is starting to attract more and more people which is brilliant.

"The conferences usually take place in the south which means it is incredibly hard to attended.

"It is really good to be able to talk to different people about their likes and dislikes and talk about different comics and animations. Even if you haven't experienced Manga before I would encourage people to come along and have a look – it might open your eyes to the art form."

The Manga ReCon event will be held on Sunday, April 17 from noon to 4pm at North Lincolnshire Central Library, Church Square, Scunthorpe.

Limited tickets for the Recon, including the two-hour drawing workshop with Al, cost £10. All other tickets will cost £3.50.

The event is suitable for anyone interested in Manga aged 13 and over. Keen fans aged under 13 are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult.

To reserve tickets, or for more information, click here for contact details.