Why curves are harder than straight lines
Straight lines in manga can be drawn freehand or with a standard ruler. Consistent curves cannot. The specific curve shapes that appear throughout manga — the gentle arc of a face, the crisp curve of a panel border, the sweep of a cloak or background element — require a guide to reproduce consistently, especially under the time pressure of production work. Standard French curves from draughting supplies work but are not designed for ink — the flat edge sits on the paper surface and allows ink to run underneath, producing a blurred line rather than a clean one. Deleter's French curves have a raised edge that holds the ruler above the paper, so the ink dries at the edge rather than wicking under it.
Three curves, wide coverage
The set of three covers a wide range of curve shapes from tight radius to very gentle arc. Most manga panel borders, hair, and clothing curves fall within the range these three templates cover between them. They work equally well for linework with a dip pen, technical pen, or brush pen.
Honest Note:
Who is it For?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)
Are these the same as standard draughting French curves?
The shapes are similar but Deleter French curves have a raised ink-safe edge that standard draughting curves do not. That raised edge is the key difference — it prevents ink from bleeding under the ruler, which produces a clean inked line rather than a smudged one.
Can these be used with waterproof inks?
Yes. The raised edge works with any bottled drawing ink applied by dip pen, brush, or technical pen. With waterproof inks it is especially important to clean the curves promptly after use as dried ink can be difficult to remove.
Do I need all three?
The set is designed to be used together — the three curves cover ranges that complement each other. Buying individually is not available; the set covers the most commonly needed radius range in one purchase.