a drawing of chibi alice in anime

by Dr. Keanu Fritsch PhD 6 min read
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What is a Chibi character?

Chibi is, first and foremost, about finding features in a character that you can enlarge and accentuate. That nearly always includes wide, childlike eyes and large, expressive mouths, but when you want to turn a character into a chibi version of themselves, look at everything about their character design.

Why are Chibi characters cute?

In any case, normal anime and manga characters often become cute chibi characters to emphasize how strongly emotional they are in that moment. “It’s never a serious moment,” says illustrator and chibi artist Shiela Larson. “It’s always to accentuate someone’s emotions.

What is the point of Chibi style?

The whole point of these proportions is to give the character an impossible cuteness. This cuteness exists regardless of character type. Chibi style isn’t just for characters who have an air of cuteness about them already. Manga and anime also feature characters like serious warriors or determined ninjas also appearing in chibi style.

How tall is a Chibi?

Everything needs to be oversized except for the body.”. A chibi body is generally the same size or half the size of a character’s head. Most comic book characters are about six heads tall, but chibi figures are usually two or, at the very most, three heads tall.

What is a Chibi character's head called?

Because of the combination of large eyes, oversized heads, and small bodies, chibi characters are also known as “super-deformed, ” though that term is used less often now.

Is the sudden transformation of a normal character into an emotional caricature narratively jarring?

The sudden transformation of a normal character into an emotional caricature can be narratively jarring, but that’s also part of the humor and effect. “I always imagine characters in a huff, like in a weird aside that’s almost outside of the plot,” says Stanton.

Can you use black for Chibi?

That extends even to line art. “You don’t have to use black for line art, necessarily,” says Larson. Dark blues or purples usually suffice for chibi line art and can give the character a sweeter feel. For coloration in general, avoid the deeper, harsher ends of the spectrum.

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Drawing Chibi Characters

Drawing A Chibi Character

  • DRAWING THE HEAD (and the rest that goes with it!) 1. Draw a sketch of a circle, or a square, or an ovalcould work too. Keep in mind that the head should be bigger than the body, but of course, not too massive either, okay? Just a bit bigger than normal… just find a comfortablesize that’ll make it look adorable to you. 2. Draw a vertical lineacross...
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Drawing The Body

  • When drawing the body, we absolutely disregardthe idea of anatomyhere. We throw it out to the bin and just go hamwith the proportions! Similar to drawing the head, we keep the lines soft and curved and remember that details are lesser. You can use ovalsand circlesto help shape the body. But remember, even if we go crazy with the proportions, we still have to make sure it doesn’t loo…
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Conclusion

  • So that’s about it! Did you have fun? Now remember this, drawingin general, takes a lot of practice. No one gets goodovernight, okay? Just keep practicingand sooner or later drawing chibi characterswould be so easy. If you found this tutorial helpfuland you may want to see more contentrelated to this, then commentdown below! And while you’re at it, why not enjoysome of t…
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