how to draw anime heads step by step

by Mr. Porter Hackett 8 min read
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How to Draw an Anime Head in Profile, Front, and 3/4 Views

  1. As I mentioned before, the original sphere is not really a sphere—it's elongated, and it looks slightly different in various views.
  2. Draw a line towards the bottom, defining the length of the face. Mark the middle of the head once you're done.
  3. Outline the lower part of the face. Notice how it changes depending on the view.
  4. Add the eyes in your chosen area—on the middle line or under it. ...
  5. Draw the nose on the halfway line of the lower half. Create a subtle indentation between the eyes (or not—some styles don't need it!).
  6. Divide the part under the nose into thirds.
  7. Draw the mouth in this area.
  8. Draw the eyebrows over the eyes. Their location should depend on the expression you're going for.
  9. Draw the ears between the middle line and the nose line.
  10. Draw the hairline at the halfway point of the upper half.
  11. Add the neck. It should merge gently with the jawline.
  12. With all the guide lines in place, you can safely finish your manga face. ...

Full Answer

How to Sketch anime head?

Use Painter as Your Anime Drawing Software. Sketch the eyes and the ears. They should be below the first horizontal guideline. Draw the eyebrows slightly above the same line. Draw the nose. Position the tip of the nose where the second horizontal line intersects with the vertical line. Draw the ...

How to draw anime face for beginners?

How to Draw Anime for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Create the Basic Structure of the Face First, you will create the general composition of the character’s face. ...
  2. Add Facial Features Now that you understand the general placement of the facial features, you can draw them in detail. ...
  3. Draw the Hair When learning to draw anime for beginners, there are a couple of options for how to draw the hair. ...
  4. Add the Body Next, we’ll explore how to draw anime girl body step by step for beginners. ...
  5. Add Details and Ink the Drawing

How do you draw yourself in anime?

Beginner Guide to Drawing Anime & Manga

  1. Make Light Line Drawings First. Draw using light lines first and then trace over them with darker lines once you are sure that everything is in the right place.
  2. Use Guide/Construction Lines. Use guide lines to help yourself draw. ...
  3. Plan Out Your Drawing & Draw Larger to Smaller. Estimate your proportions before you start drawing. ...
  4. Keep Different Parts of Your Drawing in the Same Stages of Completion. Try and keep the various objects in your drawing in roughly the same state of completion. ...
  5. Draw Things That Are Hidden. It’s sometimes a good idea to draw things that are hidden by something else. ...
  6. Do Drawing Exercises. As a beginner artist you can really benefit from some fairly simple exercises of drawing lines and basic geometric shapes.
  7. Study the Anime Style. To make art that looks like anime and manga you have to understand their defining characteristics. ...
  8. Check for Mistakes. If you are having trouble spotting your mistakes turn your drawing upside down or hold it up to a mirror.

How to draw different anime eyes?

How to Draw Anime Eyes

  • Step 1. Diagram of eye placement. Using a ruler, draw two parallel lines and two perpendicular lines as shown in the...
  • Step 2. Anime eyes are wide open. Because eyes anime-style are widely open, draw two ovals compressed from the top and...
  • Step 3. Erase extra pencil lines from your drawing. Now is the time to remove extra lines from your drawing...

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How do you draw an anime style head?

0:0216:43How to Draw Faces for Beginners | Anime Manga Drawing TutorialYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow I'm trying to create that jawline started from left making sure the actual tip is not too sharpMoreNow I'm trying to create that jawline started from left making sure the actual tip is not too sharp as the tip of the jaw.

How do you draw anime faces better?

Outline the jaw for your character.Female anime and manga characters tend to have rounder faces and pointier chins than male characters. Use curved lines rather than angled ones if you plan on drawing a female character.Characters that are older usually have taller, narrower faces than younger characters.

What are the steps in drawing a head?

3:485:11How to Draw the Head from Any Angle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBox the angles on the front plane of the face such as hairline brow line nostrils lips and chin willMoreBox the angles on the front plane of the face such as hairline brow line nostrils lips and chin will be the same as the angles on the front plane of the box.

How do you draw an anime face front?

1:437:53EASIEST WAY TO DRAW ANIME FACE (FRONT AND SIDE) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne. So the tip of the ears touches. The eyes line wow the earlobe touches the nose. Line. AndMoreOne. So the tip of the ears touches. The eyes line wow the earlobe touches the nose. Line. And that's how you draw the ear at the correct position proceed to draw the nose.

How do you make an anime smile?

2:3138:54HOW TO DRAW SMILING HAPPY EXPRESSIONS (Real Time)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis will be doing the same sort of thing but just a little bit wider. And sweeping down to theMoreThis will be doing the same sort of thing but just a little bit wider. And sweeping down to the outside edge a bit more. And then i'm just going to come down. Here bring in that shape.

How do you draw anime ears?

0:274:48How to Draw Manga: 10+ Ways to Draw Ears! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipView i draw a curvy line shaped like the letter c. Then i draw a line that bumps out at the bottomMoreView i draw a curvy line shaped like the letter c. Then i draw a line that bumps out at the bottom and then follows the curve of the ear. The ear and front view is similar i just draw it.

How do you draw an anime face at an angle?

5:157:24EASIEST WAY TO DRAW ANIME FACE (DIFFERENT ANGLES)YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFace then draw a vertical line through it followed. By a horizontal line to form a cross then drawMoreFace then draw a vertical line through it followed. By a horizontal line to form a cross then draw the jaw. Line. So at this angle.

What is the Riley method?

The Reilly approach is a constructive/graphic hybrid that emphasizes line and shape design and clear value control. This approach has become popular among professional illustrators as well as for fine art applications.

How do you draw a tilted face?

19:3028:49How to Draw a Face from any Angle | Part 2 - The 3/4 View - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo there's actually another method to find each feature. Line see this space between the brow andMoreSo there's actually another method to find each feature. Line see this space between the brow and southernmost point of the ball. The midway point will give us the approximate location of his nose.

How do I look like an anime girl?

3:576:52How To Look Like An Anime Character - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLook more cute and anime is to wear hair accessories. Like little balls or pants will really elevateMoreLook more cute and anime is to wear hair accessories. Like little balls or pants will really elevate. Your hairstyle.

How do you do an anime side profile?

0:0014:48How to Draw Anime Face PROFILE SIDE VIEW | Manga Drawing TutorialYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo we start with a circle. And how we do this just so that you guys can follow a whole lot easierMoreSo we start with a circle. And how we do this just so that you guys can follow a whole lot easier starting with a circle. Then you know stretch it out towards the sides just a little more.

How do you make Naruto?

0:038:38How to Draw Naruto- Simple Video Lesson - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHey there today i'm going to show you how to draw naruto. So we'll start with the eyes as usual. SoMoreHey there today i'm going to show you how to draw naruto. So we'll start with the eyes as usual. So on the sides.

What is the most distinctive part of an anime head?

The most distinctive part of the head is an elongated sphere that represents the cranium. It looks like a circle in the front view and an oval in the side view. The basic proportions of an anime head are very simple: the whole head should have a middle line...

Why is anime so easy to draw?

This means that many elements of the face have been extremely simplified—and this means they are easy to draw, too. However, if you want to draw anime characters from imagination, you must know certain rules.

How to make a manga face look masculine?

Although manga style faces are pretty feminine to begin with, there are certain ways to make the face look more masculine: The eyebrows are placed low above the eyes. The eyebrows may be thicker and less curved. The eyes are narrower. The eyelashes are minimal and less prominent. The pupil is small and circular.

How to make manga look good?

To create a style that will look good and not monstrous, always keep these basic proportions: half of the head as a line marking the eyes, the nose halfway down the lower half, and the mouth around one-third of the distance under the nose. The rest you can freely experiment with! Just remember to keep the features consistent: the more deformed the style, the less realistic the facial features should be to make it all look intentional.

Why are anime eyes stylized?

Anime eyes can be stylized in various ways to make the character unique. It's especially important in a classic, black-and-white manga, where you can't distinguish the eyes with a color.

What are the most developed features in manga?

Eyes are certainly the most developed feature in a manga face. The other features are heavily stylized and as simple as possible. Let me show you how to achieve this effect.

Where to draw ears in a symlink?

Draw the ears between the middle line and the nose line.

How to draw anime girl ears?

Anime girl ears drawing. To place the ears first draw a horizontal line directly though the middle of the head and then draw another line between that and the chin. Draw the ears between these two lines.

What are the features of anime?

Most female anime characters tend to have big eyes, a small mouth, nose and chin and a fairly round face. The lips are usually either very lightly defined or not drawn at all.

What is the shading style of anime?

Anime girl face drawing. You can add some very basic shading to your drawing to make it stand out a lot more. Anime uses what is known as “Cel” style shading (basically shading with no gradients) which generally makes shading fair fast and easy. The way the shading is applied will be determined by two things.

How is shading determined?

The way the shading is applied will be determined by two things. The areas that are naturally darker and the areas that have shadows cast on them.

Where is the bottom lip in anime?

The bottom lip will be positioned between the nose and the bottom of the chin. Draw the mouth itself slightly above that.

How many lines can you draw a mouth?

You can pretty much draw the mouth as one or two lines (really just one line with a break in the middle for the front view). If you want a happier/friendlier looking character you can draw it with a bit of a curve.

How many lines can you project from an oval to a chin?

For the front view you can basically project two sets of lines down from the oval/circle that curve to meet at the chin.

How to draw anime girl head?

How to Draw an Anime Girl Head 1 Next, make sure each side of the head is even by drawing a vertical line in the middle. This step is important because we’re drawing the character in the front view. The guideline will also help you position the facial features correctly. 2 Draw a horizontal line across the center of the head. And a second horizontal line slightly below it, near the bottom of the shape. These lines will be the guidelines for where you should place the eyes and the ears.

How to draw a character's mouth?

Draw the eyebrows slightly above the same line. Draw the nose. Position the tip of the nose where the second horizontal line intersects with the vertical line. Draw the character’s mouth. The mouth should be between the nose and the chin.

Why do anime stand out?

As you know, animes stand out because of their facial features. But you can’t bring out those traits if you don’t know how to draw an anime head. That’s why this tutorial focuses on how to draw an anime head step by step. The chances are that you expect this guide to be overly complicated since it might be your first anime drawing.

Why draw necks closer to jawline?

If you decide to sketch a neck, make sure you draw the neck closer to the jawline to make the character look muscular.

Can you sketch a neck?

Make sure the bottom part of the shape is narrow. You can also sketch a neck for your character, but it’s entirely optional.

Is an anime face simplified?

However, many elements of an anime’s facial features are extremely simplified. By the time you’re done going through this guide, you’ll be able to come up with a rough sketch of an anime face as well.

Who teaches you how to draw anime noses?

When you’re learning how to draw anime lips, eyebrows, or other specific facial features, it’s helpful to have focused instruction—and noses are no exception! In this course, Skillshare instructor Leon F. Andersen teaches you how to draw noses with varying degrees of detail .

What to add to anime drawing?

Add clothing to your anime drawing to give your character personality .

What is the best thing about anime character design?

Though you may never have heard of a ninja skateboarder or a singing surfer, one of the best things about anime character design is that there are no rules! Feel free to combine different character types and styles to create a character that represents you and your interests.

Why is anime so popular?

Part of what makes anime so popular is that characters are known for having loud expressions and emotions. To help convey these sentiments through your anime character’s face, follow along as artist Enrique Plazola teaches you how to draw anime eyes in four different styles!

What is the best thing about digitizing anime?

One of the best things about digitizing your anime drawings is that you have limitless options for posing and positioning your characters. Character designer and animator McCoy Buck shows you how to do exactly that using digitized vector points for reference.

Why are proportions important in anime?

Anime drawing and character design is unique in that it allows for open-ended creativity while still remaining within standard design principles, like proportions.

How to take guesswork out of drawing hands?

Take the guesswork out of drawing hands by breaking them down into simpler, more familiar shapes.

How to draw anime characters?

While artists have varying preferences about how to structure an anime character’s head and face, they all start with the same basic principle: First draw a circle, and then draw a horizontal line and vertical line directly ...

How to draw anime girl eyes?

Start by sketching a curved upper eyelid, then draw a short line extending down from the outer corner of the eye. Leave the inner corner of the eye open for a softer look. Then, add a circle in the middle of the eye as the iris. Draw a smaller circle—the pupil—in the middle of the iris.

What is the focal point of anime?

When drawing anime characters, the eyes are typically a focal point, while the nose and mouth remain simple.

How long should an anime character's legs be?

The legs of an anime character should be approximately as long as the top half of the character, from the top of the head to the waist. Finally, add in the arms. A good rule of thumb is to align the elbow with the character’s waist, and then extend the rest of the arm (including the hand) to about mid-thigh.

How do anime faces start?

The basic anatomy of an anime face starts with a circle with a vertical line and horizontal line directly through the center.

How to make a reflection in the eye?

Leave the inner corner of the eye open for a softer look. Then, add a circle in the middle of the eye as the iris. Draw a smaller circle—the pupil—in the middle of the iris. To create primary and secondary light reflections, add in one or two additional circles within the iris.

What pen do you use to highlight a character?

While you will mostly ink with a black pen, it can also be helpful to have a white jelly pen on hand—you can use this to add highlights, like the reflection points in the character’s eyes. You may also choose to add additional colors with colored pencils or medium of your choice.

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Step 1 – Drawing The Head

  1. Draw a circle on your paper with a vertical line running through the middle. Use a pencil so you’re able to erase your lines if you make a mistake. Lightly draw the circle in the center of a piece of paper so you have room to add features to it. Find the middle of your circle and lightly sketch a straight line that extends from the top of the circle down your sheet of paper so you …
  2. Make a guideline for the eyes a third of the way up from the bottom of the circle. Measure ab…
See all 6 steps on www.wikihow.com

Step 2 – Drawing The Ears

Step 3 – Drawing The Eyes

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Star you drawing with the overall outline of the head. For an explanation of the drawing order as well as some general drawing tips see: Beginner Guide to Picking Colors When Drawing Anime & Manga You can draw a vertical line down the middle of the head for the front view to help you insure that both sides are even. …
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Step 4 – Drawing The Nose

  • To place the ears first draw a horizontal line directly though the middle of the head and then draw another line between that and the chin. Draw the ears between these two lines. For the side view placement of the ears they will be positioned slightly more towards the back of the head than the front. As the ears will be covered by the hair in later step we won’t go into drawing their inner det…
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Step 5 – Drawing The Mouth

  • To place the eyes on the head you can use the same vertical line used to place the top part of the ears. Draw the eyes directly below this line. The height of anime eyes can vary based on style and character type so there is no one sure way to place the bottom portion. If drawing both views at once be sure that the positioning of the bottom portions of the eyes in both views is relatively ev…
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Step 6 – Drawing The Hair

  • As already mentioned you will want to position the nose between the horizontal halfway point of the face and the bottom of the chin. In the front view you can pretty much draw the nose as just a dot in the side view an anime nose is usually small and pointy. For more examples of anime noses in different views you can see: How to Draw Anime and Manga Noses
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Step 7 – Drawing The Smaller Details of The Face & Finishing The Line Drawing

  • To mouth is a little bit trickier to place as you will first want to get the position of the bottom lip in order to do it. Also keep in mind that when it comes to anime and manga the bottom lips itself is often not drawn in the front view of the characters. The bottom lip will be positioned between the nose and the bottom of the chin. Draw the mouth itself slightly above that. You can pretty much …
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Step 8 – Applying Shading

  • Add the hair. Keep in mind that the hair will overlap some of the other features of the character’s face. But it is still good practice to draw those out especially since they may be visible if you choose to draw a different hair style. You can erase the parts that are covered up by the hair once you are done. For this stage you can simply draw out the major parts of the hair clumps without …
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Conclusion

  • At this stage you can erase the parts of the face that are covered by the hair and add the smaller details o the eyes such as the eyelashes, pupils, and highlights. You can also shade in the eyelashes and add some more details to the hair. When drawing the eyes you can lightly outline the highlights (reflections of light) with a very light lines so that if you shade the eyes you don’t a…
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