anime eyes are one of the key things to get right when it comes to drawing characters – they can really help bring some personality and emotion to your drawings. Drawing anime eyes the right way is all about getting their shape, size, and little details like highlights and eyelashes looking just so.
different styles of anime eye – from big & round to sharp & narrow can give your characters a really unique look. The thing is, learning to do these is pretty straightforward – just start by sketching out the basic shape and then think about adding in some colour can make the whole process feel a lot easier and more enjoyable.
lots of artists really enjoy messing around with anime eyes because there’s so much creative freedom to be had. By getting to grips with the basics and then just popping in some practice you can really see your skills improve & bring your characters to life
Basics of Anime Eyes Drawing
Anime eyes are distinct because of their size, shape, and how they express emotions. Mastering the way eyes are built, understanding their common shapes, and using the right tools all help create convincing and stylish anime eyes.
Understanding Anime Eye Anatomy
Anime eyes are larger than real eyes, with specific parts that give them life. They have an upper eyelid that is usually thick and curved. The lower eyelid is often thinner and less defined.
Inside the eye, the iris is big and round, almost taking up most of the visible space. The pupil is smaller and in the center, which helps show where the character is looking. Highlights or white spots are added to give the eye a shiny, wet look.
The shape of the eye can change to show different emotions, like excitement, sadness, or anger. Eyelashes may be simple lines or more detailed depending on the style.
Common Shapes and Proportions
Anime eyes come in loads of different shapes & sizes , but a few types just seem to pop up over & over again. For instance round eyes are often used for younger, more innocent-looking characters – they just seem to cry out “Kiddo!” . Almond-shaped eyes on the other hand can give a character a more grown-up , serious vibe.
Most anime eyes have a tiny height compared to their width. In fact, a lot of the time they’re only about half the width or even less – it’s just a trick the artists use to make them stand out on the character’s face. The gap between the 2 eyes is usually roughly the same as the width of one eye.
But then there’s the small matter of whether it’s a guy or a girl – the proportions of the eyes do change. Female anime eyes tend to be a fair bit bigger & more detailed, they’ve got lots more lashes for a start . Male eyes on the other hand can be pretty narrow & straightforward, less fuss.
Here’s a wee reminder of what makes a pair of anime eyes tick
- A nice big ol’ curve on top – that really makes ’em pop.
- The iris covers most of the eye – it’s a big deal in anime art.
- Highlight spots for that shiny look in the eyes.
- Eyelashes, oh so many eyelashes – depending on the gender & style of the character.
Essential Drawing Tools
Good tools can make a big difference when drawing those pesky anime eyes and keep them looking neat. Loads of artists swear by the simplest of supplies like pencils, erasers, and pens – just the kind of thing to get you started.
For complete newbies, a soft pencil (2B is a good one to start with) is the way to go when sketching out those eyes. This lets you make light sketches and then tweak lines with ease if you need to. A decent eraser is super handy too – helps to fix mistakes without ripping the paper.
When you get to inking, a fine-tip pen or marker is a great choice – they make it easy to get clean, sharp lines. If you’re one of those digital artists, a graphics tablet or some decent drawing software with some good brush options (ones that mimic pencils and ink) can be super helpful.
Adding some colour to the mix needs the right tools too – that’s where markers, coloured pencils, or digital brushes come in. And if you want to blend those colours in the iris or add some highlights, you’ll need a tool that can do the job – a blending tool or some good software.
Some super handy tools you might want to keep on hand are:
- For sketching: a 2B pencil and a good eraser
- For inking: fine liners or felt-tip pens
- For colouring: markers, coloured pencils or digital brushes
Using the right tools makes a big difference when drawing those anime eyes – helps keep lines tight and details sharp.
Step-by-Step Techniques
Creating anime eyes involves careful planning of shapes, placement of details, and clean finishing. Each step builds on the last, starting from simple outlines to refined line art. Patience and small adjustments help achieve the right look.
Sketching the Eye Outline
The first task is to draw the basic shape of the eye. Anime eyes vary from round to almond shapes, so deciding the style early is important. Usually, the upper eyelid is thicker and more curved than the bottom.
Start with a light pencil to create an oval or a slightly pointed oval. Mark the corners of the eye clearly. The size of the eye depends on the character’s style, with younger characters often having larger eyes.
Next, add a soft line inside to show the eyelid crease. This line should follow the general shape of the top eyelid. Avoid making the sketch too dark at this stage so changes can be made easily.
Drawing the Iris and Pupil
The iris in anime eyes is large and expressive. It often takes up most of the eye space and can be drawn as a big circle inside the outline. The pupil is usually smaller and centered within the iris.
Place the iris so it slightly touches the upper and lower lids. This gives a natural fit. For a simple look, draw a round pupil near the center or slightly to the side where the character looks.
Adding highlights is common to give life to the eyes. This is done by drawing small circles or ovals inside the iris. Leave those areas white to show light reflection, which adds sparkle.
Adding Eyelashes and Eyebrows
Eyelashes in anime styles range from simple strokes to fuller sets. Usually, the upper lash line is emphasized with thicker or longer strokes, while the lower lashes are thinner or fewer in number.
Use short, curved lines that taper off at the ends. Place the lashes regularly spaced but vary their length for a natural look. Avoid making eyelashes too harsh unless the character’s design calls for it.
Eyebrows sit above the eye and help show emotion. They can be thin, thick, straight, or curved depending on the character. Draw them lightly at first to adjust their angle and shape before thickening or refining.
Inking and Line Art
Inking turns the sketch into clean, bold lines that define the eye. Use a fine pen or digital brush with steady pressure to trace over your final pencil lines. Start with the eye’s outer shapes, then ink the iris and pupil.
Make sure to vary line thickness. Thicker lines around the eyelid add weight, while thinner lines inside keep details delicate. Be careful not to overdo it, as too many thick lines can look heavy.
Erase the pencil marks after the ink dries or hide the sketch layer if working digitally. This leaves clear outlines ready for coloring or shading, which will enhance the eye’s depth and expressiveness.
Bringing Anime Eyes to Life
Making anime eyes look real and full of feeling takes more than just drawing the right shape. It involves careful use of light, color, and expression. Different styles also help create unique characters and moods.
Shading and Highlights
Shading adds depth to anime eyes by showing where the light hits and where shadows fall. Usually, the top part of the eye is darker because the eyelid casts a shadow. The bottom is lighter to show reflection.
Highlights are small bright spots that make eyes look shiny and lively. They often appear as white dots or sparkles. Adding more than one highlight can create the effect of wet, glassy eyes.
Artists can use soft gradients and layers of color to create smooth shading. This technique helps the iris stand out. Using a mix of dark and light tones inside the eye makes it feel round and real.
Expressing Emotions
Anime eyes are very good at showing feelings. The shape, size, and position of the eyes change between emotions like happiness, anger, or sadness.
For example, wide-open eyes with large highlights show excitement or surprise. Half-closed eyes with smaller or no highlights can express tiredness or boredom. Eyebrows also play a big role in emotion when drawn near the eyes.
Small details such as wrinkles or tears add realism and show pain or joy. The way the pupil is drawn can change the mood—small pupils can show fear or shock, while big pupils can show love or innocence.
Different Styles and Variations
Anime eyes come in many shapes and sizes depending on the character’s age, personality, and the artist’s style. Some eyes are big and round, perfect for cute or innocent characters.
Others are narrow and sharp, often used for serious or villainous characters. Some artists like to add extra details like multiple colors inside the iris or unique patterns to make a character stand out.
There are simple styles with just a few lines and basic colors, and there are complex ones with detailed shading and glow effects. Mixing these styles gives variety and helps tell the story through the eyes.
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