Draw Anime Eyes

Anime is a drawing style invented by Japanese people in their art of Anime. Anime eyes are very different to natural eyes. Anime eyes tend to communicate personality. When an anime eye is drawn, the externally visible part of the eye, the orbit, the eyelid, and the eyelashes are depicted. Let's begin!

Steps

A Large Eye

  1. Sketch a long curve, see photo. Then draw another shorter curve opposite the first. Add slightly curved lines down from each end. This is the basic eye. The top curve is typically thicker than the bottom. Notice the mini-line at the end of the top eyelid. This is a characteristic of the anime style.
  2. Make a large white circle pointing in the direction your character is facing. Add another small circle on the bottom corner. Typically, the top shine is larger than the bottom one. You can add more white spots if you like.
  3. Eyelashes. If your eye is on the left, make the lashes point toward the right side, if it's on the right side, make it point toward the left. Eyelashes in anime are more bold and less feathery than realistic drawings. You can also add smaller lashes on the bottom curve if you like.
    • Also, draw a thin line slightly above the thick curved line you did in the beginning. This indicates the eye socket and gives the eyes more depth.
  4. Shade In. Top to bottom. Dark to light. In the middle of the eye, shade a darker circle, for the pupil.

A Woman's Eye

  1. Draw the elegant curve for the eyelashes.
  2. Draw a partial oblong (not closed) that touches or overlaps the eyelashes.
  3. Draw partial oblongs in the middle of the oblong in Step 2. This is for the eye’s pupil.
  4. Draw two small horizontal ovals – bigger at the left than at the right. Draw another brushed curve for the eyelashes but smaller than the first and add another small curve that extends from the small eyelashes.
  5. Draw another brushed curve for the eyebrow, thicker at the right.
  6. Refine, then trace with a pen, and erase unnecessary lines.
  7. Color like anime!

A Man's Eye

  1. Draw two brushed curves which are thinner at the left. The upper curve is also thicker than the one below it.
  2. Draw a half circle with a small circle at the middle. Draw near the left end.
  3. Draw curves to emphasize the skin surrounding the eye.
  4. Draw a brushed curve that is even varies in thickness – thickest at the middle and thinnest at the left end. This will be for the brow.
  5. Trace with a pen and refine.
  6. Color to your heart’s delight!

Tips

  • Don't make too many shiny spots, the average is 2, but don't be afraid to add more, although making 5 shiny spots is stretching a point. No shiny spots also helps if you are trying to make your character sleepy, feeling faint, possessed/hypnotized, etc.
  • Remember, there is no single correct way to draw anime eyes. Add your own styles, shapes sizes, etc.
  • When drawing the eyes, make sure they aren't too big. If they end up to big, they may cause all of the attention to go to the eyes. Plus it wouldn't look right if the eyes took up too much space on the face.
  • All artists have a different way of drawing anime eyes. If these do not work for you, don't panic. As you practice drawing eyes over time you will figure out your own style and get better. It is also possible that you would prefer to draw a different style such as realism. But if you really want to draw anime, just keep at it.
  • Eyes hold a lot of character, so spend some more time on them.
  • The more you practice it the better you get at doing it.
  • Pick the right colors. Eyes are normally one basic color with many accompanying shades, and another relative colour. (Ex. Brown eyes with a bit of yellow, or blue eyes with some turquoise.)
  • If you are struggling with developing your style, try combining different styles from different references and change to your liking.
  • Ask other people to look at your drawing. Different perspectives from different people help spot mistakes.
  • These eyes show a fully awake, very energized, happy expression. To get that drowsy, just out of bed look, draw the eyes a little bit closed and ( if you want) draw dark circles under the bottom eye area.
  • The big eyes should only be for girls. If you want boy eyes make them thinner and with no eyelashes.
  • Make sure the eyes show what emotion or how he/she feels. For example if the character is feeling mad make sure you draw the eye brows at angles.
  • These eyes are best done only for females. Draw these eyes more closer to the bottom or chin to give it a "cute" look to your anime character. Drawing the eyes away or farther makes it more of a boy or adult look and is perfect for drawing guys/boys.
  • If you have your colors for eye but don't know to apply them, go darker by the pupil and get lighter as you go outward.
  • Try to make sure that the eyes are of the same size. Draw squares or rectangles of the same size if you need an outline.

Warnings

  • Don't put too many eyelashes, if any, if it's a guy.
  • Make sure that when doing 3/4 views, the eyes are proportionate.

Related Articles

  • Edit Anime Pictures
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