Drawing anime characters can be both a fun and rewarding experience. Among the most distinctive features of anime art are the unique and expressive heads of the characters. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist looking to refine your skills, understanding how to draw an anime head structure is essential. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, from basic shapes to final details.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the drawing process, it's crucial to understand the fundamental structure of an anime head. Unlike realistic human portraits, anime heads often have exaggerated features, such as large eyes, small noses, and simplified shapes. Here's a breakdown of the basic components:
1. The Head Shape
Anime heads can be drawn using simple geometric shapes. Typically, they start as a circle or an oval, which forms the top part of the head. The lower part of the head, which includes the jawline and chin, can be added as a triangle or a more angular shape.
2. Guidelines
Drawing guidelines helps in maintaining the symmetry and proportions of the face. A vertical line down the center of the circle helps in placing facial features symmetrically. Horizontal lines will indicate the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
3. Facial Features
Eyes: Anime eyes are often large and expressive, taking up a significant portion of the upper face.
Nose: The nose is usually small and understated, sometimes represented by just a dot or a small line.
Mouth: The mouth can vary in size but is typically small and simple.
Ears: Positioned on the sides of the head, usually aligned with the eyes and nose.
Step-by-Step Drawing Process
Step 1: Drawing the Basic Head Shape
Begin by drawing a circle for the top portion of the head. This will serve as the cranium. From the bottom of the circle, draw a vertical line that extends downward to determine the length of the face. This line should be about the same length as the radius of the circle.
Step 2: Adding the Jawline
From the bottom of the vertical line, draw two lines that angle upward and outward to create the jaw. These lines should meet the circle at a point where the jawline appears natural. This will form the basic head shape, resembling an upside-down egg.
Step 3: Drawing Guidelines
Draw a horizontal line across the center of the circle. This line will help you place the eyes. Next, draw another horizontal line halfway between the eye line and the bottom of the chin. This will indicate the placement of the nose. Finally, draw a third horizontal line halfway between the nose line and the chin for the mouth.
Step 4: Placing the Eyes
Anime eyes are a significant feature, often exaggerated for expressive effect. On the eye line, draw two large oval shapes for the eyes. The eyes should be about one eye-width apart from each other. Within each eye, add the iris and pupil, which are also usually large and expressive. You can add highlights to the eyes for a more dynamic look.
Step 5: Adding the Nose and Mouth
Draw a small dot or a tiny vertical line for the nose on the nose guideline. For the mouth, draw a simple curved line on the mouth guideline. Depending on the character's emotion, you can adjust the shape and curve of the mouth.
Step 6: Drawing the Ears
The ears should be placed on the sides of the head, starting from the eye line to the nose line. Draw them as simple shapes that curve outward.
Step 7: Adding Hair
Anime hair is often exaggerated and stylized. Start by drawing the hairline, which typically starts at the top of the forehead. Then, draw the hair in clumps or strands, considering the character’s hairstyle. Hair can add a lot of personality to your character, so take your time to create a style that suits them.
Step 8: Refining the Details
Go over your drawing to refine the lines and add details. You can add eyelashes, eyebrows, and any other features that will bring your character to life. Erase any unnecessary guidelines.
Step 9: Inking and Coloring
Once you’re satisfied with your sketch, you can ink over the lines with a pen or a fine marker. This will give your drawing a clean and finished look. After inking, erase any remaining pencil lines. Finally, you can add color to your drawing using markers, colored pencils, or digital tools.
Tips for Drawing Anime Heads
Practice Proportions
Getting the proportions right is key to drawing anime heads. Practice drawing different head shapes and sizes to become comfortable with the proportions of various facial features.
Study Different Styles
Anime comes in many styles, from realistic to highly stylized. Study different anime and manga artists to see how they approach drawing heads and faces. This will help you develop your own style.
Experiment with Expressions
Facial expressions are crucial in anime. Practice drawing your characters with different emotions, from happiness to anger to sadness. This will make your characters more dynamic and interesting.
Use References
Don’t be afraid to use references, whether they are from real life or other anime characters. References can help you understand how different angles and lighting affect the appearance of the head and face.
Keep Practicing
Like any other skill, drawing improves with practice. Keep drawing different characters, trying new techniques, and experimenting with styles. The more you practice, the better you will become.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Misplaced Features
Ensure that the eyes, nose, and mouth are aligned correctly. Misplaced features can make the face look unbalanced and unnatural.
Overcomplicating Details
Anime style is often characterized by simplicity. Avoid adding too many details, especially in features like the nose and mouth. Keep it simple and clean.
Inconsistent Styles
Stick to one style throughout your drawing. Mixing different styles can make your character look inconsistent and jarring.
Ignoring Anatomy
While anime is stylized, it still follows basic anatomical rules. Understanding the structure of the head and how features relate to each other will improve your drawings.
Conclusion
Drawing an anime head structure can seem challenging at first, but by breaking down the process into manageable steps, it becomes much easier. Start with simple shapes, use guidelines to maintain proportions, and gradually add details to bring your character to life. Remember to practice regularly, study different styles, and have fun with the creative process. With time and dedication, you’ll be able to draw anime heads with confidence and skill.