Drawing a full body anime character can be a challenging task, especially if you’re unsure about the proportions and steps involved. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of drawing a female anime body, providing detailed step-by-step examples. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, this guide will help you create stunning anime artwork.
Step 1 – Draw the Head
To begin, draw a straight vertical line in the middle of your drawing area. This line will serve as a guide to ensure that the body remains proportionate and symmetrical. Then, draw the head slightly above the upper end of the line, leaving space at the top for the hair and ample room at the bottom for the rest of the body. To create the head’s structure, start with a circle for the upper part of the head and add the lower part accordingly. Remember to make the lower half of the head smaller and give it a pointed chin to achieve the anime style. You can also position the ears a quarter of the way up from the bottom of the chin.
Step 2 – Draw the Body
Now, let’s proceed to draw the neck and body. Before you start, it’s essential to understand the proportions of the body in relation to the head. In this drawing, the body (including the legs) should be approximately six and a half heads tall. This proportion works well for average female anime characters, such as high school students and adults. Keep in mind that the feet may extend slightly beyond the measuring line to account for the “eye level” perspective. Since the feet are positioned below the viewer’s eyes, they will appear lower than they actually are. When measuring the height, estimate the starting point of the heels and measure from there. It’s important to note that these are general recommendations for achieving a generic anime look, as the proportions can vary depending on the artist’s style.
Step 3 – Draw the Upper Part of the Legs
Next, add the upper parts of the legs, making them wider at the top and gradually narrowing them down with a slight curve. The length of the legs should be approximately equal to that of the head and body combined, with the knees positioned approximately halfway between the bottom of the body and the feet.
Step 4 – Draw the Lower Part of the Legs
In this step, draw the lower part of the legs. Start by making them wider as they go down and then gradually narrower towards the feet. The narrower part should be taller than the wider part, creating a natural shape.
Step 5 – Draw the Feet
Before outlining the feet, draw what appears to be bumps on each side of each leg, representing the bones that stick out in those areas. Then, continue downwards to outline the shape of the feet, making them wider towards the bottom. At this stage, you can draw the toes as a single shape slightly narrower than the foot. Ensure that the proportions of the feet match the previous measurements.
Step 6 – Draw the Upper Part of the Arms
Now, let’s add the upper parts of the arms. Extend them out from the openings between the shoulders and body. When drawing the arms, consider the proportions. Typically, the length from the curve of the shoulder to the bending point is equal to the length from the bend to the wrist. You can make the upper part of each arm slightly narrower as it goes down.
Step 7 – Draw the Lower Part of the Arms
Similar to the lower part of the legs, draw the lower parts of the arms. They should widen as they go down and then narrow again. The wrists should reach approximately the bottom of the body. As the arms are held slightly to the sides, they will be slightly higher up.
Step 8 – Draw the Hands
Outline the overall shape of each hand without adding the finer details. For this particular pose, the hands should be closed into fists but not clenched tightly. Instead, they should point slightly outwards to achieve a feminine pose.
Step 9 – Draw the Smaller Parts of the Body
Once you have the body’s overall shape outlined, it’s time to add some of the larger details. Start by drawing the collarbones with a slight gap between the inner ends and with the outer ends pointing towards the shoulders. Then, add the breasts, slightly overlapping the sides of the body. You can erase a portion of the body’s outline while adding this detail. Additionally, add the knees closer to the inner ends of the legs. Finally, draw the details of the hands and feet, including the fingers and toes. Follow the step-by-step breakdown provided to ensure accurate proportions.
Step 10 – Final Touches: Face, Hair, and Clothes
Although this tutorial primarily focuses on drawing the body, you can choose to add the face, hair, and clothes. For the face, you can follow the proportions outlined in the tutorial, placing the eyes just below the halfway point of the face and the nose halfway between the top of the eyes and the bottom of the head. For a step-by-step guide on drawing an anime face, refer to our tutorial: “How to Draw an Anime Girl’s Head and Face.”
When it comes to the hair, start with the front section, then proceed to the side sections and the top/background section. Remember to erase any parts of the head covered by the hair. If you wish to add more depth and details, refer to our tutorial: “How to Draw Anime and Manga Hair – Female.”
Finally, you can choose to add a simple swimsuit to the body. Based on the body’s shape, outline the openings for the neck, arms, and legs. You can also add shading or color to make the swimsuit stand out.
Conclusion
Drawing a full-body anime character requires attention to detail and proper proportions. By following this step-by-step guide, you can simplify the process and create impressive anime artwork. Remember to focus on the size of each body part in relation to others, as incorrect proportions can affect the overall appearance. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, practice and patience will help you master the art of drawing anime. For more tutorials and inspiration, check out our other guides on drawing anime characters.
Note: This updated tutorial contains new artwork. If you’re looking for images from the older version, they can be found below.
I hope this fresh approach to the tutorial on how to draw a full body anime girl step by step has been helpful to you. By following the E-E-A-T (Expertise, Authority, Credibility, Experience) and YMYL (Your experience with the product you write) principles, we aim to provide you with valuable and reliable information. Remember to have fun with your drawing, and don’t hesitate to explore and add your own personal touch. Happy drawing!
