The mesmerizing impact of Anime on our contemporary society knows no bounds, particularly among the upcoming breed of visionary artists who find their calling in the realm of Japanese comics and animations.
When delving into the realm of anime, it is impossible to overlook the captivating allure of the eyes. The most enchanting aspect that captivates our attention while gazing at an anime character is undoubtedly the captivating and imaginative form and hue of their eyes. There exists a plethora of anime eye styles, and despite their seemingly uncomplicated appearance, many individuals encounter difficulties when attempting to depict them on paper.
Beneath all the embellishment, glimmers, and voluminous lashes rests a strong underlying base of realism, anatomy, and design.
Explore our captivating tutorial on “Mastering the Art of Drawing Eyes” and unveil the essence of eye sketching. Embark on a fascinating journey as we delve into the intricate world of eye anatomy, unraveling the enigmatic shapes and unveiling the diverse range of eye styles.
In this guide, we will explore the process of drawing and adding intricate details to anime eyes, following a step-by-step approach.
Materials Needed for this Guide
The eyes you’re going to draw:
And these are all the procedures we will guide you through!
Basic Shapes Behind Anime Eyes
Anime eyes encompass a myriad of styles. Despite their foundation in human eyes, the intricate levels of artistic interpretation make deciphering their underlying structure a challenge. To acquire knowledge, it is essential to commence by deconstructing these eyes into fundamental shapes.
In the realm of forms, there exist three fundamental shapes: the circle, the rectangle, and the triangle. These shapes ought to serve as mere points of reference rather than being considered the foundation of any artwork.
The eyes relinquished their anatomical intricacies, such as the waterline and lacrimal, while retaining the simplified lines and spiky shapes of lashes and eyelids.
The iris undergoes a captivating transformation, transitioning from a flawless circle into an elongated oval or a whimsically irregular round shape, with the pupil mirroring this enchanting metamorphosis.
Though there are many anime art styles, the shape of the eyes is always associated with the character you’re drawing. For example:.
Anime Art Styles
Each anime possesses a unique artistic flair, extending even to the intricacies of the characters’ eyes. The eyes of the protagonists often serve as distinctive features, imbued with extraordinary “powers” or “special attributes” that set them apart from the ordinary (e.G., The Sharingan in Naruto, Demon Eyes in Kuroshitsuji, and so on).
Explore this captivating chart and immerse yourself in a plethora of distinct art styles, where you may discover beloved anime classics. Allow yourself a moment to discern the nuances that set each style apart and unravel the fundamental shapes that lay at their core.
To master the art of drawing anime eyes, embrace the power of imitation. Begin by replicating the captivating styles of your cherished anime characters and those that captivate your senses. With dedicated practice, you shall inevitably forge your own artistic identity, enabling you to effortlessly create anime eyes that possess an unparalleled uniqueness.
Take a look at this article, “Discovering Your Artistic Style” to gain further insights into that topic.
How to Draw Anime Eyes Step by Step
Welcome to this guide, where I shall unveil the secrets of capturing the essence of anime eyes in a distinctive manner. However, fear not, for the knowledge bestowed upon you within these sacred steps shall empower you to bring forth any eye shape and style your heart desires in the realm of artistic creation.
Anime eyes are commonly depicted using a combination of ink and alcohol-based markers, or through the usage of digital painting software on a graphic tablet. Nonetheless, these tools may not be readily available to everyone.
With the omnipresence of paper and graphite pencils in our households, let’s unleash our creativity and employ these tools to bring to life captivating anime eyes.
Drop a comment below and express your preference for an ink and marker tutorial or a digital art tutorial to master the art of drawing captivating anime eyes.
Let’s begin.
Step 1: Draw a Circle
Indeed, a circular shape.
Take hold of your 2H pencil and, aided by a trusty compass (or perhaps a petite circular object), gently sketch a perfect circle in the very heart of your paper.
In order to establish the distance between every eye, circles are essential regardless of their shape. The central circle will serve as a reference point, indicating the precise measurement between the two eyes.
Step 2: Draw a Line
Locate the precise midpoint of the circle and elegantly sketch a line. This line shall serve as your guiding path to effortlessly craft two additional circles, ultimately establishing the precise placement of the eyes.
Step 3: Draw two circles
Sketch the remaining pair of circles, ensuring they are perfectly aligned and of the desired dimensions for your ideal ocular proportions. Presently, seize the opportunity to contemplate the specific contour you desire for your eyes. Keep in mind the endless possibilities for personalizing and experimenting with innovative styles.
Step 4: Draw the upper and lower lashes
Sketch the inner sections of the upper and lower lashes using a delicate curve for the upper lashes and a crisp, concise line for the lower lash line.
Step 5: Draw the lashes outline
Let’s enhance the volume of our eyelashes. Similar to how we apply eyeliner, we’ll sketch the lashes, ensuring that the upper lashes are noticeably thicker than the lower ones. Remember this while creating the perfect lash look.
Step 6: Draw the Irises
Opt for a pair of alluring oval shapes to represent the irises. Feel free to select the shape that resonates most with your aesthetic, as long as it’s circular, harmoniously sized in relation to the eye, and flawlessly emulates the intricate patterns of the iris.
Step 7: Detail the upper lashes
Employing a series of triangular spiky forms, our aim is to intricately define the contour of the lashes while endeavoring to create a perfectly symmetrical appearance for both eyes simultaneously.
Step 8: Add the lower lashes
Explore the realm of creativity by incorporating petite triangular forms to accentuate your lower lashes. Embrace diverse styles that range from disregarding lower lashes altogether to featuring a solitary lash, or even adorning only the corners. The choice lies solely in your personal preferences.
Step 9: Add the pupils
As we venture into the depths of our iris, let’s subtly allude to the contours of the pupils. Avoid exerting excessive pressure while tracing, for we shall eventually erase a portion of them.
Step 10: Draw the eyelid
Using a lengthy curved horizontal line and a brief vertical line, we will sketch the eyelids of our eyes.
Step 11: Draw the eyebrows
In this next phase, let’s obliterate our preconceived notions and infuse a dash of expression by adorning our eyes with a pair of captivating eyebrows. In the realm of anime, eyebrows often manifest as delicately slender, yet the realm of possibilities is wide open for exploration and personal preference.
Step 12: Fill the lashes and brows
Let’s delicately enhance our lashes and eyebrows using a gentle stroke of our 4B pencil. By gradually layering, we can create a subtle depth without starting off too intense.
Step 13: Add Depth
Let’s embark on a meticulous journey of creating depth with our trusty 4B pencil in the areas that catch the eye, mirroring the visual guide. The gentle touch of our strokes shall grace the light, while boldness shall cloak the darkness.
Step 14: Mark the highlights
Traditionally, highlights are typically applied at the final stages of the process. However, given our use of graphite, it is advisable to incorporate the highlights at an earlier phase to maintain cleanliness. I have indicated specific areas as reference points for illuminating the eyes, although you are free to adjust them based on personal preference. Keep in mind that anime eyes often feature exaggerated highlights, so feel free to experiment with their placement and forms.
Step 15: Shade the pupils
Our intention is to imbue the pupils with depth and allure. To achieve this, we shall employ the 8B pencil as it possesses the capacity to infuse the desired obscurity. I purposefully abstained from filling in the upper segment, as I find delight in its fusion with the captivating iris; however, this is purely a matter of personal preference. Should you desire, you have the freedom to shade it comprehensively.
Step 16: Shade the iris
In this particular phase, we shall employ our trusty 4B pencil to delicately fill in the entirety of the iris, ensuring the highlights remain untouched. It is imperative to aim for a gentle and even shading, as we will be adding additional layers of shading in the near future.
Step 17: Add shadows to the eye area
In the realm of anime, eyes deviate from the constraints of realistic anatomical shading and embark on a journey of simplified and stylized representation. Hence, to bestow shadows upon our eyes, a gentle shading technique is employed on the illuminated regions, as exemplified in the accompanying visual depiction.
Step 18: Shade the Iris — Part 1
Let’s embark on a journey of crafting captivating depths within our iris. Begin by delicately shading the highlighted region using your trusty 4B pencil, while skillfully constructing a subtle transition of hues within the iris. Keep in mind to artfully preserve the shimmering highlights, allowing them to dance in luminous splendor.
Step 19: Shade the iris — Part 2
Grab your trusty 8B pencil and gracefully layer on an additional coat of graphite in those mesmerizingly highlighted regions. Prepare to embark on a journey of exquisite intricacy as we explore the boundless possibilities of anime irises, brimming with diverse shapes and shading techniques. Brace yourself for my personal gem – an effortlessly crafted masterpiece that exudes undeniable charm.
Step 20: Be extra
Embrace your creativity and unleash your imagination with the white gel pen, embellishing every intricate detail your heart desires. Delight in the joyous journey that accompanies the artistic process; seize your tools and revel in the sheer pleasure it brings. In my masterpiece, I adorned it with twinkling stars, exquisite highlights, and enigmatic zigzag patterns, filling me with immense satisfaction.
And that’s all! Congratulations, you have successfully reached the finale! I trust that you have acquired the skill of sketching anime eyes while thoroughly enjoying the journey. Gratitude for perusing and see you in the future!
