Drawing anime eyes is a crucial aspect of creating authentic and expressive anime or manga characters. These eyes are not just a feature, but a window to the character’s emotions and personality. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you master the art of drawing anime eyes.
Planning and Basic Shapes
Before you begin, it’s essential to have a plan of action. This involves two stages: the rough stage and the clean-up stage. Start by sketching the basic shape of the eye. For anime eyes, the iris is often a circle or a slight oval, so draw this shape lightly to allow for adjustments[3].
Upper Eyelid and Lash Lines
Sketch the upper eyelid line, which should be slightly curved and thicker in the middle than at the edges. For a more feminine look, include lash lines at the ends, but keep them natural and not overly dense. The upper lash line should be longer and have a more severe curve near the inner corner of the eye[1][3].
Outer Corner and Eyelid Crease
Draw a small outer corner shape that tapers from the top to the bottom. This shape helps define the eye’s structure. Additionally, include an eyelid crease indicator line or the full eyelid line if you prefer a more detailed approach[1].
Iris and Pupil
Draw the circular shape for the iris, ensuring the top section is hidden beneath the eyelid. The iris should be thicker at the top and taper thinner towards the bottom. Next, draw the pupil, which is a smaller circle within the iris. Add some light cross-hatching lines to shade the pupil for depth[1][3].
Lower Lid Indicator Line
Sketch a small lower lid indicator line at the bottom of the iris. This line helps in defining the lower eyelid and gives the eye a more realistic look[1].
Eyelid Shadow and Highlights
Add an upper eyelid shadow, making sure it tapers to the inner side. Shade the iris to give it depth and dimension. Then, add highlights to the pupil and iris. These highlights are crucial for creating a lively and expressive eye[1].
Final Touches
Clean up your rough drawing by retracing it with cleaner and darker lines. Use markers, liner pens, or digital inking brushes to achieve a polished look. Ensure the eyelashes are defined, with the upper lashes being thicker and more prominent than the lower ones. For a feminine look, you can add wispy eyelashes that curve outward from the eye[1][3].
Expressions and Placement
Anime eyes are highly expressive, and their shape and placement can convey a wide range of emotions. For different expressions, adjust the position and shape of the eyebrows, the position of the pupils, and the eyelids. For example, surprised eyes are wide open with raised eyebrows, while sad eyes are narrower with curved lower eyelids[5].
When placing the eyes on the head, remember that anime eyes are often drawn farther down the head compared to real eyes. Ensure there is about one eye’s width of space between the eyes to maintain balance and proportion[5].
Most Important Facts About Drawing Anime Eyes
Basic Shape: Start with a circle or slight oval for the iris[3].
Upper Eyelid: Sketch a curved upper eyelid line, thicker in the middle and thinner at the edges[1][3].
Lash Lines: Include lash lines, especially for a feminine look, with the upper lash line being longer and more curved[1][3].
Iris and Pupil: Draw the iris with the top section hidden, and add a smaller circle for the pupil[1][3].
Lower Lid Indicator: Sketch a small lower lid indicator line at the bottom of the iris[1].
Shading and Highlights: Add an upper eyelid shadow and highlights to the pupil and iris for depth and expression[1].
Clean-Up: Clean up the drawing with cleaner and darker lines using markers, liner pens, or digital tools[1].
Expressions: Adjust the eyebrows, pupils, and eyelids to convey different emotions such as surprise, sadness, or happiness[5].
Placement: Place the eyes farther down the head with about one eye’s width of space between them[5].
