How To Draw An Anime Head?

Drawing an anime head requires understanding proportions, features, and styles unique to the genre. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this guide will provide you with the essential steps to draw an anime head convincingly.

Understanding Anime Head Proportions

To master how to draw a head anime style, start with the basic proportions. The anime head typically follows certain guidelines that distinguish it from realistic heads.

Basic Proportion Guidelines

• The head is generally divided into sections to ensure symmetry. A commonly used division includes:
• The top section (hairline to brow) takes up approximately 1/3 of the head.
• The middle section (brow to bottom of nose) occupies another 1/3.
• The lower section (nose to chin) constitutes the final 1/3.
• The width of the head usually measures about two-thirds of its height.

Circle and Guidelines Method

Start by sketching a simple circle for the head. This represents the skull. Then add guidelines for facial features:

• Draw a vertical line down the center to ensure balance.
• Add horizontal lines where the eyes, nose, and mouth will be placed.

Sketching Facial Features

Facial features are crucial in how to draw a head anime style. Each feature contributes to the character's personality and emotion.

Eyes

Anime eyes are large and expressive. To draw them effectively:

• Begin by marking the eye line on your guidelines.
• Use an elongated oval shape for the eyes, giving them a slight upward tilt for a youthful look.
• Add iris and pupil details for depth; often, anime eyes have multiple reflections.

Nose

The anime nose is often simplified:

• Use a small line or a subtle shadow to represent the nose.
• Position it slightly above the halfway mark between the eyes and chin.

Mouth

For the mouth, remember:

• Draw a simple line or a curve depending on the character's mood.
• The mouth should be aligned below the nose, closer to the chin for realism.

Adding Hair and Details

Hair can define the character's appearance significantly. Follow these tips on how to draw a head anime with distinctive hairstyles.

Hair Basics

• Start by defining the hairline based on your character's face shape.
• Sketch the overall shape of the hairstyle before adding individual strands.
• Remember that hair has volume; avoid flat outlines.

Detailing and Texturing

Adding details enhances realism:

• Include shadows beneath the hair to create depth.
• Incorporate highlights to give the hair a glossy appearance.

Finalizing Your Anime Head Drawing

Once you have your base drawing, it’s time to finalize your anime head illustration.

Inking Your Drawing

To achieve clean lines:

• Use a fine-tip pen or marker to go over your pencil sketch.
• Carefully erase any remaining pencil marks once the ink has dried.

Coloring Techniques

Color adds life to your drawing:

• Choose a color palette that suits your character. Aim for 3-5 primary colors.
• Add base colors first, then layer shadows and highlights for depth.

Practice and Refinement

Regular practice is essential in mastering how to draw a head anime style. Consider these strategies:

Study Other Artists

• Analyze various anime styles by different artists.
• Try replicating their work to understand techniques better.

Use References

Gather reference images of diverse anime heads to study proportions and features. This practice can help refine your skills and inspire creativity.

Conclusion

Learning how to draw a head anime is a process that combines understanding proportions, practicing facial features, and experimenting with different styles. By following these structured steps and consistently refining your technique, you will significantly improve your ability to create captivating anime characters.