How To Draw Manga Head Step By Step?

Learning how to draw manga heads is an essential skill for aspiring manga artists. This guide will walk you through the process step by step, providing clear instructions and helpful tips along the way. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, this comprehensive article will enable you to create expressive and accurate manga heads.

Understanding Manga Head Proportions

To effectively draw manga heads, it’s vital to understand the basic proportions. The standard anime head can be divided into several key sections.

Basic Head Shape

The first step in learning how to draw manga heads is creating the basic shape of the head. Follow these steps:

1. Draw an Oval: Start with a simple oval that represents the head's outline.
2. Divide the Oval: Lightly sketch two vertical and horizontal lines inside the oval. These lines help establish the facial features' alignment.

Proportions of Facial Features

Next, focus on where to place facial features. A common guideline for manga is:

• Eyes: The eyes are typically placed on the horizontal line. They should take up about one-third of the head's width.
• Nose: The nose can be placed a little below the horizontal line, often around the halfway point from the chin to the eyes.
• Mouth: The mouth generally sits between the nose and chin, roughly one-third of the way down.

Creating Unique Character Designs

Adapting styles and adding unique elements is important when learning how to draw manga heads.

Choosing Hair Styles

Hair contributes significantly to character identity. To add personality through hair, consider:

• Length: Varying the hair length can change the character's look. Use short, medium, or long styles as needed.
• Volume: Experiment with different hair volumes to convey emotions. For example, spiky hair often signifies energy or excitement.

Facial Expressions

Expressive faces enhance storytelling in manga. Key aspects of expressions include:

• Eyebrow Position: Moving eyebrows up or down alters character emotion significantly.
• Mouth Shape: Adjusting the mouth’s curvature can express happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise.

Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing a Manga Head

Now, let's combine the techniques discussed earlier into a structured approach for drawing a manga head.

Materials You Will Need

Before starting, gather your materials:

• Pencil
• Paper
• Eraser
• Fineliner or Inking Pen (optional)

Step 1: Sketch the Basic Shape

Begin by lightly sketching the oval shape for the head. Use a pencil to allow easy adjustments.

Step 2: Add Guidelines

Draw the horizontal and vertical lines to determine the positions for eyes, nose, and mouth. Keep the lines light so you can erase them later.

Step 3: Draw the Eyes

Sketch the eyes on the horizontal line. Consider their shape and size based on the character's personality.

Step 4: Add the Nose and Mouth

Place the nose just below the horizontal line and draw the mouth beneath it. Adjust their shapes to fit the expression you want to convey.

Step 5: Outline the Hair

Using flowing curves, outline the character's hair. Make sure to reflect the chosen hairstyle accurately.

Step 6: Ink and Detail

Once satisfied with your pencil drawing, use a fineliner to ink over your best lines. After inking, erase any remaining pencil marks.

Final Touches and Refinement

After completing the initial drawing, focus on enhancing your manga head with shading and details.

Adding Shadows

Shading can add depth to your drawing. Apply shadows below the chin, under the hairline, and inside the eyes for a more lifelike appearance.

Practicing Regularly

Improvement comes with practice. Regularly drawing different manga heads and experimenting with various styles will enhance your skills over time.

Conclusion

Mastering how to draw manga heads takes patience and practice but is immensely rewarding. By following these steps and techniques, you can develop your unique style and create captivating characters that resonate with audiences. Remember, the key to improvement is consistent practice and experimentation. Happy drawing!