How to Draw Expressive Anime Eyes in Five Steps
Anime eyes are the focal point of character design, conveying emotions and personality and drawing them effectively is key to creating expressive characters. Follow these five simple steps to master the art of drawing anime eyes with depth and emotion. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll share drawing techniques for anime eyes using our Classic Drawing Pencil Set of 104.
Step 1
Start by sketching a basic eye shape with a pencil NO.138. Draw a circle inside the eye for the iris, and add a smaller circle or oval in the center as the pupil. Adjust the pupil size to match the desired emotion.
Step 2
Fill the iris with NO.132, ensuring the upper section is slightly darker for added depth.
Step 3
Choose color NO.131 for the iris and create a gradient effect, with darker tones around the edges and lighter tones near the center. When creating the gradient, apply more pressure with the pencil as you move from light to dark, focusing the most pressure where you want the darkest areas.
Step 4
Darken the areas near the upper edge of the iris to create a shadow effect, giving the eye more depth. Apply more pressure near the outer contour of the iris. Using NO.128, lightly shade the area beneath the eyelids where the shadow will fall across the iris. Press hardest when coloring in the pupil. Then, use an eraser to add highlights to the bottom of the iris.
Step 5
Add one or two small highlights within the iris and pupil. These highlights often reflect the light source and make it look more lively.
Recommendations:
- When drawing anime eyes, it’s super helpful to begin with basic geometric shapes. It’s all about setting yourself up for success right from the start!
- Don’t hesitate to reference other artists’ work or even real-life references. Referencing different styles of work is an effective way to improve your skills.
- Learning to use color effectively will give your characters and scenes that extra pop, making them feel more vibrant and dynamic.
And there you have it! You’ve just created vibrant, expressive anime eyes using these five simple steps! The key to mastering this skill is practice, and each time you try, you’ll find new ways to make your drawing even better. So, grab your pencil or brush and start bringing your own unique character to life today! Happy drawing!
