How to Draw a Realistic Anime Face Step by Step

How to Draw a Realistic Anime Face Step by Step

How to Draw a Realistic Anime Face – Creating a realistic anime face involves balancing traditional anime aesthetics with more lifelike details. This tutorial will guide you through drawing a female anime character that maintains anime charm while incorporating realistic facial features.

1. Drawing the Head Shape

Anime characters often have round faces, but for a more realistic look:

• Step 1: Outline the Face: Start with a straight vertical line to ensure symmetry. Sketch a circle for the top of the head and then extend lines downward for the sides of the face.
• Step 2: Define the Chin: Unlike the sharp or slightly curved chin of typical anime characters, draw a wider, flatter chin to mimic natural proportions.

2. Drawing the Eyes

Anime eyes are typically large and expressive. For a realistic touch:

• Step 1: Position the Eyes: Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the face. Place the eyes below this line, leaving enough space between them for a third eye.
• Step 2: Shape the Eyes: Make the eyes slightly smaller than typical anime eyes but larger than realistic eyes. Use circular irises and keep the pupils simple.

3. Drawing the Nose

Anime usually simplifies noses, but for a realistic look:

• Step 1: Position the Nose: Draw the nose’s bottom halfway between the horizontal midline and the chin.
• Step 2: Add Details: Use small curves to define the nostrils and sides of the nose. Draw a subtle line for the nose bridge on one side only.

4. Drawing the Ears

Ears are often obscured by hair in anime, but when visible:

• Step 1: Position the Ears: Align the top of the ears with the top of the eyes and the bottom with the nose.

5. Drawing the Mouth and Lips

Anime often omits lips, but adding them can enhance realism:

• Step 1: Position the Mouth: Place the mouth midway between the nose and chin.
• Step 2: Shape the Mouth: Draw a gentle curve for the mouth, with slight downward curves at the ends. Add a subtle line for the lower lip.

6. Drawing Realistic Hair

Anime hair is usually stylized in clumps. For realism:

• Step 1: Overall Shape: Sketch the hair’s general outline with open-ended clumps to mimic natural flow.
• Step 2: Add Strands: Instead of solid clumps, draw lines within the gaps to suggest individual strands.

7. Cleaning the Drawing

• Step 1: Erase Guidelines: Remove any construction lines and parts of the face obscured by hair.
• Step 2: Refine Lines: Use clean, dark lines for the final outline.

8. Adding Eye Details

Enhance the eyes to maintain anime expressiveness:

• Step 1: Detail the Eyes: Add highlights, pupils, and subtle shading to give depth and life to the eyes.

9. Applying Shading

Shading adds dimension and realism:

• Common Shading Areas:
  • Hair on the forehead
  • Eyelids
  • Below the nose
  • Neck area (shadow from the head)
  • Inside and back of the hair

Conclusion

Balancing anime aesthetics with realistic details can be challenging, but it allows for creative and visually striking characters. This tutorial provides a foundation, but experimentation with proportions and features will help you develop your unique style. Enjoy the process of blending anime charm with realism in your art!