How To Draw Anime Face Marks – Side View

How To Draw Anime Face Marks – Side View

Draw Anime Face Marks – This tutorial provides a detailed guide on drawing various anime facial expressions and face marks, focusing on a side view (profile). Anime characters are known for their expressive faces, which convey a wide range of emotions through subtle changes in features like eyes, eyebrows, and mouths. This tutorial will help you capture these expressions, enhancing your character’s emotional depth.

Understanding Anime Face Proportions

In anime, facial proportions are often exaggerated to emphasize emotions. The placement and size of features like eyes, nose, and mouth can vary based on the character’s personality and mood. This guide outlines common guidelines for drawing facial features, which you can adjust according to your style.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Basic Face Proportions (Side View)

• Eye Placement: Draw the eye below the horizontal midpoint of the head.
• Nose Placement: Position the nose between the eye and chin.
• Mouth Placement: Draw the lower lip between the nose and chin, with the mouth slightly above it.
• Ear Placement: The ear should extend from the top of the eyes to nearly the bottom of the nose.

These are general guidelines for a typical anime look. Adjustments can be made based on character type and style.

Drawing Different Facial Expressions

Normal Expression

• Features: Position the facial features as described in the basic proportions.

Slightly Open Mouth

• Jaw Movement: Lower the jaw slightly, keeping the upper jaw in place. This indicates a gentle expression or slight speech.

Open Mouth (Surprised)

• Jaw Drop: Extend the jaw downward and slightly back, drawing the mouth open wider for a surprised look.

Screaming Expression

• Extended Jaw: Similar to an open mouth, but retract the lips further back to expose more teeth. Draw the eyes more intensely.

Frowning Expression

• Eyebrows and Mouth: Draw eyebrows in a downward wave shape and curve the mouth downward towards the neck.

Surprised Expression

• Raised Eyebrows: Draw eyebrows high and curved. The mouth should be wide open, with lips drawn back.

Content/Smiling Expression

• Smiling Features: Raise eyebrows and draw closed eyes with curved eyelids. The mouth should be smiling, showing teeth.

Angry Expression

• Aggressive Features: Draw low, wave-like eyebrows and narrow eyes. The mouth should be retracted, showing fangs for emphasis.

Fearful Expression

• Wide Eyes: Draw smaller irises to indicate fear, with raised eyebrows and wide-open eyes. The mouth should be slightly open.

Plotting/Grinning Expression

• Mischievous Features: Draw eyebrows angled down, sharp eyes, and a sly, toothy smile.

Confused Expression

• Raised Eyebrows: Draw eyebrows slightly raised, with an “O” shaped mouth for confusion.

Simple Smile

• Gentle Features: Draw a slightly wider, gently curved mouth.

Relaxed Expression

• Closed Eyes: Draw closed eyelids, mimicking a peaceful state.

Smug Expression

• Confident Features: Draw eyebrows with an upward tilt and a confident, toothy smile.

Sad/Tired Expression

• Droopy Features: Draw eyebrows raised at the inner edge and eyes half-closed. The mouth should curve downward.

Annoyed Expression

• Frustrated Features: Draw raised eyebrows and sharp eyes, with a longer, slightly downturned mouth.

Conclusion

Capturing a variety of facial expressions in anime involves understanding how subtle changes in facial features convey different emotions. By practicing these expressions, you can add depth and personality to your characters, enhancing your storytelling through visual cues. Use these guidelines to explore and experiment with different emotions, refining your style and technique.