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How to Draw Manga or Anime Head and Face Step by Step (Male and Female)

03/18/2024

If you're here, you might be wondering "How do you draw anime faces?" You're far from the only person with that question.  Learning to create anime and manga faces and heads takes time and effort. Whether you want to draw female characters, male characters, or a few of both, several things will help you.

This step-by-step guide is designed to provide you with everything you need. We’ll go into detail about every stage of the process so you can be sure you’re creating your best work. From creating the right proportions to adding those great details that make an anime face stand out, we have tips to guide you.

Whether you're a totally new artist or years into the game, we'll provide some techniques and tools to help. Grab your favorite drawing tablet or notebook and pencil and get started with us.

The Basics of Manga and Anime Head Structure

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So how do you draw anime faces? It's important to understand the basics of anime and manga head structure as an artist since it's important for creating characters that other people love. There are several points to be aware of when drawing anime faces. First, make sure you consider the full shape of the head. Most of the time, this will be oval or round. Next, think about the proportions of features, such as where to place the eyes since they tend to be big and expressive for these kinds of characters.

You want to pay attention to symmetry as you work since this creates balance and a better-looking face. You also want to consider various hairstyles to add flair and personality and remember to think about how the hair will flow. Try different styles and techniques to create the characters you want and how they all have different identities. When you practice and take heed of these elements, you can master how to draw an anime face and move forward with confidence.

How to Draw a Female Anime Face and Head from the Front and Side

1: Draw a Female Anime Face from the Front

Are you curious how to draw a female anime face from the front and side views? There are several steps to follow.

female-front

Step 1: When you draw from the front, sketch out the shape of the head in a round or oval style. Mark where the eyes will go before making sure they give off lots of expression.

female-front

Step 2: Make the upper eyelids cover the top portion of the eye a bit. Draw in the mouth and nose, which are typically smaller and more delicate for female heads. Include a curve to the lip and an upturn to the nose for art that really stands out.

female-front

Step 3: Finally, add the hair by sketching it out and then putting more detail into the strands for texture and volume.

2. Draw a Female Anime Face from the Side

If you want to know how to draw a face in manga from the side, you also start with the head shape.

female-side

Step 1: Sketch the area where you want to put the jaw and how the face will lay in one direction or the other.  Then add the mouth, nose, and eyes in profile with proper proportions.

female-side

Step 2: Define the chin and jaw while being sure to make them feminine and soft.

female-side

Step 3: Finally, add the ear and include the hair that flows from the top of the head down.

How to Draw a Male Anime Face and Head from the Front and Side

To understand how to draw a face in manga for a male character, you need to be aware of the basic features of the style.

1. Draw a Male Anime Face from the Front

female-side

Step 1: First, you want to sketch the shape of the head, which is usually narrow at the top and wider at the jaw. If you are drawing from the front, make marks for the eyes, which are going to be sharper and smaller than female eyes.

female-side

Step 2: Eyebrows can be added to show expressions. The nose should be slightly lower, and the jawline will be more defined and straighter.

female-side

Step 3: Add a quick mouth and thin lips to finish the features. Make sure you watch for proportions as you draw.

2. Draw a Male Anime Face from the Side

As for drawing from the side, begin with the shape of the face with a stronger jawline for a male character.

female-side

Step 1: Draw the correct direction of the head shape to ensure proper proportions.

female-side

Step 2: Add in the nose, mouth, and eyes in profile based on the direction of the face. Define the chin and jaw to keep them masculine and angular. The ear should be behind the jawline.

female-side

Step 3: Last, place the hair at the top of the head and come down along the head contours. Once you finish mastering this, you’ll know how to draw an anime head anytime you like.

Tips for Enhancing Your Workflow

female-side

Enhancing your workflow is a great way to ensure you end up with the best digital art. It can boost your productivity and even make you more creative. Two tools that can be used to help are the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium and Quick Keys Remote. Both can be used to improve your drawing process with anime faces and more.

The Quick Keys Remote is versatile and can be used with many different pen tablets. It offers an OLED display, easy-to-use knobs, and a series of buttons to operate. The support for many design software options makes it a great choice for artists of all kinds.

The remote can be paired with the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium, which is well-known for its high responsiveness and precision. It offers an ergonomic design and customizable features to ensure you can make your artistic vision a reality. Using both of the tools provides an optimized workflow that makes it simple and easy to work with digital art.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to color an anime face?

When you wish to color an anime face, start by adding a base skin tone. Then you can add highlights and shadows to add extra depth to your art. You might want to focus on anime-related features like large eyes or simplified noses and mouths. As you learn how to draw an anime head, remember to include details like lips, eyes, and eyebrows in an anime style.

Add effects and textures to make your art more realistic. Consider things like hair texture and glossy highlights. Refine the colors you choose and then adjust them as needed to get the appearance you want. Whether you work with digital or traditional tools, these steps are great for adding additional vibrancy to your characters’ faces.

2. How do I shade an anime face?

First, start by deciding on the light source. Is it the sun? An overhead light? Something else? Use that information to decide where shadows should be. Consider areas like under the jaw, nose, and eyebrows. Bring in your best blending techniques to soften your transitions and create a face that is sure to get noticed. You want a mixture of darkness and light to really make the face look realistic to anyone who might read your anime.

Watch out for things like the eyes and other features to be sure you adjust the shading based on expression. Consider trying several shading options to get the atmosphere and mood you desire. In some cases, that might be subtle and soft, and in others, a bold and dramatic style could be best. Keep practicing and you’ll find sharing can go a long way toward learning how to draw heads in anime.

3. Tips for achieving proportions and symmetry

If you're wondering how to draw manga and anime heads in the right proportions, use basic shapes to guide you. You can use this to place features like the mouth, nose, and eyes. Draw symmetrically by dividing the head in half and making sure features fit on both sides. You can look at reference images to get an idea of the proportions often used in anime, such as the larger eyes compared to other styles.

The best method is to make a rough, light outline to get an idea of the head shape before you add more details. Compare different parts of the head to ensure what you do is consistent and then adjust for balance. Using these techniques and engaging in practice will make it easier to create perfect anime and manga heads.

Final Thoughts

As you reach the end of our guide on how to draw an anime face, remember that it may take patience and practice to reach the goal of creating the best possible art. When you focus on your art and have the right tools, like the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium and the Xencelabs Quick Keys Remote, you're sure to go far. These items provide efficiency and precision so you can use your full creativity.

Whether you're doing a few sketches or adding intricate details as you learn how to draw a face in manga, Xencelabs provides the tools you need to get the best quality artwork. As you work on your skills and start to create new characters, you can let your imagination go, knowing Xencelabs makes anything possible. Try their tablets when you need a bit of extra inspiration for your work.

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