Since Japanese manga and anime crossed borders, there are many who are encouraged to try this style of drawing. Some succeed, and some don't, but how are the anime drawings?
If you want to know the characteristics, practice making one, or know where to download this type of drawing, then we are going to give you a hand in all of it. Shall we start?
Characteristics of anime drawings
Surely if you have seen Japanese manga or anime you will know that there are some elements that make them very recognizable. If this is not the case, or you have not looked closely, in all of them the most common characteristics are the following:
- Large eyes: anime characters often have large, expressive eyes, with details such as glitter and shading to emphasize the expression. Keep in mind that many times, especially in manga drawings, it is the eyes that can speak much more than the little text they carry. With them they express many emotions.
- styled hair: the hair of anime characters is often elaborate and detailed, with a heavy emphasis on shape and style. In addition, they have a clear perception of how it would move as the character made some movement.
- exaggerated expressions: exaggerated expressions are used, above all, to show extreme emotions. For this reason, sometimes they can be drawn with cartoonish expressions, or even with deformed faces.
- proportions: although anime and manga characters often have slender bodies, the proportions are different from those of a real human being. In general, they tend to have long legs and arms, and shorter torsos. And, of course, sometimes they can change their size and shape to make parts more comical or more cute.
- Dress style: costumes often have details and elements that are significant to the character.
- Keep in mind that sometimes the authors themselves can change. For example, characters that don't have those big eyes, or that use chibi characters instead of more traditional anime drawings. It all depends on the style you want for your work.
Where to find anime drawings to inspire you
Once you are clear about the characteristics of anime drawings, The next step you should consider is related to getting inspired. That is, see images of drawings of this style to learn how to make one.
For this, some of the pages that we recommend are the following:
- Pinterest: Perhaps it is where you can get the most inspiration since there are many anime drawings of different styles that can help you understand how to do them. There will even be tutorials that, for beginners, will come in handy. And since you can see boards and images of many people you will have more options.
- Youtube: Although you will find videos on YouTube, many of them can be tutorials to draw anime characters, or that show different anime drawings with which you can be inspired. When doing searches, always remember to do it with different terms so that you get as many as possible.
- Manga and anime: It is obvious that if you want to draw anime, there is nothing better than looking at manga and anime to see different styles. In fact, depending on the author (or mangaka), the producer of the anime, etc. They will have unique characteristics. And that is what you should check. Everyone has their style, and you have to find your own. But first of all you have to know how to draw and little by little you will build your style (it is important to know many ways to be able to have variety and create your own).
- Instagram: is also another option that you can consider, as well as Facebook. Many illustrators post drawing designs on their social networks that they have done and that can inspire you. Or they make small tutorials to teach their followers.
- Google: More than Google, Google images, because it has millions of results of anime drawings and it can help you locate different pages from the previous ones. We even recommend that instead of putting those terms in Spanish, you do it in English since you will get more options (and if you put it in other languages, the same includes Japanese). To do this, use the translator to have those words in other languages and put them in the search engine.
How to draw anime character drawings
Finally, how about we help you draw anime character drawings? We are going to leave you the basic steps to make one so that you can try it. Don't worry if it doesn't work out the first time. The important thing is to keep trying until you are satisfied with the result. Keep in mind that learning something new cannot be achieved overnight.
- Start by making a basic structure: draw a circle for the head, a vertical line for the center of the body, and horizontal lines for the shoulders, waist, and hips. Then draw lines for the limbs and joints. That would be the base of your drawing, but later you will have to give it volume and, above all, draw what would be the body on those central lines.
- Draw the facial features: big eyes are one of the distinctive features of anime characters. Draw two large ovals and add details such as the pupil, iris, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Next, make the nose and mouth.
- Add details to the hair: Focus on the basic shape of the hair first, then add details like strands, layers, and highlights to spice things up.
- Move on to clothing and accessories: This must be done in the same way as above, that is, start with the basic clothing and then add details such as accessories, folds, wrinkles...
- Draw the limbs: these are often slender and elongated. Start with the basic shape of the arms and legs, and then add details like muscles and joints.
- In conclusion, put shadows and final details.
As you can see, it is not difficult to draw anime drawings. You just have to be patient to get used to drawing them and little by little you will get your style. Who knows? Maybe the next author who succeeds with these drawings is you. Do you have any more tips that you'd like to share with others trying to stand out with manga and anime characters?