how to draw female anime eyes

In this tutorial, you will learn how to depict anime-fashion eyes.

I volition explicate the unlike shapes and styles, how to use basic colors, how some expressions work, and finally, how to draw anime-style eyes as a role of an illustration. You can besides follow this stride-past-step video tutorial (in Spanish only):

Index

Basic Eye Study
Real Eyes vs Anime Optics: Proportions
Variations
Styles and Greyscale
Shapes and Colors of Anime Optics
How to Color Anime Optics
Expressions for Anime Optics
Final Analogy and Anime Eyes

ane. Basic Eye Study

Earlier you offset drawing and designing anime-style eyes, it is essential to larn the bones shapes of real eyes. This will brand the stylization process much easier.

ii. Real Eyes vs Anime Eyes: Proportions

Accept a expect at the image below to see the difference betwixt real eye proportions and anime-style proportions.

3. Variations

Since there are so many types and shapes when it comes to anime eyes, kickoff you need to think near what kind of eyes you desire to create.

4. Styles and Greyscale

This is a good way to approach the exaggerated version of anime optics. Starting from some elongated shapes, add the necessary gray tones to create depth, always keeping the highlights and the structures that are nigh interesting to yous in mind. Meet that in steps ane and 2, I've just sketched the basic structure of the eye. Here, you lot get the base for your eye and a guide to help yous figure out where to place the grey tones.

In step iii, I employ subtle grays (I make the pupil area a little darker than the rest of the eye).

In step 4, I add darker grays to create depth on the upper part of the eye because the eyelid casts shadows on the eyeball. In this step, I experimented a bit and added a lighter gray in the centre of the pupil, to insert some originality.

In steps 5 and six, I define and enhance the grays and textures.

In pace 7, I brush up and particular all areas, also as adding some extra shine a little less intense than the rest of the highlights.

To meet all the details of this process, please accept a look at the video at the first of the tutorial.

5. Shapes and Colors of Anime Eyes

It is helpful to divide the eye cosmos process into a few steps.

Let's go back and pause information technology downwards again and add the coloring process. Allow me evidence you some coloring techniques departing from the grayscale drawing that we already have from the previous part:

Recall: On top of the basic grays with their respective gradients, add together effulgence and textures that match the style of your cartoon (encounter the case in the previous point).

Steps ane and 2, start by making the eyelids, this will aid you to effigy out where to place the iris and the balance of the eye.

In step 3, add some basic gray tones (check chapter four. "Styles and greyscale") and and so…

In step 4, I set the color layer'southward blending mode. In this case, I used Overlay, but you lot are free to attempt a few out and choose another mode that you like better. This way, the color that you add will be perfectly integrated with the greyness tones. On the correct, you lot can encounter where the blending modes for layers are located in my software. The default mode is "Normal". From hither you lot tin can play around and discover which mode yous are comfortable with.

If y'all're aiming for colorful, engaging anime eyes, vibrant, saturated colors may exist best.

six. How to Color Anime Eyes

Here yous can see the results from using different colors and blending modes. I used the Overlay manner for purple, Vivid Lite for yellow, and Pin Light for the blue tones and the pinkish details. They alloy great with the greyness layer.

The fundamental is to know where you want to identify the grey gradients, the darker areas, and the highlights. Please get dorsum to chapter 4. "Styles and greyscale" when in doubt.

Try dissimilar colors and see which ones are best for the consequence you're trying to reach. In this illustration, I chose two costless colors: purple and yellow – with pink and blue tints.

Grayscale coloring steps:

In 1, I simply started with the previously created grayscale drawing.

In steps two and iii, cull any colour you fancy —purple, with some blue in my case— and attempt a blending fashion that blends well with the greyscale.

In steps 4 and five, I add together some yellow using the Brilliant low-cal blending mode.

In pace 6, I usually soften the dots a bit, by using the eraser or decreasing the layer opacity.

Finally, in pace vii, I just add the finishing touches to emphasize volumes and textures.

7. Expressions for Anime Eyes

In real life and in the manga/anime globe, optics are i of the near important features to limited emotion. Call back that a series of facial muscles tighten or relax, depending on the expression you want to achieve.
Allow's take a look at the eyelids, the inner middle, and the eyebrows.

The emotions intended in these examples are easy to understand.

In instance 1, the eyebrow is a bit tense, but the eye is relaxed and shining. This conveys a worried state or perhaps missing someone or something.

In example 2, the countenance is arched vertically, and the eye is closed, and then nosotros tin can deduce that the grapheme is happy.

In the adjacent example (3), in that location is no smoothen to the heart, the iris is completely white, and the pupil is reduced significantly. This shows that the character is ambitious. Note that the countenance is arched in the opposite management of the happy one in example ii, which besides signifies anger.

Let us check all these expressions to deduce their significant: iv is suspicion, 5 is worry, 6 is neutral or observing, vii is shock, 8 is sadness, and nine is shock or madness, depending on the situation.