Quick and Easy step by step anime Eye Tutorial|Anime art tutorial|
Channel: Saved by Grace
Date: 02/06/2023

How to Draw Anime Eyes Step by Step

In this guide, I’ll show you how to draw anime eyes in a particular style; however, you’ll be able to use the steps you learn here to draw any shape and style of eyes in the future.

Anime eyes are usually drawn with ink and alcohol-based markers or with digital painting software on a graphic tablet; however, not everybody has those materials.

1. Basic Eye Study
Before you start drawing anime-style eyes, it is essential to learn the basic shapes of real eyes. This will make the stylization process much easier.

 

Basic structure for eye drawing


 

2. Realistic Eyes vs Anime Eyes: Proportions
Have a look at the image below to see the difference between real eye proportions and anime-style proportions.

 

Different anime eye shapes

 

3. Variations
Since there are so many types and shapes when it comes to anime eyes, first you need to think about what kind of eyes you want to create.

 

Different shapes for anime eyes

 

4. Styles and Greyscale
Thinking in shapes is a good way to approach the exaggerated version of anime eyes. Starting from some elongated shapes, add the necessary gray tones to create depth, always keeping the highlights and the structures that are most interesting to you in mind. See that in steps 1 and 2, I’ve only sketched the basic structure of the eye. Here, you get the base for your eye and a guide to help you figure out where to place the grey tones.

In step 3, I apply 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 grey in the center of the pupil, to insert some originality.

In steps 5 and 6, I define and enhance the grays and textures.

 

Step by step on how to draw a cute anime girl eye

 

In step 7, I brush up and detail all areas, as well as adding some extra shine a little less intense than the rest of the highlights. And there you have a cute anime eye drawn!

To see all the details of this process, please have a look at the video at the beginning of the tutorial.

 

5. Shapes and Colors of Anime Eyes
It is helpful to divide the eye drawing process into a few steps.

Let’s go back and break it down once more and add the coloring process. Let me show you some coloring techniques parting from the grayscale drawing that we already have from the previous part:

6. How to Color Anime Eyes
Here you can see the results from using different colors and blending modes. I used the Overlay mode for purple, Vivid Light for yellow, and Pin Light for the blue tones and the pink details. They blend great with the grey layer.

The key is to know where you want to place the grey gradients, the darker areas, and the highlights. Please go back to chapter 4. “Styles and greyscale” when in doubt.

Try different colors and see which ones are best for your drawing of anime eyes. In this illustration, I chose two complimentary 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 2 and 3, choose any color you fancy —purple, with some blue in my case— and try a blending mode that blends well with the greyscale.

In steps 4 and 5, I add some yellow using the Vivid light blending mode.


Steps of coloring an anime eye with blending modes


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

Finally, in step 7, I just add the finishing touches to emphasize volumes and textures.


7. Expressions for Anime Eyes
In real life and in the manga/anime world, eyes are one of the most important features to express emotion. Remember that a series of facial muscles tighten or relax, depending on the expression you want to achieve.
Let’s take a look at the eyelids, the inner eye, and the eyebrows.

 

Different expressions for eyes in an anime style

 

The emotions intended in these examples are easy to understand.


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

In example 2, the closed anime eye, the eyebrow is arched vertically, and the eye is closed, so we can deduce that the character is happy.

In the next example (3), there is no shine to the eye, the iris is completely white, and the pupil is reduced significantly. This shows that the character is aggressive. Note that the eyebrow is arched in the opposite direction of the happy one in example 2, which also signifies anger.

8. Final Drawing of Anime Eyes
Here is a drawing of a girl with anime eyes. Note how the colors and shapes work together.

 

Cute anime girl drawing, step by step