How To Draw A Side Profile Anime

Ever stared at a captivating anime character in profile and thought, "I wish I could draw that!"? Well, grab a pencil (or your favorite stylus) because we're about to embark on a surprisingly easy journey into the land of anime side profiles.

The Humble Circle: Your New Best Friend

Start with a circle. Yes, a plain old circle. Think of it as the foundation of your character's head. It's like building a house, but instead of bricks, we're using... well, lines!

Now, imagine a line running down the middle of the circle. This is your centerline, the invisible axis that guides the placement of features. We'll also add a horizontal line, dividing the circle in half. This will help with eye placement.

The Jawline Adventure

This is where things get interesting. From the bottom of your circle, draw a line that angles downwards and inwards. Don't be afraid to experiment with the angle! A sharper angle gives a more defined jawline, while a gentler curve creates a softer look.

Think of drawing a sideways pear or lightbulb shape. Erase the bit of circle overlapping with the jawline to see your profile take shape. It's like magic!

Facial Features: Eyes That Sparkle

Time for the eyes! Anime eyes are all about expression, so let's keep them simple for now. Just draw a slightly curved almond shape.

Place it along that horizontal guideline you drew earlier. You only draw one eye in a side profile, so make it count!

Next, add the nose. A simple, slightly angled line works perfectly. Don't overthink it – think elegant simplicity.

Mouth and Other Details

A short, curved line below the nose does the trick for the mouth. Remember, we're going for a profile, so we only see a small part of the lips. If your character is smiling, tilt the line upwards slightly.

The ear is a little "C" shape nestled behind the jawline. Its placement usually falls between the eyebrow line and the bottom of the nose.

Eyebrows are expressive arcs. A slight curve can convey surprise, while a more angled brow suggests intensity. Have fun experimenting!

Hair, Glorious Hair!

Ah, the hair! This is where you can truly unleash your creativity. Anime hair defies gravity, so let your imagination run wild. Big, flowing strands? Spiky, rebellious locks? The choice is yours!

Remember to draw the hair starting from the hairline above the forehead. It adds volume and dimension.

Refining and Adding Personality

Now it's time to erase those initial guidelines and refine your drawing. Darken the lines you want to stand out and add details like eyelashes or subtle shading.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes! Every artist does. The key is to keep practicing and having fun with it.

Think about your character's personality as you draw. Are they kind? Mischievous? Reflect that in their expression and hairstyle.

And there you have it: your very own anime side profile! Congratulations, you've unlocked a new level of artistic power.

Keep practicing, experimenting, and most importantly, enjoying the process. You might just surprise yourself with what you can create. Who knows, maybe you'll be the next master anime artist!

Remember that famous manga series One Piece? The creator Eiichiro Oda probably started with a simple circle like this!