How to Draw Anime Eyes in 7 Easiest Steps
While you are drawing an anime design, eyes become a crucial factor. You need to draw expressive eyes and apply suitable colors to it to match your anime illustration. This tutorial offers an easy and quick guide on how to draw anime eyes.
Basic study on how to draw anime eyes
Study and learn the basics shapes of real human eyes first. This will help you stylize the anime eyes with ease.
Real eyes vs anime eyes


Having an idea about the proportions of real eyes and how they are different from that of anime-style eyes is necessary for learning on how to draw anime eyes.
Variation in shapes
You have to choose the shape and type of anime eyes you want to draw, as there is a lot of variations.

The main part
Think of the shapes first. You may start from some elongated shapes and then add the gray tones to add depth, keeping the structures and highlights preferred by you in mind. Sketch a basic structure, have an outline, and keep on applying subtle grays.

The pupil area may be a little darker than the rest. Add darker gray on the upper part, as the shadow of the eyelid falls on the eyeballs. Applying lighter grey to the central area of the pupil Is a nice idea for making the eyes look real. Keep on enhancing the gray areas and the textures. Then, it’s time for brushing up the whole area and add detail to it. Keep the area of highlights more intense.
How to draw anime eyes in perfect shapes and colors
So, you should draw the eyelids first, then add basic gray tones and finally fix the color layers. If you are using some tools, you can either go for ‘Normal’ mode of color blending or the Overlay mode to let the gray tones get integrated perfectly. Make sure you draw engaging, colorful and vibrant eyes to suit your anime design, you can just draw blue or red eyes.


Color
Choose among different modes, like Vivid Light if you want a yellow tone, or Pin Light to draw anime eyes with a blue tone. You are free to apply other tones such as purple as well. Try the blending mode to provide the overall structure a well-blended look combining grey and other colors.
Expressions

Eyes are considered the most effective ways of expressing a character’s emotions. As you draw your anime eyes, whether the facial muscles will relax or tighten depends totally on the expression you want to attach with the eyes. Especially, the detail of the inner eye, the eyebrows and the eyelids will be drawn in different manners to express different feelings and emotions. You can express everything from anger and grief to shock and craziness through the eyes you draw.
Also read:
- Painting with a Twist: How Breaking the Rules on Canvas Keeps Art Alive
- Fun 10 things to draw when bored: Beginner-Friendly Instant Inspiration
- A Beginner’s Guide to the loomis method – Creating Lifelike Faces
- lippan art design and Its Evolution: A Heritage of Reflection and Creativity
- Modern texture paint designs: The Fusion of Art and Innovation
Finally, you have learnt the basics regarding how to draw anime eyes from this tutorial. You can draw various colors and shapes from your creative imagination, while keeping a sense of realism in mind.