Last Updated on April 28, 2023 by Dee
Anime has been a popular art form for decades, and it’s no surprise that many artists want to try their hand at drawing anime characters. One of the most challenging aspects of drawing anime is getting the facial features just right. That’s where these 7 anime face template guides come in handy! Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned artist, this printable anime e-book will give you the foundation for getting your anime faces just right.
7 Anime Face Template Guides
This ebook includes the following face templates for you to use in your anime creations…
Chibi Anime Style Face
The chibi face, or more rounded face, is a staple in anime. It’s a cute and playful style that is often used in comics, cartoons, and animation.
To draw a chibi face, start with a round shape for the head and then add large, round eyes and a small nose and mouth.
The face with a curved chin should be slightly wider than it is tall.
Pointed Chin
The pointed chin is a more mature style of anime face. It’s characterized by a pointed chin and jawline composed of curved lines.
This style is often used for male characters and gives them a strong and serious appearance.
To draw a pointed chin, start with a triangular shape for the head and add angular features for the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Male
The male anime face is similar to the pointed chin style but with softer features. It’s characterized by a wider jawline and a more rounded chin.
To draw a male anime face, start with a rectangular head shape and add features slightly more rounded than the pointed chin style.
Female
The female anime face is characterized by softer, more delicate features. It has a smaller jawline and a more rounded chin than the male anime face.
To draw a female anime face, start with an oval shape for the head and add delicate features for the eyes, nose, and mouth.
[Related article: 21 Action Poses]
Side Angled
The side-angled anime face is a popular style for dramatic poses and action scenes. A strong profile and angular features characterize it. You can also check out my side profile drawing tutorial.
To draw a side-angled anime face, start with a triangular shape for the head and add features that are angled to one side.
[Related article: 18+ Best Couple Poses Drawing Reference]
Side Angled (Reverse)
The reverse side-angled anime face is similar to the side-angled style but with the opposite angle.
It’s a popular style for dramatic poses and action scenes from the opposite direction.
To draw a reverse-side angled anime face, start with a triangular shape for the head and add features that are angled to the opposite side.
Side Profile
The side profile anime face is a classic style used for character sheets and portraits. It’s characterized by a full view of the face from the side.
To draw a side profile anime face, start with a straight line for the center of the face and add visible features, such as the nose, mouth, and ear.
How to Make Your Anime Face Drawing Believable
As an art teacher, one of the most common requests I get from my students is to teach them how to draw anime and manga characters.
And I get it – anime and manga are incredibly popular art forms that can be a lot of fun to draw. But if you’re used to drawing real human faces, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when drawing anime characters.
Pay attention to the following when you are drawing your anime face:
- Eyes: Anime and manga characters often have much larger eyes than real humans. Pay attention to the placement and size of the eyes to create the right effect.
- Nose: Anime and manga characters often have much smaller, more simplified noses than real humans. Be careful not to add too much detail to the nose.
- Mouth: Anime and manga characters often have smaller, more simplified mouths than real humans. Keep the mouth simple and use it to convey emotion.
- Jawline: Anime and manga characters often have softer, less defined jawlines than real humans. Don’t worry too much about creating a strong jawline.
How to Draw Anime or Manga Faces: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Start with a circle
Begin by drawing a circle for the head. This will serve as the foundation for the rest of the face.
Step 2: Divide the circle into sections
Divide the circle into four equal sections by drawing a horizontal and vertical line through the center of the circle. This will help you place the facial features in the correct positions.
Step 3: Add the eyes
Draw the eyes along the horizontal line, between the two vertical lines. Anime eyes are typically large and expressive, so make sure to leave plenty of space for them.
Step 4: Draw the nose
Draw the nose along the vertical line, below the eyes. Anime noses are often simple and small, so you don’t need to add a lot of detail.
Step 5: Add the mouth
Draw the mouth below the nose, using a curved line. Anime mouths are typically small and simple, so you don’t need to add a lot of detail here either.
Step 6: Add the eyebrows and other facial features
Draw the eyebrows above the eyes, and any other facial features you’d like, such as freckles, beauty marks, or glasses.
Step 7: Refine the details
Once you have the basic facial features in place, you can refine the details.
Add shading to create depth and dimension and more detail to the hair and clothing.
Step 8: Experiment and practice!
Experiment with different styles and techniques, and practice drawing anime faces as much as possible. The more you practice, the better you will get!
What can you use Anime Face Templates for?
Anime face templates can be used in a variety of ways, some of which include:
- Drawing: If you are an artist, anime face templates can be used as a starting point to draw your own anime characters. You can use them as a reference to get the proportions and features of the face just right.
- Character design: Anime face templates can be used to design characters for mediums such as video games, comics, and animations. You can create unique and diverse characters by customizing the face template with different hairstyles, facial features, and expressions.
- Cosplay: Cosplayers can use anime face templates to create accurate costumes for their favorite anime characters. With the right makeup and hairstyle, the face template can help you recreate the character’s facial features.
- Digital art: Anime face templates can be used as a base for digital art. With software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, you can add different effects and colors to the template to create unique designs.
- Fan art: Anime face templates can be used as a reference for creating fan art for your favorite anime characters. By tracing the template and adding your personal touches, you can create recognizable and original art.
- Teaching: Teachers can use anime face templates as a teaching tool for art classes. Students can use the template to practice drawing facial features and expressions before moving on to drawing their own characters.
- Graphic design: Anime face templates can be used to create logos and other visual elements. You can create unique designs that stand out by customizing the template with different colors and effects.
- Animation: Anime face templates can be used as a starting point for animators. By creating different facial expressions and movements, animators can bring the characters to life.
Face Types in Anime Genres
Anime is a genre of animation that has a wide range of sub-genres or genres within it.
Each of these genres has unique characteristics reflected in the anime face shapes used to create the characters.
Comparing anime face templates across different anime genres can provide insights into the distinct features of each genre and help artists and fans understand how to create or appreciate anime characters better.
Shonen and shojo are two popular anime genres with distinct differences in face shapes.
Shonen anime, targeted primarily at young boys, tends to have more angular and sharper features.
The faces of male characters in shonen anime often have sharper jawlines, more prominent cheekbones, and a more defined nose.
Female characters in shonen anime are often more tomboyish and have less exaggerated facial features.
In contrast, shojo anime, targeted primarily at young girls, tends to have softer and more rounded face templates.
The faces of male characters in shojo anime often have softer and more delicate features, such as a rounder jawline, more prominent eyes, and a smaller nose.
Female characters in shojo anime often have large, expressive eyes and delicate, curved facial features.
Other genres, such as mecha anime, sports anime, and slice-of-life anime, also have unique features in their anime face shapes.
Mecha anime characters often have more robotic features and are often more streamlined in appearance.
Sports anime characters often have more muscular features, especially in the arms and legs, to reflect their athletic prowess.
Slice-of-life anime characters often have more realistic features and expressions, reflecting the genre’s focus on daily life and ordinary people.
Frequently Asked Questions about Anime Faces…
How do you draw a manga character face?
To draw a manga character’s face, start by sketching the basic shape of the head, then add in the facial features such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. Pay close attention to the face’s proportions, and use reference images or templates to help you get the features just right. Experiment with different hairstyles and facial expressions to create a unique character.
How do you draw a manga front face?
To draw a manga front face, start by drawing a circle for the head, then add in the guidelines for the facial features. Draw the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to the face’s proportions. Add the hair and other details, then shade the face to create depth and dimension.
How to make anime face step by step?
To make an anime face step by step, start by sketching the basic shape of the head, then add in the facial features such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. Next, add the hair and any other details, refine the drawing, and add shading to create depth and dimension. Experiment with different expressions and poses to make a unique anime face.
How do you make an angry manga face?
To make an angry manga face, start by drawing the basic shape of the head and adding in the facial features. For the eyes, draw them smaller and add in sharp angles to create an intense look. Draw the eyebrows downwards and closer together, and add in lines around the eyes and mouth to show tension. Finally, add in the mouth and any other details, then shade the face to create depth and dimension.
Conclusion
These Anime face template guides are an essential tool for artists and fans of anime alike. From using anime face templates in cosplay and graphic design to creating original fan art and animations, there are endless ways to use these templates to create amazing artwork.
Happy drawing!
Other articles you may enjoy…
20 Anime Chibi Poses for Drawing
17 Anime Couple Poses: Get your Manga Drawing up to scratch!
11 Anime Pose Reference Images to Improve Your Art
Procreate Templates for Improving Your Digital Art
Looking for a Sketchbook for Markers? 13 Awesome Sketchbooks for Marker Art