Last Updated on November 17, 2023 by Dee
In this post, you’ll find 11 anime poses that are fantastic for drawing inspiration. They’re versatile, suitable for any artist, and ideal for both digital and traditional art. These poses offer a variety of styles and expressions, making them a valuable resource for everyone from beginners to experienced artists. If you’re into anime art or just want to add some new ideas to your sketches, these references are perfect.
Whether you’re working with pencil and paper or a digital tablet, these poses will help bring your drawings to life.
11 Anime Pose References for Drawing (Anime Model Poses)
*** This collection of 11 photos to be used as references for drawing comes from my Canva Pro account. As an artist and creative, I find there are just so many benefits to using Canva pro.
Importance of Referencing Real Bodies (in anime art)
In a medium where fantastical characters and stories are the norm, it can be easy to forget the importance of reference material.
However, for artists working in the anime style, referencing real-world bodies is essential to create believable and relatable characters.
By studying human anatomy, artists can learn how to depict the human form in all its variations accurately.
This knowledge is especially important when drawing anime characters, as their exaggerated features can make them seem inhuman.
With a strong understanding of physiology, however, artists can ensure that their characters never lose their essential humanity.
In addition, by referencing real people and bodies, anime artists can add a sense of realism and authenticity to their work that would otherwise be impossible to achieve.
As a result, referencing real-world bodies is essential to creating believable and compelling anime art.
[How to Get Ideas for Drawing: 31 Ways to Find Unique Ideas]
How to draw an anime pose
Generally speaking, I follow the same principles when drawing an anime pose as I do when doing real-life figure drawing.
Here are the steps below:
The first step is to sketch out the basic shapes of the person. This should include the head, spine, joints, and a straight line joining the arms, legs, hands, and feet. You can see I have drawn this basic form in pink as my first step.
Once you have the basic elements in place, you can start fleshing out the body and adding bulk. This is the second step in the sitting figure drawings I have completed.
** Remember that anime poses are often more exaggerated than real-life bodies. Larger heads, smaller waists (for females), and longer limbs.
After this step, start refining the form and erase the basic shapes. At this point, you can refine the hands, feet, fingers, and toes, and also in the details such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair.
Once you have completed this step, you can start working on the clothing (if there is any) and other embellishments.
[Related Article: How to Trace on Procreate]
How are anime figures different from real people?
Anime is a unique style of animation that has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent years.
One of anime’s most distinctive features is how bodies are drawn.
Anime characters often have large eyes, small mouths, and exaggerated facial expressions. They also tend to have disproportionate bodies, with very thin waists and large chests.
In contrast, real-life people generally have more proportional bodies and features. This difference in drawing style can be traced back to the origins of anime.
Early animators were influenced by Western animation styles, which tended to feature more realistic body shapes.
However, they also wanted to create characters that were distinctly Japanese. As a result, they developed a distinctive anime style that is now loved by fans around the world.
Anime figures tend to have larger eyes, smaller mouths, and higher foreheads than the facial features of real people. This is especially true for anime “girl face reference images”.
They also often have brightly colored hair, which is rarely seen in real life. Another significant difference between anime figures and real people is in their proportions.
Anime figures typically have much larger heads and eyes in relation to their bodies than real people do. This gives them a very distinctive look that can be difficult to replicate in real life.
Male characters will often have a clearly defined jawline and great hair!
[Related article: 20 Anime Chibi Poses]
If you are looking for anime hand reference, check out my Procreate Hand Stamps. These are great for anime hand reference drawing.
Finally, anime figures often possess supernatural powers or abilities that are not possible for real people. This can include things like flying or shooting fire from their hands.
Frequently Asked Questions about Anime Pose Drawing
Where can I find free pose references?
You can find free pose references online at sites like unsplash.com, or pexels.com.
How do you draw a manga girl’s body?
To draw a manga girl’s body, start by sketching out the basic shapes of the person. This should include the head, spine, joints, arms, legs, hands, and feet. Once you have the basic elements in place, you can start fleshing out the body and adding bulk. After this step, start refining the form and erase the basic shapes. At this point, you can refine the hands, feet, fingers, and toes, and also in the details such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair. Finally, start working on the clothing (if there is any), and other embellishments.
If you are looking for other cute anime pose reference check out my post on Chibi Poses.
How do you draw a simple anime pose?
A simple anime pose would generally be a full-body standing pose. You can draw this by starting off with a wireframe of the joints, spine, head, limbs, hands, and feet. Then start fleshing out the body, adding details such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair. Finally, add clothing (if there is any), and other embellishments.
How can I draw my body posture?
Start by standing in front of a mirror to draw your body posture. Then, take a pencil and paper and sketch out the basic shape of your body. Once you have the basic outline down, start adding details such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair.
Do manga artists use references?
Yes, manga artists often use references to help them with their drawings. This can include anything from real-life people or objects to photographs or other similar ideas. References can be extremely helpful when you are trying to achieve a specific look or feel in your drawing.
How do you draw manga from references?
When drawing manga from reference photos, it is important to start with the basic shapes and forms of the subject. This includes the head, spine, joints, arms, legs, hands, and feet. Once you have these basic elements in place, you can start fleshing out the details of the face and body.
[Related Article: 21 Action Poses for Dynamic Figure Drawing]
What is the best manga artwork?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as everyone has different preferences. However, some popular manga artists include Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball), Masashi Kishimoto (Naruto), and Eiichiro Oda (One Piece). These artists are known for their unique styles and storylines, which have captivated audiences around the world.
How can I improve my anime drawings?
There are a few things you can do to improve your anime drawings. First, try studying the work of other manga artists and see what techniques they use. Second, practice as often as you can, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and techniques.
What do professional manga artists use?
Professional manga artists typically use a combination of traditional and digital tools to create their artwork. For the pencil work, they will often use a light box to help them trace or draw the lines. For coloring, they may use Photoshop or other digital painting programs. Finally, for lettering, they will use a font that is specifically designed for manga artwork.
How do you draw in manga style?
The manga art style includes dynamic poses rendered with the use of thin outlines, stylized shapes, and flat colors. To draw in this style, start by sketching out the basic shapes and forms of the subject. Outline these shapes with a thin, consistent line. Once you have the basic outlines down, start filling in the flat colors. Finally, add any final details such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair. Check out my side profile drawing for tips and inspiration.
If you are wondering how to draw couple poses then check out this article… 18+ Best Couple Poses Drawing Reference
How do you draw flying anime?
The first important step is finding a good reference image to work from. A flying figure can be quite dynamic, so you’ll want to make sure the reference image is clear and easy to see. Once you have a good reference, start by sketching out the basic shapes and forms of the subject. Then, add in the details of the face and body. Finally, start working on the wings (if there are any), and other embellishments.
How do you make a dynamic pose?
A dynamic pose is one that is full of movement and energy. This will usually be of a person moving, running, jumping, or fighting. To create a dynamic pose, start by sketching out the basic shapes and forms of the subject.
What markers are used by manga artists?
Manga artists typically use a combination of traditional and digital tools to create their artwork. For the pencil work, they will often use a light box to help them trace or draw the lines. For coloring, they may use Photoshop or other digital painting programs. Finally, for lettering, they will use a font that is specifically designed for manga artwork.
Anime pose refs are an essential tool for any anime artist
They provide a way to study and practice different poses, angles, and expressions in order to improve one’s skills.
An anime side view reference, for example, can be used to study how to draw a character’s face and body from a specific angle.
Similarly, an arm pose reference can be used to study how to draw different arm positions and movements.
A pose reference generator can be used to create dynamic pose references for different characters and situations.
Art reference poses can also be used as a starting point for creating dynamic and expressive anime poses.
Overall, having a collection of anime poses reference is a great way to improve one’s skills as an anime artist.
Conclusion
If you want to improve your anime figure drawing, then using anime pose reference images is so important. Try to find good quality reference images, and study the work of other manga artists to see what techniques they use. With practice, you’ll be able to create dynamic and detailed anime drawings that are sure to impress 🙂
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This is a great post! I’m a beginner artist and this will help me a lot.
So glad to hear that!