How to Draw Anime Male Eyes

In this guide, we will show you how to draw anime male eyes and continue our detailed study of drawing anime characters

The first thing to understand is that, regardless of style, the fundamental principles of drawing eyes remain the same – only the stylistic choices and details vary. In other words, drawing anime eyes differs from drawing realistic eyes mainly in style, not in structure.

You should be able to draw this even if you are just starting out. However, it is helpful to review our article on basic eye anatomy for artists, as it will clarify which part of the eye you are drawing at each step.

How to draw anime male eyes step by step

Step 1: Sketch the vertical and horizontal guidelines

First, draw the basic guidelines. Place them in the center of the page if you are drawing only the eyes. The vertical line indicates symmetry, while the horizontal lines mark the upper and lower boundaries of the eyes.

Step 2: Sketch the upper eyelashes of the eyes

Measure approximately equal distances from the center and mark the inner, then the outer edges of the upper eyelids. Next, draw them with thick, clear lines, keeping them as symmetrical as possible. The eyelids can vary in shape, and the thickness of the eyelashes can depend on the type of character you want to depict.

Step 3: Draw the anime eyes’ bottom eyelashes

Now draw the lower edges of the eyes. Their curves are more horizontal compared to the upper edges. Most of these lines should run parallel to the horizontal guideline from the first step. To change the look of the eyes, you can adjust the curve and shape of these lines.

Step 4: Draw the pupils inside the eye shapes

Draw the pupils inside the anime male eyes as circles. Position them carefully, since the direction of the gaze and the overall mood of the drawing depend on this. You can vary the size and placement of the circles to achieve different effects.

Step 5: Draw the folds around the anime male eyes

Erase all unnecessary lines from the drawing and check the accuracy of the shapes and proportions. Then define the upper and lower eyelids with slightly angular, rougher contours. You can also add a few wrinkles around the anime male eyes to give the character a slightly older appearance.

Step 6: Draw the eyebrows above the eyes

Indicate the central and side edges of the eyebrows, placing them at the correct height. Then draw the lower edges so they mirror each other. After that, complete the contours by defining the upper edges. The eyebrows should be fairly thick and can vary in shape.

Step 7: Check proportions and symmetry

Review your entire anime male eye drawing to ensure that all details are in place and the style is represented correctly. Using a softer pencil or a black pen, trace the lines, varying their thickness and intensity. At this stage, you can also add additional details to give the drawing a more unique look.

Step 7: Draw shadows and texture on the anime eyes

Draw the hair texture on the eyebrows, starting from the center and gradually moving toward the sides. The hair direction should change as it moves away from the center. Then apply dark hatching to the pupils and slightly lighter shading to the irises. Leave the lower parts of the irises unshaded to create a highlight effect.

Fundamentals of drawing anime eyes

Anime is a complex visual language with its own rules and internal logic. However, both anime and manga are fundamentally built on the foundations of classical drawing principles. They depart from these rules only where it helps create a distinct visual identity, while still maintaining a sense of believability.

When drawing anime eyes or any other features, keep these ideas in mind along with the core principles of anime and manga drawing. This will help your characters look more convincing.

Additionally, within anime itself, there are many different styles and genres, each depicting characters, settings, and scenes in slightly different and often highly recognizable ways.

As a result, even when drawing something like male eyes, the approach may vary across styles, while still following the general principles that apply not only to anime but to drawing as a whole.