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 and outer edges of the upper eyelashes. 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’ lower eyelashes

Now draw the lower edges of the eyes. Their curves are more horizontal than 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 irises inside the eye shapes

Draw the irises and 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 their placement. You can vary the size and position of the pupils to achieve different effects.

Step 5: Draw the folds around the anime male eyes

Erase the unnecessary guidelines and check the overall accuracy of the drawing. 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

Mark the center and outer edges of the eyebrows, placing them at the correct height. Then draw the lower edges so they mirror each other. After that, complete the eyebrows by defining the upper edges. They should be fairly thick and can vary in shape.

Step 7: Check symmetry and refine the drawing

Review the entire anime male eye drawing to make sure all the details are in place and the style is consistent. Using a softer pencil or a black pen, trace the lines while varying their thickness. You can also add small details to give the drawing a more distinctive appearance.

Step 8: Draw shadows and texture on the anime eyes

Draw the eyebrow hairs, starting from the center and gradually moving toward the sides. Change the direction of the strokes as they move away from the center. Then apply dark hatching to the pupils and lighter shading to the irises. Leave the lower parts of the irises unshaded to create highlights.

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 only deviate from these rules when it helps create a distinct visual identity while maintaining a sense of authenticity.

When drawing anime eyes or any other facial 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, anime includes many different styles and genres, each depicting characters, settings, and scenes in slightly different and often recognizable ways.

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