Knowing how to draw eyelashes anime style is like mastering a magical power, one that can bring life and emotion to your figures. With each stroke of the pencil and some strategic alignment, you can create breath-takingly beautiful fringe on your heroines and handsome knights. Drawing anime eyelashes takes practice, mastery and patience, but the reward is worth the effort.
To start out, let’s look at the anatomy and positioning of the eyelash. Eyelash growth usually starts around the outer corners and tapers towards the inner lid, where they curl in an outward c-shape. When drawn in anime style, be sure to keep the curve gentle, as opposed to mimic a literal c-shape. Anime eyelashes should also be darker at the roots and fade in to lighter tips.
To get that arresting anime look, you’ll need to focus on the details. Start by drawing the upper lash line and the bottom lash line. Place the lashes proportionally on the lid and draw evenly spaced, alternating lengths. Then draw very thin lines to mimic individual lashes, paying close attention not to divide the lash shape. To add a little flourish, draw curved lashes towards the corner of the eye for added drama.
Next, give your lashes dimension by strengthening the upper lash line and creating a flowery “shadow” around each of the lashes. Aim for an abstract shape that looks like smoke, and soften the edges for a natural diffused effect. Your anime lashes should look fluffy, not solid. You can also build up the upper lash line a little more to form a semicircle that enhances the natural shape of the eye.
Finally, to give your anime character a softer, romantic quality add some extra details. Color up the upper lash line, and you can draw scattered inner lashes by shortening the segments and blending the edges. To finish off the style, you can add some glossy highlights to the eyes, giving the impression of an eyelash extension.
Drawing the perfect anime eyelash requires a lot of time and precision, but it’s worth the extra effort. It’s these fine details that make your heroes and heroines stand out from other characters, and with courage and skill, you’ll surely be creating eye-catching characters in no time.
Now, let’s put theory into practice and get to drawing! Start by sketching a single eyelash then subdivide the length into smaller segments. This is the groundwork for drawing a single eyelash – always start with the outline and fill in the details later. To add a realistic effect, draw multiple layers of lashes for different directions and heights.
Focus on the edges and capture their naturally curved patterns. Be conscious of the spacing between the lashes and stagger them in various directions. Also, keep the distance between the upper and lower lash line symmetrical to achieve an even look. Finally, add a few more lines to fill in the gaps and give the illusion of being densely populated.
Adventurous artists can opt for some extra effects to enhance their eyelashes. One night-time look would be to draw a deep line to outline the upper lash line and create a bigger shape. You can make your anime eyelashes look longer, fuller or bolder by using the same strategy.
When incorporating your eyelashes into your work, it’s important to remember the context. If your character is supposed to have a cute or soulful look, opt for gentle curved eyelashes. If they’re stronger and more determined, intensify the edges and emphasize the individual lashes.
Finally, avoid overcrowding your eyelashes as this will take away from their realism. The goal should be to draw individual lashes, thoughtfully spaced to make a bigger impact. Be brave and have fun; you’re on the way to becoming an anime expert!
